‘Guru Nanak’s teachings still relevant’

Syed Ali Ahmed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 22

Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings of sustainable developments anticipated 550 years ago are relevant even in today’s world, said Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri while addressing people in a two-day international conference, Guru Nanak’s Philosophy and Legacy held in Khalsa College, Delhi University.

Philosophy of sustainable development anticipated by Guru Nanak Dev was required even in this point of time too. The United Nations has adopted the sustainable development agenda of 20-30 in 2015 with the inspiration of Guru Nanak.

The minister said Guru Nanak had given teaching of equality in human being, honesty and hard work and that was the reason that poverty was not found in Sikhs. There is provision of langar (community kitchen) for those who are poor.

Guru Nanak also discussed the poverty, food security and sustainable development in agriculture. At present time the world is talking about food security.

He reminded the participants about the langar served by a group of Sikhs from European country who had served langar to needy people in Syria. This is the story when Puri was in Security Council of the UN, he said.

Delhi Langar Society serves langar to the needy twice a week at AIIMS. Doing sacrifice for the mankind is also one of the teachings of the Guru and the Sikh community is always ahead in this cause, he said.

Nowadays, gender equality is a major issue but Guru Nanak had taught this 550 years ago. In Sikhism women in majority of the cases is given equal rights. He had taught that religion should be inner side of the heart not like that of “Brahminical fundamental and parasitical”, said Puri in the seminar.

Another speaker, officer of IFS (Retd) Navtej Singh Sarna said even renowned Urdu poet Iqbal had mentioned Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy and generosity saying, “Phir uthin aahein sada tauheed ki, Hind ko mard-e kamil ne jagaya khwab se”.