Parkash Utsav: State-level ‘gatka’ competition organised

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 20

To mark the 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh, a state-level ‘gatka’ competition was held today at the Amandeep cricket academy. Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh inaugurated the competition and said that cultural and religious activities pan India will mark the 350th Parkash Utsav celebrations. The International Sikh Martial Art Academy collaborated in holding today’s event.

As many as 13 teams competed for the Gatka Cup, including 10 teams in men’s category and three in women’s. The winner in men’s category were Jaipang gatka akhada while Virsat-e-Khalsa gatka academy were runners-up followed by Guru Teg Bahadur Public School Khankot and Guru Teg Bahadur gatka akhada, Vallah, who shared the third slot.

In women’s category, Baba Bagher Singh gatka akhada from the city were the winners. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh encouraged the youngsters to take up martial arts and connect with their cultural roots. “These symbols of our glorious Sikh heritage are important for our cultural identity and I feel immensely proud that the youth is learning to preserve them through collaborated efforts like these,” he said. He pledged to support more such endeavors to promote culture and Sikh heritage through such youth-oriented programmes.