Guru Nanak Dev Ji(1469-1539),is the Founder of Sikhism, the youngest and the fifth largest religion of the world, with a following of around 25  million worldwide. It is  a monotheistic faith founded in the Punjab region of India more than  500 years ago. Most of the world’s 25 million Sikhs live in India, but more than 500,000 have made  the U.S. their home.

Guru Nanak was a precursor to modern world of democratic values. His teachings, universal in nature, include equality, brotherhood, compassion, charity- the values the civilized world cherishes.

The Indian Panorama, with this issue , begins year- long celebration of the Great Master until His 550^th  birth anniversary in November 2019.

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‘Guru Nanak’s message of inter-faith dialogue is the best solution to contain terrorism, radicalism: Dr. Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI(TIP): Dr.  Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India  said, November 22,  that Guru Nanak Dev’s message of inter-faith dialogue was the best solution to terrorism and fundamentalism and should be followed to promote harmony in the country, which is witnessing social strife, religious acrimonies  and caste rivalries.

“Guru Nanak’s message that all religions have merit and it is necessary to learn from each other is as relevant today as it was when He lived in our midst,” the former PM said in an exclusive interview to The Tribune on the eve of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the founder of Sikh religion.

He stressed the urgency of mobilizing all institutions — political, religious and social — to end the scourge of terrorism. In reference to the recent terror act on the Nirankari congregation in Amritsar, he said that Punjab had suffered enough, and it would be sad  if terrorism were to again take root in the state.

The Congress veteran called upon all segments of the Sikh society, the Hindus and Muslims and all others, to unite on the occasion of Parkash Utsav to promote the cult of good and honest living preached and practiced by Guru Nanak.

A practicing Sikh and India’s first Sikh PM, Dr Singh quoted poet Allama Iqbal, who best described the “Master’s” advent: “Phir uthi aakhir sada tauheed hi Punjab se…Hind ko ek mard-e-kaamil ne jagaaya khwaab se…”

(With Inputs from  The Tribune, India)