As part of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s birthday celebration at Gobind Sadan, the Gobind Sadan Institute and Gobind Sadan Youth for Peace presented awards to children of the Delhi Sikh Public Schools for their essays on Baba Siri Chand ji and his contribution to Guru Nanak Devji’s Mission.
200 entries were accepted from 13 schools and prizes awarded in Senior School English and Punjabi and Middle School English and Punjabi.
In their essays the children dispelled the myth that Baba Siri Chand ji didn’t follow his father and Guru, Guru Nanak Devji’s orders. They wrote glowingly about Babaji’s love for Guru Nanak Dev ji and the love between Babaji and the Sikh Guru’s revealing several little known facts including that Baba Siri Chand ji gave the name Amritsar to Guru Ram Das ji on their meeting. The city had previously been called Ram Das Pur. They also wrote how Guru Amar Das ji and Guru Hargobind Sahib had given their eldest sons, Baba Mohun ji and Baba Gurditta respectively, in service to Baba Siri Chand ji. The children were especially particular to document many of the wonderful miracles of the 149 years of Baba Siri Chand ji’s life (from 1494 to 1643) through which he taught love and peace to people of all walks of life, and cooled the fires of the burning world at that time. Maharan Partap, the Emporors Humayan and Jehangir sought his counsel and blessing and at the time of Jehangir he was considered the “King of all Faquirs” with the greatest following in all of India.
Under the guidance and blessings of Baba Virsa Singh ji, the Gobind Sadan Institute focuses on issues of historical and importance which provide
In Gobind Sadan, the major holidays of all traditions are celebrated, as Babaji wants to break down the barriers created by the religious institutions and teach people to love all the Prophets and Messiahs. Christmas and Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday are celebrated with the same excitement and joy. Lights and candles cover every corner of the compound and prayers and singing go on 24 hours a day.
Baba said, “Don’t think that Guru Gobind Singh ji is just for Sikhs and never say that one Prophet is any lesser or greater than another. They all come from God and are all God’s chosen children. We find from Baba Siri Chand’s example how by following Guru Nanak Dev ji’s teachings, we can meditate and work and share with those in need and bring peace in the world.”
Winners included:
(Online essays are linked to their authors – more to come)
Senior English
1st | Amritpal Kaur Bawa – Mata Jai Kaur Public School |
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2nd | Jyoti – Guru Nanak Public School, Adarsh Nagar Jasleen Kaur Arora – Guru Harkrishan Public School, Karol Bagh |
3rd | Kulpreet Kaur – Guru Angad Public School Jagjiv Singh – Guru Nanak Public School, Pitam Pura |
Senior Punjabi
1st | Gunjan Sharma – Guru Harkrishan Public School, Kalkaji |
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2nd | Simranjit Singh – Mata Jai Kaur Public School |
3rd | Pooja Aggarwal – Guru Nanak Public School, Adarsh Nagar |
Middle English
1st | Swarandeep Kaur – Guru Nanak Public School, Pitam Pura |
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2nd | Akshdeep Singh – Guru Harkrishan Public School, Nanak Piao Khusmit Kaur – Guru Nanak Public School, Pitam Pura |
3rd | Pankhuri Kathuria – Mata Jai Kaur Public School Rasleen Kaur – Guru Nanak Public School, Pushpanjali Enclave |
Middle School Punjabi
1st | Rupinder Singh – Mata Jai Kaur Public School |
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2nd | Apneet Kaur – Guru Harkrishan Public School, Kalkaji |
3rd | Amandeep Kaur Bindra – Guru Nanak Public School, Pitam Pura |
There were 21 honorable mentions and 17 with distinction awards presented. All categories received trophies and the top place winners also received cash awars.A special category of Best introduction was created for Rasleen Kaur Walia of 7th standard from Guru Nanak Public School Pitampura
Baba Siri Chand Ji was a renunciate – Self denying, celibate and dedicated to meditation. Baba Siri Chand had an extensive and dedicated following. His guidance was revered by the first six Sikh Gurus. Although his followers numbered in millions, he encouraged them to be devotees of Guru Nanak rather than of himself. He was not married but took the responsibility of his brothers son ‘Dharm Chand’ and arranged the marriage of the boy.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji started Baba Ji’s training at a very early age, mostly by personal example. Thus, as a child he formed habits of rising early, bathing and spending long hours in meditation. He was told religious stories and sermons to which he listened attentively. Baba Ji did not play like other children of his age; on the other hand he collected them and taught them meditation whenever they called upon him to play. There are several miracles associated with his childhood, for instance. Once when people got anxious over the delay in his return from the jungle where he had gone, a search party was organised. It found, to it’s great surprise, Baba Ji in deep meditation surrounded by wild animals of all sorts such as elephants, tigers and leopards. All were sitting at his feet motionless, perfectly silent, with eyes closed, enamored by his mystical powers and in service of their master.
Baba Siri Chand was Brahmgiani, one with the eternal light of God, on with that Eternal power of which all the scripture have spoken. Even though he lived in the world, he remained beyond the world. As Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote – “Brahmgiani sada nirlep, Jaise jal me kamal alep.”