Sikh event draws special visitor
Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan attended Saturday’s celebration that attracted people of all religions and cultures
Kelowna’s 7th annual Vaisakhi Parade had a special guest on Saturday. The Canadian Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, was in town for a few hours to attend the colourful event, which attracts thousands of people every year.
“This is not just a celebration for Sikhs; so many people in the community come out, and it’s a way of showcasing our diversity and respecting each other’s cultures,” Sajjan told The Okanagan Sunday at the parade. “It makes me very proud to be Canadian.” The festival, hosted by the Okanagan Sikh Temple, is one of the most significant holidays in the Sikh religion, celebrating the birth of the Sikh nation.
Saturday’s event attracted people of all religions and cultures from all over the valley.
“This event is getting bigger and bigger, and I’m really so happy that the weather turned out so good and the people are coming out,” said Paramjit Singh Patara, president of the Okanagan Sikh Temple. “It’s so colourful.”
Along with several floats, thousands of women in brightly coloured saris and men in turbans walked the streets during the parade.
There was also lots of food, music and performances for people to enjoy outside the temple.
“There will be food for 10,000 to 12,000 people all day long,” said Patara.
Mayor Colin Basran, who has family ties to the Sikh Temple, also attended the event.
“My great-grandfather came to Canada in 1907 from India, and my grandparents were founders of the Sikh Temple here in Kelowna,” said Basran.
“This is a really important day, and I often think about my grandparents, my great-grandparents and the contributions that they made to diversity in our community.”