New Delhi: On the occasion of Guru Nanak's birthday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan today reverberated with ‘Gurbani' (Sikh religious prayers) as President Pranab Mukherjee hosted a special programme which was attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A portrait of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion, was kept in the middle of the Ashoka Hall. Mukherjee, Ansari and Modi paid their obeisance before settling down for Gurbani recital.
The day is celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti as a tribute to the first Sikh Guru. Today was the 546th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The Prime Minister's visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan triggered speculation that it was in the context of a possible reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers.
However, PMO sources said the visit was purely for the Gurbani programme.
Earlier in the day, Modi greeted the nation on the occasion and urged the people to take a pledge to embrace the path of service and work towards a just and equal society.
“I bow to the venerable Guru Nanak Devji on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. The life and teachings of Guru Nanak Devji inspire us eternally,” the Prime Minister said.
He urged the nation to work towards a just and equal society which is free from all kinds of social evils.
“Let us follow the path of compassion, truth and peace as shown by him (Guru Nanak),” he added.
