Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan – Sydney

Second time in a row, the Sikh Sangat of Sydney took pride in organising a very successful Nagar Kirtan to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas i.e. Vaisakhi. Elaborate arrangements were made on 22nd April 2006 to take out this Nagar Kirtan from Gurdwara Sahib to the various streets of Glenwood. Taking advantage of the similar successful event of last Vaisakhi, Bhai Balwinder Singh Chahal and his team worked relentlessly to make this year’s Nagar Kirtan another big success. All the proper arrangements like traffic control, transportation and timing etc were made so perfectly that all went though very smoothly.
Sharp at 2PM the Nagar Kirtan started with ‘Ardas’ from Gurdwara Sahib with more than 2000 Sangat following Palki Sahib doing Kirtan and Gatka. Just like last year, this year also the Australian English families came out of their houses and waited along the sides of road to see this Nagar Kirtan. They were feeling more comfortable this year and asked various questions about Panj-Piare, Palki Sahib and Gatka etc. One of such families told me they had enjoyed the Nagar Kirtan last year as well and were looking forward for today’s event. They also said that they got aware of this Nagar Kirtan a week before (as the organisers had dropped pamphlets regarding this into mailboxes) and had mowed/cleaned the front yard of their house especially for this event. It was thus a great pleasure to see the interest and feelings in these English people towards Sikh religion and Sangat. Also it proved strongly that organising such events definitely have positive impact on broader communities.
Among many specialities of this year’s Nagar Kirtan, the most important one is that the speaker of NSW Parliament, Hon. John Aquilina and his wife attended this Nagar Kirtan for whole of the time by walking behind the Palki Sahib with folded hands. Mr Aquilina was donning a kesri turban and his wife was wearing a perfect Punjabi suit and had her head covered all the time with dupatta. Many thanks to our Veers of ‘Punjabi Council of Australia’ for inviting Mr Aquilina and his wife and briefing them all the way along. In the end of Nagar Kirtan Mr Aquilina shared with Sangat about how great he is feeling for receiving blessings of Waheguru Ji. He started his brief address with ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’ and ended with ‘Bole So Nehal, Sat Sri Akal’. Now we have to think hard that if these English born people can speak our language perfectly then why our children are drifting away from our culture, language and heritage? Why not we address each other with ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’ as well?
Another land mark of this year’s Nagar Kirtan was that, Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale (who currently is on Australia visit) also attended the Nagar Kirtan with his Jatha.
Just like last year, Bhai Amolak Singh Ji performed Gatka with a bigger and well trained Jatha this year. Some of the members had especially come from Brisbane and Melbourne.
All along the way, Sikh Sangat welcomed the Nagar Kirtan with sweet water, juices, soft drinks, fruits and sweets. This eventful day ended with magnificent fireworks in Gurdwara Sahib at night.
May Waheguru Ji to bless all the Sangat and especially the organisers with even more strength to carry out Nagar Kirtans like this for ever. Sikh Sangat should also co-operate whole heartedly for such noble causes.

To see snaps of this Nagar Kirtan please click below:

http://www.punjabexpress.com.au/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=16