Thousands participate
NEW YORK: The Eighth Annual Sikh day Parade was held on April 29, in New York City. Sikh women, men and children from the entire eastern seaboard stretching from New Hampshire to Florida came to celebrate the joyous occasion of the ordaining of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Buses, cars, vans brought Sikhs from New England, upstate New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Metropolitan Washington DC area and other different states, Weather which usually holds the key to a successful event in this part of the county was gorgeous bright, sunny, blue skies and in the high 60’s.
The assembly was at 11:30 am at 39th, 40th and 41st Street and Madlison Ave. in Manhattan. All one could see was flseal of Kesari Turbans Dupattas, and Patkas and Sikhs flashing smiles and cheering greetings with friends of yesteryears.
The parade was headed by the traditional Panj Payaras followed by the living Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a tastefully decorated large Palanquin. This was immediately followed by a huge float of Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar Sikh Sangat of various Gurdwaras were interspersed by various marching bands and Kirtani Jathas. There were floats which included from Hindu oppression, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale exhorting Sikhs to continue their struggle and floats of Bhangra, Giddha and Martial Songs eulogizing Sikh martyrs both past and present.
The long winding parade finally ended in Madison Square Park around 4:00 pm. All along the parade route, both sides of the streets were flanked by Sikhs and Americans waiving at each other. Parade participants were being treated to dry fruits by various hospitable Sikhs and Sikh businesses. At the park there were ample food of all kinds and parade participants’ engaged the picnic like party. Prominent among those present were Amarjit Singh Ahluwalia (the Sikh parade was his brain child in 1988) Dr. 1. Singh, Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Dr. Manohar Singh Grewal, Harjap Singh, (of New Jersey), Bhai Aviar, ‘Singh, (New Jersey), Manjit Sigh Jawa | (North Carolina), Ujagar Singh (of New York) Amarjit Singh Buttar (of Connecticut) and many others.
The assembly was finally addressed by Honorable Representative Dan Burton, Chairman, International Affairs Committee who assured Sikhs of his continued and unequivocal support in their fight for freedom. Also addressed included Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, Satjiwan Singh Khalsa, Sajjar Singh Bhangoo of W.S.O. who in. formed the Sikhs of the role played by WSO in the UNO. All the Sikh organizations of the tractate area deserve thanks from Sikh nation for organizing a superb event.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 12, 1995
