Reporting an event : A first for me (Part 2)...

Reporting an event : A first for me (Part 2)...

This is a continuation of  a 2 part blog sharing my pre and post event press releases of a live event, reporting under the guidance of Dr. Smita Mishra.

Post-Event Press Release                                                  

International Conference on Guru Nanak's Philosophy and Legacy

(Celebrating 550 Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak)

Venue: Master Tara Singh Auditorium(SGTB Khalsa College)

Date: 22-23 February 2019

Time: 10.00 am

Two days international conference on Guru Nanak concluded at Khalsa College

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, University of Delhi,  under the patronage of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee successfully organized a two-day international conference on  Guru Nanak's Philosophy and Legacy  to mark and celebrate the 550^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The event brought together  more than fifty experts and delegates from across the country and even abroad. Dr. Jaswinder Singh, Principal of the College, Delhi welcomed the esteemed guests and dignitaries. Explaining the significance of the event, he expressed his satisfaction in how the institution is playing a key role in promoting and propagating Sikh and Punjabi Studies which are a reflection of Guru Nanak’s philosophy.

Tarlochan Singh, College Governing Body and ex Rajya Sabha Member gave the chairman’s address. Honorable Chief Guest, Union Minister of State of Housing and Urban Affairs, S. Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the event.Mr. Puri addressing a packed auditorium said the sustainable development goals find resonance with the efforts taken up by the great Sikh guru, Guru Nanak more than 500 years ago. Former Ambassador, U.S.A  retired IFS S.Navtej Singh Sarna was also present to grace the occasion. In his keynote address, he stressed primarily upon the importance of actual interpretation of Guru Nanak’s philosophy teachings and ideologies and the positive impact it can have on the future generations. Former MLA and President(SGPC) Bhai Govind Singh Longowal along with S.Harmeet Singh Kalka (Acting President of DSGMC) & S.Manjinder Singh Sirsa (General Secretary of DSGMC) Amritsar were also present in the event.

The morning session started by honoring the renowned dignitaries following which the  eminent scholars gave their respective speeches on the influence of  Guru Nanak’s philosophies, theories, and principles on societies across the globe. Scholars included Prof. Himadri Banerjee, Jadavpur University, Prof.Dr Kazi Nurul Islam, President, International Association for Religious Freedom, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Professor(Retd.)Jai Bhagwan Goel from Kurukshetra University; Dr.M Muthu Mohan,Kamaraj University, Madurai; Dr Balbinder Singh Bhogal, Professor of Religion and Chairperson, Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Chair of Sikh Studies, Hofstra University, New York, USA, Dr. Francesca Cassio, Professor of Music Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair of Sikh Musicology Hofstra University, New York, USA.

Post lunch event  continued  with the theme ‘Guru Nanak and Traditions in Sikh Musicology’ chaired by Dr. Gurnam Singh, Chairperson, Gurmat Sangeet, Punjabi University, Patiala along with Co-chair Dr. Frencesca Cassio, New York, Dr. Kuldeep Kaur Pahwaand Dr. Vanita from SGTB Khalsa College was also present. The day’s event came to a conclusion with Sufi singer Rabbi Shergil music performance.

The 2^nd day (23^rd Feb) started with two technical sessions which emphasized primarily on Guru Nanak’s philosophy and his legacy. Renowned media critique and Hindi scholar Dr. Sudhish Pachauri, Former Pro VC, University of Delhi chaired the event along with co-chair Dr.  Mohinder Singh, Director, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi. The session with the theme ‘Guru Nanak and Philosophical Perspectives’ hosted many established scholars and philosophers in their respective domains. Dr.I.N Choudhary , Former Secretary, Sahitya Academy expressed his views on Sikhism as a religion of love, service, and sacrifice, while Dr.Harbans Singh, Associate Professor, SGTB Khalsa College laid stress on the benevolence Sikhism is associated with. Dr.Kamaljeet Singh, Associate Professor K.R.M.D.A.V College, Nakodar, on the other hand, showed an economic paper on Guru Nanak and labor economics which laid emphasis on the type of labor proposed by Guru Nanak, making the audience and the session more inquisitive. She concluded with the importance of kindness and why it is important to give something back to society. The second session with ‘Legacy of Guru Nanak’ as its theme saw esteemed guests express their valued thoughts. Starting the session as co-chair Co-Chair-Dr. Bhagwan Josh-Professor(Rtd.), JNU quoted a Punjabi poet  and explained the role of Buddha,Guru Nanak and Kabir in defining values in the societies through their preachings. S.Paramjeet Singh Sarao, Additional Secretary ,SGPC recalled the thoughts of Guru Nanak in his own words. Dr.Amanpreet Singh Gill, SGTB Khalsa College, in his thought-provoking address said that Guru Nanak was living in the phase of second globalization. His teachings are acknowledged worldwide. The conference came to a successful conclusion with a valedictory session in the end. Dr.Charan Singh RBI Chair Professor, IIM Bangaluru, Chairman, Punjab and Sind Bank chaired the concluding session of the conference along with S. Harmohinder Singh Chancellor, Central University, Himachal Pradesh as the co-chair. Notable Dignitaries from the country and abroad were present to give a fitting farewell to this grand event. These included Bhai Maninder Pal Singh, Chairman, Punjabi Parcharni Sabha, Delhi, S.Sukhi Bath , Founder, Punjab Bhawan, Surrey, Canada, and S.Sukhi Bath, Founder, Punjab Bhawan, Surrey, Canada. Dr.Charan Singh ending the session on a high and positive note expressed his valuable thoughts through his concluding address which summed up the entire conference.

*NOTE- This blog is a result of collaborative contribution of the MEDIA TEAM members of the above-mentioned event. I thank Mr. Sunil Karare, Ms.Susmita Modak, Mr.Karan Raj Singh, Mr.Yashwendra, Mr.Ravi Shankar, Mr.Ankur, Mr.Lokesh, Ms.Prableen for their hard work and dedication towards successfully reporting this event.

Content Courtesy -  Mr. Karan Raj Singh ,Ms.Susmita Modak, Mr.Yashwendra

Media Team Head & Co-ordinator - Dr. Smita Mishra