Formally Launched -The Study of life and philosophy of Guru Ravidass (Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj)

 

Formally Launched -The Study of life and philosophy of Guru Ravidass (Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj) 

The English version of Roop Lal Roop’s magnum opus – Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj was launched on November 10 at the Sikkim House in New Delhi by the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Dushyant Gautam at a solemn but befitting ceremony. The research book of Roop Lal Roop, an eminent scholar and retired DEO (State Awardee in Educational Matters) has been translated by Ambassador Ramesh Chander and commissioned by British
Ravidass Heritage Foundation (BRHF) of the UK. BRHF is an outfit engaged in finding the ‘footprints of Guru Ravidass’ to carry forward the mission of the Guru as enshrined in the lofty ideals of the concept of ‘Begumpura’ given by Guru Ravidass. Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Dushyant Gautam is an ardent follower Guru Ravidass did the honours in the presence of President, Om Parkash Bagha and General Secretary, MBE Sat Paul of BRHF and also their associates at BRHF like Sam Kalyan, Rajesh Bagha and Uday Sood.  I found that Dushyant Gautam is a reticent personality. He appreciated the work done by the authors more through the eyes than the words. Though I am not a scholar and a linguist of any standing yet it fell on me to translate the research work of Roop Lal Roop for the benefit of wider audiences not only in India but also abroad. The original book in Punjabi; Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj has already been well received in the literary, spiritual and socio-cultural realms; particularly by the research scholars of the younger generation. I will not be doing justice to the author of the book, if I don’t write that Roop Lal Roop has done a wonderful job in doing this pain-staking and laborious exercise of identifying, exploring and explaining the shrouded

facts of history in the larger interest of the society. Guru Ravidass’s life and philosophy is the Lighthouse – Chanan Minara of the ship of human life. The lofty ideals of his Bani are the very edifice of ‘democratic socialism’ as enshrined in his Sabad ‘Begumpura Shehar Ka Naom’ which has thoughtfully been termed as the ‘Theme Song’ of the research work – Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj. The last two lines (couplet) of the Sabad rightly underline the need of equality and fraternity in the society. Guru Ravidass said –

Keh Ravidass Khalas Chamara;

Jo Hum Shehari Woh Meet Hamara. 

The author has rightly and thoughtfully said that the Bani of Guru Ravidass

enshrined and incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib of Sikhs is the “Sarbottam Sur” – the best melody of the Guru’s thought and philosophy. He has also searched and compiled the scattered Vani and Sabads of the Guru and compiled in the book in addition to the  ones included in the Amritvani of Guru Ravidass’ launched by Dera Sachkhand Ballan some years ago. Dr. Sarwan Singh Pardesi has rightly coined the book in his foreword as ‘A venture worthwhile’.

As we are trying our best to cope with the divisive tendencies existing and emerging in the society, Guru Ravidass’s message to the humanity is as relevant today as it was before – 

Aisa Chahun Raj Mein; Yahan Mile Saban Ko Ann,

Chot-Bade Sab Sam Vashen; Ravidass Rahe Parsan.

I am confident that the book – Guru Ravidass Di Khoj, in its English version, will prove to be a primary source of information and knowledge on the life and philosophy of the great Guru for the discerning students and researchers in the years to come. I take this opportunity to thanks and congratulate the author, Roop Lal Roop and BRHF for doing this magnificent act in the run up to celebrations and commemoration of the 650^th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass, a socio-spiritual revolutionary to transform the society.

We, the concerned with the job – Roop Lal Roop and BRHF specially their coordinator and guide, Shri Rajesh Bagha, Former Chairman of Punjab SC Commission, the Translator of the book into English, Ambassador Ramesh Chander are grateful and indebted to Hon’ble Dushyant Gautam for doing the honours. This kind gesture of the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim would add value to the book. I have been informally told by Om Parkash Bagha of BRHF that it was being planned to launch the book in the UK at befitting functions in the British and Belgian Parliaments sometime in January, 2027 onwards. 

On the side lines of the book release in New Delhi, We got opportunities to meet and interact, courtesy Rajesh Bagha and Uday Sood, some well-meaning personalities; Member of the National SC Commission, Dr. Partha Biswas, Dr. Mragendra Singh, Advisor to Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Member of Human Rights Commission, Dr. Priyank Kanoongo who were actively engaged in the ‘Begumpura Dialogue’ a flagship programme of the
celebrations of the 650^th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass. We requested Dr. Partha Biswas to kindly see and ensure to revive and restart the Guru Ravidass Chairs at various universities in the run up to commemoration of 650^th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass. He seemed very supportive of the suggestion and promised to do his best in consultation with the concerned authorities including the Vice Chancellors of the concerned universities. Both Mragendra Singh and Priyank Kanoongo and also Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim were

much keen to engage the Indian diaspora with the ‘Begumpura Dialogue’ abroad in cooperation with BRHF of UK. While we were happy to see the book – The Life and Philosophy of Guru Ravidass formally released; the kind hospitality of Dr. Partha Biswas with a thoughtfully arranged working lunch and homemade Dhokla and other savories at the residence of Priyank Kanoongo added to the joy.

Going through these ceremonies and niceties, I was reminded of the eternal message of Guru Gobind Singh –

देह शिवा बर मोहे ईहे, शुभ कर्मन ते कभुं न तरूं;

 न डरौं अरि सौं जब जाय लड़ौं, निश्चय कर अपनी जीत करौं,

 (Blog of Ambassador Ramesh Chander – a retired career diplomat)