Guru Nanak Dev – A Humble Tribute

Guru Nanak Dev  – A Humble Tribute 

Today, November 12, is the 550^thPrakash Parv (birth anniversary) of the great Guru, Baba Nanak, a harbinger of love, peace, equality and harmony while living a simple and egalitarian life. The followers of Baba Nanak and the society, both in India and abroad, are celebrating the Day with all solemnity and joy and rightly so. It is a matter of great satisfaction that, on November 9, the Ardas

(Prayer) of the faithfuls for Khulle Darshan Didar of Guru Dhams, came true with the opening of the ‘Kartarpur Corridor’ connecting Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side and Darbar Sahib Gurudwara in Kartarpur on the Pakistan side. Let us pray the Corridor turns out to be a ‘Corridor of Peace and Harmony’ of which the great Guru was one of the leading proponents. It will be a befitting tribute to Baba Nanak on his 550^th Prakash Parv.

During the course of celebrations, much and rightly so, has been written by the scholars and intellectuals on the life, philosophy and mission of Baba Nanak conforming to the words of Bhai Gurdassji – Satguru Nanak Pargatiya; Miti Dhund Jag Chaanan Hoya. I attempt this humble tribute as a layman confining myself to one or two aspects of Guru Nanak Devji’s simple and pragmatic approach to lead a simple but contented life with peace of mind and dignity. These canons of day to day life, Humanistic, Democratic, Socialism, taught by the great Guru, appeal to me the most as a simple human being. As a diplomat and a scholar, Navtej Singh Sarna has written in an article that appeared in the Hindustan Times of November 9 in, “But Guru Nanak’s 550^th birth anniversary should not be an occasion for celebration alone. It is also a moment for reflection, for rediscovery and reiteration of his essential message”.

The first lofty ideal of the teachings of Baba Nanak is – Kirat Karo; Naam Japo; Vand Chhako that is Do your Work to earn your livelihood; Meditate in the name of Almighty Waheguru; Share your earnings in charity. The beauty of all this lies in the fact that Guru Nanak practiced these lofty principles of day to day life while living in Kartarpur as a family man with worldly responsibilities.

The second important message was enshrined in the concept of – Dharamsal; Sangat; Pangat and Langar that is Identify or make a place of worship (Gurudwara); Community living Sangat or congregation to sing and listen to the hymns in the praise of Waheguru (Kirtan); Sit in an orderly fashion in the Sangat and eat at the community kitchen (Langar) by sitting in a line with others. These principles were denoted to community living with harmony and brotherhood without any distinction of rich and poor and low or high caste. This lofty philosophy reminded humanity of the Trisharan (triple gems) of Gautama Buddha – Buddham; Dhamam; Sangham. The concept of Langar (Community kitchen) is a unique concept given by Guru Nanak which intended to establish a casteless and egalitarian society without any consideration of social status. That is why I said that Guru Nanak was the harbinger of humanistic and democratic socialism, the order which is the need of the present times to ward of the evils of hate, enmity, divisiveness, and caste distinctions among others. Let us pray that the teachings of Baba Nanak keep guiding us in the years to come. I conclude my humble tribute to the great Guru Nanak Devji by quoting Allama Iqbal who rightly said:-

Phir Uthi Akhir Sada Touheed  Ki Punjab Se
Hind  Ko Ek Mard-e-Kamil Ne Jagaya Khawab Se
(Again from the Punjab the call of monotheism arose:
A perfect man roused India from slumber)

Talk on Abrogation of Article 370 and its Implications (Guru Nanak Prem Karamsar College Nadala)

Talk on Abrogation of Article 370 and its Implications

(Guru Nanak Prem Karamsar College Nadala)

Dr. Kulwant Singh Phull, Principal of a prestigious educational institution in the Doaba region of Punjab, Guru Nanak Prem Karamsar College at Nadala (Kapurthala), very thoughtfully invited me to visit them and speak to their students on the topical issue of national importance – Abrogation of Article 370 and its Implications – on November 2, 2019. I accepted the invitation and have had a

rewarding opportunity to speak to the students of Political Science of the higher classes and interested faculty members of the college on the given subject. The Talk was arranged by the Political Science Department of the College ably stewarded by Prof. Jagbir Singh as its HOD and was nicely conducted by yet another budding teacher, Prof Daljit Kaur. It may not be out of place to mention that, incidentally, our interlocutor to introduce me to Principal Phull was no other than a recognized and dedicated teacher, my brother-in-law (husband of my sister Lakshmi), Prof. Balbir Chander who retired recently as HOD of the esteemed Doaba College Jalandhar. He also accompanied me to the Nadala College as the Guest of Honour. And rightly so, apart from his academic association with Dr. Kulwant Singh Phull, both Prof. Jagbir Singh and Prof. Daljit Kaur and yet another faculty member of the College, Prof. Amanpreet Kaur, studied Political Science from Prof. Balbir Chander at Doaba College. They were all the more delighted to meet and host their worthy Guru, Balbir. It was a pleasure for me to sit and watch their delightful interaction. It was a matter of satisfaction that the audience was reverential and interested in listening to us in a much relaxed atmosphere. I was happy to know that Guru Nanak Prem Karamsar College was established fifty years ago, now in its Golden Jubliee year, on the auspicious occasion of the 500^th Guru Purab of Guru Nanak Devji. It was just a happy co-incident that I was invited and honoured at the College in the days when we were celebrating the 550^th Prakash Purab of the great Guru Nanak on November 12. The insignia of the College “Truth is Immortal” represents the lofty philosophy of Guru Nanak.

Prof Balbir Chander set the ball rolling by his crisp but thought provoking remarks on the Abrogation of Article 370 as a teacher of Political Science of long standing. Though he accepted the fact of demolishing the special status to J&K yet was not happy as to how the GOI had taken the decision abruptly without caring for the sensitivities of the people of J&K. I spoke in a layman’s perspective on the issue and gave the historical background of J&K’s accession to India on October 26, 1947 and the roles played by Lord Mountbatten, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maharaja Hari Singhand Sheikh Abdullah in incorporating Article 370 in the constitution of India conferring the Special Status on the State of J&K. I

also gave an overview of the position and role of the opponents, the right wing Hindu outfits, of the Article 370 led by Syama Prasad Mukherjee with reference to the slogan “Ek Bidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan”. Explaining the genesis of the Special Status accorded to J&K, I quoted from the Instrument of Accession “Nothing in the Instrument of Accession deemed to commit me in any way to acceptance of any future constitution of India or fetter my discretion to enter into arrangements with the GOI under any such further constitution”. I added said that obviously the accession was conditional and to satisfy the wishes of Maharaja Hari Singh and Sheikh Abdullah, perhaps, Article 370 was stipulated. It was said to be opposed by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel as often quoted and flagged by Jan Sangh/BJP/RSS. But to my mind, I added in my Talk, that it was not so. Sardar Patel was a leader of his own standing. If he did not agree with PM Jawaharlal Nehru on such an important issue having far reaching consequences for the nation, he should have registered his opposition and concern by resigning from the Cabinet as the norms of collective responsibility in a parliamentary democracy demanded. But it did not happen. Referring to often flouted PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s middle path to solve the problem – Jamhooriyat, Kashmiryat and Insaniyat, I said that it was a good approach but mostly remained on paper and added that with the BJP and its allies coming to power with absolute majority, the scenario changed immediately and they carried forward their pronounced agenda on August 5 and abolished the special status of J&K. Explaining the Administrative, Legislative and Legal implications of the abrogation of Article 370, I said that it was gratifying to note that the GOI was serious to address the issue head on in order to fully integrate J&K with the rest of the country as PM Narendra Modi said, “New system is aimed at building a strong link of trust.” Concluding the Talk, which was heard by the audience comprising of young students, mostly girls, with patience and engagement, that it was time to make a new beginning? GOI must deliver to address the aspirations of the people of J&K and fulfill the promises made. The leadership and people of J&K must accept the new realities. We need to pay special attention to the issues of civil liberties, human rights and political rights which are to be resorted to the people of J&K to ward off the dangers of attracting undue attention of lobbyists beyond our borders who tend to speak from the roof tops to promote and carry forward their own vested agenda. I added that let us realize the fact on the eternal beauty of J&K registered by non else but Mughal Emperor Jehangir “If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here” – Gar Firdaus Bar-rue Zamin Ast, Hami Asto, Hamin Ast. It was followed by an informal interaction with the students and the discerning members of the faculty by way of questions and answers which resulted in further clarity to put the things in its right perspective.

It was gratifying to feel from the thanks giving remarks of Principal Dr. Kulwant Singh Phull, a low profile, humble but an erudite intellectual and educational administrator that we could profitably talk and deliberate on an important topic of interest and concern to mutual advantage. I wished Principal Phull and the College all the best and further success in its Silver Jubilee year and the years to come.