I.S. Saluja

RICHMOND HILL(TIP): Dedicated to the 549^th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Founder of Sikhism, world’s youngest and the fifth largest religion, Sikhs of New York took out an impressive  parade through Richmond Hill in Queens, New York, Saturday, November 17.

Organized by Gurdwara  Baba Makhan Shah Lubana, located in Richmond Hill, the colorful parade was a treat to watch. There was a  gorgeously decorated float  to carry the Living Guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Granth Sahib. This float was at the head of the parade. The Panj Piaras (the five beloveds of the Tenth Master Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji) marched ahead of the float carrying Shri Guru Granth Sahib , with ragis singing devotional hymns  and the priests attending on Guru Granth Sahib.

Behind the  float of Shri Guru Granth Sahib was a float of Sikh Martial  Art. Behind this float young and the old displayed  the traditional Sikh martial  art,  known as Gatka.

The large number of the Sikhs as also their friends from other communities joined the parade, which marched through the Liberty Avenue and then moved on to Atlantic Avenue,  from where it headed towards Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society on 118^thStreet . It finally terminated at the starting point- Gurdwara Makhan Shah Lubana on 114^thStreet and 101 Avenue.

All along the route of the parade,  participants and onlookers were served with snacks and food (langar). Sikhs follow a rich tradition of serving free food to all at all their shrines and at all celebrations.

Community leaders  paid rich tributes to Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. They were joined by politicians and leaders from other communities who spoke highly of  Guru Nanak, Sikhism,  and the Sikh community.

Sikhs will be celebrating the 550^thbirth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in November 2019.

Government of India has announced yearlong celebrations in all Indian missions abroad, in preparation for the grand 550^thbirth anniversary celebration  of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Government of Pakistan has extended invitation to Sikhs all over the world to visit Nanakana Sahib, the birth place of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on the occasion of the Master’s birth anniversary

Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, with headquarters in Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) Amritsar, as also Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) have announced ambitious plans to  have year long celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550^thbirth anniversary.

The Indian Panorama has launched with this edition year long celebration of the 550^thbirth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We will carry scholarly articles on Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and His faith to educate Sikh youth, as also non-Sikh readers of The Indian Panorama about the universal message of Guru Nanak who preached equality, brotherhood and charity- values which make life beautiful and the world a happier place to live in.