SGPC to honour kin of traders from Guru Ram Dass Ji's era
SGPC to honour kin of traders from Guru Ram Dass Ji's era The SGPC has announced to recognise artisans and craftsmen whose ancestors were originally invited by Amritsar’s founder and fourth Sikh Guru Ram Dass. Guru Ram Dass had brought people from 52 trades and asked them to settle here in Amritsar in order to establish the base of the holy city. The SGPC’s history and research team was entrusted with the task of identifying these traders who continued the legacy of the profession that was set up during the times of the fourth Guru. The team includes Dr Amarjit Kaur, Dr Ranjit Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Rajwinder Singh and Amanpreet Kaur. They said data pertaining to these rare traders had been compiled and the research would continue. Ravinder Singh, who has been doing business of ‘papad’ and ‘wadiyan’, has been identified as one such trader. SGPC Chief Secretary Roop Singh said, “They would be honoured on October 26 during the Parkash Purab of Guru Ram Dass. They would be presented with a cash award, siropa and a mememto." Ravinder Singh on Sunday said it was their 13th generation which was now engaged in making ‘papar’ and ‘wadian’. “There is something divine about the water here that the taste of ‘papar’ and ‘wadian’ is superb and that is why these are famous worldwide,” he said. He talked about another such family, now based in Batala. “My grandfather used to tell us that Guru Saheb had engaged two persons, Kala and Nikka, who were proficient in making ‘papar’ and ‘wadian’. Their families are still in this profession. Their present generation too has been invited by the SGPC in this programme.” -PTC News
