“Just a glimpse of Sri Guru Granth Sahib redeems one of all sins. Need of the hour is that the teachings of the holy book, which are like the amritkumbha of social harmony and unity, should reach the masses to ensure unity and integrity of the country,? said RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Sureshrao Joshi. He, along with scores of swayamsevaks and thousands of activists of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, was welcoming the Jagriti Yatra in New Delhi on May 24.
Founder of the Sikh Sangat Sardar Chiranjiv Singh, RSS Delhi Prant Sanghachalak Shri Ramesh Prakash, Akhil Bharatiya Sahkaryavahika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Smt. Asha Sharma, RSS central office secretary Shri Ravindra Kumar and scores of workers of Sewa Bharati, VHP and other organisations associated with the RSS were also present on the occasion.
The Jagriti Yatra began from Nanded Sahib (Maharashtra) on November 15, 2007 and visiting various states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir reached Delhi on May 22. It would culminate in Nanded itself on October 30 this year after visiting all the states of the country and also some parts of the world. The Yatra is being conducted by Takhta Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib on completion of 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the Sikh guru. The Yatra showcases the shastras (weapons) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Sri Shaheed Singh along with puratan hast-likhit Sri Guru Granth Sahib. True to its name, the Yatra is creating an awakening, imparting the message of God and welfare of the entire mankind, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
Delhi unit of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat had made elaborate arrangements to accord a grand reception to the Jagriti Yatra. Thousands of Sangat activists engaged themselves in the preparations for a week and since the day the yatra reached Delhi they remained in the service. They organised impressive welcome meetings at Narela, Paharganj, Bhajanpura, Dilshad Garden, Mandi House and Laxmi Nagar. Sardar Prem Singh ?Sher? of Akhand Hindusthan Morcha along with thousands of workers welcomed the Yatra on May 27 at Shakarpur.
Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, as the RSS Sahsarkaryavah is popularly known, paid respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and had darshan of the holy book. He presented a beautiful poshaka, garlanded the holy book and also performed sajada. He prayed for the world peace in the feet of the Guru. Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi also garlanded the Panj Pyare and presented them each a siropa. He showered flower petals on the weapons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, which are also at display in the Yatra for a public glimpse.
Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarana, chairman of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, appreciated the welcome accorded by Rashtriya Sikh Sangat to the Yatra in Delhi and felicitated the founder of the Sikh Sangat Sardar Chiranjiv Singh by presenting him a siropa. Sardar Chiranjiv Singh also presented a siropa to Shri Sarana. Dr M.S. Pasricha, senior officer of the Takhta Sri Hazur Sahib and convenor of the Yatra, also appreciated the efforts of the Sikh Sangat. He said the welcome accorded by the Sikh Sangat in Delhi presented a unique example of sanjhivalata (social harmony) that he did not see during the Yatra anywhere. Bhai Joginder Singh who is with the Yatra since beginning, said the gathering that welcomed the Yatra under the banner of the Sikh Sangat had the people belonging to all sections of the society.
Earlier, senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri L.K. Advani along with various BJP leaders of Delhi including Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Shri Vijay Goel, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, various MLAs, MCD councillors and Mayor of Delhi Smt. Arti Mehra welcomed the Yatra at Narela border on May 22. Welcoming the Yatra, Shri Advani said the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib would bring awareness in the whole world. He pointed out that it had been a tradition among Hindus to initiate all auspicious works after offering respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He stressed the need to connect the whole society with the holy book. He said India could spread the message of peace and prosperity through Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Shri Balkrishna Nayak, central secretary of VHP, said the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are beneficiary for the whole world. General secretary of the Sikh Sangat Shri Avinash Jaiswal and BJP leader Dr R.P. Singh also paid their respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Noted Punjabi signer Shri Daler Mehandi sang melodious songs on the occasion.
