-By: Bupender ‘Bekal’ P.S. to His Holiness

The Sant Nirankari Mission celebrates its Golden Jubilee Sant Samagam from November 6 to 10, 1997 with full fervour and zeal. Identifying the history of the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagams, our memory takes us back to the spirited young saint of the Mission, Sajjan Singh, son of Baba Avtar Singh Ji Maharaj, who played unforgettable patent and latent roles in widely spreading the message of the Mission. Patently, he is the founder of the Nirankari Publications as he was instrumental in releasing the ‘Sant Nirankari’ monthly magazine in the year 1948. Latently speaking, Sajjan Singh fell ill and breathed his last the same year.

The death of young Sajjan moved everybody and a large number of devotees reached Delhi to express their feelings. His Holiness, however, impressed upon them all that we must surrender to the will of God. We should treat the body, mind and worldly belongings as gifts from the Almighty Nirankar, use them as trustees and feel in no way pained if and when any one of them is withdrawn or taken back by the Supreme Giver. Baba Ji counseled all to sit in congregation, remember God, express gratitude for whatever is left, pray for strength to serve humanity and beseech forgiveness or divine mercy for worldly short-comings.

The visiting saints gathered at Idgah Road in Delhi and took the form of a congregation. The Missionaries rose one after the other, to address the congregation. It was discovered that it would be really useful to share their views on the Mission's philosophy, their experience as also the style of communicating the same, on a periodical basis. This was the first one-day Samagam of the Mission, which inspired the Missionaries, and they decided that devotees from all over may assemble in Delhi at least once in a year in the month of October or November. Ever since, the Mission has been holding its Samagams every year regularly. The number of participants in Annual Samagams continues to be thicker and thicker from year to year.

The duration of every annual samagam has been 3 days except in the case of the 1^st, 9^th and the Golden jubilee Samagam which have been of one day, seven days and five days duration, respectively.

To avoid it becoming a ritual, no dates have been permanently fixed for the Annual Samagams. So far, these have been usually held during the period from late September to early November.

The first fifteen Samagams up to 1962 were held under the stewardship of Baba Avtar Singh Ji Maharaj. From 16^th to 21^st, Samagams were held in the august presence of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Maharaj, Baba Avtar Singh Ji and Rajmata Kulwant Kaur Ji. From 22^nd to 32^nd, these Samagams were presided over by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Maharaj Ji and Pujya Rajmata Ji. From 33rd Samagam onwards these have been held under the spiritual guidance of Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, Pujya Rajmata Ji and Pujya Mata Swinder Ji.

Venue

Place-wise, the first Samagam in 1948 was held at Idgah Road, Sadar. The 2^nd Samagam was held at Panchkuin Road, New Delhi. The 3^rd to 5^th Samagams were held at Radio Colony near Sant Nirankari Colony. For the 8^th to 17^th Samagams Sant Nirankari Colony remained the venue. With the ever-increasing number of Nirankari devotees more spacious venue was needed. Therefore, the 18^th to 30^th Samagams were held in the Ram Lila Ground, Delhi. The 31^st Samagam in 1978 was held at the India Gate Maidan, New Delhi. For the next eight years the venue was shifted to the open Maidan behind Red Fort opposite the Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana and Vijay Ghat where the 32^nd to 39^th Samagams were held. The next 3 Samagams were held near Santokh Sarovar (Nirankari Colony) across the Outer Ring Road. From the 43^rd Samagam onwards the spacious ground opposite the Santokh Sarover (Burari Raod) is being used for this purpose. Thus, going by the need and availability, nine venues have been utilised so far for conducting 50 Annual Sant Samagams.

Series Uninterrupted

The 16^th Samagam held in 1963 was the first Samagam presided over by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji. The physical departure of Baba Avtar Singh Ji in September 1969 did not cast any shadow of morose on the 22^nd Samagam. The year 1972 witnessed the Silver Jubilee Samagam when the Nirankari Baba and Rajmata Ji were weighed against currency notes. This helped the Mission to step up its activities in the social welfare field. Despite Amritsar-episode of April 1978 and virtual anti Nirankari crusade in the northern region, there was no break in the chain of annual Samagams that year too. In the year 1980 also when Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji laid down his life for the ask of Truth, the 33^rd Annual Samagam was held us usual under the spiritual command of Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. This was the first Samagam presided over by him in which he inspired devotees to stick to their faith in Nirankar and take the message of the Mission to every door step, which would be the true homage to Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji.

Initially, the Annual Samagams used to start with a colourful procession with the Nirankari Baba seated in a well-decorated open vehicle, preceded by Sewa Dal Band and followed by the visiting saints in their traditional costumes singing praise of God and the True Master and high-lighting the message of the Mission, while marching on the specified long route. This used to be a scene to the enjoyed by one and all. The idea of the procession was to introduce the Mission to the masses.

In 1977, however, a procession could not take place in view of the deteriorated law and order situation. Once the chain stood broken, these processions were practically dropped from the Samagam programme.

Poetic Symposium

An important feature of the Annual Samagams has been a poetic symposium generally conducted in the evening of the concluding day. Except on seven occasions, when there were general poems, there has always been a specific theme for the poetic symposium, relevant to the situation and expected role for the followers of the Mission. It first started with the Samagam in 1952. The theme was 'On seeing the Light of God every place gets illumined." The other notable themes conveyed: Knowledge of God dispels darkness of ignorance and superstitions; love is the foundation of durable peace and prosperity; the saint knows how to maintain the spirit of love even against tyranny; service to mankind has great significance; the Mission stands for unity and salvation of the whole world; practice is better than preaching; intense love between man and man is essentially required to achieve peace and progress of mankind; love man to love God; humility is the hall-mark of life; devotion remains lop-sided unless it is founded on love and respect for other human beings; the primary aim of human life is that one should become true human being; etc. etc. The curves and contours of all the poetic themes run into one singular aim of transforming man into real human being worth the name. The poets with their attempts in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and other languages touch new heights of imagination and filter the theme down the veins of the devotees.

Other Fortunes

A Sewa Dal Rally is usually held on the forenoon of the 2^nd day of the Samagam. In this rally, the Sewa Dal volunteers present a spectacular scene with physical exercises and some cultural items in the presence of Baba Ji and renew their pledge of service to humanity.

General Body Meeting is also a regular feature of the Annual Samagam. This meeting normally takes place on the forenoon of the 3^rd day of the Samagam. In this meeting all the Parcharaks, Mukhis, Parmukhs, Zonal Incharges, Sewa Dal Office-bearers and such other members of the Mission as may be nominated by the Satguru, participate. This meeting is held under the being presence of the Satguru and starts with an Annual Report read by the Secretary concerned giving brief account of the performance of the previous year. Then it is addressed by the Satguru, enjoining upon the participants the new tasks ahead.

Today, the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam in Delhi can easily be described as the ‘Mission in Action’. Its message of human unity equality and fraternity based on spiritual awakening finds here a fine expression. People from all shades and layers of society assemble at one place forgetting their social, economic or official status. The mammoth gathering presents a view of unity in diversity and mutual love, respect and understanding. Humility marks the conduct of every devotee participating in the Samagam so much so that one is found touching the feet of the other irrespective of the age, sex or the status.

Free food (Langar) is served to all during the Samagam. The people sit on the carpets so affectionately that one finds senior officers, businessmen, factory owner and other elite taking food while seated by the side of the common people coming from remote rural areas. Even those who prepare or the serve the food work shoulder to shoulder irrespective of their social status, educational qualifications, economic background and so on. The Nirankari Langar is certainly an example of equality and fraternity as also the self-less service to others.

During the Samagam, the Nirankari Pradarshini - an Exhibition consisting of interesting models, paintings, photographs etc. is also a centre of attraction for the devotees. It depicts not only the history and the ideology of the Mission but also the various activities, particularly those related to the spread of its message. The spiritual tours and the discourses of His Holiness also find ample representation in the Exhibition. The long queues display the sense of discipline on the part of the devotees.

The whole Samagam place looks like a township provided with all the facilities needed in the modern times. It represents the picture of mini-Globe by way of its participants from every nook and corner of the country and also from overseas.

Those prominent who attended the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagams in the past include the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Central Ministers, State Governors and Chief Ministers.