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All join Sikhs to celebrate peace
message of scriptures
Dr. Amrik Singh
 Sacramento:
Underscoring the universal application of the message of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib and marking the 300th year of the guruship
of the scriptures, members of interfaith groups joined Sacramento
Valley Sikhs in a march for world peace on October 11.
In the first leg
of the Rally, members of the Interfaith groups and Sikhs gathered at
the
Southside Park where Sikh leaders drew attention to the significance
of Tercentenary Celebrations worldwide. A specially customized
vehicle carried Guru Granth Sahib as the leading float of the rally.
Sikhs and other participants followed in a march to the Capitol in
Downtown Sacramento. An array of California State leaders,
Assemblymen, Senators, Mayor of Sacramento and Interfaith leaders
gathered on the lush green lawns of the Capitol to deliver their
Special Message to Sikhs for their efforts to create mutual
understanding among people of diverse ethnicities and religious
backgrounds.
At the Capitol,
Lt Gov of California John Garamendi, in his keynote address, praised
Sikhs for their hard work, positive attitude, and a spirit of
sharing with other communities. President of the State Senate,
Senator Darrel Steinberg, declared that Sikhs were always welcome to
the State Capitol as special invitees. Mayor of Sacramento Ms.
Heather Fargo mentioned how on September 13, 2001 only two days
after 9/11, Sikhs came out in a big way to extend moral and
financial support to victims of twin towers tragedy.
NBA star and
Mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson waited long for his turn to deliver
his message. Assemblyman of 9th District David Jones
presented a special Peace Resolution on behalf of the California
State Assembly thus making Tercentenary celebration historical for
California.
 Mike Moran of
Spiritual
Life Center, Interfaith Service Bureau said Guru Granth Sahib’s
message was evident in the enthusiasm of Sikhs to reach others.
Ex-President David Thompson said love and peace in action was needed
to remove doubts and ignorance.
Jay Alan, Deputy
Director of Communication, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security,
Supervisor Mariko Yamada, Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Councilmember
Mark Johannessen, the City of West Sacramento, Ms. Durriya Syed,
President of Interfaith Bureau Service, Don Saylor, Mayor Pro tem
City of Davis were among those who addressed the audience.
Earlier, Bhai
Ranjit Singh of West Sacramento Gurdwara started the Capitol Rally
with the Sikh Prayer. Giani Wadhawa Singh Gill, religious advisor,
emphasized to recognize the all pervasive Fatherhood of God. S.
Mohinder Singh Sandhu, General Secretary of West Sacramento Gurdwara,
and Dr. Gurinder Singh Kanwar conducted the stage events very
successfully.
Dr. Gurtej Singh
Cheema, Dr. Narinder Singh Parhar, President of Bradshaw Gurdwara,
S. JP Singh of Sikh Gurdwara, El Sobrante, S. SS Raikhy, a CEO, S.
Jaswinder Singh Jandy of Gurdwara Fremont, S. Balbir Singh Dhillon,
President of Gurdwara West Sacramento, and S. Darshan Singh Mundy,
Public Relations Officer expressed their ideas on the significance
of the Tercentenary Celebrations all over the world. A message from
Sri Akal Takht Sahib was also read out.
At the Southside
Park, Mr. Kawal Bolina read a message on behalf of the entire
Northern
California
sadh sangat. Among others who addressed the gathering were S.
Paramjit Singh, Gen. Sec., Shri Sach Khand
Sahib, S. Maheshinder Singh, Gen.
Sec., Sikh Gurdwara Roseville, Amar Baidwan of Shri Guru Ravidas
Temple Rio Linda, Taran Hundal & Amandeep Dhariwal of Sunday School.
An airplane with
the message “Guru Granth Sahib 300 Years Peace Recipe” hovered in
the sky throughout the ceremonies. An estimated eight thousand
people took part in the celebrations. Free breakfast, lunch, snacks
and beverages were served in plenty.
15 October 2008
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