YUBA CITY, CA: Thousands of Sikhs from all over USA Canada gathered here on Nov, 7 to celebrate the annual occasion of Guru Gaddi Diwas. The celebrations were joined by Mr. John Garamendi, Congressman Wally Herger and numerous other well-wishers of the Sikh community in America.
The festival was marked by a huge procession of nearly 10 thousand Sikhs which wound through the city with Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at its head piloted by the Panj Pyaare and standard bearers. Carrying saffron flags.
Over 30 floats beautifully decorated and carrying Sikh men, women and children formed the procession, singing holy hymns to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
From the time the first float started at 11:30 a.m. from the Gurdwara (Tierra Buena) to the last float taking off, it took nearly an hour and a half. This gives an idea about the length of the procession, Floats from the Gurdwaras in Los Angeles, San Francisco, El Sobrante, Fremont, Sacramento, Stockton, Ticrra Buena and organizations like the Sikh Youth of America, Babbar Khalsa International and numerous Sikh cultural societies from all over California participated in the grand procession. The roadsides which the procession passed through were lined with groups of youthful Sikh volunteers distributing soft drinks, candy and ice cream to all passersby. Earlier during the day thousands of devotees in a congregation at the Tierra Buena Gurdwara paid homage to Gum Granth Sahib Ji and listened to devotional hymns. After the conclusion of Akhand Path, prominent leaders addressed the huge congregation. Amongst them were Sirdar Didar Singh Bains, Dr.G.S. Aulakh, John Garamandy and Wally Herger. ‘The last two were presented with plaques in recognition of their services to the Sikh Community. Dr.John Garamandy, who is the Insurance Commissioner of California and a candidate for the Governorship of the State addressing the Congregation said, ‘I wish you well and I wish you success,” Introducing him earlier, Sardar Didar Singh Bains said, Garamandy was a well-wisher of the Sikhs and was “well aware of our problems in India.”
Mr. Wally Herger, a strong supporter of Human Rights and an advocate of many a resolution for Sikhs in the Congress said “1am glad to be with you, “We have been successful in putting pressure on the government of India and for the first ime in seven years we have been able to get a bill passed in Congress to cut aid (to India). God is on our side God will help us.”
A message from Congressman Vic Fazio was read out in which he sent his warm regards on the special occasion. He said, “The colorful Sikh culture enhances our mosaic with its opulent legacy. I laud your continued commitment to preserving the Sikh hentage.”
Earlier addressing the congregation Dr.G.S. Aulakh of the Council of Khalistan apprised the gathering about the violations of Human Rights in Punjab and there solution for an Independent Khalistan which had been traduced by Congressman Pete Geren in the Congress. He called upon Sikhs to write to Congressman Vic Fazio and Wally Herger to. Sign the resolution.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 12, 1993
