National Heritage Mission Chief acknowledges Bhai Vir Singh Niwas as National Heritage

Amritsar, 1st July, 2016: National Heritage Mission Chief Mr. B. Anand, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry Of Urban Development, Govt. of India visited Bhai Vir Singh’s Niwas Asthaan (BVSNA) in Amritsar to inaugurate a Vermicomposting Project making the estate a Zero Garbage model for the city under the aegis of the EcoAmritsar Program . He was accompanied by Sonali Giri, Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar. BVSNA includes the abode of the saint scholar Bhai Vir Singh and a museum of his belongings and artifacts of the times.
Mr. Anand marvelled at the conservation work being carried out at this centre of legacy, and saw with interest the 17 November 1899 first copy of the Khalsa Samachar. He wrote in the visitors book, “I am gifted to be at the museum of Bhai Vir Singh, a holy saint and scholar of the Sikhs, I extend my warm wishes to Shri Gunbir Singh & his team.”

Ms. Sonali Giri expressed that this is a heritage structure of national importance in terms of literature & preservation of our culture. As Commissioner of Municipal Corporation, she extended her best wishes and all her support to preserving this heritage.

Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957) is called the sixth river of Punjab due to his contribution to Punjabi language in its present form and its literature. His novel “Sundri” published in 1898 is termed as the first novel in Punjabi Language and its popularity ensured 35 editions. During his lifetime he wrote many poems, play and books.  He is also acclaimed for his three excellent biographies, Sri Kalgidhar Chamatkar (1925), Sri Guru Nanak Chamatkar (1928), and Asht Gur Chamatkar (1951). During his lifetime he inspired the setting up of many institutions such as the Chief Khalsa Dewan, Khalsa Tract Society, Khalsa College and the Punjab & Singh Bank.
A part of the estate houses the Bhai Vir Singh community Hall, now fully Air-conditioned, and an orchard with hundreds of trees planted by Bhai Sahib himself. The orchard is Year-3 Organic due to the continued efforts of Dilbir Foundation.
Speaking on the occasion Gunbir Singh, Hon. Gen. Sec. of the institution at Amritsar said, “Bhai Vir Singh ji’s scholarship is relevant as much today to Punjab as it was in yesteryears. His legacy celebrates the rich traditions of language, literature, ecology, education, progressive though and spirituality of the subcontinent. In conserving this heritage we lay foundations of goodness in our next generation. The support promised by the head of NHM & the Municipal Commissioner is deeply appreciated.”