LG, CM, Sikh Leaders Extend Greetings on Guru Nanak Jayanti

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of the Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

In his message, the Lieutenant Governor said that the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji embody the essence of equality, love, brotherhood, compassion, and truthfulness. “Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life. His Prakash Parv is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the task of creating a just, fair, and humane society and to practise the revered Guru’s noble teachings in our daily lives,” Sinha said. He called upon people to work with dedication and commitment to root out divisive tendencies and uphold the universal values of peace and harmony.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his message, extended warm greetings to the Sikh community and the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. He said that the timeless teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji—rooted in compassion, equality, and selfless service—continue to illuminate the path of humanity and inspire people across the world. Emphasising the need to embrace these universal values, the Chief Minister said that they form the foundation of a society built on mutual respect, harmony, and inclusivity. Expressing hope that Guru Nanak’s divine message would continue to guide Jammu and Kashmir towards greater unity, peace, and prosperity, Omar Abdullah said the Guru’s ideals remain ever relevant to contemporary society.

The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has also extended greetings to the people on the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In a statement, APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina and other members—Navtej Singh, Sandeep Singh, Engineer Jatinder Singh, D.P. Singh, Principal Naranjan Singh, Ajeet Singh Mastana, Sant Singh, Davinder Singh, and others—wished that the occasion of Gurpurab bring peace and happiness to the world.

Raina said that true peace can be achieved only by following the path shown by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, whose message of love and humanity continues to resonate across generations. He recalled that Kashmir holds a special connection with the revered Guru, who visited the Valley and Ladakh in 1518 AD along with his companions Bala and Mardana. During his stay at Bijbehara and Avantipur, Guru Nanak Dev Ji met Pandit Brahm Das, who was so moved by his teachings that he embraced Sikhism—marking the beginning of the faith’s presence in Kashmir.

Raina added that Gurudwaras in Leh, Bijbehara, Ramnagar, and other parts of the Union Territory stand as enduring testaments to Guru Nanak’s visit and influence. The ‘rabaab’ carried by his Muslim companion Mardana, he said, is preserved at Shernangla in Ramnagar, Jammu. He noted that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy left a deep impact on the natives of Basohli, which is reflected in the 17th and 18th-century pahari and miniature paintings found in museums across the world.

“Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached against the caste system and oppression, walking thousands of miles on foot to spread the message of humanity and devotion to the Almighty,” Raina said. He concluded by praying, “May Waheguru Ji relieve the world of humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and other disturbed regions, and may peace prevail as Guru Nanak Dev Ji always preached.”