MELBOURNE, 2 March 2024: The Namdhari Sikh Society of Australia, today celebrated ‘Basant Panchmi’ at the ‘Jagjeet Mandir’, with massive community participation and different faith representatives and political leaders. The participants included Dr. Sushil Kumar, Indian Consul General , Melbourne and community leaders.
The diverse participation was a highlight of the event as one after another diverse faith leaders praised the organisation, and its legendary leader Sri Satguru Ram Singh ji, known for his progressive social agenda. He is credited as being the first British Indian to use non-cooperation and boycott of British goods and services as a political tool. He initiated the Kuka movement for social reforms and resist the British rile. He was exiled to Rangoon, Maynmar (Burma) by the British colonial government of India on 18 January 1872.
Addressing those gathered, Dr. Sushil Kumar recalled the contributions of Sri Satguru Ram Singh ji in the Kuka movement against the British colonists and the endeavour to reform the social ills of society. Others who were present and some addressed at the event were Jason Wood MP, Member La Trobe, Emma Vulin MP, Michael Galea MP, Brad Barttin MP, Tom Mcintosh MP, Air India Pacific Regional Manager Shashi Kant, Manoj Kumar, Charanjit Singh Sodhi, and representatives of the Anglican Church, BAPS, Vedanta Society, Ahamadiyya Muslim Community, Nirankri Mandal, Durga Mandir, Uttrakhand community, Australia Haryana Association and Divyajyoti Mission, Rahul Singh, UPAA, and Ykendta Tamilsena, Consul General Nepal.
Others who graced the occasion included Nirmal Singh Namdhari, Anoop Singh, Sumittar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Jatinder Singh Johal, Harinder Singh, Birpal Singh, Ranbir Singh, Jagmit Singh and Amatjit Singh Bhurji.
The program was followed by langar and networking.
