Current Events
March 14: Sikh Environment Day
NEWS REPORT
Hundreds of gurdwaras in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Malaysia, India and Africa will be observing Sikh Environment Day on March 14.
They "will be taking part in this celebration by singing shabads focused on the environment, holding ceremonial tree plantings, and encouraging children to share reflections on the environment and Sikhism with the sangat,” Sewa Singh, an environmentalist from Khadur Sahib, Punjab, said on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
Last year, 450 Sikh organisations and gurdwaras observed this day.
“Looking at the response last year, EcoSikh has doubled its expectations and has reached out to 700 Sikh institutions,’’ he added.
EcoSikh, a Washington-based international Sikh group, had designated March 14 as the Sikh Environment Day to create awareness about Sikh teachings on nature preservation.
“It is the coronation day of the Seventh Master, Guru Har Rai, who is remembered for his deep sensitivity to nature and its preservation."
As in the previous year, a sapling distribution is being planned at "all major gurdwaras on this day, and raagis are expected to sing shabads related to nature. The White House is also expected to issue a message on this day in support of this initiative,’’ said Ramneet Singh, India programme director of EcoSikh.
He added that EcoSikh, in collaboration with Sukrit, an NGO based in Ludhiana, Punjab, would be conducting a speech contest on the environment. Over 800 schools are expected to take part in this event.
[Courtesy: Indian Express. Edited for sikhchic.com]
February 23, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), February 23, 2012, 9:24 AM.
The Guru's message of 'balance' in everything needs to be shouted out more than ever before.
2: Inderjeet Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), February 23, 2012, 9:55 AM.
Good.