Amritsar, October 24 (Harminder Singh Nagpal):- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today honoured 11 Sikh students who qualified in the 2025 UPSC examination and were selected for higher administrative services, presenting each of them with ₹1 lakh. Through this initiative, the representative religious institution of the Sikh community aims not only to encourage talented Sikh youth but also to inspire them to serve the community and the country while upholding Sikh principles. The 11 students honoured were Simarandeep Kaur, Rasneet Kaur, Sunavardeep Singh, Navneet Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Sarbaraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh Sodhi, Japleen Kaur, Jaspreet Kaur, Kanwarpal Singh and Sandeep Singh.
Addressing the gathering during the felicitation ceremony, SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami congratulated the Sikh students selected for higher administrative services and said that their achievement was the result of their hard work and the support of their parents. He said the parents of the successful students also deserved congratulations. Advocate Dhami said that the initiative of the Sikh institution recognised the students’ hard work, dedication and achievement, while also inspiring the younger Sikh generation to advance in higher education and administrative services.
He said that these students, who were entering administrative services inspired by the Gurmat principles of service, truthfulness, humility and public welfare, had brought pride to their parents and teachers, and their achievement was a matter of great honour for the entire Sikh community. Their success also conveys a message to other students to set ambitious goals, work with determination and dedicate their abilities to serving society.
The SGPC president said that Sikh youth reaching senior positions should pledge to perform their duties with honesty and impartiality, in accordance with the Sikh principles of “Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Vand Chhako” — earn an honest living, remember God and share with others. He prayed at the feet of Guru Sahib that these young people remain connected with Gurmat and fulfil their responsibilities wholeheartedly for the welfare of the country and society.
Advocate Dhami said that the SGPC was continuously working to help Sikh students prepare for competitive examinations. To achieve this objective, free education is provided every year to 25 deserving Sikh students through the Nishchai Academy for Administrative Services in Chandigarh. The services of former IAS officers who have held senior positions are also being utilised for this initiative. Similarly, the Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra Institute at Bahadargarh, Patiala, makes arrangements to train 25 students every year for judicial services examinations.
Advocate Dhami said that the objective of these initiatives was to provide opportunities to talented Sikh students who are held back because of financial difficulties. He added that students who clear the preliminary examination could pursue further preparation in any city in the country according to their needs, and the SGPC would extend its support.
Meanwhile, the students and their parents thanked SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, saying that the honour received from the representative institution of the Sikh community was invaluable to them and would always inspire their children to serve in accordance with the Guru’s teachings. They said the initiative by the Sikh institution would motivate other students to move forward as well.
Earlier, SGPC secretary Balwinder Singh Kahalwa congratulated the students and their parents. Referring to the work undertaken by the SGPC, he said that in keeping with the spirit behind its establishment, the Sikh institution not only manages gurdwaras but also plays a leading role in education, healthcare facilities and public welfare. He said the SGPC was also undertaking major initiatives to prepare students for competitive examinations.
Those present on the occasion included SGPC executive committee member Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri; members Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Bawa Singh Ghumanpura and Amarjit Singh Bandala; OSD Satbir Singh; secretary Balwinder Singh Kahalwa; additional secretary Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, Jaswinder Singh Jassi and Bijay Singh; deputy secretaries Harbhajan Singh Vakta and Azad Deep Singh; Sri Darbar Sahib general manager Major Singh; superintendents Nishan Singh and Malkit Singh Bahirwal; in-charges Baldev Singh and Karamvir Singh; and the family members of the students.
