To mark the tercentenary of Gurugaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib in 2008, this volume has been brought out to highlight some distinctive features of the Sikh scripture. It was for the first time in the history of world religions that a religious teacher had himself created an authorized version of the scripture. Guru Arjan Dev went a step further by including the hymns of the Hindu Bhaktas, Muslim Sufi Saints and the so-called low castes. In medieval times when society was divided in narrow sectarian and caste basic compartments this was a revolutionary step indeed. Guru Granth Sahib opens with Mool Mantra, the primal creed, wherein Guru Nanak, makes a definitive statement about the unity of God and brotherhood of mankind. Set in musical modes, the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib are composed in poetic meters. The vision of Guru Granth Sahib embraces the whole humanity – its concerns are universal and transcend linguistic and geographical boundaries. This is what Arnold Toynbee says in this contexts: "…In the coming religious debate, the Sikh religion and its scripture, the Adi Granth, will have something of special value to say to the rest of the world." With scholarly introduction by Dr. J.S. Neki and text by Dr. Mohinder Singh, distinguished historian, the volume contains pictures of various Gurdwaras and Ceremonies covered by India’s leading photographers. It also provides glimpses of rare Guru Granth Sahib Birs from different repositories in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and U.K. pictures of Mool Mantra in the hand of Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh in different rare Birs and Hukamnamas have been included in this volume. Works of William Simpson, William Carpenter, Sobha Singh, Bodhraj, B.S. Malhans, Sidharth and other eminent artists and first ever camera photograph of the Golden Temple by William Baker, also find a place of prominent in the volume.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mohinder Singh
Mohinder Singh is a renowned climber and mountaineer award winner. Civil Engineer by professional and retired as Commandant (G.D.) after having served in ITBP for 35 years. Born on 12-03-1944 at village "Raj Pur Bhayan" in the foothill of shivalik ranges. Dist. Hoshiarpur (Punjab State) India. He has done extensive trekking in Indian Himalayas for continous 25 years and also climbed in Alps (Europe). He has the distinction of being successful leadership of the First every climb of "Mount Everest", 29028 ft. from the route of North-Col Tibet (Chine) side in the year 1996 (pre honoured with the covered title "Khan Grid" by government of Mongolia in 1995 under the Culture Exchange Programme between India & Mongolia. He has rendered commendable services many years in the mountain area of Leh-Ladakh (J & K), Uttar Pradesh (Garhwal & Kumaon), Himachal Pradesh extending from Karakoram to Kumaon Himalaya. Few of the mountain achievements and adventures are mentioned below: Special rock climbing course, 1966, Basic mountaineering course at H.M.I. Darjeeling, 1967, Leader of Gangotri / Badrinath trek-king expedition via Kalandikhal 19995 ft. high peak (Garhwal Himalaya) in 1968. Climb of ferry peak (Sikkim), Advance mountaineering guide and rescue course at Australia (Europe) and climbed 03 peaks on "Alps" (Europe) 1971, Dy. Leader of Neelkantha 1974. Set a world record by his first ascent tovirgin peak. “Saser-Kangri-I in 1973 on 7th June. Climb of Trishul peak (7120 mtrs.) in 1970, unnamed peak (6065 mtrs.) in Kakbhusand range (Garhwal) and Pancha-Chulli-I (6037 mtr.) both in 1972. He has been pioneer to establish mountaineering & Ski-ing Institute at ITBP Auli (Joshimath) and worked as Training Officer and later on as Principal / Commandant of this Institute. He has been with foreign joint expeditions such as: Tunni peak in 1975, Gangotri peak, 1976, Nanda Devi (Main) two times in 1978 and 1979, Bhagirathi-I 1980, Nandakot 1981, East-Nanda Devi-1982. Participated Seminars and International Mountaineering Camps, Administrative officer duty in IMF 1991, leader successful expedition to Mt. Bamba Dhura (6355 mtrs) 1991, leader of successful team to Mt. Un-named peaks 6172 mtrs. & 6075 mtrs. In (H.P.) State 1992, Liaison officer and member of Indo-Ukraine (Russia) expedition to Mt. "Kangchen Junga" April-June 1993, overall leader of joint successful expedition Indo-Mangolia to Mt. "Joanli" (21760 ft.) in November 1994, Summiteer of peak, "Mana, 23860 ft. in August 1995, Summiteer of three unnamed peaks, 6725 mtrs. 6489 mtrs. & 6449 mtrs. In Leh-Ladakh in November 1995. Mohinder Singh has been awarded more than fifteen Commendations / citation, appreciations different occasion of challenging / special assignments. He has carried out meticulously mountain rescue works many times. He has been decorated with Indian Police Medal (IPM) for meritorious services in 1997 and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Award by Punjab State Government in 1998.
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