Gobind Sadan
Gadaipur, Mehrauli, New Delhi
His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh has requested us to organize a seminar on the topic of “Guru Granth Sahib’s Universal Community.” We will be holding the seminar at Gobind Sadan on 7 and 8 November, 2003, leading up to Guru Nanak’s birthday on November 9. This seminar will also provide scholarly material for the 400th anniversary of the first compilation of the Adi Granth in 1604 and the 300th anniversary of the canonization of the Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru of the Sikhs in 1704, both of which will be commemorated in 2004.
The point of our seminar is to draw attention to the interfaith value of the scripture which was initially compiled by Guru Nanak, who traveled far and wide talking with holy people and in the process, gathered and preserved their priceless hymns. The later Gurus continued this tradition of appreciation of all religions and of the oneness of God, Who is addressed by many names by devotees in various faiths. We hope that by demonstrating and studying the harmony among the teachings of saints from Hindu and Muslim paths and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, all of which are given equal honour in the Guru Granth Sahib, we can help to promote harmony among people of all religions in today’s strife-torn world. Demonstrating the similarities among all religions and promoting interfaith harmony has been the life mission of His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh, and under his inspiration, people of all religions and castes live, work, and worship together at Gobind Sadan.
We would be very pleased if you would be able to join us for this significant seminar. The inaugural session will be held in Gobind Sadan’s Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by lunch. After a welcome from the President, S. Swaranjit Singh, there will be an inaugural address by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India, and remarks from public figures including Dr. Karan Singh, MP, International President for Temple of Understanding, Shri Ashok Singhal, International Executive president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shri Sahib Singh Verma, Union Minister for Labour, Government of India, Shri Vir Bhadra Singh, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Former Chief Minister, Punjab, Shri I. D. Swami, Minister of State for Home, Government of India, Shri Sangh Priya Gautam, Minister of State for Agro-Industries, Government of India, Sardar Tarlochan Singh, Chairman, Minorities Commission, Shri Subash Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Tilak Raj Behar, Minister for Health, Uttaranchal, and Shri Ashwani Sekhri, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Health, Punjab. Then His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh will give his enlightened views on the subject of revered Guru Granth Sahib.
Three sessions follow in which research papers will be presented and discussed. Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, translator of Dasam Granth, will give the keynote address at the second session, beginning at 2 p.m. on 7th November. The third session will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 8th November, with presentation and discussion of papers. In the fourth session at 2 p.m. on 8th November, more research papers will be presented and discussed, followed at 4 p.m. by a Valedictory speech by Dr. J. S. Rajput, Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training.
All are warmly invited to attend and discuss the glorious and universal hymns of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.