‘Green’ nagar kirtan at Sultanpur Lodhi
A “green” Nagar Kirtan, dedicated to the 555th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev, was taken out from Ahli Kalan village towards the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi on Friday. Environmentalist and MP Balbir Singh Seechewal distributed 10,000 saplings to devotees along the route, emphasising the importance of making Punjab’s villages greener.
Seechewal spoke to the ‘sangat’ about Guru Nanak Dev’s deep love for nature and his message of living a simple life while respecting the earth, air and water. He pointed out that the state is currently engulfed in smoke, making it difficult to breathe and that the darkness that descends even during the day is the result of human mistakes.
He said planting trees is crucial for a permanent solution to this environmental crisis. Seechewal expressed hope that the ‘green’ nagar kirtan would help change the image and future of the state and said, “Punjab will prosper only when it becomes green.” He added the smoke filling the air could only be cleared with the help of trees.
The nagar kirtan was led by the ‘Panj Pyaras’ of Gurdwara Shaheed Baj Singh from Ahli Khurd and passed through several villages, including Ahli Kalan, Bule, Hazara, Bhim, Chak, Hajipur, Kabirpur, Lodhiwal, Bhago Budha, Busowal, Tarafazi and Gurdwara Ber Sahib, along the banks of the holy Bein River. The procession ended at Nirmal Kutiya Gurdwara Guruprakash Sahib. Throughout the Nagar Kirtan, Seechewal connected the devotees with Gurbani.
Students from Sant Avtar Singh Memorial School and College participated by holding placards to raise awareness about environmental conservation. Langar (community meal) with fruits, tea and pakoras was served to the devotees at various stops along the way. The manager of Gurdwara Ber Sahib warmly welcomed the nagar kirtan as it passed through.
