New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday saluted the contribution of Sikh gurus in India’s struggle against the Mughals and the British, saying the dangers they (Sikh gurus) warned the country about still exist today. He said that the unity of the country should not come under threat, so unity is very necessary.
Addressing a video conference at Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib in Kutch as part of the celebrations of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of Sikhs, said that his government’s mantra is “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and harmony of the country. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain it.
Addressing the Sikh community, the prime minister’s appeal comes at a time when an explosion took place in Punjab’s Ludhiana district court complex two days ago, in which one person lost his life and six others were injured. The Prime Minister said that at a time when the country is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its independence, unity among us is very essential for this no one can bring a dent on the unity of the country.
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He said, “The dangers that our gurus warned the country about are the same even today. That’s why we have to be alert and also protect the country.” He said that Guru Nanak Dev and after him different Sikh Gurus not only kept the consciousness of India ignited, but also made a way to keep India safe. He said, “The contribution of our gurus is not limited to society and spirituality only. Rather, if our nation, the contemplation of the nation, the faith and integrity of the nation are safe today, then at its core is the great penance of the Sikh Gurus.
He said, “Just as Guru Tegh Bahadur has always stood firm in his thoughts towards humanity, he gives us the vision of the soul of India. The way the country gave him the title of ‘Hind ki Chadar’, it shows us the attachment of every Indian towards the Sikh tradition. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s valor and his sacrifice against Aurangzeb teaches us how the country fights against terror and religious fanaticism. Similarly, the life of tenth Guru Gurugobind Singh Sahib is also a living example of tenacity and sacrifice at every step.
Describing “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” as the mantra of the country, the Prime Minister said that the re-emergence of a new and capable India is the goal of the country today and the government’s policy is to serve every poor and every deprived. He said, “Every effort… the benefit of every scheme is being equally available to every part of the country. The accomplishment of these efforts will strengthen the harmony of India and fulfill the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. The Prime Minister said that efforts were made at every level in recent years for the message of Guru Nanak Dev to reach the whole world with new energy.
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He said, “The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which was awaited for decades, was completed by our government in 2019 itself. Right now in 2021 we are celebrating 400 years of Prakash Utsav of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. The Prime Minister said that recently the formats of Guru Granth Sahib were brought to India with respect from Afghanistan and when he got the opportunity to visit America a few months back, the government was able to bring back more than 150 historical items from there.
He said, “There is also a Peshaqabja (small sword) on which the name of Guru Hargobind Singh ji is written in Persian. That is, our own government also got the good fortune to bring it back.” Modi said that it has always been a matter of pride for Gujarat that the fourth Gursikh, Bhai Mokham Singh of Gujarat, who played an important role in the establishment of Khalsa Panth. That was it. He said that Gurdwara Bet Dwarka Bhai Mohkam Singh has been constructed in his memory at Devbhoomi Dwarka.(Agency)