The High Commission of India in London, together with members of the British Sikh society organised Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary at London City’s Guildhall on 19 December 2019.
The event, which included the rendition of shabad kirtan as well as a screening of a special film on Guru Nanak's messages of peace and universal brotherhood, brought together members of the Sikh diaspora and ministers from India and the UK in London on Thursday.
The event explored the concept of encouraging dialogue between different faiths, as propagated by the founder of the Sikh religion, and celebrated various steps taken to mark the anniversary, including the launch of a new London-Amritsar direct flight earlier this year, reported the PTI.
V. Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs, the Chief Guest at the event organised by the Indian High Commission in London said, “This event marked the culmination of year-long celebrations in UK of Baba Nanak and his teachings.”
HE Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK said, “The celebration of this anniversary in India, the UK and indeed around the world with such great fervour is a reaffirmation of Guru Nanak Devji's powerful message of humanity and truthfulness.
“His teachings have a timeless relevance and therefore it is extremely appropriate that the government of India has decided to celebrate this very auspicious occasion with enormous enthusiasm. The world needs to remember these teachings today when we are facing so much of violence, extremism, terrorism, radicalisation in so many societies across the globe.”
Lord Tariq Ahmad, the Minister for Commonwealth affairs in the UK Foreign Office, who reminisced about his own family's roots in Gurdaspur said, “This celebration is a reflection of the rich diversity of faith, community and culture which defines our modern United Kingdom today,”
“British Sikhs contribute in so many ways to British life and will continue to be instrumental in strengthening the diaspora's Living Bridge between the UK and India,” he added.
The minister also hailed the contributions of the British Sikh community, reiterating UK government backed plans for a new Sikh war memorial to be set up in the heart of London to honour Sikh military service as part of the British Empire during the World Wars.
