Celebrations hit by Covid
SIKHS across Coventry have joined the world in celebrating Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi celebrates the birth of the Khalsa - a body of devout initiated Sikhs which was founded in 1699 by the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Gobind Singh was a spiritual leader, warrior, poet and philosopher.
However due to the pandemic this is the second year Coventry’s grand Vaisakhi parade has been cancelled.
Gurdwaras will still be open for limited worship, but celebrations will be much more muted due to social distancing and rules on household mixing.
We heard from members of Coventry’s Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash, who normally lead the city’s celebrations, on how this year will be different.
Coventry’s Vaisakhi parade would normally start at the Harnall Lane based Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash.
Gurchetan Singh from the Gurdwara said: “This year’s Vaisakhi celebrations will once again be interrupted by Covid-19. The togetherness that is usually felt during this time of year will be absent along with many of the faces I grew up seeing in my local Gurdwara, will have sadly passed on.
“The pandemic has shown us that the message of equality given to Sikhs by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is just as relevant to us today as it was in 1699 when the Khalsa was created.”
And reflecting on the last 12 months, he said: “Sadly, the events of the last twelve months - specifically Black Lives Matter, Sarah Everard’s death, the social, health and educational impacts of Covid19 has shown that as a society we have a long way to go.
“This also applies internationally where we have seen the world’s biggest protest in the form of the farmers’ protest in Delhi, Punjab and many other states in India.
“Many of Britain’s Sikhs have a direct link with Punjab and have been saddened to see the, elderly in particular having to fight for their livelihoods and that of their future generations.
“As Sikhs we take strength from our history and the fight for justice.
“There is no doubt that the events of Vaisakhi and what they represent are even today reminding the protesters their duty of standing up for what is right.”
Coventry streets would normally erupt in celebration for Vaisakhi.
The yearly Foleshill Vaisakhi parade would normally attract up to 20,000 visitors, and a procession would pick up floats from neighbouring Gurdwaras.
A float containing the Guru Granth Sahib, the religious scripture of Sikhism would normally lead the procession, and worshippers would sweep the roads clear before it passed through.
The procession would also include buses full of school children and the elderly, allowing those who might not otherwise be able to walk along the three mile route to take part.