Vaisakhi coincides with city’s 125th birthday

The annual Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver is expected to draw five times the number of Sikh residents living in the city. The celebration attracts tens of thousands of non-Sikhs each year, and organizers attribute this to the religion’s universal message of unity and compassion for others.
“The most important message we want to share is the Sikh Gurus taught us to respect everyone,” says Kashmir Dhaliwal, president of the Khalsa Diwan Society organizing the Vaiskhi celebration. “We expect to have close to 25 floats surrounded by 100 participants. In the parade, there will be hymn singers, Punjabi school students and different Sikh and Hindu societies. There will even be representatives from the B.C. government.”
There are approximately 20,000 Sikhs living in Vancouver, he says, but the event’s broad appeal should see a record turnout.
“Over 100,000 people are expected to attend,” says Mr. Dhaliwal.
Not everyone will be a newcomer, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says it’s an occasion everyone should enjoy.
“Vaisakhi is an important time of celebration in Vancouver and I always look forward to it,” says Mayor Robertson. “This year Vaisakhi is especially festive because the city is also celebrating its 125th birthday.”
For generations, people of Indo-Canadian heritage have played an important role in the growth of our city, he says.
“Indo-Canadians are an inextricable part of Vancouver’s identity as one of the most livable and diverse places in the world. The annual Vaisakhi parade in South Vancouver is a wonderful time of sharing and celebration for families of all backgrounds.”
Vaisakhi also takes on unique significance this year as the Parks Board has recently approved a Komagata Maru Memorial at Harbour Green Park in Coal Harbour.
“The Komagata Maru Memorial will mark a difficult chapter in our history and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by a pioneering group of South Asian immigrants,” says Mayor Robertson.
Vaisakhi also takes on unique significance this year as the Parks Board has recently approved a Komagata Maru Memorial at Harbour Green Park in Coal Harbour.
“The Komagata Maru Memorial will mark a difficult chapter in our history and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by a pioneering group of South Asian immigrants,” says Mayor Robertson.
One group from the South Asian community still pioneering to help people less fortunate, is the Nanak Sikh Mission Charity Organization, which prepares free meals daily for people in the Downtown Eastside.
“We are very happy to provide helping hands to those who are suffering financially as well as physically,” says Arinder Kalsi, president of the Nanak Mission. “Our mission is to spread the love of God to everyone.”
Others like Davinder Dhani, the owner of Nirvana Restaurant, one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Vancouver also contribute on a regular basis to the needy in Vancouver’s eastside.
“It is just a small way we can show our appreciation for what Canada has given us and at the same time follow the teachings of our Gurus to help everyone and anyone in need,” said Dhani.
The Ross Street temple also provides free food daily to anyone and has done so for decades.
“We are taught universal brotherhood,” says Mr. Dhaliwal. “That’s why we offer free breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.”
Mayor Robertson says the temple practice really resonates with him.
“What I enjoy most is helping to prepare and serve food at a gurdwara and sharing it with others at the temple,” he says. “This is a wonderful Sikh tradition that has become part of Vancouver’s culture of inclusiveness.”
“I hope to see everyone April 16 at the parade along Southeast Marine Drive and Main Street in South Vancouver.”
“We have had a parade in Vancouver since 1979 and our society was established in 1906,” says Mr. Dhaliwal.
The parade is paid for by the Khalsa Diwan Society, and cost $70,000 to organize.
“We now have 7,000 members, but we will be celebrating with thousands more when the parade starts that morning,” he says.