US lawmakers greet Sikhs, laud their contribution on Baisakhi
WASHINGTON: Led by the House of Representatives speaker Paul Ryan, US lawmakers from both the Republican and the Democratic parties greeted Sikhs across the world on Baisakhi and praised their contribution in the country’s development.
“Wishing our Sikh-American neighbours and friends a happy Baisakhi!” Ryan said in a tweet on Friday when Sikhs across the globe observed the annual festival celebrating the spring harvest season.
Senator John Cornyn, co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, extended his greetings in a tweet. “Wishing our Sikh American neighbours and friends a happy Baisakhi!” Cornyn said.
“On this historically significant day for Sikhs, I’m wishing our Sikh American friends and neighbours a happy Baisakhi,” said Senator Gary Peters from Michigan.
“Wishing our Sikh-American neighbours, classmates, and colleagues a happy Baisakhi!” tweeted Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
Noting the historical relevance of the day, Senator Maria Cantwell said in a tweet, “Today, I’m wishing our Sikh- American friends a Happy Baisakhi! A historic day of celebration for Sikhs around the world!”
“On this historically significant day for Sikhs, I’m wishing all of our Sikh-American friends a very happy Baisakhi!” said Senator Ben Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“Happy Baisakhi to Rhode Island’s Sikh community & to our friends celebrating around the world!” tweeted Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Senators Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Marco Rubio and Martin Heinrich also issued the Baisakhi greetings. “Today and everyday, let’s honour the many contributions the #Sikh community has made to promote justice & equality in country & around the world,” said Congressman Joe Crowley.
“Wishing our Sikh American neighbours, friends & colleagues a happy Baisakhi,” tweeted Congressman Eliot Engel. Congressmen Brad Sherman, Doris Matsui, Suzan DelBene, Jim Costa, Jerry McNerney also joined their Congressional colleagues in greeting Sikhs on the occasion.
“On this historically significant day for Sikhs, I’m wishing our Sikh-American friends a happy Baisakhi,” tweeted Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “Happy Baisakhi/National Sikh Day/Creation of Khalsa Day to Hoosier Sikhs and the 30 million Sikhs across the world,” Congressman Luke Messer said.
The minority Sikh community from across the country are having parades and cultural events to celebrate the occasion.
Several governors and state assemblies also issued proclamations and statements to celebrate the occasion.
“Happy Baisakhi to Hoosier Sikhs & the 30 million Sikhs around the world!” said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
Delaware Assembly is observing April as ‘Sikh Awareness Month’. A resolution in the US House of Representatives recognising the historic, cultural and religious significance of Baisakhi has now more than a dozen co-sponsors.
In a statement, American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee welcomed greetings by the United Nations on Baisakhi.
SINGAPORE MINISTER PRAISES SIKHS ON BAISAKHI
Singapore Singapore’s Sikh community has been applauded for its vibrant culture as it celebrated Baisakhi with foreign workers, especially those from India. Noting foreign workers’ contribution to Singapore, Singapore’s education minister Ng Chee Meng welcomed the initiative of the Singapore Khalsa Association in organising traditional sports like Kabbadi and a carnival for them.
“Many of them (foreign workers) work in the construction industry and build our beautiful homes. While they are here, let’s show them the generosity and the warm-hearted nature of Singaporeans,” said Ng at the carnival which began yesterday. Ng also noted the vibrant presence of Singapore Sikhs.
“The size of Sikh community is 15,000 but your presence is disproportionate to your relative size to our population.
It shows the vibrancy of your culture, the spirit of the people – all demonstrated very much here (carnival) today,” said the minister. India’s High Commissioner to Singapore Jawed Ashraf joined the community at the carnival, where 27 artists from the Jalandhar-based Apeejay College of Fine Arts are performing.