Hectic preparations on for spiritual march on Friday

Besides, the expected presence of World Sikh Council members in the march will be significant.According to information made available, a spiritual march will leave for Chamkaur Sahib on December 5 with a halt at Gurdwara Pariwar Vichhora and Batha Sahib. After staying for the night at Chamkaur Sahib, the march will proceed for Machiwara and culminate at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 6.

Colourful posters carrying the pictures of G.S. Tohra, SGPC chief and Bhai Ranjit Singh are being displayed at various historical gurdwaras in the district. Gliders, which are being arranged by Baba Mann Singh of Pehowa are expected to spray flowers on the march. The venue for the departure of the march is Quila Anandgarh Sahib, which is quite near the site of the foundation stone of the memorial complex. The state government too had arranged gliders for the stone laying ceremony of the Khalsa Heritage Complex. Above all the SGPC is determined to make it a show free from the presence of police force.

"We do not want anyone complaining of harassment by the police as had happened on November 22,” a senior SGPC official disclosed. The announcement of a “Sarbat Da Bhala Trust” by Bhai Ranjit Singh is also being viewed by many as a challenge to the Gurmat Sagar Trust of Bhai Manjit Singh of the Takht Kesgarh Sahib. Bhai Ranjit Singh had earlier expressed his reservation for the Gurmat Sagar Trust and has now urged the Sikhs to contribute Rs 101 from their earnings for the welfare of helpless women and poor children.

Speaking to this correspondent, Bhaur added that stress will largely remain on giving a facelift to the historical gurdwaras along the route of the march instead of arranging elephants and horses as was done in the previous function.