The three days International Sikh Conclave, the first of its kind in the country, concluded here on Saturday and the Bihar Government is now fully engaged in hosting the 9-day Prakash Parv to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Sikhs’ tenth guru Gobind Singh, who was born in Patna in 1666. By organising this historic celebration, the Government aims to develop tourism by promoting a Sikh circuit. Around half a million Sikhs across the globe are expected to attend this event by the end of this year.
Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind who addressed the conceding session of the conclave on Saturday, said it will be a major challenge as well as opportunity for Bihar to attract tourists from the world. The conclave was organised by the State tourism department and it will be the nodal agency for holding Prakash Parv.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who inaugurated the conclave on Thursday also spoke about the Sikh circuit to be developed on the lines of Buddhist circuit and said places in Bihar associated with the Sikh Gurus and having historical importance would be developed. He particularly mentioned about Rajgir, famous for Buddha’s teachings, where Guru Nanak had stayed and preached.
The dignitaries and scholars from different parts of the country and abroad, including Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal, praised Nitish Kumar and urged the CM to develop historical places associated with Sikhism as well as shrines at various places in Bihar. Former chairman of National Minorities Commission Tarlochan Singh said that Hemkund Sahib in Uttrakhand was visited by no less than four lakh pilgrims during three months of every year and has become a good source of revenue. GS Barnala, son of former Punjab CM SS Barnala called Bihar a “Mecca of Sikhism”and Union Minister of State SS Ahluwalia, who belongs to Bihar, said Bihar is the second most important State, only after Punjab, in the annals of Sikhism.
The way the conclave was organised by the tourism department under its principal secretary Harjot Kaur, was praised by one and all as the delegates left highly satisfied. They were fully confident that the all important Prakash Parv would also be organised elegantly and for which preparations are on and infrastructural development projects are under way not only for months but years.
Kaur said existing accommodation facilities in Patna were being augmented by construction of tented cities at three locations in the city in Gandhi Maidan, Kangan Ghat and bypass parking area. “The Prakash Parv will be celebrated from December 30, 2016 to January 7, 2017 with pomp and splendor,” she said.
Prof Jasbir Singh Jabbar of Amritsar urged Biahr Government to prepare a proposal and send it to the Centre to dedicate 2017 to Guru Gobind Singh adding that January 5, 2017 would mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru. He recalled that the UN dedicated 1999 to Guru Gobind Singh when the 300 years of Khalsa panth was celebrated.