Amritsar, December 24: A delegation of Sikligar Sikhs, comprising 200 families from Bhopal, associated with Gurdwara Mata Sahib paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here today.
They proceeded towards Anandpur Sahib as part of their journey to religious destinations in Punjab. Their rail fare, accommodation and five buses were arranged by the SGPC.
Originally named Sikligar by the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, they were known to be blacksmiths having craft of weapon making.
Giani Dalip Singh and Harwinder Singh, who came with the delegation, said there were around 50 families of the Sikligar community living in Bhopal. “Their ancestors had settled in Bhopal a few decades ago and did petty jobs for livelihood. Their children observed the gurmat rehat maryada and were devoted to the gurdwara. Today they study in Guru Nanak Public School and Khalsa School in Bhopal. Some have even graduated from colleges,” they added.
The SGPC has been taking care of Sikligar families from MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra and also help their children in getting education. Last year, Rs 25 lakh was spared to pay school fee of these children.
Dharam Parchar committee secretary Balwinder Singh Joda Singh said SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal had visited these families in Bhopal. He added that there was a plan to open a school at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tekri by the SGPC.
The SGPC has opened knitting centres for the women to make them self-reliant, said SGPC secretary Diljit Singh Bedi.
