Short write-up on Vaisakhi to share with non-Sikhs...

Sangat Ji, I have written a short article for the local newspaper and to share with work. Please feel free to use and adapt the below article as an opportunity to share the message of Sikhi during Vaisakhi.

Spring is an important time of the year for the Sikh community. Just as spring marks new beginnings and new life, the Sikh spring festival of Vaisakhi (pronounced ‘vai-saa-khee’), which falls this year on 14th April, marks the beginning of Sikhs being formalised into a community of the faithful, known as the ‘Khalsa’, dedicated to thoughtful activism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru and founder of the Sikh faith, came on this earth in 1469. Through nine other succeeding gurus the Sikh faith was revealed, and the final picture of the ideal Sikh and the ideal divine-conscience community was completed with the inauguration of the ‘Khalsa’ on the spring festival of Vaisakhi in 1699.

Just as the trees embrace change and blossom with a new identity in spring, the Sikh community was given a fresh lease of life and its distinctive identity (the ‘Panj Kakkaar’ known as the ‘5 Ks’) was consolidated. In 1699, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, in a unique initiation ceremony, initiated five daring and faithful Sikhs who had stepped forward and passed a test of faith. This new form of the Sikh community, known as Khalsa (the sovereign ones) was to be loyal to the one God, to serve and protect others, and become beacons of holiness and spirituality for the world.

The Tenth Guru gave all Sikh men the suffix name of ‘Singh’ (meaning ‘lion’), which was a royal name in India at the time. It was to remind Sikhs to be brave and courageous. All Sikh women were given the suffix name of ‘Kaur’ (meaning ‘crown prince). At a time when women had to change their names for their husband, have no inheritance rights and suffer from inequality, the Guru uplifted the status of women with the name ‘Kaur’ representing equality as the crown prince is entitled to the inheritance.

This time of year reminds Sikhs of their commitments to their faith and their responsibilities towards serving humanity and fighting against social injustice for all.

  Wishing you all a happy Vaisakhi and good wishes.