'Dedicate 2017 to 10th Sikh guru'

Patna: The scholars from across the country and the world discussed ‘Sikhism: A faith of love and humanity’ on the second day of the International Sikh Conclave here on Friday.
Global Sikh Council president Gulbarg Singh said Sikhs take inspiration from Guru Granth Sahib which consists of teachings of various Hindi poets, Muslims and Sufi saints apart from many other people of the so-called lower strata of the society.“This shows how Sikhism encompasses one and all and is a symbol of love and humanity,” he said.
Amritsar’s Prof Jasbir Singh Jabbar said Sikhs have been at the forefront of organizing ‘langars’ (common kitchen) during natural calamities. He said even the UN dedicated the year 1999 to Guru Gobind Singh when the 300 years of ‘Khalsa’ panth was celebrated. The Bihar government must prepare a similar proposal and send it to the Centre to dedicate 2017 to Guruji. January 5, 2017 would mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
He also said when Guru Nanak Dev founded the religion, he sought to end caste, class and religious differences by adding the word ‘Ek’ (One) before Onkar (God). “The difference between all the lesser Gods and Goddesses were deleted,” Jasbir said and quoted Guruji’s lines, “Ek pita ekas ke ham barak (we are all the children of one Father)”.
Australia’s Giani Santoh Singh and his compatriots Gurjeet Singh, Surinder Jeet Singh, New Zealand’s Kawal Singh, Punjabi University’s Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh of Chandigarh-based Institute of Sikh Studies were among others who spoke on the topic.
Noted Punjabi singer Rabbi Shergill and his troupe regaled the audience at a posh hotel near Gandhi Maidan in the evening. Te conclave will conclude on Saturday.