Q97. What do you know of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, Chandigarh?
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation was set up in Chandigarh in 1965 in order to organize the 300th Birth-anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh and to implement suitable projects in memory of the Tenth Guru. The Punjab Government gave a seed-grant of Rupees 12 lakhs, and donations were collected from the public both for the celebration in 1966-67 and the establishment of suitable useful institutions. At the initiative of the Foundation, the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh were received from U.K. in Delhi on 1st january 1966, and they were displayed at various places throughout India.
The 300th birthday of Guru Gobind Singh which fell on 17th January 1967 was celebrated by Sikhs all over the world. Special functions were held in historical Gurdwaras and other places connected with the Tenth Guru. The G.G.S. Foundation published more than a dozen books on the life and work of Guru Gobind Singh in English and Punjabi. The main projects and achievements of the Foundation are as under:
(i) Guru Gobind Singh Bhawan, Chandigarh, constucted on a four-acre plot provides a library, a book-store, a multi-purpose air-conditioned hall and seminar rooms.
(ii) Guru Nanak College was established at Madras in 1969 from generous grants given by the Foundation.
(iii) Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh was established at a cost of Rupees 8 lakhs.
(iv) A writers’ Home called “Vidyasa” at a cost of Rupees 4.5 lakhs was established at Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh). It provides a library and guest house for scholars.
(v) The Foundation provided funds for the constructions of an Operation Theatre in the Ghani Khan Nabi Khan Hospital at Machiwara.
(vi) The Foundation took a leading part in the inaugaration of Guru Gobind Marg (national Highway) in 1973 and provided funds for the construction of a number of pillars on the route called “Dashmesh Pillars”.
The Foundation organizes lectures and seminars on Sikhism from time to time. it hosts the All-India Sikh Education conference in 1981.