“I want to celebrate the contribution that the Punjabi community, the Sikh community has made to Australia. I do not think you find a better, more decent, more hardworking group of migrants. I see them every day in my community in Hornsby. It is the Sikh community that is running businesses, teaching our students, looking after our sick. They have made Australia the great country which it is.”
an event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vaisakhi. Source: Vivek Asri/SBS
These were the words of Matt Kean, New South Wales Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, when he was speaking at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vaisakhi.
The event organised at the parliament of NSW, the oldest parliament in Australia, started with a 10 minutes presentation on the life and works of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It gave us a very deep insight into the life and universal teachings of Guru Gobind Singh. Dr. Yadu Singh in his presentation said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was not just a religious figure but he was a visionary and a progressive leader who opposed superstitions and casteism too.
an event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vaisakhi. Source: Vivek Asri/SBS
The event had an array of distinguished speakers who praised the contribution of the Punjabi community and the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh ji. The speakers among others included Victor Dominello Minister for Finanace, Services and Property, Ms. Sophie Cotsis Shadow Minister for Women, Ageing and Disability, Jodi Mckay Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads, Maritime and Freight, Dr Geoff Lee Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Western Sydney and Multiculturalism.
NSW Minister of Multiculturalism Mr. Ray Williams praised the contribution of ethnic communities and advised the gathering that the government of NSW encourages migrant communities to learn their languages and mentioned about the recent fund of $11 mn announced by the NSW Government for community language schools.
an event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vaisakhi. Source: Vivek Asri/SBS
Mr Gurdeep Singh councillor for Hornsby gave a sterling speech on the life of Guru Gobind Singh ji and the significance of Vaisakhi. Quoting the Zafarnama written by Guru Gobind Singh ji in Farsi, he said:
Chu kar az hama heelt e dar guzshat,
Halal ast burdan ba shamsheer dast.
Which means- "When all modes of redressing the wrong having failed,
raising of sword is just.
The vibrant Giddah and Bhangara performances added colour to the evening. While a vote of thanks by Capt. Sarjinder Singh of Parklea Gurdwara Sahib brought the event to a very memorable end.
an event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vaisakhi. Source: Vivek Asri/SBS
