The High Commission of India in London hosted a special photo exhibition on the life and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the Nehru Centre in London.
The three-day display was inaugurated by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, last week. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the inclusive, practical and eternal message of the venerable founder of the Sikh faith.
The exhibition at Nehru Centre was designed to cover the inspiring life journey of Guru Nanak in the fifteenth century. Dr Opinderjit Takhar, Director of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, offered her insights on the timeless significance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message for humanity. The only academic centre of its kind in the UK is multi-award winning for both its research and community outreach with its emphasis upon impactful research.
Last month marked Guru Nanak Gurpurab, the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, celebrated with devotional prayers the world over. Gurpurab is characterised with prayers in gurdwaras around the world throughout the day, with the many components of the festival including a langar continuing late into the night. A series of celebratory events to mark the birth anniversary also resonated across the UK.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, known as Nankana Sahib near Lahore in modern-day Pakistan. Some of the enduring pillars of his teachings include:
· Naam Japo: Remembrance of God by repeating and focusing the mind on God’s name/identity.
· Vand Ke Chako: To share the fruits of one’s labour with others before considering oneself. Thus, to live as an inspiration and a support to the entire community.
· Kirat Karo: To carry out good deeds and earn an honest, pure and truthful livelihood by exercising one’s God-given skills, abilities, talents and hard labour for the benefit and improvement of the individual, their family and society at large.
