Express News Service

Russians getting hooked to Sikhism

People from the republics comprising the erstwhile Soviet Union are increasingly getting attracted to Indian spirituality and religion after the fall of 70 years of Communist rule, which forced them to be atheists but which could never kill their inner aspirations.

This was revealed by a delegation of 38 writers, artists and musicians from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, who called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this evening.

Members of the delegation which has come under the banner of International Association for Peace through Culture, stated that they had been greatly impressed by the teachings of Sikhism and had invited Baba Virsa Singh, a Sikh Saint settled in Delhi, to visit Moscow this year to spread the message of the great religion.

They also offered to collaborate with Punjabi in the field of agriculture and industry in their countries and invited Badal to pay a visit there. Reciprocating their gesture, Badal invited them to participate in the tri-centenary celebrations of birth of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in April next year. He said, India had strong ties with Russia and the erstwhile USSR and hoped that these links would grow stronger and wider.

The delegation led by Valentin Sidorov has spent some days at the dera of Baba Virsa Singh, who has already translated Jaap Sahib into Russian. Two Russian scholars are now working at the dera translating the holy Guru Granth Sahib into Russian.

According to Mary Pat Fisher the delegation came to India on March 31 and would next visit Punjabi University at Patiala tomorrow. She said Guru Granth Sahib held out hope for the spiritual uplift of the Russians.