AMRITSAR SAHIB—Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to set up a Sikh Mission in Nepal to spread Sikhi there. The decision was taken after a team of SGPC led by additional secretary Roop Singh visited the Himalayan country to take stock of the condition of gurdwaras there.
Talking to selected media persons at SGPC headquarters, its president Avtar Singh Makkar said, “The Sikh Mission in Nepal will sensitize the Sikh community there about the Sikh “Rehat Maryada” (code of conduct), its rich heritage, and splendid history.”
Makkar said, “The Sikh Mission will be raised at Gurdwara Nanak Math in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, where the SGPC will provide land. The SGPC will also make arrangement for preachers, granthis (attendants), and raagis (devotional musicians) there. Also, steps will be taken to facilitate teaching Gurmukhi to the children of Sikh families in Nepal.”
He said a formal decision in this regard will be taken at the SGPC executive meeting. Subsequently, he said he will visit Nepal in July to pave the way for establishing the Sikh Mission.
There are several historical gurdwaras in the country that are linked with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, first Sikh Guru. However, they are in poor condition as there are no arrangements for maintenance. The responsibility for upkeep of these gurdwaras was entrusted to a US-based organization during the tenure of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti as Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Sikhs in Nepal primarily live in Kathmandu, Nepal Ganj, and Sikhanpura areas. Most of them are into transport business.Many of them are residing there since the era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Previously, the SGPC had announced it intention to establish a Sikh Mission at Yuba City in USA.
