Washington, DC

January 12, 2019

    To Celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Embassy of India, in association with various US-based Sikh organisations and Gurudwaras, organised an evening of Sikh devotional music (Gurbani Sangeet) performed by well-known artist Bhai Baldeep Singh on Saturday, 12 January 2019 at AMP auditorium in North Bethesda, Maryland.

2. The programme marks the first in a series of events planned to commemorate the 550^thBirth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The ceremony was attended by over 200 members of the Indian community, media, think tanks and local government officials.

3. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Ambassador of India to the United States Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla highlighted several key decisions taken by the Government of India to honour Guruji’s 550^thBirth Anniversary, such as, development of Kartarpur in Gurdaspur District of Punjab,development of Sultanpuri Lodhi as a Heritage town, establishment of a centre for interfaith studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, among others.

4. Ambassador pointed out that Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled far and wide to spread the message of God and founded an egalitarian faith that emphasizes ethos with honesty and compassion as intrinsic tenets. Highlighting the role of 5-lakh strong influential Sikh community in the United States, Ambassador Shringla stated that Embassy and our Consulates in the U.S. have chalked out a calendar of activities including musical concerts, seminars, and Interfaith events through the year.

5. Throughout the programme Bhai Baldeep Singh, along with an ensemble of talented accompanying musicians, held the audience captive with his masterly presentation of mystical hymns of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

Please click here for full text of Ambassador’s remarks