Drammen, Norway, October 24 , Tajeemnoor Kaur -Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj visited Mata Gujri Ji Punjabi School, run through the efforts of local Sikhs in the Drammen area of Norway, to review its functioning. He later paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Niwas in Lier, Drammen.
 

At Mata Gujri Ji Punjabi School, which functions with the support of the Norwegian government, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj visited classes from Grade I to Grade IV and interacted with Sikh children learning Punjabi, their mother tongue. He asked them questions about Punjabi and Sikh history, which the children answered well.
 

He also interacted with the teachers and emphasized the importance of imparting basic knowledge of Sikh history alongside Punjabi language education. Expressing satisfaction with the school's work, he urged those involved to continue the initiative with the same commitment.
 

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Sikhs and Punjabis living anywhere in the world should make concerted efforts to teach their children Punjabi so that they remain connected with their heritage, history and traditions.
 

“Children are like empty vessels. If parents impart knowledge of religion, Gurbani and their mother tongue alongside worldly education, they can help shape their personalities into knowledgeable and virtuous individuals,” the Jathedar said.
 

He emphasized that parents, gurdwara management committees, responsible organisations and community leaders must ensure that children remain connected to their ancestral homeland by keeping them connected to their mother tongue.
 

He said that just as efforts were made to organise kirtan, katha and other religious programmes, special initiatives were also needed to connect children with Gurmukhi Punjabi.
 

“Understanding the letter Oora (the first letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet) and maintaining the Joora (traditional Sikh hair knot) are basic elements of Sikh education,” he said.
 

He added that learning Gurmukhi Punjabi would enable children to read and understand the Gurbani enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib more easily.
 

Expressing satisfaction after interacting with the children, the Jathedar said Punjabi sons and daughters were committed to promoting their mother tongue with pride and respect.
 

Later, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Niwas in Lier, Drammen, where he shared views on Gurmat (Guru’s wisdom) and Sikh history with the local Sikh congregation.
 

He said Sikhs, wherever they settled across the world, had sought the guidance and support of the Shabd Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and established gurdwaras.
 

Describing gurdwaras as centers of guidance for leading a meaningful life, the Jathedar said they connected the community with Gurbani and Sikh history and helped preserve an understanding of Sikh traditions.
 

He urged the Sikh community abroad to maintain the tradition of weekly congregational gatherings at gurdwaras. Such gatherings, he said, not only provided opportunities to join the Guru's congregation but also enabled community members to know one another and share each other's joys and sorrows.
 

The Jathedar also encouraged Sikhs in Drammen to visit Punjab periodically with their children and pay obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, where they should also take a holy dip