Punjab: Retired teacher cycled 175 km
Punjab: 79-year-old retired government teacher Chitranjan Singh has undertaken a remarkable pilgrimage to pay homage to the elder Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, preaching humility and self-discipline along the way. Braving bad weather during the holy journey, Singh cycled 175 km to Chamkaur Di Garhi and returned the same day. “Though I have been visiting Chamkaur Sahib every year by some public transport, this time I wanted to spread awareness about the need for humility and self-penance while paying obeisance at Garhi Sahib, which marks the supreme sacrifice of Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, who embraced martyrdom at the age of 18 and 14 respectively,” he said. Singh stressed the importance of restraint during the pilgrimage and urged Sikh organisations to campaign for a disciplined and meaningful tribute to the Sahibzadas. Singh said, “When we set out on the pilgrimage to pay homage to Baba Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, we must remember that the Sahibzadas chose to embrace death rather than renounce their religion, which is the mark of a true martyr.” Singh, a postgraduate in yoga science, expressed disappointment at the tendency among the youth to look upon holy pilgrimages as casual outings, which dilutes the solemnity of the occasion.
