Sikhs throng to River Associated with Guru Nanak, Founder of Sikhism
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| l to r:J. S. Vedanti, Baba Seechewal, Jathedar |
SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar, Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and Ex-Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti attend celebrations.
Seechewal-25 July ( Santokh Singh Pannu ): Tenth Anniversary of kar sewa of the Holy Kali Bein was celebrated on the banks of the river at Sultanpur Lodhi with great devotion and enthusiasm by the Sikh community today. Addressing an impressive gathering on this occasion, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said that the Holy river is no more limited to Punjab alone but has become a global issue. The whole world is looking forward to colossal kar sewa work being organised by environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal as a role model, he said. He also said that Sant Seechewal represents the Sikh community at international level on the issue of environment. He appealed to the entire Sikh community to contribute liberally to Sant Seechewal’s kar sewa. He also promised to release an amount of `.10 lakh for kar sewa of the Holy Bein out of SGPC funds.
Speaking on this occasion, Sri Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that no trade effluent should be allowed to fall in any river or stream. He also appealed to the state Government to take initiative for environmental upgradation and protect natural water resources from contamination. He said that contaminated water proves fatal not to humans alone but all creatures and even plants. He said that Punjab is the land of great Gurus and saints from where the call for the welfare to all was first given. We should associate wholeheartedly with Sant Seechewal in his campaign for the conservation of environment, he added.
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| Gatherings at the function | |
Welcoming all the religious and political leaders on this occasion, Sant Seechewal said that the call for environment protection should come from all religious places. The condition of environment has worsened as a result of our carelessness and can be improved only through collective efforts. Satirically, referring to the government malfunctioning, Sant Seechewal said that the administration has failed to implement Water Pollution Control Act of 1974 even after the lapse of 36 years. The Gurbani has a message for us to solve our problems by ourselves, he said. He appealed to all the sections of society to contribute in this important task to the best of their respective capacities.
Punjab Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, speaking on this occasion, said that the farmers should not burn the stubble of paddy and other crops and industrialists should abstain from releasing their trade effluents into rivers so that environment can be clean. He also announced release of `. 2 lakhs for the kar sewa of the Holy Bein out of his discretionary fund.
At the end of the function, Sant Seechewal distributed saplings among people as the Grace (parsad) of God.
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| Avtar Singh Makkar being given memento by Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal |
It is to be mentioned that the government has promised to release 350 cusacs of water from Mukerian Hydel Channel into the Holy Bein. As a result of cleaning done by kar sewaks its capacity has been so enhanced that presently 8000 cusacs of rainy water is flowing within its banks without spilling out.