Gum Gobind Singh Foundation (G.G.S.F) in an unprecedented manner; have decided to celebrate Baisakhi on April 13 on a weekday.
The press release from the organizers said that, “‘the reason we want to observe Baisakhi on April 13 is because it is the most important day for the Sikhs which gave us our identity, recognition, and pride. In order to lay stress on sanctity and significance of this day, we appeal to all of you to take a day off and let our friends and colleagues know that we take pride in our heritage and religion.”
Baisakhi is an important event in the Sikh history when the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh founded the order of the Khalsa which was to struggle for social justice, and institutionalized the “punj piyaras,”” the five beloved ones, who reign supreme in all matters in the Sikh community. The Guru in 1699 A.D. performed the “Amrit Sanchar’ to initiate disciples in the Order of the Khalsa. Gum Gobind Singh Foundation is also organizing Amrit Sanchar on April 13 for which it has invited 5 prominent Sikhs from all over U.S. to become Panj Pujaras to perform this ceremony.
Amrit Kaur, secretary of GGSF said that, “this is being done so we as Sikhs could relate ourselves closely to our heritage which is our source of strength. Baisakhi is our birthday like we can.” Dr. Rajwant Singh the director of GGSF said that “we want to consolidate ourselves as a viable community in America. Moreover it is a common practice among various other religious communities in U.S. to celebrate their religious holidays when they really occur. It will also provide our younger generation a sense of identity and belonging Harminder S. Jassal, President of GGSF said that, “undoubtedly, this is a new step, we are counting on community’s cooperation and participation. We hope other Sikh organizations in U.S. will also organize such events.”
Article extracted from this publication >> April 6, 1990
