Port Blair, Sept. 22: To mark the 550th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Guru Nanak Devji, Field Outreach Bureau (FOB), Port Blair organised a discussion on “Life and Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji” in the conference hall of the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW), today. Ms Shimray Rose, Director Art & Culture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Swachh Bharat Brand Ambassador for the Islands Mr. Naresh Chander Lal and Principal Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyala (JNRM), Dr. N Francis Xavier also graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Surinder Singh Channi, Chairman Khalsa Public Senior Secondary School, elaborated the life instances of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life like the four Udasis (travel) of Guru Nanak Devji in the four directions where he travelled on-foot to places as far or more as Sri Lanka, Tibet, Assam and Mecca. Baba Nanak walked more than 28000 kms during his life”, he said. “Guru Nanak Dev ji also opposed sati pratha during the period and advocated for equal status to women in all spheres of life”, he added.
Mr. I A Khan, Chairman Island Islamic Foundation & Daira-e-Urdu Adab, emphasised on the importance of spreading Guru nanak Devji’s message of love, compassion and humanity in today’s time of violence and hatred. “Love, compassion and humanity are the core values of Baba Nanak’s Philosophy. Baba Nanak was continuously in search of truth”, he said.
Mr. Chandra Deep Singh, Assistant Professor History from JNRM explained the then present social and political strife in the Punjab region during the period of Guru Nanak Devji’s birth and incident that lead to Baba Nanak’s enlightenment that fostered the feeling of brotherhood amongst different communities in the region. “Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in then Bengal, Kabirdas in North India, Namdev in Maharashtra and Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Punjab were stalwarts during the Bhakti period in their respective regions. Guru Nank Dev Ji was the first Internationalist because of his teachings of universal nature. Reciting God’s name and vitues (Naap Japna/Simran), Working hard (Kirat Karni) and sharing with others (Vand Chakhna) are the three pillars of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s preaching” , he said.
During her address, Dr. Sarabjeet kaur Jagpal, Principal Khalsa Public Senior Secondary School highlighted the childhood instances of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. “Peace lies inside oneself, is one of the most fundamental preaching of Guru Nanak Dev Ji”, she said.
The winners of the recently organised essay competition on the “Life and Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji” were also awarded during the function. Manju Somu, class XI student of Government Model Senior Secondary School stood First, Sharon George, class X student of Carmel Senior Secondary School Second and Arya Singh, class VIII student of Saint Mary’s School and Rishita Debnath class XII student of Model Senior Secondary School were awarded third prizes together. Four other students were given consolation prizes.
The students of Khalsa Public Senior Secondary School also sang Shabad “Teri Seva” and “Nanak Naam Chad di Kalan” during the event. FOB Incharge, Joint Director Mr. Nilesh Kumar Kalbhor proposed the vote of thanks.
Field Outreach Bureau (FOB), Port Blair operates under the Bureau of Outreach Communication (BOC) of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
