Vaisakhi is the beginning of the solar year and harvest festival marked in various parts of India according to local traditions, under different names. The Sikhs mark the festival as the inauguration of the Khalsa in 1699 and the diaspora celebrates it across the world. This year, the Australian PM joined in the celebrations by honoring a decade of ‘extraordinary’ volunteer work by the Sikh community. Sikh Volunteers Australia have marked 10 years of helping Aussies in need during natural disasters by delivering food and support to those in crisis. PM Anthony Albanese visited Casey, in southeast Melbourne, on 31 Mar to celebrate Sikh Vaisakhi alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Bruce MP Julian Hill. PM Albanese also donned a turban to mark the occasion of the Sikh Volunteers celebrating the milestone of service to the community. In the UK, Vaisakhi was celebrated on 6 Apr at Trafalgar Square, London. The supermarket giant Tesco in the UK is marking the Sikh festival for the first time and launched its celebrations in Kent. Its Vaisakhi promotion kicked off on 27 Mar at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend. Across the country, its stores will feature special displays of Indian groceries people may buy for Vaisakhi. Sikh Heritage Month is being observed in Canada and a Bampton museum is hosting an exhibition and workshops on 1984. The Military Museums in Calgary, Canada is showcasing diversity in the history of the Canadian Military. Captain Charan Kamal Singh Dullat, the event organizer, speaks about a variety of artifacts including several medals belonging to Harry Sekhon, a veteran who joined the Calgary Highlanders in the late 1980s. The Vaisakhi parade in Surrey will take place on 20 Apr.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Liv Forum provides a digest of analysis on major issues facing Indian (East) Panjab and Sikhs globally.
In accordance with our Privacy Policy, we will never share or sell the information of our subscribers.
