AMRITSAR: The SGPC is understood to have approached the Central government for allowing it to install a powerful transmitter under the control and supervision of AIR to enhance the range of Gurbani kirtan relayed daily from the Golden Temple.

For the first time, the SGPC according to reliable sources, has made an offer to meet all the expenses of installation of a transmitter, powerful enough to broadcast the kirtan all over the country. A formal proposal seeking permission in this regard was sent recently to the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr, P Upendra.

As an alternative to the transmitter, the SGPC has suggested that an arrangement be made to link the kirtan broadcast directly with the Delhi station of AIR so that it is received in other parts of the country.

The SGPC sources say has complained to the ministry that the present system of broadcasting has “miserably failed” to meet the aspirations of the followers of the Guru Granth Sahib and their spiritual thirst remains “unquenched”.

It has been pointed out that due to the short range and poor quality transmission, the Gurbani Kiran relayed by the Jalandhar radio Station is not properly heard even in certain parts of Punjab. The transmission system in Darbar Sahib, the SGPC has alleged, has worn out and is outdated, resulting in frequent breakdowns and distortions in the relay of the kirtan.

It may be recalled that it has been the long standing demand of the SGPC that it should be permitted to install a powerful transmitter in the Golden Temple complex so that gurbani kirtan can be relayed and heard in every nook and corner of the world. This was one of the original 35 demands submitted by the Akali Dal to the center before the start of the “dharam yudh” morcha in 1982.

However, the then government had rejected this demand, but agreed the direct relay of gurbani kirtan from Jalandhar radio station for half an hour in the morning as well as the evening. The programme has been quite popular.

All these years, the SGPC has been pressing for a high power transmitter to step up the range of transmission of the programme in a representation to Mr. Upendra, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Secretary, SGPC, has said the subject of kirtan relay from Harmandir Sahib is very dear and near to the hearts of not only the millions of Sikhs in different parts of the country and abroad, but also the devotees who find spiritual solace in Gurbani.

The SGPG secretary has sought to inform the minister that as such the Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns not only of the Sikh gurus, but also of the saints of Hindus and Muslims. The acceptance of the demand for a perfect relay of the gurbani kirtan would soothen the “ruffled” sentiments of the Sikh community, now passing through a “trauma” and would be a goodwill gesture of the National Front Government, the letter has said.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 24, 1990