AMRITSAR: The Executive Committee (EC) of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to start the broadcast of gurbani from the Golden Temple on its web channel from July 24 besides the EC has also decided to establish its own satellite channel.
While talking to media persons after chairing the EC’s meeting held in Amritsar on Friday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami informed that the agreement for the broadcast of gurbani with PTC was set to conclude on July 23. However, from the very next day on July 24, the SGPC would initiate the service of broadcasting gurbani through their YouTube channel and other web platforms.
Stating that the SGPC had received directions to operate their Web channel from Akal Takht , Dhami said that in order to fulfill this directive, a sub-committee was formed and they had completed the necessary actions.
"Due to the technical nature of this task, several perspectives were considered, and the sub-committee has recommended engaging a company for monthly expenditures related to the services. This recommendation has been approved by the EC and It is made clear that these services provided by the company would be technical in nature, requiring the necessary equipment and staff. However, the broadcasting rights will remain with the SGPC ", he said.
He further stated that the SGPC would retain all rights pertaining to the broadcast of gurbani, and no channel, YouTube channel, website, or social media platform would be able to broadcast gurbani on its own.
"The Youtube or the Web channel created for relaying gurbani will be named 'Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Sri Amritsar’ and the logo of the SGPC will be displayed on this channel", infomred Dhami.
About SGPC’s own satellite channel, Dhami informed that for the establishment of a dedicated satellite channel, the necessary procedural approval had been given following which a letter had been written to the information and broadcasting minister regarding the initial steps adding that SGPC had also sought an appointment with the minister for the purpose.
He said due to the technical nature of this endeavor, the services of experts would be required, and obtaining a license for satellite broadcasting and adopting legal procedures would be pursued. "If the need arises to establish a separate company for this purpose, the required process will be completed as well," said Dhami.
After the meeting, the members of the EC met the jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh to inform him about the decisions taken by the SGPC with regard to the transmission of the gurbani.
While emphasizing the significance of a community having its own media channel to effectively express its perspectives globally, Raghbir Singh said that there was a strong desire within the Sikh community to have its own media channel, and he hopes that the SGPC's decision to establish its own media channel would reflect the sentiments of the entire Sikh community.
