The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Guru Nanak's teachings `secular, not sectarian'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 25, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Guru Nanak's teachings `secular, not sectarian'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, NOV. 24. The teachings of Guru Nanak, especially the emphasis on oneness of humanity, are more relevant than ever before, said speakers at an inter-faith get-together here today to mark the 536th birth anniversary of the Sikh savant.

Addressing the meeting organised by Developers India, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, Charanjit Singh Atwal, said the teachings had a universal and eternal appeal. He said the teachings were secular and not sectarian in outlook. "They do not address any particular sect or community. The Guru Granth Sahib, which encompasses the teachings, contains messages from other religions as well."

Mr. Atwal, who presented Developers India's `Vibrant Indian' award to the Prince of Arcot, Mohammed Abdul Ali, commended the organisation's initiatives to promote communal harmony. Noting that Guru Nanak also spoke of empowerment of women, he underlined the significance of according respect to women.

Mr. Ali said such awards would encourage people to perform selfless service to humanity. Pointing out that the need was to build a strong and vibrant India, he said none of the religions supported violence in the name of God and destruction of places of worship.

The Additional Chief Secretary of Karnataka, Chiranjiv Singh, said Guru Granth Sahib emphasised oneness of creator and creation.

E. Balagurusamy, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, called for spreading awareness of the significance of tolerance.

Harbhajan Singh, founder-secretary and convener of Developers India, said the organisation was planning to conduct an international seminar next year in Chennai to mark the 400th year of the compilation of Guru Granth Sahib.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu