DSGMC President's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ahead of His Iran Visit

 DSGMC CHIEF WRITES TO PM MODI AHEAD OF IRAN VISIT

DSGMC ASKS FOR ESTABLISING OF JOINT RESEARCH COMMITTEE WITH IRANIAN AGENCIES ON SRI GURU NANAK DEV JI's VISIT TO IRAN

GK REQUESTS PM MODI TO GRANT AID FOR COMMUNITY INSITUTIONS IN IRAN

New Delhi ,  Thursday 19^th of May, 2016  

The president of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, Manjit Singh GK has written a brief letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Islamic nation in coming days. “Sikhs in particular have strong cultural and emotional bonds with Iran as Guru Nanak Dev ji visited this land during the course of his journey to the Holy Mecca. Guru Sahib interacted closely with saints and seers from Iran” said Manjit Singh GK. Two Gurudwara Sahibs are located in Iran , one each at Tehran and Zahedan. Further to this, an Indian School was established and owned by the community there and still operational and now being managed by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghthan.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikh Religion visited Iran during his tour to west Asia and this is a matter of great importance for Sikhs living across the globe. In order to authentic the fact, Manjit Singh GK requested the Prime Minister that a joint committee may be formed by Government of India along with Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee and the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran may be requested to facilitate the research and provide cooperation in this regard and Iran may become home to an important pilgrimage site for Sikhs.

           There has been a decrease in demographics of the Indian Community in Iran due to various factors including local and global issues. The community there faces certain issues and Manjit Singh GK asked the Prime Minister to consider the same and take up with his Iranian counterparts during the visit. These issues include Revival and Recognition of Guru Nanak Charitable Trust in Iran, Issuance of Business / Commercial Permits and Residence Permits to Indians, Property Rights and estate taxation for Indians, Waiver of Military Services for Iranian Nationals of Indian origin and Registration of marriages of Sikhs holding Iranian Nationality. “The Indian Community in Iran mostly comprising of Sikhs has always stood and contributed towards the growth of their motherland India and are representing as goodwill ambassadors there and upon examining these issues and concerns, therefore it was decided to take up at highest level with Government of India” said GK.

                 During the visit to Iran Prime Minister is likely to interact with the community and visit the Tehran Gurdwara and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee requested Narendra Modi to consider and grant financial aid for maintenance and smooth functioning of the two Gurdwara Sahibs and the cremation ground located in Iran by setting up of fund under the aegis of Indian Mission there. As Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Tehran, (Gurdwara Sahib) has been home to thousands of stranded Indians during the turbulent times of war in the region and has swiftly acted and supports each and every Indian national in distress.

          Manjit Singh GK also asked the Prime Minister to convey the best wishes of the Sikhs and to their Iranian brethren, especially in the light of congenial atmosphere for the Sikhs in Iran. "It is a matter of great satisfaction that members of the Sikh community settled in Iran have excellent relations with the local populace and are warmly satisfied with the respect and affection they enjoy from their Iranian brothers and sisters," he concluded. 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC