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Sikhs too dream of their own home
like all other communities: Vedanti
Sikh parade in New York
was razzmatazz of color and faith
WSN Network
 NEW YORK: Stamping their
presence, strength, culture, effervescence and legacy on the great
city of New York, the annual Sikh Day Parade attracted tens of
thousands of Sikhs, with the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder
Singh Vedanti, as the Chief Guest at the April 23 Nagar Kirtan
making it clear that like all communities who seek their own home,
the Sikhs too were not amiss in wishing that they had their one of
their own. (On Wednesday, Vedanti told Jalandhar-based Ajit
newspaper that he did not mean territorial Khalistan but a Khalistan
of the mind.) The parade, organized by the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond
Hill, NY and many other forums, also witnessed Jathedar Vedanti
appealing to the community to come together under one flag.
Yadwinder Singh
of AGPC and Dr Ranjit Singh of Sikh Youth of America’s Coordination
Committee presented many resolutions which were carried amid a
gathering of thousands of Sikhs. Jathedar Vedanti’s presence had
both, a cascading as well as a calming effect on the sangat.
A couple of
Khalistani votaries also spoke at Saturday’s gathering in Madison
Avenue Park where the parade culminated after moving down Broadway
in Manhattan. Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla said Sikhs should shun the
practice of donating to one or the other party without application
of mind. They should instead focus participating in the political
life of
America
at various levels. Gurbaksh Singh Malhi also advocated participation
of the faith community members in polity of the great nation of
America and said the community should ensure that there are people
who carry their concern and voice to the Congress. Dr. Amarjit
Singh, who represents the Independent homeland movement of the
Sikhs, advocated intensifying the struggle for that objective.
Avtar Singh
Pannu of Sikhs for Justice vowed to continue his fight for getting
justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide in India in
which thousands of Sikhs were burnt alive on the roads of the
national capital. The two witnesses who dared to stand up to the
might of the Indian probe agencies, Jasbir Singh and Surinder Singh,
were honored at the stage by Jathedar Vedanti. Among key
participants were Bhai Raghubir Singh Giljian, secretary of the Sikh
Cultural Society, Richmond Hill who also performed the services of
the stage secretary. Bawa Rajinder Singh Lali, Chairman of the
Society, thanked the sangat while Gurnam Singh, media advisor of the
Society released a souvenir at the occasion.
A news agency
IANS, which often carries reports on the Diaspora, quoted one Gurnam
Singh as saying that the “Khalistani movement in any case is no more
destructive. People have realized that nothing can be achieved at
gunpoint” but it was not known whether this was the same Gurnam
Singh who is the media advisor of the Society or someone else. The
IANS reportage was carried in many newspapers in India. As always,
the Nagar Kirtan also featured the performance of Sikh martial art
form of gatka. Free food was available for one and all at the
parade.
30
April 2008
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