KCR announces sops for Sikh community

Hyderabad, Nov 6 (INN): Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday announced few sops for the Sikh community living in Telangana State.

Chandrashekar Rao announced that State Government would declare a public holiday on Guru Nanak Devji birth anniversary celebration from next year, a order to this effect would be issued soon. Apart from declaring a public holiday on Guru Nanak Jayanthi, chief minister also announced to extend government schemes to the economically poor Sikhs living in the state.

Participating in the 545th Prakash Utsav (birthday celebrations) of Guru Nanak Devji, founder of Sikh religion at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on Thursday, Chandrasekhar Rao said that financial assistance of Rs 51,000 on the lines of Kalyana Lakshmi scheme would be extended to the economically poor Sikh brides at the time of their wedding. The state government would provide about three acres of land in Hyderabad and Rs 1 crore for construction of community hall for Sikh community for performing functions.

Chandrasekhar Rao said that Guru Nanak stood for national integration, peace, brotherhood and communal harmony and devotees should follow the teachings of Guru Nanak which are very relevant these days.

The five day festivities of 545th Prakash Utsav (Birthday Celebrations) of ”Sri Guru Nanak Devji”, the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikh Religion, who spread the message of peace and communal harmony across the world concluded on Wednesday with thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faiths celebrating it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion by offering prayers.

The major attraction of the concluding event was jointly organised under the aegis of Prabhandak Committees, Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad and Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar where over 25,000 to 30,000 Sikh devotees and other communities participated in the ”Vishaal Deewan (Mass Congregation) by offering prayers to Guru Granth SahIb Ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at Exhibition Grounds, Nampally on Thursday.

The congregation began this morning at 11 AM continued up to 4 PM and was marked by the recitations of Gurubani Keertans and Kathas (Holy Hymns) by the renowned and reputed Ragi Jathas (Sikh Preachers).

Bhai Gurpreet Singhji of Shimla wale, Bhai Balwinder Singhji Rangeela, Chandigarh, Bhai Jaswinder Singhji, Bhai Hari Singh Hazuri Ragi Jathas who were specially invited from various parts of the country for the important occasion recited Shabad Keertans that stressed on imbibing the higher values of life and communal harmony for which Guru Nanak Devji strived. They also have thrown light on the teachings of Sikh Gurus who stood for national integration, peace, brotherhood and communal harmony. They asked devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji which are very relevant these days.

After the culmination of the congregation the traditional Guru-Ka-Langar (free community kitchen) was served to all the devotees where devotees sit in the same row with great discipline promoting the feelings of togetherness, fraternity and concern, for fellow human beings.

Prabhandak Committee Presidents, S.Kuldeep Singh Bagga (GSGSS) and S.Baldev Singh Bagga (GSS) welcomed the devotees at the congregation.