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Institute of Studies in Guru Granth Sahib
03/05/2008
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080303/punjab1.htm#3
Resentment prevails among people of Punjab and Sikh scholars in particular over the failure of the Central government to establish the national institute of studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Centre has shelved the proposal.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Amritsar on September 1, 2004, had announced that a national institute of studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib would be established at Guru Nanak Dev University.
Inquiries made by this correspondent have shown that a number of meetings were arranged by the UGC and the human resource development ministry in this regard. Eminent scholars took part in those meetings. They interacted with the representatives of the ministry and the UGC in view of the special nature of studies to be under taken by the proposed institute. After a brainstorming session, it was recommended that an autonomous institute should be established for the purpose.
According to Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, former pro-vice chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, the ministry undertook an intensive exercise on the subject and finally sent a draft plan for the establishment of an autonomous national institute of studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
The vice-chancellor of the university was also invited to make a presentation before the finance ministry, but before such a presentation could be made, the meeting was cancelled.
In a latest communication to the university, the UGC informed the vice-chancellor that the proposal of establishing a national institute of studies in Guru Granth Sahib had been scaled down to the level of centre of research on Guru Granth Sahib to be set up at the university. The vice-chancellor has urged the ministry to reconsider the decision.
The UGC has set up a six-member committee, headed by Prof G.K. Chadha, former vice-chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, to evaluate the fresh proposal submitted by the vice-chancellor.
The Sikh scholars are annoyed that except Pritam Singh, former Professor of Guru Granth Sahib Studies, none of the scholars involved in the committee are from the field of studies in Guru Granth Sahib.
Professor Kapoor said it was unfortunate that the proposal had been shelved despite the announcement of the Prime Minister in that regard.
Former general secretary, SGPC, Manjit Singh Calcutta has appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and honour his commitment made at the occasion of the 400th anniversary of installation of Guru Granth Sahib.
-By K.S. Chawla
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