Sikh Parades and Other Celebrations

Sikh Parades

Apart from the use of media for the purpose of familiarising the people about Sikh identity, the Sikhs have used some other methods also to attract the people, particularly people in other states of India and foreign countries, so that they could know about them, their religion, their practices and traditions. This kind of information is being passed on to them not only by organising lectures on media and other places, seminar discussions and by participating in Interfaith meets, but also by adopting the unique methods associated with Sikhism. The most important among them is the tradition of Langar, which attracts lakhs of people.

When those people partake or share Langar, they also come to know about many things regarding Sikhs and their religion. This concept of Langar and its significance have already been discussed in Chapter five. Here, it has to be linked with those celebrations when langar becomes most transparent to the outside world. These celebrations are that of the days associated with our Gurus and historical events. Although the days of the Gurus, particularly the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji are celebrated in almost each and every Gurdwara of the world, it is the day of Vaisakhi which is celebrated most in the western countries mainly because of the reason that it falls in the month of April, when weather is highly convenient and people assemble in large numbers. When Vaisakhi is celebrated, it brings in its wake the highly popular processions known as Khalsa March in many countries, the turban tying events as well as the valorous display by the Sikhs on their bikes. Gatka is also a big attraction of these Khalsa Marches (the detailed discussion on Gatka has been given in Chapter seven). Every year Vaisakhi is celebrated in the western world with all these attractions. Some of the states have declared Vaisakhi month as the Sikh heritage month (e.g. Ontario State of Canada). A glimps of Vaisakhi celebrations in forign countries is given in the following paragraphs.

Vaisakhi Celebrations

Vaisakhi is celebrated in most of the countries where Sikhs live. To start with Canada, where Sikh population is quit notable. In Toronto the famous Vaisakhi procession was taken out on 29 April to mark the Vaisakhi occasion. The Chairman S. Gobinder Singh Randhawa and the Director S. Harbans Singh Jandali of Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council informed that whatever money was collected as donation will be utilized for the families of the players of hockey teams who were killed at Saskachwan bus-truck accident. A good amount of $21000 were given for the treatment of the wounded persons and the families of those killed in a Van accident in Toronto. The management organisation did not allow the float of Khalistan supporters nor the photographs associated therewith to become a part of the association. They informed that like other organisations, Punjab Referendum 2020 team could also setup a stall. But nobody was allowed to hoist any other flag except Nishan Sahib within the area of celebrations. In Vancouver also a large Khalsa March with a number of floats and motorcycle riders, bands and Police volunteers, was taken out to celebrate Vaisakhi occasion. Before the March started, bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib followed by Kirtan were attended by a massive congregation. A number of political and other leaders spoke on this occasion. S. Harjeet Singh Sajjan, the Defence Minister and Sh. Harry Bains, MPP were among the speakers. The Panj Piaras followed the float carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Canadian flag and Nishan Sahib were held by them. There were number of cars, jeeps, tractors and trolleys which became parts of the procession. Vaisakhi celebration were also held in Calgary. In Canada, a big Vaisakhi procession led by Panj Piaras was taken out at Saskatoon. Although it was raining that time, the huge Sikh sangat became a part of procession who are moving with the recitation of Waheguru Waheguru. The people were waiting for the procession on the both side of the road. Apart from Gatka performance and Guru ka Langar, Turban tying competitions were also a special feature of the celebration. The Cabinet Minister Amarjeet Singh Sohi congratulated the Sikhs on this occasion on behalf of himself as well as the Prime Minister Justin Trudo. The other who were present on this occasion included Members of different political parties, MPPs, Consolers, officers and the Mayor of the city.

In USA a Khalsa Day Parade became the main attraction of the Sikhs as well as American living their when Vaisakhi was celebrated in Siatal. The entire congregation was marked with Kesari and Blue dress and dupattas. Here also the Ragis included Hazuri Ragis of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, named Bhai Inderjeet Singh. The Sikh Sangat had come to join the celebrations even from far of places like Vancouver. The Sikh Day Parade under the patronage of Sri Guru Granth Sahib passed through the various places in the Kent area and terminated at Show ware Centre. Gatka parties and different floats from various Gurdwaras became part of the procession. As, some of the Sikhs were pro-Khalistan, they raised the slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’. Dr. Amarjeet Singh, CEO of Channel 84 criticized the Indian Government for levying GST on Langar at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. A social service organisation of Seattle known as ‘Soch-Centre’ organised turban day as a part of Vaisakhi celebration this year. This turban day as ‘Dastar Divas’ was celebrated at Oat Washington (U.Dub) University Complex. A large number of white people from different communities readily got the turban tied up on their heads and felt the happiness by getting information regarding the importance of the Sikh headwear. Some of the Police officers also got this turban tied up. The service of tying turban was done by many members of the organisation as well as volunteers. S. Mandeep Singh, Harkirat Sohi, Gurbachan Singh, Ramneek Deol, Taranjeet Kaur, Harkirat Minhas, Simrat Kaur, Tarun Gandhi, Mahima Rawal, Jasmeet Parmar, Jaspreet Siddhu, Suhani Patel, Simranjit Singh, Anmol Singh, Gitika and Sukhpreet Singh were among those who constituted the team to make this turban up highly successful.

In U.K. also, such like procession started from Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib East Park Road, Leicester. The Kirtan and Katha programmes along with Dhadi and Kavishari programmes were the highlights of the celebration. The management committee of the Gurdwara led by S. Mangal Singh also performed the ceremony of putting on the new Chola Sahib on Nishan Sahib. This year in 2018 a Nagar Kirtan was taken out on this occasion in Vichinsa District of Italy. Gurdwara Baba Zorawar Singh te Baba Fateh Singh Sewa Society Lonego’s Management Committee was the main organiser of this Nagar Kirtan. The Sikh Sangat of the area and nearby areas assembled and participated both in the arrangements as well being a part of the Italy procession. In the course of this procession Sant Baba Harjit Singh te Jujhar Singh Gurmat Gatka Academy, Brashia displayed their Gatka performance. The management committee honoured the Italian authorities and dignitaries for their full cooperation.

In Australia thousands of Sikhs assembled at Gurdwara Sydney, Sydney where number of Ragi Jathas including Bhai Gurkirat Singh Hazuri Ragi Jatha Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar recited Gurbani. A vast Nagar Kirtan was taken out which started from the heart of the city at Opera House and passed through Parliament House area before reaching Martin Place, where it terminated. The main organiser of this procession was Australian Sikh Association. Hundreds of turban were seen at this prominent place of Sydney. A number of Dhadi Jathas, Ragis and speakers enlightened the people about Sikh religion. The management organisation led by its Chairman S. Harjeet Singh Somal honoured the prominent Sikhs and other dignitaries of the town. The turban up programme organised at that time was quite a success as a number of Australians and people from other nationalities happily decorated turbans on their heads. The occasion was really very unique as the Nagar Kirtan was taken out in this city after a gap of five years.

This year’s Nagar Kirtan on the occasion of Guru Nanak Birth Anniversary was taken out on a big scale in Southhall, London. The Nagar Kirtan started from Havelock Road Gurdwara and after passing through King Street, the Green, South Road, Broadway etc. terminated at Gurdwara Park Avenue. S. Gurmel Singh Malli President along with his team were present on this occasion which was attended by large number of Sikh dignitaries and devotees. Various other Gurdwara organisations also participated in this procession. Some organisations from other religions extended full cooperation for the success of the procession. Similarly, in Italy such a procession was a taken out from Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Kastalfarco (Modena). A large number of Sikhs as well as Italians joined this procession which passed through different parts of the city Modena. A number of Gatka parties of Italy displayed their Gatka performance. The unique feature of this celebration was that books in Latin were got publish and distributed at this occasion to make the local people familiar with Sikh religion.

When Langar is distributed at the time of Sikh processions, generally, known as Khalsa prades. The people coming to enjoy the Langar get an opportunity to watch these prades and know more about their religion and importance of the events being celebrated accordingly. Bhai Gurdas Ji tells us that the Gursikhs used to celebrate the day of the Guru’s even in those days. When the procession became a part of these celebrations is not known, but, it is an old tradition that at the time of celebration of Gurpurabs, the Sikhs also took out processions (earlier called Jaloos), but later on distinguishing the same from other processions, the same came to be known as Nagar Kirtan. When the Sikhs moved to other countries, they continued with these Nagar Kirtans which became popular as Sikh prades or Khalsa parades. Whereas in India the processions were mainly meant to add to the solemnity and splendour of these occasions, in foreign countries the same are also meant to make the people of those countries inquisitive to know about the importance of the event and familiarise them with their identity and traditions. In the beginning, the foreign governments were not permitting the said processions as they blocked the path and could not be appreciated by the people living there. But, gradually the Sikhs were able to convince the governments of those countries that they will do so within norms and limits of permission. Presently, the so called parades have become so well known and popular that people of those countries wait for these events. Some of these parades which are largely attended and popular in Canada, USA and Europe are associated with Vaisakhi. It is mainly because of the fact that whereas Gurpurabs of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji & Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji fall in those months when these countries have extreme cold and high snowfall at certain places. The climate during the Vaisakhi month is more convenient in these countries.

Nagar Kirtan celebrations in Canada

The two states of Canada which has maximum Sikh population and celebrate Vaisakhi on a big scale are Ontario and British Columbia. In Ontario, these celebrations are reported to get bigger in terms of festivities and attending populace every year. Many Sikh academies and institutes also participate in the Ontario prades, such as the Akal Academy Brampton. One of the two famous Khalsa Parades starts at the Malton Gurdwata and ends at the Sikh Spiritual Centre, festivities go on until the Rexdale Gurdwara is reached. Malton Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha also organises a Nagar Kirtan on the occasion of Gurta Gaddi Divas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This year this Nagar Kirtan had taken place on 9th September 2018. Apart from the Sikhs, the people from other communities and members of different political parties also join the processions.

Khalsa Parade of Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council (OSGC)

There is another Khalsa Parade known as Khalsa Day Down Town Toronto Parade which is organised by Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council (OSGC), a non-political representative body of individual Sikhs and Gurdwaras in the province of Ontario. This parade is held annually and the 40th Khalsa Day Parade was organised on 29th April 2018. It may be mentioned here that in this procession on 30th April 2017, whereas thousands of Sikhs have participated, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also joined this. Infact the entire month of April is celebrated as the Khalsa Heritage month. The Indian Government had not appreciated Justin Trudeau’s attendance. Their objection is that there are certain floats included in the procession which glorify leaders like Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindran wala, S. Amreek Singh and Former General Shahbeg Singh who are considered as militant leaders. It is, perhaps, because of this reason only that Justin Trudeau was not given a warms welcome by the Indian Government when he visited India in the recent past. It again seems to be this issue which prevented the Canadian Prime Minister to join this main function and the Khalsa Day Parade held on 29th April 2018.

Sikh Day Parades in other Towns of Canada

In addition to Toronto Sikh Day Parade, this kind of Nagar Kirtan becomes a part of Vaisakhi Celebrations at Surrey, Calgary and Edminton. There are common features of this Sikh Parade such as the installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib on a high platform in one of the floats which lead the procession. Further, the devotee Sikhs also join the procession either by walking on foot or by sitting on floats and they continue to sing Gurbani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Nagar Kirtan Parade is called by different names like Khalsa Parade, Sikh Parade and also as Dashmesh ‘Parade’ in Calgary. Last but not the least is the sumptuous Langar in the form of food and beverages which is served in plenty to all the people. The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade also attracts thousands of devotees. It is being organized for the last 17 years. This parade took place this year (2018) on 21st April and proved a highly rich cultural event, which featured a large number of floats, community performers and live music.

Surrey’s Vaisakhi Parade also features a unique element which pays, tribute to the harvest celebration on the route of the parade – attendees are given free food and drink form hundreds of local residents and businesses.

Sikh Day Parades in USA

In USA also, Sikh Day Parades are taken out at different places on different occasions. The most important is the Annual Sikh Day Parade which is organised in the heart of New York City. This parade is being organised for the last 31 years and the 31st Sikh Day Parade was organised on 29 April 2018 at Manhattan. This parade is aimed at spreading awareness about Sikh religion with a view to stem the incidents of hate crime against the minority community. The parade this year was attended by thousands of Sikh in USA and people from other religions and communities. It included live music, dance, performances by children, marching bands, display of Sikh martial arts, decorated floats as well as culinary offerings as participants marched down several blocks along Manhattan’s Madison Avenue. New York City police commissioner James O’Neill and Hoboken mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla attended the parade. O’Neill said it was an honour for him to take part in the parade. “As our great city grows more diverse, we’re committed to making sure the NYPD does, too. The best way to serve all neighbourhoods is to ensure every community is represented within our department. Public safety will always be a shared responsibility,” O’Neill tweeted. Sikhs of NY co-founder Chanpreet Singh said members of his team did “Sewa” at the “Langar” of the parade, referring to the Sikh practice of community kitchens and offering free food to people. “The parade is a celebration for our culture. It helps us portray what we believe in. Such events help in creating awareness about the Sikh culture and how it is accepting of other faiths and traditions,” Singh told PTI. He said the Sikh community has faced hate crimes since the 9/11 attacks and through events such as the Sikh parade, the community hopes to convey to the “everyday Americans or western persons that we are just like you and Sikh values are like American values”. It was on this occasion that while celebrating the Annual Turban Day, a Sikh organisation named as Sikhs of New York created a world record by tying 9000 turbans within eight hours. S. Chanpreet Singh, founder of the organisation said that they were thrilled to win the world record certificate. The event was aimed at spreading awareness about the Sikh religion and its articles of faith, especially turban, which is often misconceived as being associated with terrorism.”

Yuba City Sikh Parade

Another very famous Sikh Parade is organised in Yuba City on the occasion of Gurgaddi Divas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The festivities on this occasion take place in Yuba City in early November every year. Guru Gaddi is an annual holiday celebrated by Sikhs all over the world. Festivities in Yuba City take place in early November. Guru Gadee commemorates the inauguration of the Guru Granth Sahib as everlasting Guru of the Sikhs. In an act of devotion, Sikhs walk in front of the float bearing the Guru Granth Sahib and sweep the streets with brooms along the entire annual Sikh parade route. When this parade takes place the Panj Pyaras holding swords in their hands walk just ahead of the float which carries the Guru Granth Sahib. This float is equipped with the attendances and Altar and Canopy. Behind this float a throng of Sikh devotees surround and follow singing Gurbani. Many other floats form the part of the procession these include such floats like that depicting the Golden Temple at Amritsar and depicting the Martyred Sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and so on. There are also floats which carry messages from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and others carrying devotees including the American converted Sikhs who sing Gurbani with full devotion. There is plenty of Langar served in the farm of free food and beverages alongside the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route and also on road side table. In the spirit of the tradition of langar, families prepare and serve langar to the thousands of people attending the Yuba City annual Sikh parade. Offers of free food and beverages are common all along the Guru Gadee parade route. The parade runs for several miles through the streets of Yuba City. Yuba City police and community volunteers stand guard along roads intersecting the parade route which are closed to through traffic.

Sikh Parades in Australia and New Zealand

Sikh Parade are organised on the occasion of Baisakhi in almost all the big cities of the world. For example in Montreal this kind of procession is an annual feature. This year also a Nagar Kirtan starting from Gurdwara Nanak Darbar (Lassalle) was organised in which the devotees participated in big number. A large number of people were wearing Kesari turbans and Dupattas and singing Gurbani by moving in their respective groups. The slogans of Bole So Nihal were heard time and again. In Hamilton city of New Zealand, Dastar Divas was celebrated on the occasion of Vaisakhi. On this occasion Turban was tied on the heads of many foreigners who happily wore it and felt proud. It was mainly done to make the wearers of turbans and others aware of the importance of Turban in Sikh religion. The was the first Turban tying event in Hamilton which was organised by Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur management. Some Members of Parliament accompanied the Sikh Member of Parliament S. Kanwaljit Singh Vaisakhi to join on this occasion. The children of Mata Sahib Kaur Punjabi School performed feats of Gatka which everybody enjoyed.

Sikh Parades in U.K.

In U.K. and other European countries also, the Sikhs celebrate their religious occasions which are marked by Sikh parade also. Vaisakhi is celebrated across major towns and cities of most of the European countries. At some places, certain Gurdwaras or organisations unitedly celebrate the occasion. For example Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading and Ramgarhia Sabha Reading Gurdwara jointly celebrate Vaisakhi. This year a Nagar Kirtan was taken out on the occasion of Vaisakhi through the streets of Nottingham. It began in Church Street, Lenton, at the Guru Tegh Bahadar Gurdwara, and then moved thorough Radford, Hyson Green, Old Basford and New Basford – visiting another five Gurdwaras, or temples, along the way. The celebration involved singing Kirtan (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and commemorative sword displayed called Gatka. S. Gurmeet Singh, the President of Guru Tegh Bahadar Gurdwara where the procession started in Lenton stated that Vaisakhi is a big occasion which the Sikh community celebrates as the birth of Khalsa. It is the Sikh New Year festival. Sikh Parades are also organised in other European countries like Italy, Holland and Germany on this occasion as well as other Gurpurabs occasions like the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Sikh Participation in Social Processions and Functions

There are certain parades which are organized in the course of social festivals celebrated in different parts of countries. For example, in USA, spring field, Ohio Memorial Day is celebrated every year, wherein Sikh Americans from Spring Field, Dayton, Cincinnati, Indiana Polis and neighbouring areas participate in the parade. S. Avtar Singh, a resident of Spring Field along with his wife had started participating in this parade in 1999 which was meant to honour and remember the soldiers who had died while serving in armed forces. S. Avtar Singh’s motive was to make the people realize that American Sikhs had also sacrificed their lives and as such are included among those remembered through this parade. Year after year, more and more Sikhs started joining the said parade and now in 2018 they were visible in big number. The American Sikhs had brought in their own float to showcase the sacrifices made by Sikh American soldiers during world war. Hosting a float in the parade provides the Sikhs an opportunity to educate people about the contribution of Sikhs in the world war. Similarly, there is a Rose Parade taken out every year. In Perth, every year HBF, life insurance company of Australia, a fun-run half marathon is organised. This year in 2018 when 35000 people rank for this race, the Sikhs also participated in it as the West Coast Sikhs Team. This race is run for raising funds for the treatment of the people affected by serious deceases. The leader of the Sikh team S. Sarabpreet Singh Romy told that they are always ready to do anything for raising funds for such social causes.

United Sikhs Mission

United Sikhs Mission is an American organisation which had figured in the news relating to the opening of corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. When S. Navjot Singh Sidhu went to Pakistan at the time of swearing-in-ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the issue of opening of this corridor gained momentum, this organisation offered to meet the expenditure of the entire project. Further, when the Indian cabinet approved it and a hope arose on the agreement both the Governments, said organisation again stated that they have the blue print for the corridor ready with them. This US based organisation was earlier known for its main project of sending a Sikh float in the Rose Parade. In 2018, this float had projected Harmandir Sahib. In addition to this project, this organisation had been taking up many health care programmes in Punjab. It’s runs successful eye camp and gives financial help to the needy patients. Its contact details are address 10656, Cilantro CT Fontana, CA 92337, Phone: +1-909-241-7449.

Brampton Carabram and Punjab Pavilion

In Canada also some parades are taken out on the occasion of certain local social functions. To take one example, in Brampton One of the oldest Cultural festivals celebrated in Brampton, having biggest Sikh population in Canada, is Carabram. In 2017, it was decided by Punjabis living there to put up a separate Punjab Pavilion to show case Punjabi Culture and unity among the Punjabis living in India and Pakistan. This gesture of Punjabis was not appreciated by Indian consulate. It was mainly because of the objections raised by certain people that this pavilion did not promote Punjabi cultural, rather, it promoted Sikh religion. However despite such objections, the Punjab pavilion team lead by S. Prithpal Singh Chhaggar successfully launched their maiden attempt to setup a separate pavilion for Punjab. He was supported by Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffery and Cerebrum Board president Angela Johnson. Jeffery said “Every year there is lively debate about the pavilions, but this year i have been told that there has been unwarranted interference in the decisions of the Cerebrum Board that I find concerning.”
Prithpal Singh Chaggar, chair of Punjab pavilion, while speaking to Time of India on phone from Canada, said they used to get a very small space in the Indian festival. So, when discussions on having a Punjab pavilion began, he advocated transcending geographical boundaries and showcasing the land of five rivers. Moreover, the festival is organized to show different cultures and there is nothing wrong in displaying Punjabi culture in a separate pavilion, “he said. This pavilion showcased different shades of culture, having stalls named after different cities of East and West Punjab. The success of this pavilion encouraged S. Chaggar and his group to setup this pavilion again in 2018 at the time of this festival. Further, encouraged by this kind of pavilion was also setup in folklorama at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Sikh Remembrance Day

Sikh Remembrance Day is an annual celebration to remember those Sikh soldiers who lost their lives in the World Wars. As one of these Sikh soldiers was private Buckham Singh The celebration takes place at his grave at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener. It’s the only Military grave in Canada for a Sikh soldier from the World Wars, and this ceremony has now become one of the largest annual gatherings of Sikh soldiers and veterans in North America.

Queen Birthday Parade in U.K.

In U.K. a number of parades are taken out on the occasion of national and social celebrations. The Sikhs join their British brothers in these celebrations also. For example, when the British soldiers marched in a spectacular ceremony in London to mark queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday, one Sikh Soldier Charanpreet Singh Lal stood out by becoming the first from the first battalion cold stream guards to support a turban instead of the tradition tall bearskin hat in topping the colour in the impressive military parade which has been going on for around 270 years. Similarly, whenever the Britishers assemble to remember their martyrs, the Sikhs join them as a large number of martyrs who fought during world war for the protection of U.K. and the other European countries were Sikhs. When the statue of such a Sikh soldier was unveiled in a town centre to commemorate hundred years of world war-I, the Sikhs proudly attended the said function. This ten ft. bronze statue named as ‘The Lions of the Great War’ earlier marked with a parade was unveiled at Smethwick Guru Nanak Gurdwara. The Gurdwara President Gurvinder Singh said “We are to be unveiling this memorial to honour the sacrifices of all those brave men who travelled thousands of miles to fight for a country that wasn’t their own.”

Sikhs role in World Wars commemorated in U.K.

Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick commissioned the £30,000 work by Black Country sculptor Luke Perry, which has been paid for by the local Sikh community. Mr Perry said: “Great Britain owes much of its greatness to people whose history started in another land.” Preet Kaur Gill, MP for the nearby Birmingham constituency of Edgbaston, is chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs. “Despite being small in number in British India, Sikhs played an important part in the War, making up more than a fifth of the British Indian Army,” she said. “This statue will serve as a reminder to those Sikh soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defence of democracy and in the fight for freedom.”

Sikh Memorial to be built in London

Keeping in view the fact that more than 83 thousand turbaned Sikh soldiers gave up their life’s and more than one lakh were injured during the two world wars, several memorials have been setup in their memory. The Government of UK recently appreciated the Sikhs for their bravery in these wars and the 14 miltary crosses awards won by them in that regard. Thus, the government has decided to create a Sikh memorial in London itself. The campaign for this kind of Sikh war memorial was led by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Member of Parliament and 27000 people had signed an online petition moved by him in support thereof. So, UK community Secretary, Sajid Javid announced that once an appropriate site has been identified and detailed plans agreed, the ministry has agreed to provide funding towards the project. “The part played by Sikh servicemen really stands out – a contribution that is all the more remarkable when you consider that these brave men travelled thousands of miles to fight for a country that was not their own,” said Javid.

Sikhs Participate in ANZAC

The Sikh Martyrs in the World War are also remembered among the soldiers of Australia and New Zealand when ANZAC Parade are taken out in these countries. ANZAC Day is commemorated every year on 25 April to mark the landing of Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops on Gallipoli in 1915, in the Turkish peninsula. This military campaign during WWI lasted eight months and claimed at least 125,000 lives. Many Sikhs paid the ultimate sacrifice on Gallipoli too, including 80% of the soldiers of a single Sikh battalion. That is why, wherever ANZAC Day is celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, Sikhs have a proud participation. Earlier, they were not allowed because of their turbans, but there is no such issue now.
One unique achievement of Sikhs to apprise the people of their identity and their contribution in Australia is ‘the Australian Sikh Heritage Trail’. The credit for this achievement goes to certain organisations like Australian Sikh Heritage Association (ASHA) and Sikh Association of Western Australia (SAWA). It is joint initiative of the local Sikh community with significant inputs from these organisations and Gurdwara Management Committee of Perth. S. Taranpreet Singh from ASHA apprised about this trail at the time of its inauguration in March 2018 at Adina Park in Perth, that “This is Australian history that consists of 150 years of distinct and significant contribution from the Sikh community in shaping the present cultural and social landscape of Australia. This will showcase different themes on a pathway around the Adina Park. We are in process of installing about twenty interpretive plaques that will pass on this information to next generation. Each sign will have a theme (like) Sikh farmers, Sikh wrestlers, Sikh Anzacs, Sikh hawkers and Sikh Entrepreneurs. We are also going to have an interpretive shelter, with park benches and a boardwalk near the Canning River. “ Gurdarshan Singh, President of SAWA told SBS Punjabi that the site is important for historic reasons because of its association with the religious rituals of the small Sikh community of Western Australia. The park will acknowledge the efforts of the Sikh community during the White Australia Policy era to influence the passing of the WA State Cremation Act of 1929. Cremation was not generally permitted in Western Australia until the passing of the Cremations Act 1929. “The current phase of the project has been made possible through the significant financial and in kind contributions from the City of Canning and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions including project management, design and landscaping services. On 4th March, 2018 the Sikh community from Perth held the annual remembrance service at the Australian Sikh Heritage site in Riverton. The service was jointly organised by SAWA, ASHA and Virsa Club. SAWA President S. Gurdarshan Singh explained the attendees about the 25 years history of SAWA’s efforts to preserve the history and heritage of the Sikh community in WA. “We gathered to remember the ultimate sacrifice on Australian land by Pilot Officer Man Mohan Singh during WW-II. This is the 76th Anniversary and similar service was held in Broome on Sat 3rd March and in Darwin on Sunday 4th March. It may be added here that this is exactly the site where Sikh were cremated legally in Western Australia for the first time in 1930s.

Turban up as a part of celebration at Oslo

The purpose to celebrate the Vaisakhi day was to make the people aware of the importance of Turban in Sikh religion. When Vaisakhi was celebrated in 2010 at Oslo, a new tradition of tying turban on the heads of willing people was started. This celebration was started in that year and became an annual feature. This initiative of Oslo’s Sikh Community was spearheaded by the Unge Sikher (Sikh Youth) under the banner of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Oslo. Oslo’s first Gurdwara was established in 1984, although Sikhs had started arriving in the Scandinavian country in 1970s. In the after math of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, many of them sought political asylum in Norway – the most notable (and controversial) case being that of the serving Indian diplomat, Harinder Singh. As the number of Sikhs increased, the Vaisakhi celebration became more notable. These celebrations end with the Nagar Kirtan terminating at University square followed by Gatka (martial arts demonstration) and then the langar. ‘Norwegians find the idea of a Langar particularly fascinating because it is open to everyone and all are treated with warmth.’ The Sikh Cultural Association in managing a Gurdwara at Sandsparet 59 Lag 804, 42431, Hjalbo, Boteborg (contact no. +463142431). Like Oslo, the turban up event has been celebrated in many other countries including India. In foreign countries, it has, rather, become an integral part of Vaisakhi celebrations as the birthday of Khalsa is celebrated as turban day.

sikhpride