Edinburgh-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, attended a religious congregation organised by the management committee of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the support of the sangat (congregation). He shared his views on Gurmat (Guru’s wisdom) and Sikh history with the congregation and encouraged them to lead their lives in accordance with Sikh principles.
Before the event, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj held discussions with prominent Sikhs and gurdwara management representatives in Scotland, seeking their views on the challenges and concerns faced by the community, as well as their requirements for the propagation and promotion of Sikhism.
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said it was a matter of great happiness that Sikhs had settled in Scotland over a long period and remained connected with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He urged members of the sangat to bring their children closer to gurdwaras so that the next generation remains connected with Sikh culture, traditions and principles and contributes towards the welfare of all humanity in keeping with the Sikh ideal of Sarbat da Bhala.
He also directed the gurdwara management to make special arrangements within the premises of Edinburgh Gurdwara Sahib to teach Gurmukhi Punjabi to children.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining ties with Punjab, he asked the sangat to remain connected with their roots and visit Punjab from time to time to see their ancestral villages and pay obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib. A large number of Sikh families attended the congregation along with their children, and the Jathedar interacted with them and shared his views.
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said one of the distinctive features of Edinburgh was that while Sikhs had settled there through honest hard work and were living with optimism and Chardi Kala, the city had also preserved its thousands-of-years-old heritage and historic buildings in their original form.
He said the heritage of any community forms the foundation of its identity and, therefore, Sikh heritage must also be preserved at all costs, just as Edinburgh had safeguarded its own historical legacy.
On the occasion, Guru Nanak Gurdwara management committee president Dharamveer Singh Khalsa, vice-president Lakhwinder Singh, general secretary Wege Singh, stage secretary Galab Singh Gold, Sukhdeep Singh Randhawa, Suraj Singh Gold, Ajitkamal Singh Randhawa, Amandeep Singh, Gurwinder Singh, media adviser Jaskaran Singh and a large number of members of the sangat were present.