At an impressive gathering of who’s who of the Sikh world, at the Constitution Club in Delhi, brought together by the Kesh Prachar Sambhal Sanstha a unique directory of 500 Sikh role models was released by Sikh stalwarts from across the world and Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar was honoured in absentia for his yeoman’ service to the Sikh world during the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Patna Sahib last year.

The 500 Sikh Role Model directory covers 25 different fields like Agriculture, Industry, Politics, Music, Science and technology and profiles Sikhs from respective fields from across the world.

Surinderjit Singh Pall, the chief architect of this directory, perhaps the first of kind, said that “this directory highlights the achievements and contribution of the Sikh community for the development of  their community, self, country of residence and humankind in general.”

A cursory look at the directory shows that the general impression that Sikhs are only brave with a lot of bravado is not the only quality of these people hailing from the land of five rivers -the Punjab. They are an enterprising people who, despite their insignificant percentage of population, have won laurels in almost all the spheres of life. The Directory provides necessary information regarding Sikh religion, their history, values and traditions.

Kes Prachar Sambhal Sanstha -literally a body to take care of the distinct identity of the Sikhs took the exemplary stop of expressing gratitude to Shri Nitish Kumar for his and his government’s remarkable contribution during the the celebration of the 350th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the birth-place of the Guru.

The citation, calling him Guru Pyara, received in his absence by the Resident Commissioner of Bihar -Shri Bipin Kumar,  extolled the love, hospitality and warmth displayed by the government officialdom and the people of Bihar. Most participants are reverently referring to it as “the most memorable religious events worldwide in contemporary times.” The warmth and the devotion shown by everyone under his stewardship won the hearts of all the Sikhs of the world and elicited high appreciation and applause from all people.  ‘Guru Pyara’ will be a symbol of long lasting association of love between him and the Sikhs said Bhai Sahaba Dr. Bibi Inderjeet Kaur of Sikh Dharma, who had especially come for this event from the United States.

Veer Bhupinder Singh, a renowned Sikh preacher, Giani Kewal Singh Ex-Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bibi Harjeet Kaur and S. Tarlochan Singh Ex-MP, Rajya Sabha and Chairman National Minorities Commission – all of whom spoke about the concept of role model as emerging from Gurbani, the qualities of a role model in Gurbani and Sri Guru Gobind Singh as the Supreme role model.

Participants included Sikh celebrities S. Tarvinder Singh Sabharwal, S. Gulbarg Singh Bassi and S. Kulbir Singh S. Gurpreet Singh from Chandigarh, S. Ranbir Singh from Lucknow, S. Joginder Singh from Allahabad, S. Pushpinder Singh, President Sikh Forum Delhi, S. Prabhjot Singh from Australia, S.S.S. Khurana, Ex chairman Railway Board, S. Kulwinder Singh, Bhagwant Singh Dalawari, Rupinder Singh Marcos and Principal Narinderpal Singh.