HOUSTON, Texas: The annual report of the Sikh Center Houston for the year, 1986, was presented to the Sangat which broadly covers the following activities.
- RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES:
Regular weekly diwans were held throughout the year. Sangrand celebrations on actual Sangrand days, Gurpurab celebrations, Holla Mohalla, Baisakhi, Guru Arjan Dey Ji’s Martyrdom Day, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birthday and all other occasions too performed with due respect, faith and regards and with memorable celebrations.
Remarkable performance of this year is that Ren Sabai Kirtan diwans were held thrice, with full dedication.
Besides these, numerous Akhand Paths, Sadharan Paths, and special kirtan darbars were held, some at the residences of Gur Sikhs too.
The following Ragi Jathas visited the Sikh Center and performed manohar kirtan:*Bhai Gurdial Singh Ji; *Bhai Harbans Singh Ji; Bhai Gurmel Singh Ji (Hazoori Ragi Gurdwara Ber Sahib Sultan Pur Lodhi); Bhai Inder Singh Ji; Bhai Mohan Singh Ji (Hazoori Ragi Darbar Sri Tarn Taran Sahib); Bhai Kishan Singh Ji Parwana from U.K.; and Bhai Ranjodh Singh Ji (Delhi).
Giani Harinder Singh ji visited the Sikh Center and we had excellent Katha program for one week.
Nishan Sahib sewa was performed in the year once on Baisakhi Day, when Nishan Sahib Salaami by Sikh Youth was presented for the first time in Houston, in a very colorful ceremony, and then on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday.
On Baisakhi, the day of Khalsa Panth’s birth, Amrit Prachar was done on April 27th, when numerous persons took Amrit and affirmed the faith in Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s commands. Sant Harbhajan Singh Ji conducted this auspicious ceremony. It was the third time in Houston’s history.
June 6th is the day when in 1984 the Indian army attacked our beloved Golden Temple and 42 other gurdwaras, destroyed Akal Takht Sahib, brutally killed innocent Sikhs, women, children, old and young and burnt them alive too. In protest against these atrocities committed by the Indian armed forces, a special protest march was held on June 6th this year also and befitting tributes offered to the martyrs.
The Indian government made repeated attacks on Golden Temple subsequently too. Every time those heinous acts were condemned, in special diwans and Ardas performed for eternal peace for those who had laid down their lives for the sacred cause.
With the continuous arrival of Ragi Jathas at the Sikh Center, series of evening diwans, followed by langars continued for months together and it was certainly a sign of good fortune that sangat enjoyed the kirtan by showing their full attachment with the Sikh cause. It was a great achievement and gain. AsaDiWaar kirtan diwans also were held on Saturday mornings. We are thankful to those GurSikh families who have been voluntarily performing kirtan throughout the year and put their share in langars.
Those are more blessed who did paths of Jap Ji Sahib and Chaupi Sahib On certain occasions took part in Ardas performed for the martrys and for those who had made commendable sacrifices for Sikh religion and are still making.
All the Sikh Center’s facilities were kept in good working order and well maintained. The diwan hall, stairs and compound with lawn and grounds were kept in good shape.
The Sikh Center also took part in the following events:
— Punjabi & Gurmat School. —— Sikh Youth activities
— Cultural Activities
— Sports
— National & International Events.
— Maintained Sikh Library — Social and other activities —— Clemency appeals
— Participation in national elections
—— Langar Sewa
Congratulations extended to those youngsters who made exemplary achievements in their academic careers by doing graduation and gaining positions in the merit list.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 3, 1987
