SGPC to develop Khalsa village

CHANDIGARH, May 15: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has proposed to develop a Khalsa village' to project the Sikh way of life a...

CHANDIGARH, May 15: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has proposed to develop a Khalsa village8217; to project the Sikh way of life as part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Khalsa in April 1999.

This was disclosed by Bharpur Singh, convener and Col Jasmer Singh Bala, secretary of the Khalsa Panth Birth Tricentenary Celebrations Committee set up by the SGPC, at a news conference here today.

The committee has decided to organise a seven-day Great Khalsa Sammelan8217; at Anandpur Sahib in April 1999.

It would comprise Amrit Sanchar8217;, kirtan and dhadi darbars, poetical symposia, sports competitions and religious conferences and seminars. Eminent persons, including religious heads, from all over the world would be invited to these celebrations.

The committee has decided to organise an international seminar on this occasion which would dwell upon Sikh religion, history and culture.Dr Gurbhagat Singh, who is the seminar coordinator, said the seminar would deliberate upon issues including spiritualism, welfare of man and human rights in the context of post modernism. The emphasis would be on recognition of different cultural identities. He said Sikhism shares many concerns with post modernism. This seminar would bring out the post modern relevance of Sikhism to reshape the world for the next millennium.

8220;We want to demonstrate the Sikh thought, heritage, ethos and its relevance in the modern age,8221; said Bharpur Singh.

The Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjabi University, Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and five other universities in the country would also organise seminars on the contemporary subjects of human and Sikh concerns. The committee has initiated contacts with leading scholars, writers, poets and others for this purpose. It is proposed to publish about 300 books dedicated to this occasion.

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The sant sammelan to be organised would discuss the social and spiritual issues. A Sikh seminary would also be set up at Anandpur Sahib.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal reviewed the progress of the schemes for the development of Anandpur Sahib at a high-level meeting. Israeli architect Moshe Safdie who has been engaged for the Anandpur Sahib project also discussed the plans with the Chief Minister.

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