The Indian Consulate in New York commemorated #Baisakhi at the Consulate premises on April 19, 2024, with the active involvement of the community. Publisher of Indian Panorama, Indrajit Singh Saluja, emerged as one of the key figures behind the organization of the festival. The Consulate’s expansive hall brimmed with attendees, representing not only the Sikh community but also individuals from diverse faiths, converging to honor the festival symbolizing the New Year for Sikhs and Punjabis, and the genesis of the Sikh Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Collaborating closely with leaders from gurudwaras in New York and New Jersey, the event fostered a sense of unity and celebration.
Various speakers took the stage, including Dr. Jeph and Dr. Sudhir Parikh, who emphasized the universal significance of Vaisakhi and the principles advocated by Sikh Gurus, such as compassion, harmony, service, and equality. Dr. Jeph highlighted the significant contributions of the Punjabi community to India’s nation-building endeavors, extending warm wishes for a Happy Baisakhi to the assembled audience.
Reflecting on the occasion, DCG Jeph articulated, “We are marking the beginning of the Punjabi New Year, we are marking the beginning of the Sikh pant that Guru Gobindji established, and we are celebrating the spirit of togetherness, love, harmony, and that is reflected in all the people from different faiths coming together in this joyous occasion.”
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, reiterated the multifaceted essence of Vaisakhi, stating, “Vaisakhi is not just a religious festival, or a part of the agriculture harvest, . It is a celebration of Humanity, its a celebration of the starting of the great Khalsa paner. And its a celebration to learn more about Guru Gobind Singh. It speaks about love and peace in the world. Today it is a celebration of love of each other, respect of each other.” He extended an invitation to the attendees to leverage the platform of his media outlets to disseminate their ideas and initiatives, concluding with a blessing, “God bless America, God bless India, God bless Khalsa pant, and God bless all of you.”
Speaking to ITV Gold, Saluja remarked, “We celebrated Vaisakhi with a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment, and also a lot of very serious consideration of what Vaisakhi is and what Sikhism is. We have had people coming from all walks of life, from New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and New York City.” He particularly highlighted the captivating Bhangra dance performance by Surati for Performing Arts as one of the event’s highlights.
Dr. V.K. Raju, the founder of Eye Foundation of America, extended his greetings for Happy Baisakhi and underscored the imperative of aiding children and eradicating the menace of blindness globally.
The event served as a platform to showcase Punjab’s rich heritage and traditions, which intricately contribute to India’s diverse cultural mosaic, fostering a sense of communal celebration rooted in shared ancestry.
