CHANDIGARH: Joining the Sikh Sangat in welcoming Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra to the City to celebrate 300th Year of Guruta Gaddi Diwas, the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, Saturday called upon the people to follow the doctrine & tenets of humanism, secularism and oneness of God, enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

In a message, to mark this occasion, General Rodrigues said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is one of our holiest scriptures, with sacred Vani of great gurus, saints and bhaktas from different faiths, sects and regions, giving a universal message of brotherhood, goodwill, mutual trust, peace and harmony. 

The teachings synthesize the spiritual and religious spirit of all religions and the values and ethos of our glorious past.  It is saddening to observe that despite the message of social equality, harmonious living and the need to rise above prejudices of caste & creed preached and practised by our Gurus and sages, our Society is still be-set with the evils of discrimination and divisions of caste and status.

It is time to search our consciences & introspect and to work for creating a healthy environment, in which every human being can live with pride and dignity.

       
General Rodrigues said that the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib have a powerful message of the empowerment of women, gender equality, pious living and a special concern for the uplift of have nots. 

These teachings are particularly relevant in the national and international context today, in this materialistic and complex world, ridden with superficial barriers, social crisis and threat from nefarious tendencies.

       
General Rodrigues appealed to the people to celebrate the historic occasion of the 300th year of the Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib collectively, rising above petty considerations of caste, creed and religion, thus promoting emotional integration and strengthening the social fabric of our society.