Norwich City in Connecticut became first one to declared April 14th as National Sikh Day

Norwich, Connecticut, USA: Vaisakhi for Sikhs which is celebrated all over the world on April 14th according to Mool Nanakshai Calender has been recognised by City of Norwich,Connecticut USA as “National Sikh Day”.

Vaisakhi also know as Khalsa Sirjana Diwas ,a day on which Sikh identity was made and Articles of faith (5 kakkkars) came to existence.

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa Active member of East Coast Sikh Coordination Committee & Member Commission of City Plan along with Other leaders of Community played important role in preparing this Proclamation.

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa said “This recognition (Proclamation) will not only open door ways for other Cities to declare but it is also a foundation stone to declare April 14th as National Sikh Day at National Level”.

Deb Hinchey Mayor of Norwich and Peter Nystrom Former Mayor and present City Council members presented Sikh Community the proclamation.
Other City Council Members also supported the Proclamation and stood in solidarity with Sikh Community.

Sikh Community of American thanked both Deb Hinchey and Peter Nystrom for accepting their request and declaring this Holy day as National Sikh Day.

On this occasion Sikh Leaders from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were present in large numbers.

Himmat Singh Coordinator of East Coast Coordination Committee and representatives of Sikhs for Justice human rights group also came Specially to participate in the event.

Guruninder Singh Dhaliwal, Kanwalpreet Singh Atwal, Kulwant Singh Samra from Southington Gurudwara Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh from Windsor Gurudwara Sahib,Manmohan Singh Bharara, Kuljit Singh,

Sikh Sewak Society International is Also running Vaisakhi Campaign this year in Norwich in which educational Billboards and Bus shelter signs will be installed in City to create awareness among people about Sikhism.

Also on April 8th 2017 this year East Coast Coordination Committee is organizing National Sikh Day Parade in Washington D.C to raise the issues of hate Crime at National level.

PROCLAMATION:

City of Norwich

Mayors Office

Deberey Hinchey, Mayor

Proclamation

Whereas Sikhism is a religion founded in the Punjab region of South Asia over five centuries ago and introduced to the United States in the 19th century;

Whereas Sikhism is the fifth largest world independent religion with ap- proximately 30 million adherents from diverse back- grounds throughout the world, including 700,000 adherents in the United States;

Whereas Sikhs in the United States pursue diverse professions and walks of life, making rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States, including service as members of the United States Armed Forces;

Whereas Vaisakhi is one of the most religiously significant days in Sikh history, commemorating the creation of the Khalsa, a fellowship of devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699;

Whereas the Sikh religion is based on a belief in one God and the equality of all human beings; and

Whereas the celebration of Vaisakhi includes performing Seva (selfless service), such as providing free meals to all visitors to Sikh Gurdwaras (Houses of Worship);

NOW THEREFORE,I,MAYOR DEBEREY HINCHEY AND CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM,PETER ALBERT NYSTROM. ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH,do hereby wish the Sikh American community a joyous Vaisakhi celebration on April 14, 2017 (Mool Nanakshai Sikh Calender) and Declare Vaisakhi Day as “NATIONAL SIKH DAY”.