On the auspicious occasion of the Prakash Purab of Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered reverential tribute to the Fourth Guru of Sikhism, invoking his legacy of love, compassion, and selfless service on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

In his message posted on X, CM Dhami wrote: 'सेवा, समर्पण और मानवता के प्रतीक सिख पंथ के चतुर्थ गुरु श्री गुरु राम दास साहिब जी के पावन प्रकाश पर्व पर कोटिशः नमन' — 'Countless salutations on the sacred Prakash Purab of Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji, the Fourth Guru of the Sikh Panth and the symbol of service, dedication, and humanity.' He added that the Guru's great teachings would 'always inspire us to walk the path of love, compassion, harmony, and service to the people.'

Who was Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji?

Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji holds an enduring place in Sikh history as the Fourth Guru of Sikhism. He composed deeply devotional hymns that were later enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal scripture of Sikhism. His most visible legacy stands in the city he founded — Amritsar, which grew into the spiritual and cultural heartland of the Sikh faith and the eventual home of the Golden Temple.

His teachings centred on seva (selfless service), simran (remembrance of the divine), and the dissolving of ego through humility — principles that continue to shape Sikh practice worldwide. The Prakash Purab, marking his birth anniversary according to the Nanakshahi and traditional lunar calendars, is observed with prayers, kirtan, and community service at gurdwaras across India and the globe.

A standard of statecraft — and genuine reverence

Across India, chief ministers and senior political figures routinely mark the Prakash Purbas of the Sikh Gurus with public messages — a practice that reflects both the political reality of diverse religious constituencies and a genuine tradition of inter-faith acknowledgment. Uttarakhand, while not among the states with the largest Sikh populations, has a historically rooted Sikh community, and gurdwaras across the state hold significant religious and cultural importance for residents and pilgrims alike.

Dhami's tribute lands on a day when gurdwaras in Dehradun, Haridwar, and across the hill state are expected to hold special prayers and langar services to mark the occasion — a reminder that the Guru's message of community and service is as alive in the Himalayan foothills as it is in the plains of Punjab.

Service before self — the Guru taught it. The Chief Minister invoked it. The gurdwaras are already living it today.