Guru Nanak Dev Ji::vedio
Manpriya Singh
How difficult is righteous conduct, virtuous living and social responsibility? Unfortunately, very; especially in times of religious animosity, unbridled materialism and moral decline! However, improbable simple living and rightful conduct might sound, Guru Nanak’s teachings all the more become a practical compass for humanity today. A great prophet, a poet and a pious spirit; on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, we ask celebs how his teachings are relevant in today’s times and whether they have had any brush with community service. Duty towards the needy Singer Jassi Gill makes it a point to go to the gurdwara, especially when he happens to be at home. Community service was inculcated at a very young age, courtesy a very religious upbringing. “Whenever we begin anything at home, akhand paath is a ritual and so is the langar. I have always tried to be as hands-on as possible especially with serving langar, if not making it,” shares the singer of Zimindar fame, who believes that Guru Nanak’s emphasis on social responsibility is something the world needs to embrace today. He adds, “I already sponsor a special child’s education till college and plan to increase that number soon.” He did that to a child from his native village; anyone following suit? The power of serviceThe earliest memory that Bollywood playback singer Sukhwinder Singh has of community service is when as a child they would splash water on hot marble floor. “In Golden Temple, especially during summer afternoons, the floor would be piping hot; we would as children love splashing water and cooling it down for the sangat,” he recalls. “Then of course we would move onto doing the dishes and serving langar, irrespective of who was coming to partake that food. It’s the similar devotion towards one’s society that we need to imbibe in today’s times,” he signs off. There’s a parting note. “Guru Nanak was the greatest poet of the universe and I remember Gulzaar sa’ab saying it to me once.” Make it holistic, not ritualistic From washing dishes to serving food to making it, you name it and actor Gugu Gill has done it all. “As children whatever opportunity we got for community service, we did,” he shares. “It wasn’t a ritual that we followed, rather it was a way of living,” adds the singer, who feels we need to imbibe Guru Nanak’s teachings in every day living rather than ritualistic practices. Good intentions, clean thoughts Almost every gurpurab, singer-actor Ammy Virk recalls having been in India. “Hardly during one or two gurpurabs I must have been abroad,” he recalls, while focusing on how important is the festival for him and his family. “As a child I was proactive about the concept of community kitchen started by Guru Nanak,” opines the singer, who feels we need to imbibe clean thoughts and good intentions in almost every breath we take. “I would like to tell all my readers and fans, stay true and right in everything you do; that is a major part of Guru Nanak’s teachings.” Rest, “A very Happy Gurpurab,” he signs off.