Organisers of a parade to celebrate a holy Sikh festival which saw thousands of people take to the streets of Telford have thanked everyone who supported the event.
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| The parade winds its way through the streets of Oakengates |
April 15, 2014: Sikhs travelled from all over the Midlands to take part in the annual festival of Vaisakhi to mark what Indians in the Punjab regard as harvest festival.
Those behind the parade today described it as a “wonderful experience” and said they hoped to make it a regular fixture in Telford for years to come.
Vaisakhi, marks the birth of Sikhism as a collective faith in 1699 and also marks the Sikh New Year.
The parade – known as Nagar Kirtan – was the second such event held in Telford after the success of last year’s celebrations.
Roads around north Telford were closed on Sunday for the procession. Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is celebrated each year on April 13 or 14 and marks the Sikh New Year.
Jag Singh Mattu, one of the organisers, has thanked all the firms and volunteers who helped make the day such a special event.
He said: “The Telford Nagar Kirtan was an exciting, wonderful experience. Telford’s second parade couldn’t have happened without the support and help of the Telford Sikh congregation, non-Sikh community and local companies.
“I would like to thank all for showing so much support, help and dedication. We hope we can pull off more events like this in the future for Telford. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of Telford who lined the streets and came out of their houses to welcome the parade. These events are only possible with the support of the whole Telford community.”
Special thanks go to Guru Nanak Gurdwara, in Hadley, the Guru Nanak Darbar in Oakengates, Khushdil Group, Sutton Maddocks Vehicle Rentals, 3s Printing, Prestige Printing, M&B Coaches, Telford & Wrekin Council & Highways department, West Mercia Police, Johal Dairies, MCM Traffic Managment, the marshalling team and Telford timbers.