LOS ANGELES: Like every year, the Vaisakhi Kirtan Darbar was held at Convention Center in Los Angeles on April 7. It started at 7:45 a.m. with musical Jaap Sahib Kirtan and then it was followed by Baljeet Singh from Apple Valley Gurdwara and by Jatinder Singh from Dashmesh Gurdwara.
From 8:40 to 11:00 Kirtan was done by Ujlaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation Children, Punjabi Gurmeet School, Walnut Gurdwara, Santa Hanna Punjabi Children School, Valley Sikh Temple Punjabi School, Riverside Gurdwara, Khalsa Care Foundation, Guru Ram Das Ashram Khalsa youth Group, Guru Ram Das Ashram Celestial Communication, students of Raj Academy, Gurmeet Singh students of Los Angles and Mughal Jathas Buena Park Gurdwara Bhai Mardana Institute Jatha Bhai Mardana Academy.
Then from 11:00 to 12:16 Ragi Jathas of Southern California performed Kirtan including Bhai Naid Singh from Riverside, Bhai Surjeet Singh, New Buena Park Gurdwara, Bhai Nirmal Singh Valley Sikh Temple, International Institute of Gurmat Studies, Bhai Ajit Singh Nimana from Ventura Gurdwara, Bhai Bhupinder Singh from Sikh Temple Alhambra, and Bhai Gurdeep Singh from Lankershim Gurdwara.
A message in a letter to the congregation was given from Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur and Suri Sukhwinder Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa. Also Kirtan was done by Bhai Dharam Veer Singh from Sikh temple Palm Springs. Amongst the VIPs who addressed the congregation were US congressman Judy Chu, California State Controller John Chiang and Los Angles city councilman Dennis Zine and also Kirtan was done by Bhai Teja Singh from Sikh Center Santa Anna.
The spirit of Baisakhi awards were given to Mohinder Singh of India Journal, Khalsa Care foundation, volunteers of Khalsa Care Foundation Sardar Didar Singh dance by Jathar Singh, Simran Kaur Khalsa, Siri Kaur Khalsa, Gurbarkar Singh Kaseem, and Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Walnut, There was an interesting show of Kirtan by five Jathas together. and by Kirtan Jatha of Buena Park Gurdwara, Guru Nanak Sikh Temple of Buena Park Bhai Jatinder Singh and his Jatha.
Congregation was also addressed by Dr. Amrit Singh, a cardiologist from Long Beach. He mentioned that Kakar keeping started from Guru Nanak Dev Ji. When Mardana joined Guru Nanak Dev Ji during his preaching, he was instructed not to cut his hair anytime, not to sing any other song on his instruments except Gurbani and not to use any illicit drugs.
A mela like picture was formed by the Indian community vendors displaying dresses, jewelry, and Punjab history. There was a great camaraderie between the participants. There were endless refreshments of pakoras, gulab jamuns, tea and Guru ka Langer. All gurdwaras of Southern California contributed for the Langer and various locals volunteered the help. After the prayer and conclusion of the function, the huge gathering of the Sikhs outside the convention center gathered before marching for a Sikh Parade – Nagar Kirtan. The Sikh Parade included various groups of martial arts of Sikhs, that is Gatkas. There was continued Kirtan and recitation of God’s name during the parade.
Earlier there was a Sikhs baptization ceremony of Amrit Sanchar at Guru Ram Das Ashram.
The Vaisakhi program was planned and conducted by Kirtan Singh. Floats service was done at Khalsa Care Foundation under the superb guidance and leadership of Gurdip Singh Malik, who showed outstanding dedication.
Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Chairman of Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America (GRDSMA) and “Ambassador of Sikh Dharma” in the USA, greeted everyone attending the Baisakhi celebrations.
India Post News Service
