OTTAWA: Sikhs in Ottawa representing Ottawa Sikh Society WSO Ottawa chapter The Sikh Women Forum of Ottawa and Punjab Rang Manch and Sikh professional Association of Canada were busy in the following programmes in the past couple of weeks.
The Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dey ji and Saka Akal Takhat Sahib was observed. Akhand Path Bhog was on 1 1th June 1989 and Ragi Jathas from Toronto participated.
On June 8 (Thursday) 7 p.m. to 10:30 pm a multicultural night (Bridging Canada) organized by the ruling party the progressive conservatives party, was celebrated on parliament hill. Many Ethnic communities including the Sikhs of Ottawa valley participated. The Sikh Women Forum of Ottawa presented Giddha (Punjabi Folk Dance). Many other communities presented their folk dances.
Mr. Enrique Lopez the president of the progressive conservative riding of Ottawa was the Master of ceremonies. In his opening remarks he honored the Chinese and Lebanese communities and sympathized for hardships being faced in their countries. He gave special mention to the Sikhs saying that this is the month of mourning for the Sikhs throughout the world (Martyrdom of Fifth Guru and Akal Takhat), He further stated that Sikhs have graciously accepted to take part in this function contributing food and volunteer help in making this program a success. He emphasized that Sikhs are very generous and hardworking people and extended special thanks to the Sikhs for taking part in the function. Mr. Bandha Kaur Khalsa was declared delegate of the PC party and a Sikh representation Ottawa riding for forthcoming party meeting in Montreal on 16th 17th and 18th of August 1989.
Sikhs participated in the Ottawa Homelands Festival on 16, 17 and 18th June 1989, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Sandhanwalia, the Chairman of the Public Relations and Media Committee of the Ottawa Sikh Society coordinate the participation of Sikh community in this festival. In the 10th anniversary of this festival the message was “we all have differences but there is a lot we share.” The opening ceremonies were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Sandhawalia’s Dr. Puran Singh Karbia, the President of Ottawa Sikh Society and Mr. and Mrs. Ajit Singh Sahota, Secretary, Ottawa Chapter of WSO. Mrs. Surinder Kaur Sahota received the Homelands certificate on behalf of the Ottawa Sikh Society. A Bhangra Dance was presented by the Ottawa Sikh youth on 17th June and a Giddha dance was performed by Punjab Rang Manch on the evening of 18th June 1989. The basic Sikh teachings promotes tolerance and goodwill among cultures and communities, and “Dukh Men Sukh Manai” (Remain peaceful in face of cruelties.)
The landscaping work at the Gurdwara Sahib in Ottawa was competeted and the Sikhs are looking forward to the starting of the completion (phase Il) of the Langar Hall and Kirtan of the Gurdwara Sahib in the coming months.
On the 5th June 1989 to observe the Martyrdom of the Akal Takhat and thousands of Sikh Martyrs many Sikhs donated blood at the local red cross society .
In the first week of June, Sikhs helped Kartar Singh Ahluwalia a marathon runner raising funds for the children.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 23, 1989
