Efforts on to bring Centre, state together: SGPC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 6

After the intervention of the Akal Takht, the SGPC is all set to make efforts to bring the state and the Centre under one umbrella to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev for which a series of activities have been planned.

While revealing the programmes, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said efforts would be made to hold a joint stage to celebrate the main occasion that falls on November 12 (this year as per amended version of Nanakshahi calendar followed by the SGPC) at Sultanpur Lodhi.

“As per directions of the Akal Takht Jathedar that ‘one stage’ should be set up at Sultanpur Lodhi and all should hold a joint programme, I have already spoken to CM Capt Amarinder Singh seeking appointment to discuss a combined planning in this regard. He will spare time post elections,” he said.

In the backdrop, the yearlong tribute celebrations are already underway since November 2018. The Centre has made SGPC its “knowledge partner”, which is scheduled to hold the main programme at the historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara, whereas the state government has announced to hold separate event at Dana Mandi the same day.

Last year, CM Capt Amarinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce financial package of Rs 2,145 crore for the yearlong celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev as his government was launching a series of development programmes to commemorate the historic occasion. The schemes included establishing heritage Pind Babe Da depicting Guru Nanak’s life and times at Sultanpur Lodhi, setting up national institute of inter-faith studies at Amritsar, medical college at Batala and development of 47 villages associated with Guru Nanak.

Though the Centre agreed to it, it made the SGPC as the coordinating agency for these schemes. It was also made clear that for religious activities such as “kirtan”, “katha”, “prabhat pheri” and “langar” planned throughout the year, the SGPC will draw a calendar of activities and execute it. Similarly, the educational activities such as seminars, workshops, lectures will be organised throughout the country by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in association with the SGPC.

Longowal revealed that the programmes chalked out by the SGPC were to be held between November 8 and 12. Hesaid on November 12, during the main event, besides the Jathedars of all Takhts and other prominent religious personalities, the President, Prime Minister, Governors of various states and CMs are expected to participate.