Sikh spirit of service needs greater global acclaim: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, February 18

In major signalling on the eve of February 20 Punjab elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hosted a group of Sikh leaders at his official residence and said it was his honour to have been able to serve the community.

“I was humbled by the kind words from the distinguished members of the Sikh community on various efforts of the Central Government. I consider it my honour that the respected Sikh Gurus have taken ‘sewa’ from me and their blessings have enabled me to work for society,” the PM said after hosting over 34 Sikh leaders at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

Each guest presented the PM with a ‘Siropa’ and ‘Siri Sahib’ and hailed the steps the government has taken for the welfare of the Sikh community, especially the declaration of December 26 as Veer Baal Diwas to honour the sacrifices of the Sahibzaadas.

The PM said many regions of India didn’t know about the inspiring lives of Chaar Sahibzaade and that he always mentioned their contributions to school students whenever he had a chance.

“The decision to celebrate 26 December as Veer Baal Diwas will go a long way in making kids from all corners of the country aware about the Sahibzaadas,” said the PM recalling his days in Punjab and adding that his doors were always open for Sikhs.

The PM said the Sikh spirit of service needed greater global acclaim and awareness.

He told the delegation about special arrangements the government made to bring back Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan with full honours and diplomatic steps that led to the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

The delegation included environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal from Punjab; Mahant Karamjeet Singh, president of Sewapanthi, Yamuna Nagar; Baba Joga Singh of Dera Baba Jang Singh (Nanaksar), Karnal; Sant Baba Mejor Singh Waa, Mukhi Dera Baba Tara Singh Waa (Amritsar); Jathedar Baba Sahib Singh, Kar Sewa (Anandpur Sahib); Surinder Singh, Namdhari Darbar (Bhaini Sahib); Baba Jassa Singh, Shiromani Akali Budha Dal, Panjwa Takht; Harbhajan Singh, Damdami Taksal; Giani Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Shri Patna Sahib; Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Harmeet Singh Kalka; BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa; and former MP Tarlochan Singh.

After the meeting, a section of the guests described the PM as a “Sikh at heart” hailing the declaration of Veer Baal Divas; opening of the Kartarpur Corridor; constitution of the Special Investigation Team to probe the 1984 Sikh killings, waiving GST on langar and scrapping the black list.

Ravinder Singh Ahuja, President, Sikh Forum, New Delhi, said, “‘The PM is a Sikh at heart. He has a deep understanding of Sikh scriptures, the Gurus, the language and culture. No other prime minister has had this level of understanding.” Mahant Karamjeet Singh noted, “The Prime Minister said Sikhi was in his blood; sewa was in his blood.”

While Kalka spoke of how the SIT brought former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to justice in the anti-Sikh riot case, Manjit Singh Bhatia, President, Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib said PM Modi had strengthened India’s global image in line with the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh.

Tarlochan Singh, the former Chairman of National Minority Commission, said that for the first time since Independence the contribution of Sikhs was being recognised.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.