Prabhjot Singh reports: The Ministry of External Affairs have agreed in principle to approach its counterpart in Pakistan for organising a special function to commemorate the bicentenary of the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Baradari in the historic Lahore Fort later this year.

The matter is expected to be taken up at the inter-governmental level soon, says Mr Tarlochan Singh, Vice-chariman, National Minorities Commission and a member of the Bicentenary Celebrations, committee on the coronation of the Maharaja.

"It is proposed to organise a function exactly at the same place where the coronation of Majaraja Ranjit Singh had taken place 200 years ago," he says, maintaining that the celebrations will extend not only to Indian subcontinent but also to Europe. "Without a function at Lahore, the celebrations will remain incomplete."

Besides Lahore, celebrations will be organised in London from September 20 to 22 where, besides other events, an exhibition of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, as planned by the Punjab Cultural Department, will be organised. The same exhibition will also be taken to Paris.

Dr. Azizuddin of Lahore will deliver the keynote address at the function. It was Dr. Wahiduddin, father of Dr Azizuddin, who wrote the famous book, "Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh". A French author, Jeane-Marie LaFont, whose book on Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his French connections was chosen for an award in his home country, will be the other speaker at the function. The third speaker will be famous Sikh historian and journalist Khushwant Singh.

Another highlight of the New Delhi function will be a 10-minute documentary on the Maharaja and his empire. An organising committee with the the Union Culturali Affairs Minister, Mr Ananthkumar, and the Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, as its chairman and co-chairman , has already been set up. Besides the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers of five states - Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi - areas which once formed part of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s empire will be special invitees.

Though the Union Communications Ministry has agreed in principle to issue a commemorative stamp to mark the celebrations, the function is likely to be organised some time later this year at which the President is expected to preside.

The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is reportedly keen on restoring the glory of Ram Bagh, which Maharaj Ranjit Singh had developed and used during his sojourn in the holy city. Mr Badal is expected to take up the issue with the Archaeological Survey of India and the Ministry concerned. A portion of the palace used by the Maharaja at that time now houses a museum while the second partition is used as a club house.

The Punjab Government now wants it to be preserved after the necessary repairs and restoration of the original glory of the bagh as perceived by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Various Sikh organisations have opposed the demand for the trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir saying that it was a dangerous slogan which could undermine the security of the state.

This was stated by the President of Gurdwara Prabandhak Board, Mr S.S. Wazir, at a press conference.

Mr Wazir accused the RSS and the BJP of partitioning and encouraging several organisations for voicing the demand for the trifurcation of the state, which otherwise was a well knit and well integrated border state.

Mr Wazir said by demanding trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir the RSS and the BJP were lending indirect support to the gameplan of Pakistan in general and the ISI in particular.

He urged the people to campaign against those demanding vivisection of the state as it would aggrevate communal and regional conflicts.

Mr Wazir criticised the RSS chief, Mr K.S. Sudershan’s demand for throwing out all the missionaries from the country. He urged all secular forces within the government and outside to unite and fight against RSS gameplan of throwing out all non-Hindu elements.

The President Shiromani Akal Dal, Mr Gurdev Singh, and the President state Akali Dal, Mr Jagdev Singh, expressed fears that the demand for trifurcation could lead to the disintegration of not only the state but the country also. They urged the Centre to put its foot down on those demanding creation of three states from one state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Madurai: States should be given more autonomy in the interests of federalism, in the country, said Mr. K. Veeramani, General Secretary, Dravidar Kazhagam,

Speaking recently at a seminar on "The Akali and Dravidian Movement: Perspective on Federalism in India," organized jointly by the Guru Nanak Devji Chair. Madurai Kamaraj University and the Department of History, Yadava College, here on Wednesday. Mr. Veeramani said the Dravidian and Akali movements, had a responsibility of making federalism effective in the country, and however, expressed sadness over their falling into the hands of "Hindutva" forces that were inclined towards unltrainess of the country.

Prof. M. Salihu, Vice-Chancellor, Madurai Kamaraj University, who inaugurated the seminar, spoke of the effectiveness with which the system of social justice was strengthened in the country by the Khalsa Movement, as early as 300 years ago. An indepth study of different religions, he felt, would help in the propagation of humanity, while speaking about the functions of the Chairs on different religions, in the University. The Vice-Chancellor also stated that the University was permitting colleges to start job-oriented courses, to enhance the employability of students.

Presiding over, Dr. K. Thiruvasagam, Principal, Yadava College, urged the Vice-Chancellor to sanction more computer-oriented courses. Others who spoke included Dr. N. Muthu Mohan, Guru Nanak Devji Chair, MKU.

Earlier, Prof. S. Balasubramanian. Head, Department of History, welcomed the gathering. Dr. K. Jeyabalan proposed a vote of thanks.

TheWorld Sikh University, London celebrated its third Graduation Day with solemnity last May. Fourteen students were awarded B.A. Hons and M.A. Degrees in Comparative Studies of World Religion: Specialising Sikhism.

The Mayoress of the London Borough of Hounslow, and Mr. Hardip Singh Puri, Deputy High Commissioner for India were the Chief Guests. Dr. Sukhbir Singh Kapoor, the Vice Chancellor of the University read the annual report and awarded the degrees. Senate Members Mr. Gurdip Singh Gujral, CBE and Gurcharan Singh Chhatwal highlighted the achievements of the University and urged that every household must send at least one of their household members to the University for higher education in the Sikh Studies to keep our tomorrow as glorious as our past.

The vibrant Sikh community in metro-Mumbai has long been known for its divine wisdom through Gurbani kirtan with focus on the youtth. Newsletters notifying the weekly satsang sessions of Bhai Vir Singh Study Circle are a regular feature.

Now, more recently, the groups headed by Sr. Jaspal Singh Kohli and Sdni Gurdarshan Kaur Anand have organized language classes, encouraging the new generation to learn Punjabi in Gurmukhi script and acquire insights into Gurbani as well as the Sikh history, leading upto amrit sanchar, in crash courses of three months each.

The Sikh Cultural Centre conveys its compliments and good wishes to all the volunteers and participants.