Yatrees laud Jang Group for launching Aman Ki Asha
NANKANA SAHIB: As many as 2,697 Indian Sikh Yatrees reached here by three special railway trains to participate in the 541st birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee at Gurdwara Janamasthan.
The railway station echoed with their traditional slogans – ‘Jo Bolay So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’ and ‘Wahay Guru Jee Ka Khalsa’ and ‘Wah Guru Jee Ke Fateh’. The officials of district administration, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and citizens accorded them a rousing welcome. They were taken to Gurdwara Janamasthan by special buses amid tight security. The Yatrees performed their religious rituals, including Akhand Paat, Ashnan Yatra and Shabad Kertan.
Talking to journalists at Gurdwara Janamasthan, Indian Sikh Yatrees group leader and Shurmani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member Sardar Swinder Singh Doblia said that the masses of both countries were close, but the governments were far from each other. He asked the people to pressurise both governments for removal of their differences.
He said that a dialogue was the only solution to the problems and issues, including Kashmir and water. He lamented the devastation caused by the recent floods in Pakistan. Lauding efforts of Jang Group and Times of India regarding the launch of Aman Ki Asha, he said that both groups were making marvellous efforts for peace in the subcontinent. “It is a golden example for peace lovers.”
He said that the recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan had caused a decline in pilgrims. “After reaching Pakistan, we realised that everything is normal. Pakistanis are peaceful people,” he added.
He demanded the Pakistan government include representatives of Akal Takhat in the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and introduce a mechanism to elect its members like India. He demanded the Indian government include Pakistani Sikhs in Shurmani Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee so that the Sikhs of both countries could come close to each other.
He said that Akal Takhat was playing its role for preaching Sikhism in the world. He said that Pakistan and India should ignore their difference so that the pace of progress may accelerate in both countries. He added that both countries should increase mutual trade to benefit the people across the borders.
He said that recent visit of US President Barack Obama had been fruitful for India. He said that they were given a warm welcome at the Wahga Border and they would never forget it. He thanked the Pakistan government, ETPB Chairman Muhammad Asif Hashmi and Deputy Secretary Shrines Faraz Abbas for looking after Gurdwaras in Pakistan.
Amritsar Golden Temple Manager Sardar Balivinder Singh said that Rs 1.5 million was being spent on ‘langar’ daily in Golden Temple. He appreciated the ETPB for decorating the Gurdwara Janamasthan with lights. “I illuminated the Golden Temple on the pattern of Gurdwara Janamasthan.” Indian yatrees deputy leader Sardar Amarjeet Singh and Deputy Secretary Shrines Faraz Abbas were also present.
20 tents burnt, pilgrims escape unhurt
NANKANA SAHIB: As many as 20 tents were burnt when fire broke out at Gurdwara Janamasthan on Saturday.
However, Yatrees remained safe. DPO Shahzad Waheed told The News that Hindu Yatrees from interior Sindh were preparing meal in their tents when the fire broke out due to negligence. He said that 20 tents near the European residential block were burnt completely. To a question, the DPO said that an investigation had been started in the incident.
District Emergency Officer Dr Muhammad Azam said that the fire was not the result of short-circuit, but it broke out while preparing meal. Eyewitnesses said that the fire broke out at 10:15am when majority of Hindus were out for worship.
Yatree dies in Nankana
NANKANA SAHIB: A Yatree died due to illness at Gurdwara Janamasthan here on Saturday. Eleven-month-old Ramash Lal, son of Samson Sunder and a resident of Karachi, was suffering from brain and abdominal diseases.
Source: The News
Date:11/21/2010
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