Event celebrates first Guru of the Sikhs

A special event to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was hosted at the University of Wolverhampton.

The event, co-hosted by the University’s Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies and the Consulate General of India in Birmingham, featured speeches by prominent members of the community.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi (present day Nankana Sahib in Pakistan) in 1469, and the event highlighted various aspects of his life, his teachings and how he continues to be an inspiration for millions of Sikhs and non-Sikhs across the world.

The event in the Chancellor’s Hall featured speeches by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, Mr Charanjit Singh, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK and Dr Aman Puri, Consulate General of India in Birmingham.  Prominent speakers also included Baba Amar Singh ji, Bhai Mohinder Singh ji, Lord Suri, Dr Rami Ranger and Neena Gill MEP.

President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Ninder Johal, opened the event, which was also attended by Mayor of Telford and Wrekin Council Councillor Raj Mehta.

There were also contributions from the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer and Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, Director of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies at the event on Thursday, 28 March 2019.