Launch of the book -The Study of life and philosophy of Guru Ravidass (Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj) – a curtain raiser

(Blog of Ambassador Ramesh Chander)

 

The English version of Roop Lal Roop’s magnum opus – Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj is finally set to be launched on November 10 at the Sikkim House in New Delhi at a solemn but befitting ceremony to commemorate the 650^th Gurpurab of the great Guru. 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 that is me 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.

 The book will be formally released by the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Dushyant Gautam and an ardent follower Guru Ravidass in the presence of President, Om Parkash Bagha and General Secretary, MBE Sat Paul of BRHF and also their associates at BRHF. 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 of the ship of human life. The lofty ideals of his Vani 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 Vani 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 upto celebrations and commemoration of the 650^th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass, a socio-spiritual revolutionary to transform the society.

The hosts of the launch function – 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.

Happy Reading and Happy Diwali