Indian Consul General B. Jaishankar will be officially presenting a commemorative postage stamp issued by India last June on Guru Ravidass to the Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha of Vancouver on Sunday, September 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Shri Guru Ravidass Community Center, 7271 Gilley Avenue, Burnaby.

Bill Basra, president of Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Vancouver, says: "I feel very privileged to know that the Government of India took a historical step and issued a commemorative stamp on Guru Ravidass. I am even more delighted to know that this commemorative stamp is being presented to Guru Ravidass Sabha, Vancouver. The commemorative stamp will be enshrined with honor and pride at the Guru Ravidass Communty Center."

Guru Ravidass was one of the brightest luminaries of the Bhakti Movement of the fifteenth century, a religious renaissance in India.

As stories of Guru Ravidass's selfless devotion and philosophy of universal love spread far and wide, he had to face the challenge of the orthodox society. Ravidass, born as an "untouchable" by birth was denied entry into temples. However, his true devotion towards God was a great source of strength and he proved that irrespective of caste and creed, all are equal in the eyes of God and only sinful actions bring a bad name and dishonor to a man. Influenced by Guru Ravidass' teachings, the Maharaja and the Rani of Chittor became disciples of Guru Ravidass. The famous saint poetess, Mirabai, also became a disciple of Guru Ravidass.

The commemorative postage stamp was conceived and designed by Alka Sharma, based on a painting by Phoolan Rani. It is produced by Department of Posts, India.