But welcomes move by Pakistan government to start Guru Nanak Dev International University The Pakistan government is all set to lay the foundation stone of Guru Nanak Dev International University (GNDIU) at Nankana Sahib on April 17. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) here has welcomed the move,but it is surprised,and irked,at not being invited for the event. Claiming to be the paramount representative body of Sikhs,the SGPC feels ignored as it has not been taken into confidence while finalising the date for the significant event,to be attended by world Sikh leaders. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar says he things their criticism of Pakistan on various issues,including the recent beheading of a Sikh by the Taliban near Peshawar,may not have gone down well with the government of the neighbouring country. We often criticise them. We are not like those who stoop low and turn sycophants ignoring the critical issues confronting the Panth, says an agitated Makkar,confirming that no invitation has been received by them. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will lay the stone of the ambitious project named after the founder of Sikhism. The university will spread the message of Guru Nanak on world peace,brotherhood and work. It is a great step by the Pakistan government and I welcome the move to set up the university. But it is a surprise that we have got no invitation to take part in the event, said Makkar. The SGPC chief is reportedly all the more disappointed because of the involvement of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee head P S Sarna and American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) head Dr Pritpal Singh in the affairs of the new university. They,apart from functionaries of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC),had been directly holding talks with the Pakistan government on the issue and had even been on the advisory panel for the university. I am not aware who else is invited,but we being the largest body of the community would keep fighting for the cause of Sikhs, says Makkar,adding that if they were invited they would definitely consider participating in the event. If invited,we will take part. This is an appreciable step taken by Pakistan, said Makkar. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,along with wife Gursharan Kaur and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,is likely to take part in the event. According to reports from Pakistan,they have already confirmed their participation. About GNDIUComing up at Nankana Sahib,the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistans Punjab,at an hours drive from Lahore,the Guru Nanak Dev International University (GNDIU) will be spread on 2,500 acres and promises to have numerous faculties,some of them devoted entirely to the teachings of Nanak. This will be the second university in the name of Nanak,after Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar set up in 1969. AGPC head Dr Pritpal Singh said the university building would be the most modern with architects hired from the United States,and it would have the best of curricula and research activities. He said it would have links with the worlds best universities,including Oxford and Cambridge,adding that scholars from all over the world would come for research work.
