MELBOURNE, 25 November 2023: The Sikh and Indian community in the Southeast region began the 3-day celebrations of the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikh faith- Guru Nanak Dev today. Several community members from different faiths, ethnicities and organisations attended the event. The festivities started with the visit of the Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt, MP to the Officer Gurdwara ‘Siri Guru Nanak Darbar’ (Sikh Temple).
Other parliamentarians that joined to congratulate the Sikh and Indian community on the day included Lee Tarlamis, Member for South-eastern Metropolitan, Michael Galea, Member for South-eastern Metropolitan, Emma Vulin, Member for Pakenham, Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Cr Stephanie Davies, Cardinia Shire Council, Cr Collin Ross, Cardinia Shire Council and Sylvia Coombe, VMC Commissioner.
In his welcome address , Harpreet Singh Kandra said, ‘We the Sikh community are privileged and thankful to all of you for finding time to join us as we celebrate the Prakash Purab of the founder of Sikh faith ‘Guru Nanak Dev ji’, who was born in 1469. On behalf of our congregation, I welcome you all from the core of our hearts’.
Emphasis was made on the five principles advocated by Guru Nanak Dev ji, as he travelled to different parts of the world, which include- Vaand Chhako (sharing and caring), Kirat karo (honest living), Sarbat daa bhalaa (everyone’s wellbeing), Naam japo (meditate on the Name of one God) and speak the truth without any fear.
Minister Ingrid Stitt congratulated the Sikh and Indian community on their contributions to Victoria, in line with the principles of Guru Nanak’s teachings. She, in particular, cited the food relief provided by the Sikh community during several calamities, including Covid. She told the congregation that several buildings will be lit on the day of Guru Nanak’s birthday- to mark an acknowledgement of the contributions made by over 91,000 Victorian Sikhs.
Harpreet Singh told those present that as a young Gurdwara, established in January 2019, the selfless volunteers have worked tirelessly to promote social cohesion, compassion, sustainable development, value creation and productivity.
The Gurdwara presented a document summarising the contributions of community such as producing recipe books during the pandemic to help the community overcome mental stress; and organising several sessions for world peace, most recently for peace in Middle east.
He stated that ‘The proof of the pudding is that some of the wider community members have told us that they are proud that we decided to make Australia our home!’
The team at the Gurdwara have a big dream to become a Carbon neutral Gurdwara- the first one in Australia and the World and progressively making efforts to achieve this, he said.
