Amritsar, November 4 – A group of Sikh pilgrims, led by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), departed from the Shiromani Committee headquarters today amid cheers, led by Acting Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib.
On this occasion, Jathedar Gargaj offered Ardaas, and the Shiromani Committee's Chief Secretary, Sardar Kulwant Singh Mannan, Member Sardar Phuman Singh, Secretary Sardar Pratap Singh, Sardar Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, and other officials presented Guru Bakhshish Siropas to the leaders and pilgrims of the group. The group was accompanied by Shiromani Committee members Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwal (Principal), Sardar Gurmeet Singh Booh (Deputy Chief), Sardar Rampal Singh Bahniwal, and General Manager Supervisor Sardar Nishan Singh.
On this occasion, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, congratulated the devotees on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Parv and stated that every Sikh desires to visit their Gurdwaras in Pakistan. He urged the governments to continue the Jathas without any hindrance and also appealed for liberal visa grants.
Jathedar Gargaj appealed for the reopening of the corridor from Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib to Sri Kartarpur Sahib, stating that it is not just a corridor but a bond of hearts between the people of both countries that must be continued. He also prayed for the release of Sikhs imprisoned in prisons and for peace and brotherhood throughout the world.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary of the Shiromani Committee, S. Kulwant Singh Mannan, stated that it is a great privilege for Sikh devotees to participate in the Gurpurab celebrations at the Guru Sahib's Prakash Sthan on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Parv. He appealed to the government to streamline the process, taking into account the religious sentiments of Sikh pilgrims, so that every Sikh's heartfelt desire can be fulfilled. He said that this time, visas have been granted to 1,796 pilgrims by the Pakistan High Commission.
The group will travel to Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib today, where it will participate in the Prakash Parv celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 5th. The group will return to India on November 13th after visiting various Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Narowal, Gurdwara Sri Rori Sahib Aminabad, and Gurdwara Sri Dehra Sahib Lahore.
The group's leader, Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwal, said that it was an honor for her to lead the group on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Parv. She said that every Sikh desires to visit the Gurdwaras in Pakistan, and the government should issue as many visas as possible to pilgrims.
On the occasion of departure of the group from the Shiromani Committee office, Chief Secretary Sardar Kulwant Singh Mannan, Member Sardar Phuman Singh, Secretary Sardar Pratap Singh, Sardar Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Additional Secretary Sardar Bijay Singh, Deputy Secretary Sardar Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Sardar Gurnam Singh, Sardar Balwinder Singh Khairabad, Sardar Harbhajan Singh Vakta, Sardar Manjit Singh Talwandi, Superintendent Sardar Nishan Singh and devotees were present.