Indian embassy in Ankara marks birthday of Guru Nanak

ANKARA

The Indian embassy in Ankara celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on Tuesday.

The embassy organized a prayer session to commemorate the event.

Speaking at the celebration, India’s ambassador to Turkey Sanjay Bhattacharyya said the culture and faith that Sikhs have brought about enriches the civilization of the world.

He stressed that Guru Nanak’s teachings give his devotees strength in providing service to others without being asked or compensated just because it is being done for humanity.

“What we have seen is that in all of Turkey, there are probably three Sikhs. But all of us in India feel that we are part of the same brotherhood irrespective of the faith that we have, whether you’re Hindu, Muslim, Christian.”

After the ceremony, Bhattacharyya served up Prasad -- a kind of sacred, sweet pudding for Sikhs -- to the guests.

The event also included a cinevision show featuring Guru Nanak’s life and philosophy of Sikhism.