Doordarshan should telecast Guru Nanak Dev ji's birth anniversary celebrations from Nanakana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan
New Delhi, June 15, 2019 : Indian World Forum has demanded that the Centre take up appropriate steps with the Pakistan government for issuance of visas and facilitating the travel of Indian nationals to various Sikh shrines in Pakistan.
Puneet Singh Chandhok, Secretary General of the Indian World Forum in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that India may develop and implement a special policy this year under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs on sidelines of Kailash Masoravar Yatra,wherein a special methodology and portal is created so that all interested Indian citizens residing in India or abroad can apply and register themselves to visit Pakistan during the period from 1st October to 31st December 2019 coinciding with 550th Birth Anniversary and in turn the Government of India facilitates issuance of their visas and travel to Pakistan .
Chandhok said this would not only ease hurdles for the devotees in visiting Pakistan but also give an equal opportunity to each and every follower of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji irrespective of his or her caste or creed to pay their obeisance at Sri Nankana Sahib, Pakistan during the historic festivities as thousands of devotees want to visit the same.
The Indian World Forum also demanded that the Union Government through Doordarshan under the aegis of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting may broadcast live from Sri Nankana Sahib, Pakistan from 10th till 12th November 2019 so that followers of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji all across the country can witness the historical festivities.
Chandhok also demanded the Centre to re-evaluate the central blacklist maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs as many individuals particularly belonging to the Sikh community are still part of the list and are denied Indian visa.
He said the circumstances during the 1990s and today are vastly different and the prime minister's leadership should consider granting an opportunity to these individuals to visit their motherland and rejoin their roots as many of them are looking forward to visiting Sultanpur Lodhi, Punjab, India on the eve of 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The government’s initiative in this regard would not only be cherished by the Sikhs residing overseas but also by the entire Indian diaspora.
Chandhok further underlined that the Centre should consider and request the United Nations to name this year as “Year of Universal Brotherhood” and this shall create more awareness and apprise the International Community about preachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.