While releasing Calendar
AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab (March 17, 2015)—Sri Akal Takht Sahib appointed Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh released the Bikrami Calendar today entitled ‘Nanakshahi Calendar’ in presence of Jathedars of other Takhts and SGPC office bearers. The Jathedar said that this Calendar would be only for Nanakshahi Samvat (year) 547.
Giani Gurbachan Singh has appealed the Sikh nation to observe historical days as per this calendar.
The calendar which was prepared by the SGPC was released in the presence of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib acting Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib’s granthi Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Gurminder Singh, SGPC secretary Roop Singh, Manjit Singh, additional secretary Diljit Singh Bedi, Sri Darbar Sahib’s manager Partap Singh, Bijay Singh, ‘Gurmat Parkash’ editor Simarjit Singh and SGPC executive member Amarjit Chawla.
Historical days in the new year calendar do not match with ones of the previous years calendar. For example, the birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji will fall on Magh 3 (Jan 16, 2016), meaning there will be no birth anniversary in 2015. There is large difference between new dates and previous ones.
It is notable that martyrdom days of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Udham Singh are included in Calendar but that of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh (who punished Indra Gandhi for attacking Sri Darbar Sahib) is not included in newly released Calendar.
After releasing the calendar, the Jathedar made it clear that this calendar will be only for Nanakshahi year 547 and next years calendar would be released after thorough consideration of any suggestions which are to be submitted by the committee.
During the release of the Calendar, none of the leaders present on the occasion raised the slogan of ‘Bole So Nihal.’