First-ever vibrant and heart-warming Vaisakhi celebration in Beehive

While the Sikh community around the world is wholeheartedly praising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his inclusiveness of the Sikh community in the country, and organising Vaisakhi in the Canadian Parliament, they were probably not aware that New Zealand was also, for the first time, celebrating this auspicious day in the New Zealand Parliament. Under the leadership of first Sikh Kiwi-Indian MP Kanwaljit Sikh Bakshi, the Beehive celebrated the harvest festival, which is also the founding day of Khalsa Panth, on April 12.

Vaisakhi is celebrated across India with different names and rituals—Rongali Bihu in Assam, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Pooram Vishu in Kerala and Vaishakh’ in the state of Bihar.

In the north (Punjab), however, it is celebrated with great energy and enthusiasm, as Vaisakhi. Sikhism is a faith founded on the principles of equality, freedom of religion, and community service. As the fifth-largest religion in the world, one of the core teachings of the Sikh religion and tradition is that all Sikhs must cultivate spirituality while also serving the communities around them. It teaches that the role and significance of the community is not limited to the political domain but emphasises the central roles that communities play in shaping our spiritual journeys. It encourages practitioners to seek out intentional communities that share the same ethical values and spiritual commitments. Sikhs, both men and women, cover their uncut hair with a turban, which represents a commitment to equality and justice.

Vaisakhi is fundamentally about celebrations, brotherhood, the community and progress. This week, Sikhs all over the world will gather with their communities at gurdwaras, local places of worship, and reflect on these values.

At the Wellington celebration, Prime Minister John Key was the chief guest for the occasion. Other dignitaries who attended the event included Ethnic Communities Minister Sam Lotu-liga, the three Kiwi-Indian MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Dr Parmjeet Parmar and Mahesh Bindra, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman, Transport Minister Simon Bridges, MP Melissa Lee and Race Relation Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

Ethnic Communities Minister Sam Lotu-liga started his address with jo bole so nihaal, sat sri akaal (Sikh slogan or jaikaara). In his speech, he mentioned that he was surprised to know that Sikhism is the youngest and the fifth largest religion in the world. He praised the hardworking Punjabi community and said that New Zealand is proud to have such a strong and vibrant community.

The entertainment quotient at the event was quite high with some of the most energising performances given by young boys. Gatka (Sikh martial arts) was the main attraction of the evening. Another performance that garnered a lot of praise was the Punjabi folk dance gidda by a group of young, middle-aged and senior women. Other performances included bhangra, Bollywood and western fusion dance, and kavishri (cultural poetry) by young boys.

Navtej Randhawa of Radio Spice, who was the master of ceremony for the evening, gave presentations on the history of Sikhs in New Zealand and about the history of Vaisakhi in Sikh culture along with the accompanying historical pictures.

Attended by around 300 people, the circular banquet hall of Parliament was a jam-packed venue that witnessed the who’s who of Punjabi community from across the country. Daljit Singh from Supreme Sikh Society alone was leading a group of more than 100 people out of almost 200 people from Auckland.

Mandeep Kaur, Gurpreet Arora and Rakesh Naidoo from NZ Police were also present on the occasion. Among others present were NZICA President Harshad Patel, former NZICA President Ratilal Champaneri, Jeet Suchdev from Bhartiya Samaj and Kharak Singh Sidhu. A prominent Wellingtonian Nagin Bhai Patel was the point of attraction as he attended in a full traditional Punjabi attire.

There are several other big and small Vaisakhi celebrations scheduled around the country, but needless to say that the celebrations at the Beehive brings with it a sense of inclusion as the Indian community feels embraced by the country they have chosen to call home. A celebration of this scale and fervour is a testament to the regard the leaders of the country have for the hardworking Indian community and its contributions to the wider New Zealand community.

Photos by Pal Production