Context-The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has decided to translate and publish an anthology of the writings of Guru Nanak Dev in world languages to mark his 550th birth anniversary.

Government initiatives

• The government is also holding a series of events and has initiated projects to mark 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• These include the construction of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district in Punjab to the international border,
• The development of the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as a heritage town on the smart city principle, the upgradation of Sultanpur Lodhi railway station and release of commemorative coins and postage stamps.
• Also, National book trust will publish Gurbani in different indian languages.

Guru nanak dev ji

• Guru Nanak was born on 15 April 1469 at Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan to a Hindu family. His father was a crop revenue accountant.
• Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary is celebrated as Guru Nanak Gurpurab by Sikhs all over the world.
• Guru Nanak introduced the concept of langar where everybody partakes of a meal as equals. This is a tradition continued by Sikhs till date in Gurudwaras. This practice symbolises charity and equality.
• He travelled to many places like Mecca, Baghdad, Multan, etc.
• On 22 September 1539, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism died aged 70 at Kartarpur in present-day Pakistan

Teachings of Guru Nanak

• Nanak had no intention of founding a new religion. He wanted to work only as a bridge between Hindus and Muslims.
• Guru Nanak was against caste-based distinctions. He also denied the need for priests and rituals.
• He said that he was not an incarnation of god or even a prophet, but that everyone could ‘speak’ to god directly. The concept of god is ‘Vahiguru’, an entity that is shapeless, timeless, omnipresent and invisible. Other names for God in the Sikh faith are Akaal Purkh and Nirankar.
• He laid great stress on purity of character and actions.
• Guru Nanak denounced idol worship and pilgrimages.
• Overcoming 5 evils — Ego, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Lust
• Adopting 5 virtues — Truth, Compassion, Contentment, Discipline and Contemplation