AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab (December 30, 2014)—Celebrating the Gurpurabs by way of Nagar Kirtans is something that the people of the diaspora have been doing all over the world. Eco Amritsar, an initiative of USA based EcoSikh, has constantly been propagating the addition of a green angle to all such religious and personal celebrations in the holy city of Amritsar. Sri Guru Ramdas ji also has invoked nature as God’s reflection in his writings.
Chief Khalsa Diwan, like the last year vowed to make the procession in remembrance of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, which attracts thousands of students and staff from all of their institutions, a “Green Nagar Kirtan”. The devotees walk through the stretch of 6 km starting from Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School and through the walled city area of Amritsar all the way to Sri Harmandar Sahib. Volunteers and devotees distribute free food and drinks to people participating in the Nagar Kirtan.
S. Charanjit Singh Chaddha, President of Chief Khalsa Diwan said, “The Diwan has always propagated celebrating auspicious occasions in an overwhelming manner but always ensuring the cleanliness of the surroundings. This year also we are proud that all the schools have made their respective teams to ensure cleaning of the procession along the way.”
Eco Amritsar is constantly trying through the stakeholders of this program, awareness campaigns so as to encourage people to switch to the bio-degradable leaf plates or pattals rather than using plastic and Styrofoam plates used for street side langar or free festival food.
Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh, said, “It is the sacred duty of all the residents of this city to ensure the cleanliness of all the streets of this holy city. Especially keeping in mind the ever increasing number of these pilgrims, our responsibility becomes manifold.”
“The sewa is incomplete if you serve food and forget about collection of plates and bowls, every resident of the city must fulfill his/her duty to seek blessings from Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji” says Gunbir Singh, Chairman of Eco Amritsar.
Tarundeep Singh, Project administrator Eco-Amritsar added, “Even the call of “Swachh Bharat” by our worthy Prime Minister is something that the city residents can make a beautiful example of. Every celebration that we undertake is a great way to remind us of this great task to call ourselves the proud and responsible inhabitants of this holy city. The way the staff and students of various institutions of the Chief Khalsa Diwan have worked is exemplary for all of us.”