Modi urges people to follow Guru Gobind Singh's path

In this holy town, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advocated the need for imbibing the teachings of the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh who preached unity, peace and harmony.
Modi paid obeisance at Gurdawara Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib as part of 350th Parkash Utsav of tenth Guru Gobind Singh here.
Sporting the traditional 'kesri' headgear, Modi emphasized the need for inspiring coming generations to learn messages and sacrifices of the great Guru Gobind Singh.
Modi began his address in chaste Punjabi by welcoming the gathering on this occasion with the holy chant of "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh." He concluded his speech with the same chant.

He said the Centre has decided to celebrate the 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh throughout the country in order to spread his message nook and corner.
"In coming days, there shall be a huge gathering at 'Patna Sahib' (one of the revered seats of Sikh religion) to mark 350th Parkash Utsav. For this purpose, the government has also decided to make rail service arrangement for those who wish to go to Patna Sahib," he said.

He talked about the sacrifices and messages of Guru Gobind Singh, saying that the tenth Guru was committed for the unity of all.

He said the Guru launched protest against inequality, discrimination in the society.
"On one side there was cruelty, crime, atrocities in the society on Guru Gobind's path. But Guru Gobind Singh chose the path of bravery. He tried to imbibe bravery among people. He gave the message of fighting against cruelty with bravery," said Modi.
"We should follow this Guru's mantra and also new generation should be inspired to take lessons from his messages," he said.
"There is no dearth of those who believe in division but the power of those who believe in unity is much more," he said.

Recalling his old days when he stayed in Punjab as BJP's in-charge of party affairs in the state, Modi said, "It is my fortune that I got an opportunity to work in Punjab for several years and because of it, I used to get opportunity on regular basis to pay obeisance at Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur."
He added, "It was also my fortune that when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came here, I also got an opportunity to be part of the gathering here. After becoming Prime Minister, today I got an opportunity to pay obeisance at the sacred land for the first time."

This is the land where for 28 years, Guru Gobind Singh tried to raise a society by virtue of his sacrifice, bravery and austerity," the Prime Minister said.
"I always say that I have blood relation with this holy land. It is because I was born in Gujarat, worked here (Punjab) and one of the Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones) of Guru Gobind Singh belonged to Gujarat.
"Therefore, unity among people of the country was the priorty of Guru Gobind Singh. 'Panj Pyaras' (the chosen five devotees of the Sikh God) were also from all directions of the country and one of them was from Gujarat. Therefore I feel that I have blood relation with this land," he said.

On this occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal honoured him by presenting robe of honour, replica of the Golden Temple and a sword.