Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, the festival of positivity, is the harvest festival of Punjab (Northwest India), which people across religions celebrate.
In Bangladesh it is known as ‘Boishakhi’ and is celebrated vibrantly as a social and cultural festival.
However, for Sikhs, the day is also associated with the laying down of the foundation of the Khalsa community (the body of fully initiated Sikhs) by the Sikh Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Khalsa was created with the ‘Panj Pyare’ – the five beloved ones – each one embodying the virtues of compassion, righteousness, courage, commitment and oneness.
In normal times, devotees across the globe wear new attire and visit gurudwaras to offer prayers. However, owing to the pandemic, half a million British-Sikhs marked the Vaisakhi festival under coronavirus lockdown restrictions for the second year running.
Sanjeev Kumar MBE, General Secretary Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton, who have been distributing hot meals, food parcels and personal protective equipment said, “During the pandemic, Sikhs have shown their compassion and commitment by serving their local communities with langar – free kitchens – serving everyone, regardless of their background, recognising humanity’s oneness.”
Guru Nanak Gurudwara Luton decided the best way to celebrate Vaisakhi was by holding a vaccination clinic at the Gurudwara, where a Sikh volunteer, Gurch Randhawa, who is also a professor of diversity in public health at the University of Bedfordshire, said, “What better service than opening up a pop-up clinic that reaches out to anybody of any religion,” said Randhawa, who helped organize the event. “We have had Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, all coming in to be vaccinated.”
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Award to Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton for their services to Luton’s communities during the Pandemic
Mr Baljit Singh, President Guru Nanak Gurdwara taking vaccination at the Sikh temple in Luton (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)