The High Commission of India, London along with the Gurudwaras and Punjabi community organisations in and around London, organised a day long Baisakhi Celebration on Sunday 30th April 2017 at the SKLP Sports and Community Centre- India Gardens, West End Road, Northolt.
The event was a huge hit as it recorded footfalls of over 20,000 people who gathered to celebrate Baisakhi – the Punjabi New Year, and the 350th year of Guru Gobind Singhji’s Birth Anniversary globally, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shri Patna Sahib earlier this year.
The event is the first major public event targeted at the Punjabi and Sikh population to spread the message of peace, social coherence and valour embodied by the revered 10th Guru of Sikhs. The High Commissioner of Indian to UK, HE Y K Sinha had donned a bright orange turban on the occasion, and gave a short welcoming speech to the thousands gathered in the spacious venue on the 30th.
“Wish you all a very happy Baisakhi and a very happy new year. We are organising this event with the help of so many gurudwaras, volunteers and most appropriately the sponsors. The most important aspect of the event is all of you for being present here. Thank you for coming. God has been kind, the weather is good and I hope all of you are enjoying yourself and we hope we can do this every year,” he said.
He also thanked all Gurudwaras and community organisations 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.
The event was organised with financial assistance of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the participation of 14 Gurudwaras from all over London, pitched in with volunteers and a rich array of Langar items for all visitors. The Langar alone served more than 15,000 people throughout the day.
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 and Gatha (Punjabi martial arts) competition saw participation from more than 120 experts.
Kabbadi performance by small children aged 5-7 years, 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.
Dr Aseem Vohra, Second Secretary IFS (Public Diplomacy) told the Asian Voice that “Baisakhi was celebrated together for the first time in London. 14 Gurudwaras came together for the first time to serve langar and the event went without a single (bad) incident – which is an important aspect about how meticulously everything was planned out.”
The Royal Army, Navy, Air Force and the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MSPA), Sikh Scouts, as well as many charity organisations participated in this event for the first time. There were Adequate arrangements were made to ensure health and safety of all attending. The Ministry organised free shuttle service from South Ruislip Metro station to the venue to facilitate travel for those using public transport.
Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar were the Media Partners for the event.
This is one of the many events that the High Commissioner is putting together this year. “This is the year of India-UK Year of culture so we have a huge number of events lined up throughout the year. As you know HM The Queen inaugurated the year of culture with a glittering event at the Buckingham Palace,” said HE Y K Singh. There will be several programmes lined up in London for celebrating India's 70th year of independence.
