Last Sunday, Guru Ravidass Sangat, Cardigan Street Luton, held the 647th Birth anniversary celebrations of a prominent 15th and 16th Century visionary and saint in India, Shri Guru Ravidass Ji.
Several dignitaries attended the celebrations including the Mayor of Luton, Bedfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner, MPs, Councillors, Luton Council staff and guests from different faiths.
After the soulful ‘Kirtan’ – the singing of Sikh scriptures with Harmonium (a keyboard instrument) and Tabla (a pair of hand drums), Guru Ravidass Sangat General Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, MBE welcomed all. He invited dignitaries to honour a few members of the Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton for working tirelessly to serve the wider community.
Luton Council of Faiths was one amongst a few other organisations that were thanked for supporting Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton.
Mayor of Luton Cllr Yaqub Hanif said, “Community Cohesion in our town is not just a nicety but a necessity, underpinning the very fabric of our society. It is like a mosaic where each community contributes to harmonious co-existence. It is about understanding and respecting our shared aspirations.”
“When we stand together we become a formidable force, capable of overcoming any challenges that come our way. In Luton, community cohesion is a beacon of hope that cuts through the ignorance in our society, and connects us all together.”
Luton MPs Rachel Hopkins and Sarah Owen said, “Community Cohesion is an easy thing to say, but a harder thing to do, when there are people in the positions of power who are trying to break down our unity, trying to keep communities against one another. However, Luton’s strength shines through, whenever we are challenged the most whether it is through the pandemic, or through the cost of living crisis.”
Sarah Owen said, “Community cohesion for me always starts with education and learning. I have learnt today that Shree Guru Ravidass stood for social justice, equality, respect and freedom for all. These underlying principles defined his struggles to create an equilibrium in society. Today is Mother’s Day. It is also the week we have celebrated International Women’s Day. As the fight for equality and gender equality in particular, still continues, we recognise we have a long way to go, but I know we’ll get there together.”
Mayor of Luton Cllr Mohammad Yaqub Hanif addressing the gathering at Shri Guru Ravidass Ji's 647th Birth anniversary celebrations held in Luton. He was joined by Cllr Javed Hussain, Deputy Leader of the Luton Council and Sanjeev Kumar, MBE General Secretary of Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton.
A few members of the Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton were honoured for working tirelessly to serve the wider community.
A few guests, organisations were honoured and thanked for supporting Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton.