First international Sikh conclave in Patna from Thursday

More than 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 Bihar capital Patna from September 22.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar would be among the dignitaries who will attend the inaugural session of the conclave.

A spokesperson for the Punjab government told IANS in Chandigarh that panel discussions would be held on 'Sri Guru Gobind Singh -- A poet par excellence, 'Sri Guru Gobind Singh -- A spiritual saviour and crusader of rights' and 'Sikhism, a faith of love and humanity' and 'Contribution of Sikhs to the nation'.

Talking to media persons in Patna on Wednesday, the Bihar Chief Minister said the state government is organising this conclave in connection with the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, 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 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Punjab CMs Surjit Singh Barnala and Captain Amarinder Singh and 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 Bakshi (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.

--IANS

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