By A Staff Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: The Market Street in the downtown here was transformed into a scene of Punjab as thousands of Sikhs from all parts of California and some from as far as Canada came to participate in the first Vaisakhi parade here on April 30.

Sardar Sahibs in Safron Turbans, Sardarnies in colourful dresses with “got to” shimmering whenever the sun peeked through the clouds, children playing with balloons which had the Khanda Chakkars ‘Degh Tegh Fateh’ and ‘Birth of the Khalsa Panth’ inscribed on them, all contributed to a remarkable assertion of Sikh solidarity.

The mood was festive, the two. hundred and nineteenth birthday of the Khalsa Panth was being celebrated in style by immigrants whose forefathers came a century ago in 1890’sand helped build the Panama Canal. Most of the Sikhs are, however recent immigrants to the United States.

 

Gatka players in Royal Blue Banas (dresses) demonstrating finely honed swordsmanship skills lead the procession and “cleared” the way for the Panj Piaras attired in their usual kesri banas.

A float carrying the Guru Granth Sahib in a beautiful palki came next, which was followed by the float depicting the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest place of the Sikhs.

A beautiful float which had the Sikh logo Khanda Chakkar made.

With flowers and the panj piaras resplendent in their blue banas with lances in their hands escorting it. It had a banner saying, J belong to Khalsa and Khalsa belongs to me.”

They were followed by the Sikh Sangat of Modesto and a float of the teenagers of the Bay area which showed the Past, Present and Future.

The two Gurdwaras of Los Angeles, Sikh Temple of L.A. Inc and Sikh Temple L.A. were also present as was the International Sikh Youth Federation of Canada.

A float showing the “Martyers of 1984”: Sant Jamnail Singh Bhindrenwale, Gen. Shubegh Singh, Bhai Amrik Singh and victims of the police torture was followed by one of young Sikh men and women singing shabads on a float of International Institutes Gurmat Studies followed by the sangat of Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society Fresno (Caruthers) and the Sikh Temple San Joaquin.

Then came the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society Stockton, Sikh Transporters of California,

Guru Nanak Sikh Temple Livingston, Yuba City Sikh Temple, Tierra Buena, the World Sikh News float and one of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha.

The Parade marched from Market Street to the City Hall. At a park in front of the hall, langar arrangements had been made.

The participants as well as numerous homeless people who “live” there were treated to a sumptuous meal.

Those who addressed the parade included, Guru Dharam Singh, Gurdial Singh of Khalsa Panthic Radio, Bhajan Singh Bhinder of Sikh Youth of America, Balbir Singh Ragi an organizer of the parade, S.P. Singh, member Panthic Committee, Maj General Mohammad Azim Alsalit, a former general in the Afghan army, who ‘was representing the Mujhadeen at the parade, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh and S. Didar Singh Bains.

Bhai Sukhdev Singh who had built the float of Harminder Sahib was also introduced to the sangat.

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 5, 1989