Punjab Government’s Move To Celebrate Bhai Ghanaiya’s Anniversary Commendable

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Bhai Ghanaiya Is Considered The Pioneer And Inspiration For The Work The Red Cross Does!

By Balwant Sanghera

Bhai Ghanaiya holds a very prominent place as a selfless servant of humanity. In a sense, he can be called the visionary for the establishment of the International Red Cross which formally came into existence later on.In this context, it is a commendable move by the Punjab government to celebrate his 300th death anniversary onSeptember20 as the Manav Sewa Diwas. For this gesture, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh and his colleagues deserve our thanks and appreciation. This recognition of Bhai Ghanaiya should serve as a great motivator for the youth to learn and appreciate the life and work of this great philanthropist. This historical day is expected to include special camps throughout the state focusing on blood and organ donations. Not only that, the Shromani Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) which runs a number of educational institutions is planning to provide training in first aid to three students and two teachers in each of its 125 colleges. Furthermore it is providing first aid kits and encouraging its granthis at each of the gurdwaras with residential sarais to encourage them to have at least one and more, ifpossible persons to provide them with first aid training.

On its part, Bhai Ghanaiya Ji International Foundation will be celebrating his death anniversary on September 20 at Anandpur Sahib. For this occasion first aid boxes have been delivered to various schools.  Blood donation and eye donation camps are also being organized at different places. To its credit, Punjab government has declared this day as the Manav Sewa Divas (Service for Humanity Day) at all district headquarters. Such developments are great in spreading the message of service before self not only in India but also amongst the millions of NRIs living abroad. It helps strengthen the concept of serving the suffering humanity, internationalbrotherhood, love and peace in the world.

Bhai Ghanaiya, a devotee of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was born in 1648 at village Sodhra near Wazirabad now in Pakistan. Since early childhood he was actively involved in serving the needy and downtrodden. As a young man, Bhai Ghanaiya got opportunity serve water to the public with Guru Teg BahadurJi’s blessings. He continued to serve under Guru Gobind Singh Ji. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji was engaged in battles with the hill chieftains and the Mughal rulers, Bhai Ghanaiya was given the responsibility to serve drinking water to soldiers wounded on the battlefield. Naturally, duringthese battles there were a large number of wounded soldiers on both sides who were in immediate need of water and first aid. To his credit, Bhai Ghanaiya served every wounded soldier, friend and foe.

Seeing this, someone complained to Guru Ji that Bhai Ghanaiya was also serving the enemy soldiers. Guru Ji summoned Bhai Ghanaiya and asked him if the complaint was true. With folded hands and respect Bhai Ghanaiya replied:” Graceful Lord, you taught us the lesson of humanity, universal brotherhoodand serving the humanity without distinction of caste, colour, race or creed. I did not find any enemy or alien soul there. I saw you incarnated in every image and offered water to none but your kind self. “Guru Ji was very pleased to hear this and provided some ointments, medications and dressings to Bhai Ghanaiya and encouraged him to carry on his mission. Thus, in 1704, Bhai Ghanaiya laid the foundation of service to humanity long before the formation of International Red Cross in mid 1860s.

In the later years of his life, Bhai Ghanaiya dedicated himself to the cause of establishing charitable organizations /inns and digging of wells. He passed away on September 20, 1718 at age 70 and left behind a unique movement of Sewa Panthis. The philanthropic services started by this great human being are being carried on by numerous volunteer organizations in many countries including India and Canada. A number of societies bearing his name have been doing a commendable job in serving their fellow human beings. In this context, the decision by the Punjab government to honour this great personality by declaring September 20 as the Manav Sewa Divas (Service to Humanity Day) is commendable. He is a great role model for millions of people around the globe. These initiatives are well deserved tributes to this noble soul.

Balwant Sanghera is a retired School Psychologist and Community Activist.