VANCOUVER (CANADA): April 10, Thousands of Sikhs wearing colorful dresses participated in a grand parade to celebrate Vaisakhi. Men, women and children marched from Gurdwara Ross Street along a predetermined route mandering through the Punjab market in the city and back to the Gurdwara. A reporter of a local paper described the parade as a “sea of human beings.” The Vaisakhi day parade drew lot of media attention because of its size and festive nature, the congregation at the Gurdwara was attended by a number of political leaders and ministers of British Columbia who exchanged Vaisakhi day greeting with the Sikh on the occasion.
This year’s congregation recorded the biggest attendance ever. The. Event commemorated the 293rd birthday of the Khalsa. On the day in 1699 AD Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa to fight tyranny and oppression. Ever since then the Khalsa has been growing from Strength to strength Inspite of the Opposition from various rulers of India, some of whom even tried to eliminate the Khalsa completely.
The Vancouver parade to celebrate Vaisakhi is a reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Sikhs. Witnessed by curious Vaneourites, it marked the second major event of recent days after the much publicized Clinton Yeltsin meeting a few days earlier.
In the Punjabi market, warm reception was given by the market association and there was a brief halt. Different speeches addressed the Sikh Sangat from a makeshift Stage; they included Jim Kirkoff (MP) Swam Robinson (MP) Penny Prigy (Minister) Sue (MLA) Harry Lally (MLA) Dr.Amarjit Singh (Spokesperson Panthak Committee) and Charanjit Singh Ramadhewa, President Vancouver Khalsa Diwan Society.
Ina brief but very forceful speech Dr.Amarjit Singh focused on the present day struggle of liberation of the Sikhs. Pointing to the various political dignitaries he asked them to speak out against Indian brutality and help to end the Indian occupation of Khalistan. His speech was applauded by the Sangat with Long Live Khalistan slogans.
Throughout the Parade Kirtani Jathas, Kavishari Jathas and Shadis sang hymns and poems in memory of martyrs of Khalistan. A number of floats, including a huge, colorfully decorated float of ISYF joined in the parade. Pictures of martyrs of Khalistan included that of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, Gen Shabeg Singh, Labh Singh, Bhai Gurjat Singh, Budh Singh Wala, Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 16, 1993
