"Sonia Gandhi has done a wonderful job for Sikh community. With a Sikh Prime Minister leading the nation, all over the world wherever the community lived it would get due regard", SGPC Chief Secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta told reporters.

"This action of Sonia Gandhi has applied balm on the deep wounds of Sikhs masses after 'Operation Blue Star' and the anti-Sikh riots of '84," he said.

Stating that Singh had deep roots in Amritsar as he grew up in the city, Calcutta said "the time had come for the sleeping holy city to get its long-pending developmental needs met".

He said a warm welcome awaited Singh when he comes here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple after being sworn in and would be presented a 'saropa' (sword of honour) by the jathedar of the Akal Takht.

Hoping the elevation of Singh to the top post would resolve the ban on wearing turban in France, Calcutta said now the French government would "automatically be forced to think of exempting Sikh masses from the ban".

The SGPC was optimistic that the Prime Minister-designate would initiate talks with Pakistan on the upkeep of gurudwaras there and enable hassel-free visits of pilgrims from India.