Time flies on with the ticking of clock and pages after pages of the calendar turns away with revelation towards a new year. It’s always the new beginning that brings charm to this fleeting existence accompanying the joy of celebration. In India, the observance of New Year contrasts from region to region based on religion, culture, tradition, folklore and so on. Amidst the cultural diversity of our nation, the celebrating style of these New Year occasions propels to observe and appreciate the concept behind these festive occasions.
Baisakhi has both a religious and cultural significance for the Sikh and Punjabi Community. While the Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi across India, rest of India wonders if it is about doing Bhangra and dhol. Baisakhi holds a lesson for all Indians, especially in this day and age. It is a day which commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth (Khalsa Panth Sajana Diwas) under Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699. It is also a spring harvest festival for the Sikhs and Punjabis. Baisakhi marks the harvest time of the winter (rabi) crops and so the farmers after months of hard worK and are in a mood for enjoyment. The day is observed as a thanksgiving for the abundant harvest and to seek blessings for future prosperity and progress. We would like to state that Baisakhi is not the new year for the Sikhs, it is a harvest festival, the new year of the Sikhs is First Chet, which is on March 14. A chet is the first month of the Sikh Calendar.
“The Sikh community of Kolkata celebrated Baisakhi Gurpurab – Khalsa Panth Sajna Diwas with Kirtan, Katha and Gurmat Vichar across different Gurdwaras in Kolkata. Gurdwara Behala organized special Kirtan Samagam which started from early morning Samapti of Sri Akhand Paath followed by recitation of Sukhmani Sahib by the Ladies and children. Gurbani Kirtan was recited by Ragi Jatha and young children who specially prepared Shabads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Katha and Gurmat Vichar by Giani Balwinder Singh Ji (Head Granthi Gurdwara Behala). Guru Ka Langar was cooked and prepared by volunteers of Gurdwara Behala and was served to all irrespective of caste,creed and colour. The celebartions carried on throughout the day so that devotees do not gather at a single time maintaining all guidelines of Social Distancing, Hygiene and Sanitization norms.”, informed Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, General Secretary, Gurdwara Behala.
Sikhs, Punjabi, Sindhis, Bengali’s and devotees from other communities offered prayer and had Guru Ka Langar ,the Head Granthi (Priest) asked all present to pray for Sarbat Da Bhalla (Well being of all) during these extraordinary times and for the innocent lives who have been affected by the Russia-Ukraine War.
With the onset of Poila Baisakh, Baisakhi, Bihu and other festivals continuing the spirit of Brotherhood and Sharing this and upholding our pledge to ensure that – “No one sleeps Hungry – Project Zero Hunger” IHA Foundation and its volunteers under the able guidance of Satnam Singh Ahluwalia are conducting special drives to serving food to the underpriviledged and needy of the city. We believe in our Guru’s teaching of Sarbat da Bhalla, while many people are celebrating this festive season, many in will go through the celebrations without experiencing that love and compassion of the New Year. Our initiative is to reach out to the underpriviledged and needy in the community.
Dashmeshbir Singh
IHA Foundation
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