Anandpur Sahib / Chandigarh, November 19

Eminent personalities from diverse fields would be present at the inauguration of Virasat-e-Khalsa, earlier named as Khalsa Heritage Complex, at Anandpur Sahib on November 25. Preparations for the ceremony are on in full swing and the state government is leaving no stone unturned to make it a memorable event.

Among the invitees are the five Sikh High Priests, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasimi from Darul Uloom Deoband, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini and renowned singer Asha Bhosle.

The political guests include BJP national president Nitin Gadkari, Chief Ministers of a few states and eminent politicians of Punjabi origin who have made the cut in Canada and other foreign countries.

Mian Imran Masood, a former Education Minister in Pakistan, has also been sent an invitation. After the inauguration ceremony, there would be a recitation of ‘shabad’ by Asha Bhosle, followed by brief speeches by a few religious personalities. The next would be a traditional Khalsa parade by Nihangs astride horses and a “Gatka” display. And the event would conclude with a shabad recitation by another renowned singer, Jaspinder Narula. The entry to the inaugural function, which would last for about half an hour, however, would be restricted.

After the inauguration, a public function would be at Hola Mohalla ground in the rear of Gurdwara Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. In the evening, yet another function would be held where a play, “Bole-so-Nihal”, would be staged. “All functions related to the complex inauguration will have a religious ambience. Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan and others from the film world are coming but they will not stage any performance. They will be state guests,” said Daljit Singh Cheema, in-charge of the functions.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111120/punjab.htm#1