SGPC announces financial rewards for Sikh sportspersons

BATHINDA: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to reward Sikhs, who do not cut hair or tamper with their beard, and are high achievers in the field of sports. A reward of Rs 5, 4 and 3 lakh would be given respectively to the winners of the Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, the committee said.

The decision in were taken in the SGPC executive committee meeting held at Talwandi Sabo on Thursday.

Similarly, a reward of Rs 4, 3, and 2 lakh respectively, would be given to

Sikh sportspersons

winning gold, silver and bronze medals in Asian games, and Rs 3, 2 and 1 lakh respectively to medal winners in Commonwealth games.

The committee also decided to give Rs 1 lakh Amandeep Singh – another Sikh with unshorn hair -- who cracked the civil services exam. Earlier on April 20, the SGPC had decided to give rewards for those making their mark in the field of education.

The SGPC has also decided to put portrait of former SGPC president Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Sikh scholar Giani Waryam Singh in the Central Sikh Museum.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said the executive committee has decided to honour Sikh sportspersons who have kept the complete Sikh appearance. Apart from winning medals in international tournaments, those winning laurels in national and state games will also be suitably awarded. The awards are being started with an aim to keep youths away from drugs and to encourage them to take interest in sports.

He said the SGPC would the addicts treated for free if they wanted to shun drugs.

Longowal also said the SGPC would fight the legal battle for remaining 325 Jodhpur detainees to get compensation for them. They were arrested after Operation Bluestar in 1984 from the Golden Temple.