Namdhari Guru prays for peace
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

March 7, 1999

JEEVAN NAGAR (Sirsa), March 6 — The leader of the Namdhari sect Guru Jagjit Singh, has exhorted the youth to preserve their cultural roots and not get swayed by westernisation. Talking to TNS during the Hola Mohalla function organised here between March 2 and 5, Guru Jagjit Singh cautioned against the evil influence of western culture on the youth of the country.

It was the fortieth Hola Mohalla function organised during the lifetime of Guru Jagjit Singh and for the fourth time it was held in this small village. At least 50,000 devotees from all over the country and abroad took part in the function. Guru Jagjit Singh delivered the concluding address today.

He prayed for peace, amity and brotherhood. He pointed out that the very purpose of organising the Hola Mohalla function was to strengthen brotherhood and amity among the people.

Guru Jagjit Singh said the Namdharis would also be celebrating tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa. Special functions will be organised to mark the occasion. He disclosed that a Namdhari yatra would be organised from Bheni Sahib, near Ludhiana, to Anandpur Sahib on March 28. The 125-km yatra would be led by Guru Jagjit Singh himself. It would be received by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and his Cabinet colleagues at Anandpur Sahib.

The Guru refused to comment on the ongoing tussle within the Akali Dal. He said he only prayed and hoped that peace and goodwill would prevail among all sections. He hoped the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa would pass off peacefully and with traditional gaiety.

The Namdhari sect has been instrumental in setting up a chain of educational institutions in the northern region. At present, five colleges are being run by the sect, one each at mandi, Jeevan Nagar, Delhi, Bheni Sahib and Chandigarh. The sect also plans to start a school at Amritsar, which will impart religious education. The sect is also running a college in Thailand, where students from 30 countries are admitted.

The sect has also been hooked on the Internet for the past six months. According to Mr Dayal Singh, the mela in-charge, all information about the Namdhari sect is provided on the Internet. This has also helped in spreading the message of peace, love and brotherhood across the globe, he pointed out.

Former Rajya Sabha member H.S. Hanspal was also present on the occasion. People from the USA, Canada, the UK and Gulf countries also attended the five-day-long celebrations. As many as 40 religious jathas from across the country presented kirtan.

Several marriages were also solemnised on the occasion. These marriages were organised according to traditional Hindu rites, but without other formalities. Mr Dayal Singh said these marriages were organised to inspire other youth in going in for simple and dowryless marriages.