Amidst the uncertain situation resulting from the continuous surge in Covid-19 cases, the Punjab Government on Friday decided to hold virtual celebrations to kick off the historic 400th prakash purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur from April 28.
Online kirtans will be organized by the Government on television and social media channels, with people being urged to offer ardas for ‘sarbat da bhala’ from their homes, said the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, adding that he will speak to the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur to shift all celebrations to the virtual mode in view of the crisis situation.
“While I and the whole state have been looking forward to celebrate the great event in a befitting manner in memory of Guru ji’s sacrifice for Hindus, the situation is not conducive to grand celebrations,” noted the Chief Minister, and appealed to the people to watch the events on TV and offer ardas from their homes on May 1 - the guru purab of the ninth Sikh Guru.
All programmes will be held as scheduled now, but through virtual mediums, with no physical gatherings, said an official spokesperson after a meeting of the executive committee set up to oversee the historic celebrations. The CM, chairing the meeting, exhorted the people to participate in various events, including live televised kirtans etc, which will also be telecast on social media, from their homes.