"A modelling...... Page 4 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Progress in spiritualism....Page 3 "Hukam Rajayee jayanti special Chalna Nanak Likheya Naal” Sunny Dua Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus says that *everything happens by God’s Grace, so Rest assured that God knows better what is right or wrong for us. We should, therefore, accept His decisions without any grudge or question. Sree Nankaanaa Sahib tae hor Gurdvaareaan', Gur'dhaamaan' dae jinhaan' thon' Panth noon' vichhor-eaa geaa haee Khullhae darshan dee-daara tae sevaa san-mbhaal daa daan Khaalsa jee noon' bakhsho. (Almighty Lord! Our helper and protector ever, restore to us the right and privilege of unhindered and free service and access to Nankana Sahib and other centers of Sikh religion from which we have been separated). These last lines of Sikh Ardaas (Prayer) delivered twice a day in every Gurudwara around the globe since ages seeks access to Nankana Sabib (The birth Place An illuminated Gurdwara Panja Sahib, , . Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Pakistan. of first Sikh Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji) in Pakistan besides other that have been separated from the Sikh Religion. Startlingly, are finding their prayers Nanak Dev Ji on it is treated as Nectar Devotees take dips in Sarovar (Holy Pond) and Sikh friends stand in queues on either side of Gurdwaras’ entrances in a hope that some heard every year enabling them to visit Pakistan and other Gurdwaras. About 140 listen to which besides Sikhs is also recited by local Muslim Sufi Singers who of the descendents from India might recognise their great grandparents and tell them Gurdwaras of historical importance are presently located in Pakistan and Afghanistan claim to be devotees of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Three days each on Baisakhi and about their wellbeing. This rarely matures and most of the Pakistan people return which Sikh Sangat desires to visit freely. Gurpurab Panja Sahib remain centre of attraction for pilgrims as well as local admin- homes with a hope to return next year and repeat the procedure to find their lost Several of these Gurdwaras which in series depict the birth, childhood, early life and istration. The bazaars cater to pilgrims for whom soft drinks marked Pepsi and Coke in friends or village mates. death of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji are housed in Nankana Sahib, Lahore, District ‘’ besides local architecture that resembles any village or small town of this side of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji had conducted his missionary tours accompanied by Gujarat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Kasur (The village of Baba Bulle is like travelling in a time machine while remembering Pre-Partition era. Mardana and preached against caste distinctions ritualism, idol worship and the pseu- Shah), Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Okara, Narowal, Jhelum, Attock, Kartar Pur, Baluchistan, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji along with Bhai Mardana Ji had reached Hasan Abdal and do-religious beliefs that had no spiritual content. At the age of 12 when his father want- Quetta, North West Frontier Province, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Naushera, Sindh, recitation of Kirtan by them had irked local saint Hazrat Shah Wali Qandhari who used ed to teach him business, he exhausted all the money given to him by feeding poor and Karachi, Sukkur and Hasan Abdal. to meditate atop a nearby hill. Bhai Mardana was made to ascend the hill thrice to get claimed that he did a "True business". Guru's dictum that "riches cannot be gathered Now when on November 14, 2016 Monday, Sikhs around the globe will be celebrat- some water to quench their thirst but Wali Qandhari refused his request and was rude without sin and evil means," continues to be the basic moral tenet with the Sikh mys- ing 547th Gurpurab of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a fortunate (Contingent) of to him. It was when Bhai Mardana had almost given up that Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji tics and the Sikh society. He proved this by eating in the house of a low caste artisan devotes will be in Nankana Sahib or Hasan Abdal celebrating the day with religious fer- put aside one rock making water spring up from where he quenched his thirst and instead of a rich landlord who used to suppress and exploit poor. vour and merriment finding themselves propitious enough to have visited birth place thanked the Guru Ji. The fountain of Shah Wali Qandhari had dried who in rage threw The Sikh Sangat during their pilgrimage prays in Gurdwaras but also enjoy going of their first Sikh Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji or the place where his hand print on a a mountain rock towards the Guru Ji from the top of the hill. The Guru stopped the round the fort of Maharaja from where Lahore’s Shahdman Chowk and solid rock had been attracting millions of devotees since ages. hurled rock with his hand leaving his handprint in the rock. Ever since then Wali had Minar-e-Pakistan are clearly visible. Data Darbar, Badshahi Mosque, Hanuman This author had also visited the place and like every devotee found himself fortunate become a devotee of Guru Ji and the place was named Panja Sahib by Hari Singh Temple, Liberty Market, Anarkali Bazar, Lahore University and several old and torn Nalwa, the most famous general of the Kingdom of the Sikhs. enough to put his hand on Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s hand print in which anyone’s hand out streets named after legends of Pre-Partition era definitely stay on the itinerary of Right from Attari in Pakistan to Panja Sahib which is close to the Afghanistan bor- fits comfortably as if it’s his/her own handprint. A visit to Gurudwara Panja Sahib in pilgrims, several of whom become nostalgic on roaming around the streets named after Hasan Abdal says it all about the inviolability where Muslims and local administration der, pilgrims are made to visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Gurdwara Bal Lilah, Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Parkash Asthan Sri their forefathers, businessmen or those having social importance. The best thing that besides Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) controlled by happens is people to people contact during which several Pakistanis love to talk to pil- Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan maintains Sikh religious institutions, Ji, Lahore, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib Sri Dev Ji, Lahore, Samadh Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Panja Sahib in a outdated train without any reser- grims, ask about their home towns, discuss India’s architecture and social setup, how places of worships and the well-being of the Pakistani Sikh community. Indian’s bargain, show keenness in India visit, click pictures with them, take selfies and Every Sikh dreams this pilgrimage but since most of the Gurdwaras are located in vation. Though Pakistan government has been time and again requested to arrange for offer pilgrims beverages and food as a gesture of their hospitality. neighbouring country Pakistan a lot many Dos and Don’ts must be adhered to before a new and comfortable train which could carry pilgrims with reserved tickets nothing Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent twenty five years of his life preaching from place to one sets on his journey. While we remember Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who was born in has been done so far. It is at this point that pilgrims have to show their patience and not rush though things, be it arranging for accommodation or occupying berths in trains. place wherein he promoted new religion and his mystic system almost completely 1469 in Talwandi, a village in the Sheikhupura district, 65 kms West of Lahore we must Sikh Sangat of Gurdwara Panja Sahib way back on October 31, 1922 A.D had force reversed the trends, principles and practices of the then prevailing religions. He later also know that in present day state train or bus after crossing Wagah reaches Atari bor- stopped a train carrying arrested Singhs from Amritsar to Attak by lying on the tracks. cultivated his lands and also continued with his mission and preaching. His followers der in Pakistan. From there right on the Lahore-Islamabad track after passing through After change of staff at Rawalpindi when the train moved on, Sikhs from Gurdwara throughout the country were known as Nanak-Panthies or Sikhs and places where Sikh Sheikhupura, Kot Dilawar, Kamalabad, Dera Murmana, Malakwal, Faisalabad, Panja Sahib had desired to feed hungry inmates but were categorically told by Station congregation of his followers were held were called Dharamsalas. These were also the Wazirabad, Rawalpindi, Gujrawala, Taxila and Wah Cantt pilgrims reach Hassan Master that train won’t stop here. Bhai Karam Singh who wanted to feed Singhs told places for feeding the poor. Eventually, every Sikh home became a Dharamsala. Abdal in Attock district of Punjab, Pakistan. the officer, "Baba Nanak had stopped a mountain with one hand. Cannot his Sikhs stop A novel claims that Guru Nanak's body vanishing after his death, are also found in A few kilometres away from Hassan Abdal where Gurdwara Panja Sahib is located a train?" and lay on the track along with other Sikhs. The train did not stop and ran over later versions and these are similar to the miracle stories in Sufi literature about their GT Road meets Karakoram Highway near Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which can be Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Partap Singh crushing their bones. The martyrdom of Pirs. The main Gurdwara at Hasan Abdal leaves pilgrims spellbound. seen from top of hill where Shah Wali Qandhari used to live. He having seen his water those two Sikhs finally forced the train to halt for one and a half hours after which Sikhs fountain dried up had thrown a huge rock towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji which was The interior of the Gurdwara has been done with coloured glass and marble pieces. first served the Singhs in the train and then turned to the injured. The building is exactly pure Islamic construction having five pomegranate shaped stopped by the Guru Ji leaving his handprint on it. This pilgrimage leaves an indelible Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji had learnt regional languages, Persian and Arabic. He was mark on the minds and hearts of people especially when Pakistan Rangers on horse- domes, one big in center and four on the corners of the roof. It has glass windows on all married in 1487 and was blessed with two sons. At Nankana Sahib where ETPB has four sides of the shrine. The use of many different material has made it an expensive backs keep a vigil on train that crosses from Wagah to Atari. Then stay at the Gurdwara constructed state of the art Sarai (Rest Houses) and maintained the main Gurdwara project for construction but very attractive. Marble and glass are the most used mate- where devotees from Peshawar and some parts of Afghanistan organise there runs a big bazaar right in front of main gate. Almost all the Gurdwaras where Shri rial giving a shining look. His messages include: Submission to the will of God, there is (Community meals), Nagar Kirtan (Religious Procession) and make all arrangements Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his early days are located on either sides of this main market one God, goodwill for all, speak truth, serve and pray, shun evils like Ego, Anger, Greed, for pilgrims charges the atmosphere to heavenly. which can be accessed by rickshaw or a three-wheeler driven by a motorcycle. The most The crystal clear water that flows from beneath the rock with hand print of Sri Guru painful moment arrives when elderly Muslims holding Pre-Partition pictures of their Attachment and Lust, don’t discrimination and stop believing in superstitions.

massive structures. Based on experiences drawn from similar projects worldwide, the design practices for the bridge are being followed.The deep Chenab river valley under the bridge is prone to high wind pressure which is to be expected to be risking factor for the stability of the bridge.Norway-based Force Technology Laboratory conducted various wind tunnel Engineering marvel tests to understand the effects of wind speed, static force coef- ficients and gust buffeting. The bridge is designed to resist wind speeds of up to 260kmph. The seismic nature of the proj- ect zone was also considered during its design.The bridge will include 17 spans, as well as the 469m main arch span across the Chenab River, and viaducts on either side. The main span of the bridge will include two 36m-long approach spans. It will be built as a two ribbed arch with steel trusses made of con- crete-filled sealed steel boxes. The structure will be support- ed by two 130m-long, 100m-high pylons on either end through cables.Steel is used to construct the bridge as it will be more economical and able to resist temperatures of -20C and wind speeds of above 200kmph. As the state is prone to frequent terrorist attacks. In order to enhance safety and security, the bridge will be made of 63mm-thick special blast-proof steel. The concrete pillars of the bridge are designed to withstand explosions. In order to safeguard the bridge a ring of aerial security will be provided. An online monitoring and warning system will be installed on the bridge to protect the passen- gers and train in critical conditions. Footpaths and cycle trails will be provided adjacent to it. The bridge will be painted with a special corrosion-resistant paint, which remains for many years. The Chenab Rail Bridge is being constructed in hilly terrain which is a very difficult and isolated place.While constructing this bridge the Chenab River water is not obstructed which is a great challenge. Around five kilometers road was specially con- structed to reach the foundations of the bridge. The deck of the bridge is partly in straight horizon and partly in curves. It is sit- uated on a transition curve with changing radius. Its construc- tion is carried out in stages following the gradual change in the alignment. This is the first time a bridge is being constructed incrementally on a transition curve. World largest cable cranes and derrick are used to construct the bridge. It is expected that the construction of the bridge require 25,000mt of steel, 4,000mt of reinforced steel, 46,000m³ of concrete and eight million m³ of excavation. The bridge is blast proof and it can Dr.Banarsi Lal and Dr.Shahid Ahamad of 120 years. It is hoped that this bridge will contribute Baramulla. Construction of the Jammu to Udhampur section withstand even 40 tonnes TNT of explosives and an earthquake immensely to the economic development of the state and help was completed and has been opened. Work is progressing on of 8.5 intensity on the Richter scale. Reasi district is famous for various renowned places and in providing better transportation accessibility within the state the Udhampur to Baramulla section.The world famous place The review work of the alignment was carried out by the Chenab Rail Bridge is another feather that Reasi district is and the country. Katra (due to Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine) has been connected Amberg and mainly executed by the Konkan Railway Corpo- going to add in near future.In Reasi district of Jammu and In Jammu and Kashmir transportation facilities are poor by the railway line with the rest of nation.The project includes ration. Design and construction of the bridge was done by the Kashmir Chenab Rail Bridge is under-cconstruction and is especially in the far-flung mountainous terrains. The Govern- construction of several bridges and tunnels along the route, of joint venture of Afcons Infrastructure, Ultra Construction & located between the two places viz.Bakkal and Kaori. ment of India recognized the transport problems of the state which Chenab Bridge is one of them. The project was suspend- Engineering Company of South Korea and VSL India. Consul- so construction of a national railway project that will connect ed in 2008 due to construction challenges. The alignment of tancy services are being taken by the Finland-based WSP The length of this bridge is 1,315m-long bridge and height J&K with the rest of country was therefore proposed.The the entire project was reviewed to propose solutions for the Group and Germany-based Leonhardt Andra. The pylons of is 359m. Once completed, it will be the highest rail bridge in Chenab Bridge project was launched in 2003 as part of this challenges faced. The reviewed work was submitted to the Rail- the bridge designed by VCE Consult ZT-GmbH and Jochum the world and even 35m higher than the Eiffel Tower.This proposal.It is expected that the 345km-long railway line way Board and finally it was approved in 2009. The design of Andreas Seiltransporte installed the cables for the bridge will be a part of Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramul- between Jammu and Baramulla regions will enhance trans- the bridge, however, was approved in July 2012. pylon.Painting services are given to AkzoNobe for the bridge. la rail line project being undertaken by the Ministry of the Indi- portation within the State and across the nation. The railway Chenab Bridge is first of its kind in India and forms a mas- It is hoped that this place will become a visiting spot for the an Railways. It is expected that this bridge will have a lifespan line will traverse along Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund- sive steel arch. Our country has no design guidance for such tourists after completion.