AMRITSAR: The Officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, participated in the concluding ceremony of the 55th Gurmat Education Camp held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Mango, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand state. The camp was jointly organized by The Sikh Forum Kolkata, Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Mango and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
On this occasion, Jathedar Gargajj honoured and distributed prizes to children who excelled in various Gurmat competitions, including Gurmat Sangeet, turban tying, and sports and others. The camp was attended by 185 children from Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and nearby regions, who received education on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh history, philosophy, traditions, the role of women in Sikh faith, sewa (voluntary service) and great Sikh personalities.
During the concluding ceremony, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and SGPC member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal addressed the children, inspiring them to follow the Sikh way of life. Jathedar Gargajj personally performed the Ardas (Sikh prayer) to mark the conclusion of the camp.
While addressing the gathering, Jathedar Gargajj interacted with the children through a question-answer session on Sikh history, listened to their recitation of the Gurmukhi Punjabi alphabet, and motivated them to adopt Gurmat discipline. He emphasized that every Sikh child must learn and speak the Punjabi Gurmukhi language to stay connected with the Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and to live according to the teachings and philosophy of the Gurus.
He said that Sikh mothers have a responsibility to ensure that their children maintain Oora and Joora (learn Punjabi and keep unshorn hair), the symbols of Sikh identity. Stressing unity, he remarked that all Sikhs are members of one Khalsa family and must live together with love and community spirit.
He further explained to the children the principles of Pangat and Sangat, Miri-Piri, and the spiritual significance of Sarovars and Baolis, highlighting that the Guru Sahiban had eliminated discrimination and inequality centuries ago. Referring to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he said the tenth Guru united the Sikhs as one family by initiating them with Amrit from the same bowl, bestowing upon them the common titles of Singh and Kaur.
Jathedar Gargajj said that the gathering to remain united and to live as Saint-Soldiers (Sant-Sipahi) in accordance with Sikh traditions, always ready to serve humanity and help the needy in society.
He expressed gratitude to the management of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Mango, the Central Gurdwara Management Committee Jamshedpur, and The Sikh Forum Kolkata, appreciating their efforts in promoting Sikh education and values among children and youth. The Gurdwara committee and camp organizers also honoured Jathedar Gargajj and Bhai Grewal on this occasion.
Speaking at the event, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal said he had been attending Gurmat camps organized by The Sikh Forum for several years and expressed satisfaction that hundreds of children receive education in Gurmat and Sikh principles through these camps each year. He also noted with pride that the Sikhs living thousands of kilometres away from Punjab in Jamshedpur have remained deeply connected with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Gurdwara Sahib, which is why the Sikh community here continues to prosper in Chardikala (eternal optimism).
Among those present on the occasion were S. Bhagwan Singh, President, Central Gurdwara Management Committee Jamshedpur; S. Shailendra Singh, S. Jagmohan Singh, Incharge Sikh Mission East India; S. Baldev Singh, Personal Assistant; S. Jaskaran Singh, Media Advisor; from The Sikh Forum Kolkata – S. Dilbir Singh, President; S. Gursharan Singh, General Secretary; S. Gurmeet Singh, Member; S. Prabhjot Singh, Dr. Anantpal Singh, S. Sukhwant Singh, S. Jagjit Singh, S. Kulwant Singh, S. Jaswinder Singh, Giani Jarnail Singh, Giani Lakhbir Singh, Bhai Gurvinder Singh, Preacher from Jammu; S. Gurcharan Singh Gill, S. Balvir Singh, and S. Savinder Singh, among others.