Amritsar, October 11: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to establish ‘International Sikh Advisory Board’, which will comprise of Sikh representatives from different countries. This board will make efforts to resolve issues and grievances of Sikhs living in foreign countries and support the local Gurdwara management committees in activities of Dharam Prachar (preaching of Sikh faith). This decision was taken in the SGPC’s Executive Committee (EC) meeting held here in Amritsar under the leadership of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami. During this meeting, an approval was also given to establish sub-offices of SGPC in different countries.
After the meeting, talking to the media, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikhs are living across the world and this trend is accelerating. In view of this, the SGPC will establish an International Sikh Advisory Board for better follow-up of Sikh issues worldwide.
He said that the SGPC will also establish its own offices in different countries, so that direct and easy contact can be established with the Sikh Sangat at the local level. He said the SGPC will establish Gurdwara Sahib in different countries and make sub-offices there. He said that in the past, SGPC had already started this process in Yuba City in the United States of America (USA), which will be expedited rapidly and necessary action will be taken to establish sub-offices in other countries as well.
SGPC President said that the SGPC will also open a sub-office in the country’s capital at Delhi by taking managements of some Gurdwara Sahibs there. He said in near future management of one Gurdwara Sahib will be taken and a sarai (inn) will be developed there for the convenience of Sikh Sangat. He said that this office of SGPC to be set up at local level in Delhi will provide services to adequately convey Sikh issues to the Central government. He said before this, SGPC’s Sikh Mission is functioning in Delhi, which is doing work of preaching Sikh faith.
About more decisions of the EC, Dhami said that last year the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had announced to mark the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas of tenth Sikh Guru as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, but after the SGPC’s objection to this name, the sub-committee constituted by Akal Takht Sahib has suggested the name as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’. He said the SGPC will send a letter to the Government of India as per the suggestion of the sub-committee and the order of Akal Takht Sahib and ask to change the name as per Sikh terminology as suggested.
In the EC meeting, while the affairs of Gurdwara Sahibs and various institutions were discussed, it was also decided to give a 4% dearness allowance to the employees of SGPC.
SGPC EC has also given approval to various events to be organised dedicated to the centenary of Saka Sri Panja Sahib. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh said that the main event of the centenary will be held at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Pakistan on October 30, while in Amritsar, India, events will be held on October 26 and 27. He said that after visiting Pakistan, the SGPC delegation has scheduled the outline of centenary events in discussion with representatives of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), under which, the centenary will be marked in memorable manner.
