SACRAMENTO,CA: The 10th Anniversary of the Gurdwara as well as the 9th Anniversary of the World Sikh Organization was celebrated here by the large gathering of Sikhs. The event was specially organized to lay the foundation stone of the Gurdwara, Diwan Hall which is an important land Mark for the Sacramento Sikhs. Sacramento gurdwara located at Evergreen Ave, in the Capital City Of California is lucky to have a Progressive and dedicated management which has always been at the forefront of the community’s activities, It has always actively Participated in organizing demonstrations and other events in Sacramento on important occasions, In view of the growing size of the congregation, the management has ventured on the construction of a new sanctuary “Diwan Hall’ adjacent to the existing building for the benefit of the Sadh Sangat.
The land breaking ceremony and laying of the foundation of the Diwan Hall was conducted by the “Panj Pyaraays” everyone Watched the ceremony with folded hands and the name of Waheguru on their lips. Earlier, the “Bhog’ of the Ahkand Path’ started on occasion of the annual ceremony was held and parshad’ served to the congregation. A number of speakers presented their views on matters affecting the Panth, Those who spoke were Bhai Surjit Singh, Bhai Joginder Singh Bhai Dewan Singh Maskeen, Bhai Manjit Singh and Bhai Sansar Singh. Ragi Jathas exhaled the congregation with recitations of holy shabads. Bhai Manjit Singh’s exposition on Gum Gobind Singh jee was so touching, the whole congregation felt intensely moved.
Sardar Didar Singh Bains, President of the World Sikh Organization speaking on Huestion of the Sikh Liberation Struggle for Khalistan said that India te continuously trying to suppress the Sikh aspirations for independence and the whole Sikh nation must together oppose the nefarious designs of the Indian government. He said “we must find suitable means to help and assist our brave brothers in Punjab who are the Sikh struggle.” He also appreciated the efforts of the local Congressman Vic Fazio to help the Sikhs by espousing their cause in the US Congress and he called upon the congregation to lend full Support to the Congressman who has always been a well-wisher of the Sikhs. Dr.G.S.Grewal editor in chief of the World Sikh News said “we Should analyze the various ups and downs in the Sikh struggle for dependence and sink our differences to carry the war of liberation with determination.” He added, “No nation has ever achieved independence without a determined effort by the whole community.” He warned that if 1617 million Sikhs did not unite to achieve independence, no Sikh in any corner of the world would feel free. Amrik Singh Gill said that war of liberation started by the Sikhs should be fought on principles propagated by our Gunus. “No one can finish the Sikhs” he said. “it is the pride and vanity of our Sikh leaders which has jed the Sikhs in India to the present static,” he added, SJagjit Singh Boparal appealed to the Sangat to seek out and find means to assist the Sikh families who had) been terrorized and pillaged by the police in Punjab, This way American Sikhs will be able to also get a true account of the picture in Punjab. The Secretary of Sacramento Gurdwara S.Bakshish Singh Gill thanked the congregation for their hearty response to the annual celebrations and the foundation laying ceremony of the Diwan hall. He appreciated the gencrous contributions and assured them that the hall would be completed in two years. The “Guru Vaak’ was taken and its explanation done by Giant Wadhawa Singh. Sardar Naraijan Singh Mathru and his family prepared the langar and served it to the congregation.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 6, 1993
