BY DEEPINDER SINGH
LOS ANGELES, CA - Sikh devotees from all over Southern California congregated at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 4 to celebrate the 547th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. The celebrations were organized by Hollywood Sikh Temple, popularly known as Gurdwara Vermont,
LOS ANGELES, CA - Sikh devotees from all over Southern California congregated at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 4 to celebrate the 547th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. The celebrations were organized by Hollywood Sikh Temple, popularly known as Gurdwara Vermont,
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with nearly 16 Gurdwaras and religious organizations of the Southland participating in the huge event. During the daylong event, 20 different Raagi Jathas performed Kirtan. Children Jathas of Valley Sikh Temple, Gurdwara Walnut, Nanak Sadan, Gurdwara Buena Park, Khalsa Care Foundation, Baba Farid Academy, Singh Kaur Academy, Bhai Mardana Academy and Gurdwara Vermont sang sacred hymns from Guru Granth Sahib in groups.
Raagi Jathas; Prof. Ranjit Singh of Bhai Mardana Academy, Bibi Kamalpreet Kaur, Guru Ramdas Ashram, Bhai Gopal Singh of Gurdwara Buena Park, Bhai Jatinder Singh of Gurdwara Vermont, Baba Baljinder Singh (Rara Sahib Wale), Bhai Ravinder Singh Parvinder Singh Rassia, Bhai Gagandeep Singh of Gurdwara Nanak Sadan and Bhai Tejinder Singh Khannewale performed soul fulfilling Gurbani Kirtan. The highlight of the event was Kirtan by a group of prominent Raagi Jathas that included Bhai Harkirat Singh (Gurdwara Walnut), Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Varinder Singh (Gurdwara Khalsa Care Foundation) and Bhai Shiv Dayal Singh. Congressman Adam Shiff on the occasion said at the time of deep racial and economic divide, Guru Nanak stood for the unity, equality and rights and role of women in society. He said because of the efforts of his team and other colleagues in Congress, the Department of Justice had started collecting data on hate crimes against Sikhs. Additionally, he said he had recently called FBI director to recommit to the efforts to ensure no hate crime goes unaccounted for or unaddressed. Shiff said he will continue to condemn bigotry and discrimination against all Americans and continue to combat hate and keep fighting towards a truly egalitarian society, just like the one Guru Nanak envisioned for the world.
Congress women Judy Chu, who had co-launched the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, while speaking on the occasion, said, Guru Nanak promoted equality of all individuals, no matter what religion they practiced or caste they belonged to. She also shared her experience when she along with other members of Congress celebrated the third ‘Langar’ at the Capitol earlier this year. She highlighted how the Sikh community had faced discrimination, bullying and bias motivated violence and since the election of Donald Trump, the Southern Poverty Law Center has tracked close to 900 new hate crimes, which was completely unacceptable. She added we must work together to have a country that lives up to the values taught by Guru Nanak, a country inclusive of all people where no one feels unsafe, unequal, or un-American because of faith or ethnicity. She presented a certificate to the organizers in appreciation of the contributions of the community to the society at large.
Representative of Congressman Brad Sherman, Senior Police Deputy, John Alford, congratulated the community and presented the US Flag to the Sikh community on his behalf.
LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addressing the gathering said he had been serving for the past 36 years and the Sikh community had been very supportive. He assured the community that law enforcement agencies are working day and night to provide a safe and crime free environment for the residents. McDonnell was joined by Sergeant Gregory R. Knepp of Lakewood Station.
Daniel Tamm represented Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the community on his behalf. Field deputy Joseph Galloway represented Council Member Paul Kortez and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Sikh Community of Southern California. Dr. Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa of Sikh Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles spoke about the teachings and contributions of Guru Nanak to humankind at large.
All dignitaries were presented a ‘robe of honor’ and appreciation award by the gathered congregation as a mark of respect and in recognition of their services to the community. Chairperson of the `Langar’ committee, Amarjit Singh and his team along with other volunteers of Gurdwara Sahib Vermont were honored by the congregation for their selfless efforts.
Santokh Singh, General Secretary of Gurdwara Vermont emceed the event while President of Hollywood Sikh Temple Baldev Singh Johal conducted the presentation part of the event along with Nirinjan Singh and Kirtan Singh of Guru Ramdas Ashram.
Nearly 20 vendors had put up stalls to sell traditional goods like Punjabi suits, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts. ‘Langar’ started early in the morning and continued the whole day.
Raagi Jathas; Prof. Ranjit Singh of Bhai Mardana Academy, Bibi Kamalpreet Kaur, Guru Ramdas Ashram, Bhai Gopal Singh of Gurdwara Buena Park, Bhai Jatinder Singh of Gurdwara Vermont, Baba Baljinder Singh (Rara Sahib Wale), Bhai Ravinder Singh Parvinder Singh Rassia, Bhai Gagandeep Singh of Gurdwara Nanak Sadan and Bhai Tejinder Singh Khannewale performed soul fulfilling Gurbani Kirtan. The highlight of the event was Kirtan by a group of prominent Raagi Jathas that included Bhai Harkirat Singh (Gurdwara Walnut), Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Varinder Singh (Gurdwara Khalsa Care Foundation) and Bhai Shiv Dayal Singh. Congressman Adam Shiff on the occasion said at the time of deep racial and economic divide, Guru Nanak stood for the unity, equality and rights and role of women in society. He said because of the efforts of his team and other colleagues in Congress, the Department of Justice had started collecting data on hate crimes against Sikhs. Additionally, he said he had recently called FBI director to recommit to the efforts to ensure no hate crime goes unaccounted for or unaddressed. Shiff said he will continue to condemn bigotry and discrimination against all Americans and continue to combat hate and keep fighting towards a truly egalitarian society, just like the one Guru Nanak envisioned for the world.
Congress women Judy Chu, who had co-launched the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, while speaking on the occasion, said, Guru Nanak promoted equality of all individuals, no matter what religion they practiced or caste they belonged to. She also shared her experience when she along with other members of Congress celebrated the third ‘Langar’ at the Capitol earlier this year. She highlighted how the Sikh community had faced discrimination, bullying and bias motivated violence and since the election of Donald Trump, the Southern Poverty Law Center has tracked close to 900 new hate crimes, which was completely unacceptable. She added we must work together to have a country that lives up to the values taught by Guru Nanak, a country inclusive of all people where no one feels unsafe, unequal, or un-American because of faith or ethnicity. She presented a certificate to the organizers in appreciation of the contributions of the community to the society at large.
Representative of Congressman Brad Sherman, Senior Police Deputy, John Alford, congratulated the community and presented the US Flag to the Sikh community on his behalf.
LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addressing the gathering said he had been serving for the past 36 years and the Sikh community had been very supportive. He assured the community that law enforcement agencies are working day and night to provide a safe and crime free environment for the residents. McDonnell was joined by Sergeant Gregory R. Knepp of Lakewood Station.
Daniel Tamm represented Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the community on his behalf. Field deputy Joseph Galloway represented Council Member Paul Kortez and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Sikh Community of Southern California. Dr. Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa of Sikh Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles spoke about the teachings and contributions of Guru Nanak to humankind at large.
All dignitaries were presented a ‘robe of honor’ and appreciation award by the gathered congregation as a mark of respect and in recognition of their services to the community. Chairperson of the `Langar’ committee, Amarjit Singh and his team along with other volunteers of Gurdwara Sahib Vermont were honored by the congregation for their selfless efforts.
Santokh Singh, General Secretary of Gurdwara Vermont emceed the event while President of Hollywood Sikh Temple Baldev Singh Johal conducted the presentation part of the event along with Nirinjan Singh and Kirtan Singh of Guru Ramdas Ashram.
Nearly 20 vendors had put up stalls to sell traditional goods like Punjabi suits, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts. ‘Langar’ started early in the morning and continued the whole day.
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