Guru Nanak’s teachings more relevant in the present times: Prof. Sarbjinder Singh
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Teachings of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji are more relevant and vital in the present era, when the decisive forces are out to erode the very fabric of our society.
This was stated by Prof. Sarbjinder Singh, Chairperson Sant Prem Singh Muralewale Chair, GNDU Amritsar and former Chairperson of Bhai Gurdas Chair Punjabi University Patiala at a maiden lecture organised by Guru Nanak Dev Ji Chair at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU) Bathinda.
The lecture on “Contemporary Circumstances and relavabce of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji teachings and Philllosphy” as part of its lecture series under the leadership of Vice Chancellor MRSPUT Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu.
Prof. Sarbjinder Singh said the Guru did not believe in discrimination, adding that all human beings were equal.
In contemporary of Guru Nanak, the Kings wanted to give one colour of Islam to all in the public from East to West. Now the rulers of our time also want to give one colour to all. But there was a dissent then and the dissent now. Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached ‘Rang Parang Aapar Jana’. The Guru wanted to make all the colours in the world as the garland of earth’s forehead. “Nanak Naam Charh-di-Kala, Tere Bhaane Sarbat da Bhala” and “Koi Na disse Bahra jiyo” were parameters of Nationalism of Guru Nanak and this need to be adopted if we want to save our country from being divided into numerous parts”.
He said Guru Nanak Dev did not restrict himself to one religion, but chose to embrace the good teachings of all faiths that had universal applicability and validity for all times to come.
While focusing on Guru’s message “SO KYON MANDA AAKHIYE-JIT JAMMEH RAJAN” which means woman has been a birth giver to many a Saint, great Kings and Emperors, how she may be inferior/ sinner” still sends strong message on women empowerment. He deplored the instances of atrocities on women and said that Guru’s word needs to be adopted.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu said Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s messages and teachings of peace, humanity, equality, compassion for creation of better society and clean green environment needs to be practicised.
“We have forgotten the teachings of Guru Nanak who said, “Pavan guru paani pita, maata dhart mahat. (Air is our teacher, Water our father, And the Great Earth our mother), which means that our environment is like our family but what we see today is deteriorating air due to pollution and depleting underground water”.
Prof. Sidhu said: “The very fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was able to anticipate the major challenges that we face today environmental protection, checking radicalisation and social evils Women Empowerment and gender equality.
Guru Nanak’s teachings more relevant in the present times: Prof. Sarbjinder Singh. On this occasion MRSPTU Registrar, Dr. Gurinder Pal Singh Brar and Chairperson Guru Nanak Dev Chair MRSPTU, Dr. Charanjit Kaur also spoke on the occasion.
August 19,2021