What Modi told the Indian community in Iran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit to Iran, promised a large-scale celebration of Guru Gobind Singh's 350th birth anniversary.

"We will celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ji on a large scale so that his message reverberates widely among youth," Modi tweeted soon after addressing an Indian community gathering at the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara here.

In his address to the community, he said that Indians living abroad have the capability to assimilate with everyone.

"We Indians have a specialty. We accept everyone and assimilate with everyone," he said.

Soon after his arrival here to a red carpet welcome with Iranian Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Ali Tayebnia present to receive him, Modi left for the gurudwara and offered prayers.

"The new generation should know about the sacrifices of the great (Sikh) Gurus and about the Guru Granth Sahib," he said.

He also said that he has noted several suggestions that have emanated from the Indian community in Iran.

"Let us all work together to serve humanity," the prime minister said.

The gurudwara was founded in 1941 by Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Tehran. Religious celebrations include morning and evening prayers, and a Guru-Ka-Langer every Friday after the Akhand Path. Community services include establishment of a school where teaching of Punjabi and Dharmik (divinity) studies forms an integral part of the curriculum.

After the gurdwara visit, Modi also interacted with a group of Indian schoolchildren at a hotel here.

According to the Indian embassy here, the Indian community in Iran, which was sizeable earlier, has dwindled and now consists of about 100 families in Tehran and about 20 in Zahedan.

There are also around 1,300 Indian students in Iran, a large number of whom pursue theological studies in Qom, which hosts a number of renowned seminaries.