Seminar on Guru Nanak Dev

Amritsar, Punjab: In view of the approaching foundation day of the GNDU, a two-day 28th Annual National Seminar on Guru Nanak Dev’s Contribution to Indian Philosophy was organised by the Department of Guru Nanak Studies today in the university’s conference hall.

As many as 50 scholars from various parts of the country are participating in this seminar.

Avtar Singh Makkar, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, was the chief guest at the inaugural session today while Prof Jagbir Singh, former head, Department of Punjabi, Delhi University, Delhi, delivered the keynote address. Prof Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice-Chancellor, presided over the occasion.

SGPC President said the contribution of Guru Nanak Dev started from the ‘Janeu’ ceremony in his childhood. “Condemning the bare rituals, Guru Nanak Dev propounded his basic teachings, “Kirat Karo, Naam Japo” and “Wand Chhako”. Guru Sahib widely travelled all over the world and raised his voice against political and religious leaders,” he said.

He also gave the examples of ‘sakhis’ of Haridwar, Mecca, the Siddhas and Jogis.

While talking about the contributions of the SGPC, its President said, “The SGPC has always encouraged religious studies in its institutions. It encourages the youth by organising religious contests and awarding scholarships and awards to winners,” he said.

While talking about the Guru Nanak Studies Department, he said the SGPC had been providing scholarships to five students of postgraduate classes. Besides, he announced that another batch of five students would be provided scholarships by the SGPC. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs for the department.

Dr Jagbir Singh in his keynote address said that not even a single book of Indian philosophy has discussed Guru Nanak’s philosophy or Sikh philosophy in its entirety. “Guru Nanak’s philosophy is not projected in a proper manner. Materialism and global crisis have moved us away from our religion”, he said.

Prof Brar in his presidential remarks viewed that religion could not be questioned. “Religion is macroscopic and science is microscopic. Religion is sometimes accurate and sometimes approximate but it can’t be questioned,” he said.

Source: The Tribune