NEW YORK(TIP): A delegation of Sikh community leaders met New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, October 2, to invite him to grand celebrations on the occasion of  550^thbirth anniversary of their First Master Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in the middle of November this year.

Mayor de Blasio accepted the invitation, according to Mr. Raghbir Singh Subhanpur  who led the delegation.

Mr. Singh told The Indian Panorama  that the Mayor had accepted some of their demands which included renaming  of the 118^thStreet in Richmond Hill after Guru Nanak Dev Ji, declaring Guru Nanak’s birthday  a special holiday, and teaching about Guru Nanak and Sikhism in New York City schools.

Mayor de Blasio invited the community leaders to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday at his official residence, according to Mr. Singh.

Mayor de Blasio already celebrates quite a few religious and social occasions at his official residence. Guru Nanak Dev ji’s birthday will be another addition to such celebrations.

Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s followers number around 25 million the world over, and Sikhism- the religion he founded,  is the youngest and the fifth largest religion of the world. US is home to more than half a million Sikhs while New York has a Sikh population of around 100,000.

Sikhs are a hardworking and God-fearing community . Wherever they go, they must establish a gurdwara. In New York City and Long Island , there are more than a dozen gurdwaras where Sikhs offer their prayers and run free kitchens  round the clock where food  is served free to all who walk in, regardless of the color and creed of the visitor.

Sikhs have contributed tremendously to the growth of communities and have done countries of their adoption proud by being responsible and patriotic citizens.

The delegation comprised of Sikh leaders from various gurdwaras of New York. They included Dr. Ranjit Singh, Kuldip Singh Dhillon, Gurdev Singh Kang, Raghbir Singh Subhanpur, Gurmit Singh Mahmatpur, Himat Singh Sarpanch, Mohinder Singh Taneja, and Kirpal Singh Billing.