In this proposal sent by Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh, the university suggests celebrating United Nations Day as ‘Day of Universal Conscience’.
Guru Nanak Dev University has submitted a proposal to the United Nations to dedicate its United Nations Day, observed annually on October 24, to the global moral heritage.
In this proposal sent by Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh, the university suggests celebrating United Nations Day as ‘Day of Universal Conscience’.
In an official letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the Vice Chancellor has suggested that Guru Tegh Bahadur not only defended Hinduism through his martyrdom but also authored a significant chapter on religious freedom and the safeguarding of ideas for all humanity.
“Consequently, the university suggests to the UN that this day be commemorated worldwide as ‘Day of Universal Conscience’ to embody the idea of ‘the good of all’ for bolstering the global community,” the letter asserts.
Guru Nanak Dev University is the first institution in India to present a global proposal to the United Nations.
The university has designated Jaspreet Singh, Attorney at Law (New York) and Professor of Eminence at GNDU, as the official representative to deliver the proposal directly and safely to the United Nations.
The VC mentioned that he has been given permission to travel to the UN headquarters in New York to submit copies of the proposal and the declaration to the Office of the Secretary-General, as well as to keep in touch with pertinent UN officials to advance this initiative.
The declaration from Amritsar on this matter was accepted with the agreement of over 70 scholars during a national seminar commemorating the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, held by the university on November 11 and 12, which was officially presented and read aloud by the Vice Chancellor.
The declaration embraces Guru Tegh Bahadur’s universal message to humanity, “Bhai kahu kau det nahi nahi bhai maanat aan” (meaning: ‘Do not intimidate anyone and do not be intimidated by anyone’) as its core component.
“Its primary aim is to safeguard human rights regarding freedom of belief and moral values worldwide, commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur for humanity, motivate nations to adopt ethical choices, and reinforce the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity outlined in the United Nations Constitution.”
“This day will motivate the world to contemplate moral bravery, empathy, tranquility, and human values annually,” stated the VC.
