“The main rationale behind organizing ‘Dera Baba Nanak Utsav’ on the occasion of opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

Gurdaspur: “The main rationale behind organizing ‘Dera Baba Nanak Utsav’ on the occasion of opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on eve of 550thPrakashPurb celebrations of Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is to connect all the sections of the society especially the youth with the  philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and exhort them to follow these in life.”

These views were expressed here today by the Cooperation and Jails Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa after inaugurating the utsav. He also said that the opening of the corridor brings to the fruition the long pending wish of the Nanak NaamLevaSangat.Earlier, S. Randhawa formally inaugurated the 4 day utsav having religious, spiritual and artistic colours. This utsav is being organized by all the institutions of the cooperative sector from 8th-11th November.

Despite the heavy downpour that the town witnessed yesterday which sent the arrangements at main pandal and the tented city into a tizzy, the enthusiasm of the vast number of people coming to witness the Dera Baba Nanak Utsav added to the spiritual atmosphere .In his address on the occasion, S. Randhawa said that apart from the religious, the cultural and artistic presentations are also being showcased in the utsav so as to help connect maximum people with the philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He further added that renowned Poets, Writers, Playwrights are participating in the utsav who would also spread awareness about the all-encompassing philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak DevJi in various educational institutions. He also said that working for the entire humanity in a selfless manner today is the need of the hour and it is the real purpose of commemorating the centenaries of Guru Sahiban.

The 50 students of Khalsa College, Amritsar started the utsav with the ‘Aarti’ in the praise of flora and fauna recited by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. After that, the students of Police DAV School, Amritsar made a mesmerizing presentation of the action song ‘Guru Nanak Mahima’. The play directed by the Shiromani Award winning playwright Dr. Kewal Dhaliwal titled ‘Jagat Guru Baba Nanak’ was also very ably presented highlighting the ideology and life of Sri Guru Nanak DevJi.

In the aftermath of this, the popular folk dance ‘Malwai Giddha’ was presented which captivated the audience. The special feature of the presentation were the ‘Boliyan’ related to Sri Guru Nanak DevJi. The minister on the occasion released 5 books dedicated to the prakashpurb.

These were, ‘Kartarpur Karta VaseySantanKePaas’ (Prithipal Singh Kapoor), ‘Guru Nanak-ParamparaAteyDarshan’ edited by Dr. Amarjit Singh, ‘Guru Nanak BaniAtey Punjabi Chintan’ edited by Dr. Naresh, ‘Jithe Baba Pair Dhare’ edited by Dr. KewalDhaliwal and special edition of KaavShastar dedicated to Sri Guru Nanak DevJi.

Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included the Chairman of Punjab Kala Parishad Dr. SurjitPatar, Chairman of Sarbat Da Bhala Trust Dr. S.P.S. Oberoi, MD Markfed Mr. VarunRoojam, MDMilkfed Mr. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, MD Sugarfed Mr. PuneetGoyal. MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank Limited Dr. S.K. Batish, Coordinator of the utsav Mr. Amarjit Singh Grewal and Mr. Bhagwant Singh Sachar.