New Delhi, Nov 8 (Representative) The life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev are a beacon of light showing the way to the world that is passing through a difficult phase today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday attending the 553rd birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev on the eve of his Jayanti here. The Prime Minister offered prayers to Guru Nanak Dev at the Lodhi Estate residence of Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities. He also extended greetings on Dev Deepavali. “Guru Nanak Ji’s message of love can bridge the biggest of gaps and we are proving this from the land of India. Inspite of having so many languages, so many dialects, various foods and lifestyles, we live as a Hindustani, engage ourselves for the development of the country,” he said. The Prime Minister said that Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings carry spiritual contemplation, the secret of material prosperity and also the inspiration for social harmony.
Talking about a series of measures by the government to in memory to Sikh Gurus, Modi said that it is the government’s constant endeavour to strengthen Sikh traditions. “The situation worsened in Afghanistan some time ago, we launched a campaign to bring back Hindu-Sikh families from there. We also brought back Guru Granth Sahib safely,” he said. “We have tried to pave the way for the citizenship to Hindu-Sikh families who were victims of partition by bringing in the CAA law,” the Prime Minister added.The Prime Minister said that the more we live the ideals of our Gurus, the more we embody a sense of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the the more we give importance to the values of humanity, the louder and clearer the teachings of Guru Sahibs will reach every person. The Prime Minister was felicitated with Shawl, Siropa and Sword on the occasion.Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, will be celebrated on Tuesday, the 8th November. Every year, on the full moon day of Kartik month, known as Kartik Purnima, this day is celebrated. Sikhs all around the world celebrate the day with love and devotion. On this day, a 48-hour non-stop recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, called Akhand Path, is also held in the Gurudwaras.