The Punjabi Council of Australia celebrated the Vaisakhi festival for the 11th consecutive year at the NSW Parliament. The event was kindly hosted by the Hon. John Robertson who elaborated on the significance of Vaisakhi and the contributions of the Sikh community in Australia. He mentioned that the Sikh community has made Australia home since 150 years and contributed towards it's economy and culture.
The event was attended by the community not just from NSW but also from Melbourne and Darwin. Present on this occasion was a Galaxy of Parliamentarians that included HE Naveep Suri Indian High Commissioner, MP Geoff Lee representing the Premier of NSW, MP's Jodi McKay, Prue Carr, Hugh McDermott, Guy Zingari, Jihad Dib, Edmund Cr Edmond Atalla David Ellicott, Jeoff Lee, Julia Finn and Peter Primrose, Daniel Mookhi, Lynda Burney and many others.
The President of the Punjabi Council of Australia Mr Moninder Singh praised the Parliamentary system that gives communities the liberty to celebrate their religion and culture and also participates in it. The Hon. Luke Foley leader of the opposition spoke about the community of Woolgoolga and reminded the audience of the sacrifices made by the Sikh soldiers in Anzac. The High Commissioner Mr Suri praised the Sikh community for it's contributions and retaining it's culture and traditions while simultaneously assimilating in this society.
The highlights of the evening were a Shabad presented by young kids and a vibrant traditional Punjabi dance by young ladies. High achievers in the community ranging from wrestlers, sportsmen, Community workers, writers and philanthropists were duly awarded for their achievements.
The surge of pride was palpable as many of the parliamentarians ended their speech with "Wahe Guru ji da Khalsa, Wahe Guru ji di fatah."
