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Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India in UK

High Commissioner of India in UK, made a history by organizing Baisakhi celebrations in London to Attract 20,000 NRIs

  • 100% financial assistance was provided by High Commission of India (behalf of Ministry of Culture, Government of India
  • Langar was served to everyone
  • The event was attended by Members of Parliament, Lords, Mayors and Councilors,  Indian Media and local  and NRI news channels from all over the UK.

London, May 03, 2017
NRIpress.club/UK-Suman Verma/LA-Gary Singh Grewal

On April 30, 2017, Mr. Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India in UK(behalf of Ministry of Culture, Government of India) organized the Baisakhi celebrations at Northolt, London and bear the cost to make this event successful. A display near the main stage announced that the Baisakhi  celebration event was “organised with financial assistance from the ministry of culture, Government of India”.

  • High Commissioner Mr. Y. K. Sinha (donning the traditional Sikh Turban) greeted the entire Indian community, in particular, the Punjabi and Sikh community, on this historic year. High Commissioner Mr. Y. K. Sinha Sikh with a Turban, greeting the entire Indian community marked a significant step in the fractious relationship between India and the Sikh community here since the 1984 Operation Bluestar.
  • Around 14 Gurudwaras from all over London attended and pitched in with volunteers and a rich array of Langar items for all visitors.

  • Around 20,000 people turned up throughout the day, a fact illustrated by the fact that at one time, more than 1800 cars were parked at the arrangements made for visitors. The Langar alone served more than 15,000 people throughout the day.

  • He also thanked all Gurudwaras and community organizations that partnered in making this day-long event a great success.

  • High Commissioner also stated that such an event should be conducted every year to celebrate the spirit of Baisakhi together with everyone.

  • This event was the first major public event targeted not only to the Punjabi and Sikh population in the UK but also to spread the message of peace, social coherence and valour embodied by the revered 10th Guru of Sikhs.

What was interesting to note was that the event drew such a tremendous amount of support from Indian community organisations even outside the Sikh community. In true celebration of essence of social harmony during Baisakhi, close to sixty stalls put up catered to India in all its diversity. The predominant theme, of course, remained of the richness and warmth of Punjabi culture traditions.
The cultural programmes, performed at two different stages at the venue, saw some of the best names in the UK and India performing. These included Punjabi Spiritual Music, Bhangra and Giddha performances, and some eminent names like Jasbir Jassi, Channi Singh OBE, Angrez Ali, etc.

What was also a mark of the popularity of this first-time event was the participation of the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MSPA), Royal Army, Navy, Air Force and the Sikh Scouts, as well as many charity organisations at the event.

In addition to the cultural performance, the Mission also organised Gatka (Punjabi martial arts) competition in which more than 120 experts participated. This, and Kabbadi performance by small children aged 5-7 years, were performed off stage and were witnessed and appreciated by thousands of people. In addition, turban tying, teaching classes for Bhangra and Giddha, face painting, Henna painting, Dhol performance by small children, and many free contests and attractions for children were also arranged.

It is heartening to note that no untoward incident took place given the size and scale of the event organised. Adequate arrangements were made to ensure health and safety of all attending. The Mission also organised free shuttle service to facilitate travel to the venue for those using public transport.

In November 2015, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India visited UK and met Sikh organizations to discuss issues such as ‘blacklist’ of individuals associated with the ‘Khalistan’ agitation just after 1984. It was as a “ major breakthrough after 31 years since the 1984 Operation Bluestar.

This was done in this special year, as part of the larger celebrations being organised by the Government of India in the 350th year of Guru Gobind Singhji’s Birth Anniversary globally, flagged off by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Shri Patna Sahib earlier this year.

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20,000 diaspora turn up for Baisakhi celebrations in London

 
London, May 2 (IANS) Around 20,000 Sikh and Punjabi diaspora members turned up for the Baisakhi celebrations organised by the Indian High Commission at Northolt, London, with a rich array of langar food served to more than 15,000 persons, an official statement said.

The Indian High Commission organised Baisakhi celebrations on April 30 at Northolt, London. The celebrations were part of the larger celebrations of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singhji, being organised by the government of India globally and flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shri Patna Sahib earlier this year.

This was the first major public event targeted not only at the Punjabi and Sikh population in the UK but also to spread the message of peace, social coherence and valour embodied by the revered 10th Guru of Sikhs, a High Commission statement said.

The event, organised with financial assistance of India's Ministry of Culture was a tremendous success in all its aspects, it said.

It saw the participation of 14 Gurudwaras from all over London which pitched in with volunteers and a rich array of langar food items for all visitors. Between 18,000 to 20,000 people turned up throughout the day -- at one time, more than 1,800 cars were parked at the arrangements made for visitors. The langar alone served more than 15,000 people throughout the day.

The event drew tremendous support from other Indian community organisations. Close to 60 stalls put up catered to India in all its diversity. The predominant theme, of course, was the richness and warmth of Punjabi culture traditions.

The cultural programmes, at two different stages at the venue, saw some of the best names in the UK and India performing. These included Punjabi Spiritual Music, Bhangra and Giddha performances, and some eminent names like Jasbir Jassi, Channi Singh OBE, Angrez Ali, etc.

The mission also organised Gatka (Punjabi martial arts) competition in which more than 120 experts participated. Kabbadi by children aged 5-7 years drew appreciation from thousands of people.

In addition, turban tying, classes for Bhangra and Giddha, face painting, henna painting, dhol performance by small children, and many free contests and attractions for children were also arranged.

The event also saw the participation of the Royal Army, Navy, Air Force and the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MSPA), Sikh Scouts, as well as many charity organisations, the statement said.

The mission organised free shuttle service to facilitate commuting to the venue for those using public transport.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament, Lords, Mayors and Councillors from all over the UK. High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha (donning the traditional Sikh Turban) greeted the entire Indian community, in particular the Punjabis and Sikhs.

He thanked all Gurudwaras and community organisations that partnered in making this day-long event a great success, and stated that such an event should be conducted every year to celebrate the spirit of Baisakhi together with everyone.

 

 

 

 
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