First International Sikh Conclave begins on Thursday in Bihar

Nearly 150 Sikh luminaries from all walks of life from India and abroad are likely to participate in the first three-day international Sikh conclave in Patna, beginning on September 22.

Talking to media persons here, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the state government is organising this conclave ahead of the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, in Patna Sahib.

"Eminent people including scholars, artists, businessmen, politicians from India and countries like Canada, UK, USA, Myanmar and New Zealand will participate in the conclave," Nitish Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the conclave on Thursday here, after which a panel discussion on various topics will be held.

According to officials of conclave host Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi and Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur, former PM Manmohan Singh, former Punjab CMs Surjit Singh Barnala and Captain Amarinder Singh, former Planning Commission Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, are likely to participate in the conclave.

Prominent participants from abroad are President of World Punjabi Organisation Ranjeet Baksgi (UK), Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan (Canada), Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Singh Bains (Canada), Hardip Singh Bhasin (Myanmar), Resham Singh Sandhu (UK), Jagdeep Ahluwalia (USA) and Secretary Sikh Council of Australia Baba Singh Jagdeo.

Well known lyricist Gulzar, Bollywood actor Dharmendra and veteran athlete Milkha Singh are also likely to participate in the conclave.

--IANS

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