AMRITSAR:
Come March 14, Sikhs around the world would be taking pledge to
protect environment and follow the principle of "Pawan Guru,
Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat" as enshrined in Gurbani aiming to
create awareness about nature conservation. "It's our moral duty
to protect mother nature from the pollutants and not to let anyone
plunder the natural resources, besides we should teach others to do
the same," said Baba Sewa Singh Karsewawale and an
environmentalist. He said every Sikh should take the initiative to
keep surroundings clean and green.
Notably, all the five Sikh
Takhts had in March 2013 endorsed and passed a resolution that
Gurgaddi Diwas (coronation day) of the seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai
should be celebrated as Sikh Environment Day every year, especially
"in light of the rising global environmental crisis."
Rajwant Singh, president of EcoSikh told TOI on Monday that they had
invited all Gurdwaras and institutions to celebrate March 14 as Sikh
Environment Day. Guru Har Rai is remembered in Sikh history for his
deep sensitivity to nature and its preservation.
Sikh groups
would take pledge for conservation of energy by turning off the
lights while leaving room, collecting rain water to use for indoor
plants, saying no to plastic bags at market and instead brining their
own cloth bags and visiting a national park to learn about nature.
Rajwant said that on Sikh Environment Day, hundreds of gurdwaras
across India, United States, Canada, England and Australia would take
part in celebrations by reciing shabads focused on the environment,
holding ceremonial tree plantings and encouraging children to share
reflections on the environment and Sikhism with the sangat.