Inter-faith celebrations mark 440th Amritsar Foundation Day
Amritsar, June 27, 2017; Hundreds of people from all faiths marched at dawn, along with their faith leaders and representatives, in the ‘Walk for Amritsar’, organized by Eco-Amritsar under the tutelage of EcoSikh today, to mark the 440th anniversary of the city.
The entire gathering raised positive slogans and carried placards for the ecological upliftment of the holy city in consonance to the vision of Guru Ramdas ji.
Sri Guru Ram Dass established the city as Chak Ramdasspur in 1577, Harr Vadi 13. It was envisioned to be a hamlet, created around the Golden Temple, in harmony with nature. The city was flush with gardens, commercial establishments and residential dwellings interwoven and in sustainable coexistence.
However, that hamlet has now expanded to a bustling city of over 13 lakh citizens, with more than 40 million visitors each year. Civic challenges and lack of responsible citizenship have made Amritsar one of the 20 most polluted cities globally.
The 5th annual Walk ForAmritsar today was a celebration of the cities existence as well as an introspection of the 5 year EcoAmritsar program (2013-2017). The program for clean & green environs, for a plastic free, water saving, sensible & responsible Amritsar was adopted by scores of NGO’s & supported by the district administration, SGPC, educational institutions and social welfare organisations.
The two-hour procession had participation from schools, colleges, NCC, Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara etc. A power-packed gatka by Chief Khalsa Diwan Orphanage, and a brilliant Nukkad Natak on irresponsible littering & defacement by the IVE school for the underprivileged, were performed in commencement of the citizens gathering at Ram Bagh gardens.
The event was graced by Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, who despite busy personal schedule kept his promise to the citizens and returned to the city early morning. Speakers at the event extolled his commitment.
Amritsar DC Kamaldeep Singh Sangha at the celebrations
The proposal by Bhai Guriqbal Singh ji, to adopt two mohallahs for cleaning & greening by each social organisation, was endorsed by Shri Indranuj Of Iskon. Similarly, Father Vijay of the Diocese of Amritsar, Shri Abdul Noor President Majlis Ahrar Punjab, Colonel Commandant NCC Ashwini, were unanimous in their support to the cause.
While ecological warriors & organisations who have worked with EcoAmritsar 2013-2017 were presented saplings, the plantation programme for this monsoon was inaugurated by ceremonial handover of 250 saplings to Palmgrove & Paradise green association representative Mona Mehra, and 100 saplings to Atamjit Kaur. Scores of indigenous tree species were presented to citizens, organisations and children who pledged to look after them for at least one year.
The efforts of Ravneet Singh, Project Manager South Asia EcoSikh, and his team from Khalsa Colleges, Basics of Sikhi & youthful volunteers at large who worked tirelessly in creating events over the past one week were lauded by all. These events were held in collaboration with Dilbir Foundation, Art gallery, Voice of Amritsar and other social welfare socities.