By Balwant Sanghera
This year’s Vaisakhi and Khalsa’s Sirjana Divas celebrations have been quite different in the Metro Vancouver area. The two big celebrations – Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey and Khalsa Diwan Society’s celebration in Vancouver have been confined mainly to their premises. However, in many other Gurdwaras, the celebrations continued the way they have been in previous years. For example, at India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in Richmond, a large congregation celebrated both of these special events on the evening of April 14. It was at the conclusion of the Akhand Paath Sahib that got under way on Tuesday, April 12.
On this special occasion, the Gurdwara Management Committee decided to honour a number of police officers from Vancouver Police Department. The Committee felt that the police officers put their lives in danger in order to protect the public and keep it safe. As such, they deserve recognition and our thanks. Five outstanding VPD police officers including Deputy Chief Steve Rai were thus recognized .All of these officers have been doing an exceptionally good job . Deputy Chief Steve Rai was presented with a plaque by Chairperson of India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas Society ,Mrs. Kashmir Kaur Johal. Also, it was a pleasure for the Committee to welcome Mr. Rahul Negi, Consul/First Secretary of Consulate General of India, Vancouver who brought greetings from the Consulate. The congregation was treated to amelodious keertan by the resident Jatha at the Gurdwara. The congregation enjoyed listening to special guest prominent scholar Dr. Kamal Neel explain the significance of Vaisakhi and the Sirjana of the Khalsa Panth. All of them enjoyed a delicious vegetarian Langar afterwards.
To coincide with the celebration of Vaisakhi and creation of the Khalsa Panth, the Gurdwara Management Committee had initiated a fund -raising campaign to help the people of war ravaged Ukraine. The response to these efforts has been great. A lot of money has already been raised in this regard. However, there is a need for a lot more. More than five million Ukrainians have been made homeless by this unnecessary war. Most of that country is in ruins. Ukraine and its citizens need all the help they can get. The South Asian community in general and Sikhs in particular have responded to this tragedy in a wonderful manner. Nearly every Gurdwara and Sikh organization is actively engaged in helping our Ukrainian brothers, sisters and children. While collecting money at Gurdwara at Nanak Niwas our volunteers had a moving experience the other day. A five year old girl approached our volunteers who were accepting donations for the victims of war in Ukraine. She pulled out one American dollar bill and gave it as a donation to the Ukraine Relief Fund. With a heavy heart she told our volunteers that she is very troubled by the destruction of Ukraine and wants to help. What a beautiful gesture by this innocent five year child!She is a great inspiration for young and old alike to help the needy in their hour of need.
Balwant Sanghera is the General Secretary, Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond,B.C.
