New Delhi | September 05, 2004 4:25:18 PM IST
Sikhs hailing from Afghanistan and residing with migratory status in the Indian capital are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth sahib at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in their own unique way.
Yearning to get back home, this largely hapless community laments the destruction caused to their houses and shrines by more than two decades of civil war. But this has not stopped them from retaining their faith and beliefs in their old age traditions.
Khajinder Singh, the president of Afghan Hindu Sikh Welfare Society, said: “When the mujahiddin took over Afghanistan, the Sikhs migrated to India and to other parts of the world. We are here for the last 12 years. In Afghanistan, the government has changed, but still the situation is not fit for us to return.”
Himmat Singh, who has just returned from Kabul said: “If we return to Kabul, we will celebrate the 400th installation of Guru Granth Sahib with more fervour. There you will not find a Sikh without a beard or turban. Sitting here, we have not forgotten the gurudwaras there. We looked after the gurudwaras there with the same faith and devotion”.
“Our best regards on the occasion of 400th anniversary of the Installation of Guru Granth Sahib to all the Afghan Sikhs who have migrated all over the world. We also thank the Indian government for providing us all facilities, ” adds Rajwinder. (ANI)