• By Parveen Chopra

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Vaisakhi, the harvest festival of Punjab, and the day when Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th master of the Sikhs created a sect with a distinct identity and called them Khalsa in the year 1699 was celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm at the Indian consulate in New York on April 11. The full room gathering of over a hundred in the ornate Ball Room of the Indian Consulate in New York enjoyed every moment of their presence at the Vaisakhi celebrations organized by The Indian Panorama with the support of the Consulate.

Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan described it as “a joyous celebration honoring the spirit of Baisakhi and Punjab’s rich cultural heritage.”
Speaking about the creation of the Khalsa, Ambassador Pradhan said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji “dedicated a community which was standing for righteousness, and service. He gave them a unique identity and conduct and strength to stand against injustice. That’s what Guru Gobind Singh stood for. And I think in six days, we celebrated two events associated with him, Hola Mohalla and Vaisakhi.

Amb. Pradhan highlighted the teachings of Sikh gurus who emphasized qualities of compassion, harmony, service, and equality. He also recognized the Punjabi community’s contributions to India’s nation-building.

Ambassador Pradhan is very concerned about the malpractices indulged in by some unscrupulous agents who are charging exorbitantly in the name of the Consulate or in the name of providing consular services. He spoke at length about the issue and warned against such agents.

Keynote Speaker Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba, a Sikh scholar and author reflected on the founding of the Khalsa and shared some interesting anecdotes from its history.

Eminent attorney Ravi Batra shared his moving experience at the Golden Temple and saluted the Sikh gurus for saving India as a nation with their sacrifices. I, as a Hindu and founding editor of ALotusInTheMud.com, had the privilege to felicitate the Sikh community on Vaisakhi.

Ahmed Shakir spoke on behalf of Muslims and Koshi Thomas for Christians.
Apart from community leaders among the 100-plus audience, New York State Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, and North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava graced the event and spoke briefly.
Earlier, Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, who put together the program, while welcoming the guests, said Vaisakhi used to be a harvest festival of Punjab but in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh chose the day to create Khalsa, a sect with a distinct identity. Thus, today, Vaisakhi is both a socio-cultural event and also the birthday of the Khalsa .

The program began with a soulful Shabad, ‘Deh Shiva var mohe’, which means O Lord! Give me the boon to never turn away from doing good deeds and ended with a lively Bhangra performance.

After Consul, Culture, Pragya Singh kicked off the proceedings, ITV Gold anchor Pia Jyoti Kachroo ably emceed the program. All the presenters were honored with shawls and a replica of the Golden Temple. Amb Pradhan’s wife, Monalisa Shuvadarshini greeted and thanked each presenter.

Delicious appetizers and dinner from Michelin Chef Hemant Mathur’s Saar were served.

Amb. Pradhan thanked The Indian Panorama and Prof Saluja for organizing the event, and for holding the Holi/Hola celebration on Long Island a week earlier.

(Parveen Chopra is the Founding Editor of ALotusInTheMud.com, the premium Wellness and Spirituality web magazine published from New York.)