Religious News

Celebrations for Guru Ramdas Ji’s Parkash Gurpurb must be Eco-Friendly: EcoSikh

October 5, 2013 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Amritsar, Punjab (October 05, 2013): Eco-Amritsar, an initiative of USA based EcoSikh, extends its collaboration with SGPC by assisting in eco friendly initiatives, during the Parkash Gurpurb celebrations of Amritsar’s Founder, Guru Ramdas ji. Guru Ramdas has invoked nature as God’s reflection in his writings, and this inspiration shall be advocated through suitable action and awareness campaign during the celebrations.

Thousands of pilgrims and devotees who come from Punjab and rest of Indian states and beyond walk through the stretch of 4 km in the old walled city area of Amritsar, with much religious fervour, while volunteers and devotees distribute free food, sweetened water and clothes to the needy.The organization appeals the participants of the procession honour of the teachings of Guru Ramdas ji by demonstration of a sustainable green spirit.

This year, on October 8th, EcoSikh in association with SGPC, aims to engage students and youth volunteers from educational institutions in the city and nearby villages to ensure a cleanup during the procession, as also spread messages of conservation. Volunteers from various partner organizations have already assured support. Major stakeholders in this venture shall be student volunteers from Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology, GNDU, Punjab Tourism Department and followers of Baba Kulwant Singh ji of Ajnala, who is well known for his night cleaning sewa of galliara in Amritsar.

Eco Amritsar’s awareness campaign will encourage people to switch to the bio-degradable leaf plates or pattals, instead of using plastic and Styrofoam plates, at the langars and chabils during the procession. SGPC and the local administration will also be providing logistical support of trolleys and man power to this effort.

Eco Amritsar shall also initiate a bird habitation activity by setting up several nests to attract birds to the city’s landscape which are now less visible in the city due to lack of greenery, pollution and chemical based pesticides. Eco Amritsar will endeavour to install these nests at temples, churches, mosques and gurudwaras at the onset of this program on this auspicious day. Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh, said, “Guru Ramdass in his hymns has said that the sounds of birds, fish and deer, all three kinds of inhabitants, are nothing but the voice of the Almighty. That means that we have the responsibility of maintaining the biodiversity in our dwellings. That is a sacred duty.”

On the occasion of the Parkash Gurpurb of the city’s founding father, an Annual Excellence Award in Photography is also being instituted. Published and unpublished works on the theme of “Best Projection of Amritsar” taken during the course of this year shall be evaluated by reknowned experts, and awarded on the eve of the next Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Ram Dass jee in 2014. The contest will remain open to competition globally amongst photo artists and amateurs alike for the year. The details will shortly be made available on EcoAmritsar facebook page as well as Eco Sikh website.

“Our sewa is incomplete if we serve food at religious congregations, and do not take the responsibility to leave the environs clean. We must fulfill our dutyfully as we seek the blessings from Guru Ramdas jee,” says Gunbir Singh, Chairman of Eco Amritsar. He added, “There is no bigger tribute to the founding Guru of this Holy City, than to ensure a clean, green, sustainable city. We as inhabitants of Amritsar, and as visitors and pilgrims must facilitate His vision of a flourishing city in harmony with nature.”

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Related Topics: Amritsar, EcoAmritsar, EcoSikh, SGPC

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