SGPC to print Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroops’ abroad

Amritsar, October 18

The SGPC has initiated the process to print holy scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroops’ overseas. A delegation of the SGPC has reached Canada to hold parleys in this regard with the managing committees of various gurdwaras over there.

The delegation comprised of senior vice-president Surjit Singh Bhitewad, SGPC executive member Mithu Singh Kahnke, member Bhai Ram Singh and assistant secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan. As per an edict issued by Akal Takht in 1998, the rights of printing the authentic version of ‘saroops’ were reserved with the SGPC in Amritsar. In Amritsar, the printing is done by the SGPC’s publication department called ‘Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan’ located upstairs of Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib in the Golden Temple complex. Keeping in view the hardships faced while sending the ‘saroops’ abroad with ‘maryada’, the SGPC, in its executive body meeting chaired by president Bibi Jagir Kaur on August 23, had decided to set up printing press units in Canada, US and Australia. “There was no foolproof medium that could ensure that ‘maryada’ is maintained while transporting the scriptures. So, it was decided to set up printing press units on foreign soil under our supervision in different countries. The holy scriptures will be delivered to the adjoining countries by road with utmost care,” she said. — TNS