Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Message of Universal Brotherhood lying in Gurbani – Navdeep Singh Suri
Amritsar, November 24 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Today world is suffering from so many alignments like 
discrimination, racism, gender & inequality etc. which is only because of intolerance and all of us are looking for a solution. So many centuries ago, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, on the name of which this Guru Nanak Dev University was founded, gave the message of Universal brotherhood which says that all human beings are equal irrespective of their caste, creed and religion.
These views were expressed by eminent scholar, Mr. Navdeep Singh Suri, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Egypt & UAE (GNDU Alumni) while addressing the academic session organized online by Guru Nanak Dev University as part of its 51st Foundation Day, here today. This programme was streamed live on various social media a large number of viewers from all over the world participated. The second academic lecture was delivered by another eminent scholar, Dr. Jogishwar Singh, IAS (Retd.), Ex-Managing Director at Edmond de Rothschild, Geneva, Switzerland. Vice Chancellor Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu presided over the online session while Prof. Karanjeet Singh Kahlon, Registrar welcomed the guest speakers and audience. Prof. Sarabjot Singh Behl, Dean Academic Affairs presented a vote of thanks.
Mr. Navdeep Singh Suri said that Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji always advocated tolerance and gave the message to keep balance between freedom of religion and freedom of expression as leaders. We need to educate people and make them follow. He said that during the last few years, as per my experience, UAE is becoming a more tolerant country and giving liberties to so many things. While quoting the example of Amritsar City , he said that this city witnessed five tragedies during the last century and still tolerates & welcomes everyone. He said that during Jallianwal Bagh Saka, his grandfather S. Nanak Singh, an eminent novelist wrote in his poetry about the collective celebration of Janmashtami by Sikh, Hindu and Muslims together The same is even true today. He said that we need to introspect ourself instead of finding faults in others as Guru Nanak Dev ji said.
While blaming social media as cause for intolerance, he said that everybody should understand their responsibility to spread any message on social media keeping in view the ethics of humanity. He said that social media should be used for spreading positivity among all for the benefit of mankind. It is specially expected from students of this University to follow social media ethics which is the need of the hour.
While speaking on ‘Teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and its Relevance’, Mr. Jogisher Singh said that the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji are Universal as people of all religions respect and follow Guru ji universally. Guru ji never criticised any religion but he was against hypocrisy and false show off.
He said that as per teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, politics should be based on ethics but the same is far away. He said that to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji to match the conduct of saying and doing is what is desired even more today. He said that whatever is happening these days is giving the wrong impression of our country and the secular word is trashing its image.
He said that the young generation is getting away from religion due to substandard thought of preachers and the need of the hour is to address the questions raised by young generations and spread the real teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji by shedding ego and hypocrisy more young generation will be associated. While touching our environment he expressed his concern over degradation of our ecology, he said that the concept of ‘Balhari Kudrat Waseya’ and ‘Pawan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharat Mahat’ is needed to be analysed. He said that the balance between natures could only be maintained by following the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He said that today we are facing problems relating to inequality of gender and female foeticide. The solution of this problem is also lying in the teachings of Guru ji.
The celebration was started with Bhog Sri Akhand Path Sahib followed by Gurbani Kirtan by Bhai Jagtar Singh, Sri Harmandir Sahib. All precautions were followed. Major buildings of the University are illuminated with colorful lights to give a festive look.
