Gurudwara Dubai Showcases Punjabi Culture and Heritage at the Punjabi Culture and Heritage Festival in celebration of the Year of Tolerance and the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji … reports Asian Lite News.
In celebration of the Year of Tolerance and the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai organized the Punjabi Culture and Heritage Festival on Friday, 22nd of March 2019 at the Indian High School Dubai. The Al Maktoum Foundation Dubai which is an organization focused on humanitarian work at the local, regional and global levels initiated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the patron and sponsor of the event.
The packed schedule included a video presentation on Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Panel discussions were about the teachings and travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as well as the Punjabi poetry and literature. Panelists consisted of some of the most specialized personalities in their respective fields.
Teachings of Guru Nanak Devji session panel members were Ms. Sukhwinder Amrit, an ambassador of Punjabi poetry that won many accolades from the international fora. Mr. Gurbhej Singh Guraya, a law graduate from Punjabi University and an advocate at district courts in Sirsa. Dr. Roop Singh, Chief Secretary of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Secretary at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Amritsar. And Dr. Jaswant Singh, Director of Gurbāni Research at the Sikh Research Institute and has worked at the Sikh Centre Singapore in conducting courses on Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh religion and history.
Travels of Guru Nanak Devji session panel members were Mr. Gurbhej Singh Guraya, Secretary of Punjabi Academy. Mr. Jaspal Singh, Member of National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, Government of India. Dr. Balkar Singh, Former Head & Dean Director of World Punjabi Centre. And Prof. Sarbjinder Singh, a renowned theologian and historian with Masters in history, religion in Punjabi (M. Phil) and Ph.D in religious studies from Punjabi University Patiala.
Punjabi Poetry and Literature session panel members were Mrs. Bubbles Kandhari, Vice Chairperson of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Dubai, Director of Al Dobowi Group, and Chairperson of Young Hearts Group & Dubai Ladies Group in Dubai. Ms. Avneet Kaur, a psychologist, a motivational speaker, and a life coach. Dr. Charandeep Kaur, a specialist dermatologist and an active volunteer for social and humanitarian works. And Ms. Sukhwinder Amri, a poet of the new generation that has brought in new images and new concepts in Punjabi poetry.
The program was attended by H.E. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Indian Economist & Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, H.E. Navdeep Singh Suri, Indian Ambassador to UAE, H.E. Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai & Minister of Finance UAE, and Rajiee M Shinde, President of Epic TV India.
“The year 2019 is declared as the Year of Tolerance by the UAE Government to affirm the values of tolerance and co-existence among cultures. We are indeed most fortunate that UAE not only values harmonious coexistence but also upholds these values that are being echoed to the rest of the world. Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai through the Punjabi Culture and Heritage Festival celebrated and showcased the essence of Punjabi culture and traditions through panel discussions and cultural performances,” said, Surender Kandhari, Chairman of Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai.
The performances of the renowned Pure Bhangra Group, an all-male Bhangra dance and an all-female Gidda Jugni dance, delighted the audience. But the main performance of Kanwar Grewal made the night more special. Kanwar is a celebrated sufi singer with hit songs Akhaan, Jogi Nath, Ticktan Do and Mastana Jogi among many others.
