Indian Newslink 15th April 2018 Digital Edition

APRIL 15, 2018
20 Baisakhi & New Year Special
A Festival of Joy with reverence and endearment
Sourced Content
Sikhs all over the world celebrate
‘Baisakhi’ or ‘Vaisakhi’ as
a Festival to commemorate the
establishment of the Khalsa
Panth.
According to the Sikh history, the
roots of Baisakhi go back to 1699
and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth
Guru of the Sikhs, who formed the
‘Kalsa,’ or the Brotherhood of Saint
Soldiers to fight against tyranny and
oppression.
The story of Baisakhi also related
to the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur,
the ninth Sikh Guru who was
publicly beheaded by Aurungzeb,
the Mughal ruler.
Aurungzeb wanted to spread Islam
in India, but Guru Teg Bahadur
stood up for the rights of Hindus and
Sikhs and the Mughals therefore saw
him as a threat.
After the death of Guru Teg, his
son, Guru Gobind Singh became the
next Guru of the Sikhs.
He was keen to instil courage,
strength and spirit of sacrifice
among his fellow men. He chose
Baisakhi Day at Keshgarh Sahib near
Anandpur on March 30, 1699 to fulfil
his dream.
When thousands of people assembled
on the occasion, Guru Gobind
Singh came out of the tent carrying
an unsheathed sword. He gave a
powerful speech to infuse courage
amongst fellowmen.
At the end of the speech, he said
that every great sacrifice accompanied
every great deed and asked
those prepared to sacrifice their lives
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Guru Granth Sahib, the Eternal Guide Five volunteers of Sri Kalgidhar Sahib Gurudwara symbolise the ‘Panj Piare’
to step forward.
A young man offered himself
for sacrifice at this third call. The
Guru took him inside the tent and
reappeared alone with a bloodied
sword. Guru Gobind Singh asked for
another volunteer. This was repeated
until five Sikhs had gone into the
tent with the Guru. Everyone present
was worried and thought that he had
killed the five young men.
At this point, the Guru presented
all the five men before the people.
Everyone was surprised to see
them alive, wearing turbans and
saffron-coloured garments.
The Blessed Five
The Guru called the five men ‘Panj
Piare’ or the ‘Beloved Five.’
The Guru blessed them at a Pahul
ceremony.
In an iron vessel, he stirred with
a sword called ‘Khanda Sahib,’ the
batasha that his wife Mata Sundari Ji
had put into water. The congregation
recited verses from scriptures as
the Guru performed the sacred
ceremony.
The water was now considered
the sacred nectar of immortality or
‘Amrit.’
It was first given to the five
volunteers, followed by the Guru
and the other people present. With
this ceremony, all those present, irrespective
of caste or creed, became
members of the Khalsa Pantha (the
Order of the Pure Ones).
The Guru regarded the Panj Piare
as the first members of the Khalsa.
With the constitution of the Panj
Piare, the so-called high and low
castes were amalgamated into one,
known as ‘Khatri’(shopkeeper), ‘Jat’
(farmer), ‘Chhimba’ (calico printer)
‘Ghumar’ (water-carrier) and ‘Nai,’
(Barber).
The Transformation
The Guru gave the surname of
Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and took
the name for himself. From Guru
Gobind Rai, he became Guru Gobind
Singh.
This was seen as a great step in
national integration because society
at that time was divided based on
religion, caste and social status.
Guru Gobind Singh also bestowed
on Khalsa, a unique Sikh identity.
He directed Sikhs to wear five
Ks, namely Kesh (long hair), Kanga
(comb), Kirpan (dagger), Kachera
Greetings from us
(shorts) and Kara (bracelet).
Guru Gobind Singh discontinued
the tradition of Gurus and asked all
Sikhs to accept Guru Granth Sahib as
their Eternal Guide.
He urged them to come to him
with their hair and beard unshorn to
get baptised by the sword.
Source: Baisakhi Festival of Sikhs
One of the greatest attributes
of the Sikh community
is the enthusiasm
and religious fervour
displayed by its members to
mark events and festivals of
significance.
They are also known for their
spirit of enterprise and goodwill
and the ability to bring together
other ethnic groups.
These will be evident at
Baisakhi Festival that would
be observed by the community
throughout New Zealand during
April.
Thousands of people will visit
various Gurdwaras located
throughout the country to participate
in the religious programmes,
speeches and sports
events. They would, in the process,
foster the spirit of goodwill
and understanding.
The management and staff of
Indian Newslink extend their
best wishes to readers, advertisers,
contributors, well-wishers
and others on the occasion of
Baisakhi and sincerely hope that
the advent of the harvest season
would enable them to reap the
rewards of their hard work and
enterprise.
They also extend their best
wishes to all people of Indian origin
celebrating New Year and
other festivals this month. May
the New Year bring with it peace,
harmony, success and prosperity.
Wishing all
our Punjabi
friends a happy
& prosperous
Baisakhi 2018.
From the Labour Ethnic
Communities Team
Please contact Michael Wood, Member of Parliament,
Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Ethnic
Communities on michael.wood@parliament.govt.nz
or 09 624 2278 and contact the Ethnic Communities Team.
/multiculturallabour
labour.org.nz
Authorised by Michael Wood, Parliament Buildings, Wellington