(Paper I- Indian History & Culture)
The government of India has organised interactive and participative programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially the young children, about the story of exemplary courage of the Sahibzades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in a programme marking ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi where three hundred Baal Kirtanis performed 'Shabad Kirtan’.
Shabad kirtan, literally meaning ‘word chant’, is the central communal worship ritual of the Sikhs – a religion based on the realisation of the oneness of God through singing and listening to mystical poetry.
Aim : The government of India has organised interactive and participative programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially the young children, about the story of exemplary courage of the Sahibzades.
Background
Every December, Sikhs mark the supreme sacrifice made by the children and mother of the 10th Guru, Gobind Singh ji. Shaheedi Jor Mela or Shaheedi Sabha is observed at Fatehgarh Sahib, which is attended by lakhs of people.
On the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (9 January 2022), Prime Minister Modi had announced that December 26 will be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to mark the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji
What Government Does?
- Essay writing, quiz competitions and other activities have been organised in schools and colleges across the country to mark the day.
Digital exhibitions have also been set up at public places like railway stations, petrol pumps, airports, among others. Programmes have been organised across the country where dignitaries will narrate the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades.
Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi was present at the ‘Exam Warriors’ painting competition organised by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.
History:
Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Shahibjada Jujhar Singh, Sahibjada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh are the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh guru.
Guruji and his army were attacked by the Mughal Army in 1704.
Anandpur Sahib Fort was the starting point of the conflict. The family was split up after a protracted battle on the Sarsa River’s bank.
Later, the Sahibzaades were asked by Nawabs to convert to Islam, but they refused and affirmed their love for Sikhism. This fearless attitude of the young lads left the Mughal emperor furious.
As a result, they were immediately buried between the walls.
And in history, this event later got etched as a supreme sacrifice made by Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
Source : Hindustan times , Indian Express.
Very nice