Guru Nanak 550th Birth Anniversary: PM Modi Sets Up National Implementation Committee

Guru Nanak Dev 550th Birth Anniversary: PM Modi Sets Up National Implementation Committee: Details, Aim, Significance, Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted National Implementation Committee (NIC) under Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in India and abroad.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma are its Members.

Union Government has decided to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak at national as well as international level. The yearlong celebration will include a number of commemorative as well as construction activities will be taken up during the commemoration period.

The number of religious activities like kirtan, Prabhat Pheri, Katha, langar and educational activities such as seminars, workshops, lectures etc. will be organised. Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, which is the apex religious body of the Sikhs, will be knowledge partner for the event.

The government will also develop Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab where Guru Nanak is believed to have spent most of his life. The area will be developed as a heritage city incorporating ‘Pind Babe Nanak Da’. Moreover, the high powered telescope will be installed on the Indian side to view Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan where the first Sikh guru spent his last days.

Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Department of Posts will also release Commemorative coin and postage stamps to mark this event. Chairs in the name of Guru Nanak will be set up in UK and Canada.

UNESCO will be requested to translate and publish an anthology of Guru Nanak Dev’s writings in world languages and publication of Gurbani in different Indian languages will be made by National Book Trust (NBT).