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Remarks by Amb Sibi George at the celebrations at Gurudwara to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Nov 17, 2019

Posted on: November 17, 2019 | Back | Print

Remarks by Amb Sibi George at the celebrations at Gurudwara to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Nov 17, 2019
Wahiguru ji ka Khalsa 
Wahiguru ji ki Fateh

Congratulations to all on this auspicious occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Thank you for inviting me to join the celebrations today.

I am happy that most of my colleagues from the Embassy and their family members are also here today with us to celebrate this occasion.

As Ambassador, I bring greetings from the Government of India and 1.3 billion people of India. I also bring greetings from over 30 million Indian diaspora abroad.

Dear Friends,

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message belongs to all of humanity. He is a shining apostle of the spiritual ethos of India. 

Our worldview has been continually broadened by his timeless messages. Each one of us, in whatever walk of life we are in, has so much to learn from the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 

Walking for 26 years, covering a distance of more than 35,000 kilometres, through snow-covered mountains, deserts, and over rocks, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled to every corner of the world with just one message, "Universal brotherhood". 

He was a great champion of equality. He said, “The Lord gives shelter to all beings”. 

Respect for women and gender equality is a very important lesson to be learnt from Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life. 

His vision was also pragmatic and holistic. It was not a vision of renunciation but of active involvement. Work, worship and share was the motto he placed before his disciples and placing today before us. 

His vision is timeless and has as much relevance today as it was when it was expounded five centuries ago.
I am happy to recall that when PM Modi dedicated the Kartarpur Sahib corridor to the nation on 9th Nov 2019, it has fulfilled a long cherished desire of the Sikhs across the world. I recall the messages of congratulations that I received here in Switzerland from our Sikh friends on that occasion. 

Along with the historic opening of the corridor and several other events were organised all over India and all over the world to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Dear Friends,

I would like to use this opportunity to also thank you for your support and cooperation in our efforts in strengthening the excellent relationship between India and Switzerland. 

We maintain highest level of engagement. Our President Shri Ram Nath Govind was in Switzerland in Sept this year on a five day State visit. Our Prime Minister was here on two occasions in the last three years. 

We are deepening our business and people to people engagement through a series of activities and events. Every available opportunity is being availed to celebrate India in Switzerland.  

Our motto: Connecting Himalayas with Alps, is resonating well with the stakeholders in both the countries.   

I am happy that we could organise Kirtan at the Embassy on Nov 12 to commemorate this auspicious occasion. In the last few weeks, we have been sharing the messages of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to all our Swiss friends. 

I invite you to join us in a Tree Plantation event in Bern to mark the occasion on Nov 22. On Nov 30, we are organising a major event in collaboration with the Indian Association in Bern. I invite all to join us. 
Once again I congratulate on this auspicious occasion.

Thank you.

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