The Tribune – Sarna vows more transparency in running DSGMC affairs

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 21. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna today said the Evacuee Trust Property Board had handed them over the ‘kar sewa’ of Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore.

Also, he said they would bring in more transparency in the DSGMC affairs on being voted back to power. He denied the charges of corruption against him.

Talking to mediapersons after his return from Nankana Sahib ahead of the DSGMC elections, Sarna said they will soon prepare a blueprint and hand over the ‘kar sewa’ to Baba Jagtar Singh. He said the Trust had also begun the repair work of another historic gurdwara in Sialkot following efforts by the DSGMC.

On the forthcoming DSGMC elections, he said they were fully prepared for it and will retain their hold on it with a thumping majority. He said they had nominated most of their candidates and the remaining too will be done soon.

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The Tribune – 3,000 Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan for Baisakhi

Lahore, April 6. Around 3,000 Sikh pilgrims are expected to arrive in Pakistan from India and other parts of the world to participate in the 10-day annual Baisakhi festival starting from April 10 and authorities have completed arrangements to host them.

“Though special arrangements have been made lodging the Sikh pilgrims in Lahore at Ayesha Saddiqua Degree College and two schools, we may need to make further arrangements if the number of pilgrims increases,” said Amir Hashmi, spokesman for the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which is responsible for maintaining the shrines and properties of minority communities.

Hashmi said the police and other departments had been engaged to put in place foolproof security and medical, electricity, water, food and cleanliness measures for the Sikh yatris. “We have done this so that they can remember the great hospitality of Pakistani institutions and the people even after they return to their native countries,” he said.

Besides police, the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers will provide security to the visiting Sikhs. The Sikh yatris will start assembling at Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hassanabdal from April 10 to celebrate the Baisakhi festival. The Indian pilgrims will enter Pakistan via the Wagah land border crossing. They will travel to Hassanabdal on special trains during April 11-13.

They will perform their final rituals on April 14 and then visit Nankana Sahab and other places before returning to Lahore.

The ETPB has completed the renovation and decoration of several gurdwaras ahead of the festival. Extra rooms have been built at some gurdwaras to accommodate the yatris. Thousands of Sikhs from across Pakistan will also join the festivities. (PTI)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120407/main7.htm