The Rt Hon Tom Brake MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Tanmanjeet S Dhesi MP, Lord Dholakia OBE DL, Lord Hussain, Seema Malhotra MP, Virendra Sharma MP, and Lord Suri along with Amarjeet-singh Bhamra lead a special celebration to mark the 548th Parkash Utsav (Holy birth anniversary) of Satguru Nanak Dev in UK Parliament in London on Monday 18th Dec 2017 amidst a gathering of over hundred participants including community and faith leaders. Parliamentarians paid rich tributes to The Founder of Sikh Faith and proposed of having a special postage stamp on His 550th Holy Birth Anniversary in 2019.
Satguru Nanak Dev was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He believed that true salvation could be achieved only by devotion of thought, excellence of conduct and encouraged both the Hindus and Muslims to take refuge in Sarbat da Bhala (the good and welfare of all) a universal faith of brotherhood based on compassion.
Satguru Nanak Dev was an exceptional prophet in human history whose profound impact on the world has stood the test of time. His contributions were in both spiritual and social, and these were expressed through his tripartite teaching of 1. Nām Japo, 2. Kirat Karo and 3. Vaṇḍ Chakko. In our modern age of rampant consumerism where our attention is relentlessly drawn to and fixated on the transient, society has increasingly recognised the need for meditation to facilitate one’s inner peace and contentment.
The purpose of the Guru’s first injunction to recite the name of the divine is to enable such meditation to take place at all times. His second injunction addressed that facet of human behaviour that has been observed since time immemorial: numerous individuals in their endeavours to become financially abundant have succeeded yet through the exploitation of others. He taught that whatever one earns must be done through honest means and through one’s own physical and mental efforts. The Guru’s third teaching was that of sharing wealth with others. He encouraged the act of charity and serving others thereby allowing all to benefit.
Special guest from the High Commission of India Consular D P Singh and Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Deputy Treasurer Conservative Party, Chairman British Sikh Association and Fellow of the Princes Trust were the key speakers who elaborated on Satguru Nanak Dev. Loveleen Kumar a former student of Ustad Manawar Ali Khan, performed a recital Akhiyan Nanak Milan di Pyassi (devotional song) to Satguru Nanak Dev, followed by speeches by: Hon Jaffer Kapasi OBE Consular General of Uganda, Dr Rishi Handa Philosopher of Religion & Sanskrit, Inspector Sutinderjit Mahil Chair Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, Dr. Cyriac Maprayil Vice President India League UK, Lieutenant Harmeet S Nijjar British Army, Cllr Liaquat Ali MBE JP & Shokat Ali British Muslim Friends of Labour, TajinderPal Sindra Founder Punjabi Theatre GB, Trupti Patel President Hindu Forum GB, Venerable Dr Miaolung London Fo Guang Shan Temple, Nigel Grace Chief Executive Maharishi Foundation, Chandru Gidoomal Sindhi Community Temple, Jasvir Singh OBE Co-Chair Faiths Forum for London, Warrant Officer Balbir Singh Flora MBE Royal Air Force, Kuldip Singh Ubhi President Namdhari Sikh Sangat UK, Lakshmi Vyas President Hindu Forum Europe, and Varsha Mistry Chair Metropolitan Police Hindu Association who also offered vote of thanks.
Apologies were offered on behalf of Lord Bourne Minister Dept. for Communities and Local Government, High ommission of Bangladesh HE Mr Md Nazmul Quaunine, High Commission of Guyana HE Mr F Hamley Case, Lord Patel, Mr S P Hinduja and Hon Alojz Peterle MEP.
