Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, November 2 (Punjab Post Bureau)- A Two-day National Seminar on Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, dedicated to 350th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji was inaugurated in the Auditorium of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan of the Guru Nanak Dev University at Guru Nanak Dev University. This seminar is being organized by the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib of the University in association with Govt. of Punjab. A large number of scholars from various parts of country are participing and would present their research papers.
Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister, Punjab was the chief guest on inaugural session and Prof. Balkar Singh from Patiala delivered the keynote address. Prof. Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala presided over and Prof. A.S. Brar, Vice-Chancellor inaugurated the seminar. Prof. Navdeep Singh Tung, Dean Academic Affairs welcomed the chief guest and others. Prof. Sarabjinder Singh, Co-ordinator Punjab Govt. talked about the theme of seminar. Prof. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Registrar presented vote of thanks. Dr. Gulzar Singh Kang, Director Seminar conducted the stage alongwith Dr. Amarjit Singh is Co-rdinator of the seminar.
Dr. Cheema said that the teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh not only act as a catalyst to unite the nation but it can also help in making the country a lead in the world. He said that Guru Ji sacrificed everything for the sake of mankind. He said that the need of hour is to spread the teachings and thought of Guru Ji to every corner of the world and exhorted all to follow the path of equality and mankind shown by the Guru.
Prof. Brar said that scientific research is needed on the bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji so that our young generation could know about the great sacrifices made by Guru Ji for the sake of mankind. The proceedings of this seminar would be published in the form of book for the benefit of researchers.
In his keynote address, Prof. Balkar Singh said that Guru’s Divinity cannot be described only in terms of the known boundaries of historical writings. We have to work out broader ways of rendering the history of Guru’s life, message and achievements. It must be noted that Guru’s life journey stretches from that of Guru (body) to Guru-Sabad. It means the Gurbani is an important measure of history writing. It is also necessary to make use of internal references of Guru Granth Sahib pertaining to Sata-Balwand, Baba Sundar, the Swayyas of Bhats etc as well as we must make much use of the Janam Sakhis.
Prof. Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University said that the personality of Guru Gobind Singh is multifarious. The Guru has contributed to the history of the making of Sikhism, its organizational structure, he had a keen sensitivity of the diversity of religions in this part of the world and finally he had given best of his voice to the marginalized. The Guru’s task of transforming the “sparrows into Hawks” is not at all a small metaphor but stands the test of history for ages to come.
Certain Punjabi, Persian and other poets have excellently brought out those aspects. Bhai Vir Singh compared him to the Hindush mountain with its challenging heights and severe cold conditions. Similarly Swami Vivekanand too referred how the Guru created one Sikh equivalent to one and odd fighters.
