Veer Baal Diwas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January 2022 announced that December 26 will be observed as “Veer Baal Diwas” as a tribute to the Sikh guru's two sons who were executed by the Mughals.

Key Points:

• He made this announcement of the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
• Veer Baal Diwas’ will be observed on the same day Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji attained martyrdom after being sealed alive in a wall.
• The announcement comes a day after the poll dates for Assembly elections in five states were declared. Punjab, where the Sikh community is in majority, is also going to polls.

About Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji:

• The young and innocent boys, Sahibzada (Prince) Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh were just 9 and 7 years old respectively when they attained martyrdom on 26, December, 1705.
• Jorawar and Fateh were the sons of Guru Govind Singhji.
• Sahibzada Jorawar Singh was born on November 1696 and was the third of Guru Gobind Singh's four sons while Sahibzada Fateh Singh was born in Anandpur Sahib on 12 December 1699, the fourth son of Mata Jito, Guru Gobind Singh's first wife.
• They were offered safe passage if they became Muslims. Both refused, and so Wazir Khan who was the the Mughal Governor of Sirhind sentenced them to death by torturing them and bricking them alive.
• Both the great Prince preferred death instead of deviating from the noble principles of Dharma.
• The bravery and ideals of Mata Gujri, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the 4 Sahibzades give strength to millions of people.
• They never bowed to injustice.
• They envisioned a world that is inclusive and harmonious.
• The place where the two children of Guru Gobind Singh were bricked alive is today known as Fatehgarh Sahib.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti:

• Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
• The year 2022 is the 355th birth anniversary of the Sikh guru.
• The day was observed on 9 January.
• The auspicious occasion is also known as the Prakash Parv.
• The occasion falls on different dates every year and it depends on the Nanakshahi calendar of Sikhs.

How is this auspicious day celebrated?

• On this day, Sikhs all across the world send greetings to each other and vow to follow the teachings of Guru Govind Singh.
• Gurudwaras around the world are illuminated and Langars are Set up to serve people on this day.
• On this occasion, Guru Nanak Guru Vani is also narrated at many places to motivate his followers to walk on the path shown by him.

About Guru Govind Singh Ji:

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji, born as Gobind Rai, was the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual leader, warrior, poet and philosopher.
• He was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, and Mata Gujri.
• He was born in Patna on 22 December 1666, Bihar in the Sodhi Khatri family
• He formally became the leader and protector of the Sikhs at the age of nine after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was killed by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam.
• His four sons died during his lifetime – two in battle, two executed by the Mughal army.

Contributions:

• Among his notable contributions to Sikhism are founding the Sikh warrior community called Khalsa in 1699.
• He introducing the Five Ks, the five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times.
• They are: kesh (unshorn hair and beard since the Sikh decided to keep it), kangha (a comb for the kesh, usually wooden), kara (a bracelet, usually made of iron or steel, but sometimes gold), kachera (a white undergarment,), and kirpan (a small curved sword of any size, shape or material).
• Guru Gobind Singh is credited with the Dasam Granth whose hymns are a sacred part of Sikh prayers and Khalsa rituals.
• He is also credited as the one who finalized and enshrined the Guru Granth Sahib as Sikhism's primary scripture and eternal Guru.
• He serves as an inspiration to millions of Sikhs globally.
• He preached peace and equality among all.
• He was against the caste system that was prevalent in India.
• He also voiced against all kinds of superstitions that held back society.