Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th Birth Anniversary: Indian Embassy And Sikh Leaders Join Hands For Year-Long Celebrations In US

The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary’s year-long celebrations have begun in the United States, reports The New Indian Express.

India's new Ambassador, Harsh V Shringla, said that the Indian Embassy and Consulates have chalked out a range of activities that include musical concerts, seminars and interfaith events.

Shringla said to the gathering that, "Guru Nanak Dev Ji was one of India's greatest philosophers, teachers and social reformers. Born in an epoch when the Indian society was caste-riddled, Guru Nanak's voice was an empowering call to unshackle the human mind of centuries of religious and political tyranny and for the creation of a new egalitarian order."

He said that the Indian Embassy and the Indian government have reached out to various Gurudwaras and Sikh community leaders to discuss and organize events all around the world. The Indian embassy has set up a task force to coordinate and plan different activities, responding to the enthusiasm of the Sikh community.

The planned events include seminars on the philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak in reputed venues, musical concerts and interfaith events to spread the word to a greater majority.

The Sikh ethos of hard work, honesty, compassionate and straightforward life led to the success of the Sikh community across the world. In the US, the community numbers five lakh and has contributed very much to the American society, leading in all walks of life.

The Sikh migration to the US dates back 130 years when they arrived in California. Shringla said he was proud to see five Indian-Americans in Congress today, but pointed out the achievements of the first Indian-origin and first Asian-American Judge Dalip Singh Saund to be elected to the US Congress in 1957.

Bhai Baldeep Singh and his ensemble of musicians captivated the audience throughout the programme with their beautiful presentation of Guru Nanak’s mystical hymns.