Sikhs celebrate with goal of mutual understanding throughout community
Equality, self-reliance, mutual respect and sharing with the community under one God.
Living the guiding principles taught by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism, hundreds of Sikhs gathered at temples in Kamloops on Sunday and celebrated a modern twist —Know Your Neighbour Day.
The second annual event, this time bolstered by an official City proclamation, is intended to extend a hand community-wide in the interest of mutual understanding.
"It was the first guru of Sikhism's birthday on this day," said Jas Paul Sarao, who brought his two daughters with him to the Gurdwara Sahib Kamloops temple on Cambridge Street. "Basically, he is teaching us to work hard, to raise a family and that one-tenth of your wealth should be share with others who are needy."
All residents, Sikh and non-Sikh alike, were invited to share a luncheon, called Langar, and to bring donations to the Kamloops Food Bank.
"All of us come from different cities, different backgrounds," Kulwinder Singh Kular, president of the Sikh Cultural Society, told assembled worshippers and members of City council. "The City of Kamloops has always worked to make us feel at home."
 Priest Harnek Singh blesses holy items. |
 KSC Society President Kulwinder Singh Kular |
"People just weren't educated enough," he said.
The gathering also brought an opportunity to recognize Ambo Dhaliwal before her community. An active volunteer in a variety of community roles since she joined the Ladies Evening Auxiliary to RIH in 1967, Dhaliwal received the City's highest award, freeman of the city, earlier this year.
"It's for all my volunteers," she said humbly. "They're my unsung heroes. I accept it on behalf of all those men and women."
As part of the celebration of the founding guru, priests read the Sikh bible aloud in its entirety, starting on Friday and going all night and all day. It took 48 hours and a lot of background support, including meals.
"I didn't get home until 4 a.m.," Kular grinned.