Saadh Sangat Ji the SGPC has gone a step too far to destroy Darbar Sahib. SGPC president Makhar has declined calls to remove the AC units.
After having withdrawn its plan to install Air Conditioners in Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex last May, the Shiromani Gurdwara Committee has gone ahead with the abandoned plans by installing two heavy duty Air Conditioners in the upper floor of Sri Harmandir Sahib. This move by the SGPC has drawn flack as these developments were made without consultation from any Sikh experts.
"The move came after ‘commands’ from Surinder Badal, wife of Parkash Badal (SAD), as she visits Sri Harmandir Sahib frequently."
While talking to the press, a high profile SGPC member alleged that the move came after ‘commands’ from Bibi Surinder Badal, wife of Parkash Badal (SAD), as she visits Sri Harmandir Sahib frequently. Furthermore, according to the SGPC President Avtar Makkar, since several VIPs pay homage at the complex throughout the year, the air conditioners were installed to better accommodate the foreigners. Avtar Makkar has held that the installation of air conditioners was done without modifying the centuries old complex in any way. However, a panel of experts opposing the move has argued that varying temperatures within the complex will surely prove to be dangerous to the magnificent and unmatched frescos and delicate art work. Adding to the list of those opposed to the SGPC move, Balwinder Singh from Guru Nanak Dev University has argued that the work is against the heritage of the Sri Harmandir Sahib. He added that the complex was built in a way to provide a natural cooling effect and installation of AC’s will be hazardous.
Initially, Gurmit Rai, a renowned heritage conservationist and Director of Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative had also openly condemned the plans of the SGPC last year. Ms. Rai argued that installing the air-conditioner would damage the floor and the walls of the building while the compressor that has to be installed outside could cause electric hazards and noise problems.
Several SGPC members had also expressed their concerns over the installation of the air conditioners. Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, executive member of the SGPC, said the air-conditioners were not needed and instead suggested that higher SGPC officials work on eradicating the pollution problem near Darbar Sahib, as that would automatically solve the high temperature issue. Former SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta also denounced the plan as terrible. He said that the Sikhs visited Harmandir Sahib to seek spiritual security and not physical relief.
After having withdrawn its plan to install Air Conditioners in Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex last May, the Shiromani Gurdwara Committee has gone ahead with the abandoned plans by installing two heavy duty Air Conditioners in the upper floor of Sri Harmandir Sahib. This move by the SGPC has drawn flack as these developments were made without consultation from any Sikh experts.
"The move came after ‘commands’ from Surinder Badal, wife of Parkash Badal (SAD), as she visits Sri Harmandir Sahib frequently."
While talking to the press, a high profile SGPC member alleged that the move came after ‘commands’ from Bibi Surinder Badal, wife of Parkash Badal (SAD), as she visits Sri Harmandir Sahib frequently. Furthermore, according to the SGPC President Avtar Makkar, since several VIPs pay homage at the complex throughout the year, the air conditioners were installed to better accommodate the foreigners. Avtar Makkar has held that the installation of air conditioners was done without modifying the centuries old complex in any way. However, a panel of experts opposing the move has argued that varying temperatures within the complex will surely prove to be dangerous to the magnificent and unmatched frescos and delicate art work. Adding to the list of those opposed to the SGPC move, Balwinder Singh from Guru Nanak Dev University has argued that the work is against the heritage of the Sri Harmandir Sahib. He added that the complex was built in a way to provide a natural cooling effect and installation of AC’s will be hazardous.
Initially, Gurmit Rai, a renowned heritage conservationist and Director of Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative had also openly condemned the plans of the SGPC last year. Ms. Rai argued that installing the air-conditioner would damage the floor and the walls of the building while the compressor that has to be installed outside could cause electric hazards and noise problems.
Several SGPC members had also expressed their concerns over the installation of the air conditioners. Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, executive member of the SGPC, said the air-conditioners were not needed and instead suggested that higher SGPC officials work on eradicating the pollution problem near Darbar Sahib, as that would automatically solve the high temperature issue. Former SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta also denounced the plan as terrible. He said that the Sikhs visited Harmandir Sahib to seek spiritual security and not physical relief.
2 comments:
All it means that we have grown so weak that we cannot protect our sacred and our tradional values against the ever increasing demand for the bodily comfort of modern day. The ragis who find it too hot may consider going to a theatre to sing they will get not only the aircondioning but all the bells and whistles that go with it. Let it also be knopwn that there is ONLY one GOLDEN TEMPLE in this whole world but theatres are plenty.
i agree badal and sgpc have got such a tight grip on the panth, in America Vedanti mentioned Khalistan now there is rumour that badal and sgpc want a new jathedar.
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