Govt, SGPC for joint celebrations

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 29

The state government and the SGPC have decided to jointly celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev under the patronage of Akal Takht.

The decision was taken after a delegation comprising Tourism and Culture Affairs Minister Charanjeet Singh Channi, Medical Education and Research Minister OP Soni and Cooperative Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa held a meeting with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal at the SGPC office here today.

The Jathedar, while welcoming the move of the Capt Amarinder Singh government, said it was overwhelming that all sections were burying their differences to jointly celebrate the historic Gurpurb.

He said as per the programme, all arrangements inside the premises of gurdwaras would be made by the SGPC, while arrangements outside the shrines would be taken care of by the state government.

Channi said deliberations on chalking out the roadmap for the celebrations were held with the SGPC. These included making arrangements for the transportation and accommodation for devotees, entrance of the main event, pandal and stage, besides exhibitions alongside functions.

He said in the coming days, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh would also take part in such meetings with the SGPC.

Longowal said the SGPC would follow the decisions taken by Akal Takht in the matter. He said all programmes during the 550th Gurpurb would be held under the patronage of Akal Takht.

Giani Harpreet Singh and Longowal felicitated the ministers and other visitors with siropas.

Appeal to Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

• The SGPC delegation led by chief secretary Dr Roop Singh, currently in Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, handed over a letter to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Tara Singh regarding celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• The SGPC has sought mutual cooperation in organising the festivities and offered all help for programmes to be organised at Nankana Sahib. Dr Roop Singh held talks with Pakistan’s Punjab Governor Chowdhury Mohammad Sarwar, who promised all kind of assistance in the matter.