Surrey Vaisakhi Nagar Keertan Route Remains Unchanged

March 29th, 2006 by admin

Vaisakhi sadh sangatSURREY, BC - The recent petitions of the Surrey Sikh sangat proved effective as the committee of Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar began announcing during its regular programs from Monday onwards that the traditional Vaisakhi nagar keertan route, contrary to recent reports, will not be changed. Tuesday evening, after the keertan deevan at the Gurdwara Sahib, the Granthi Singh announced that the City of Surrey and Surrey RCMP and Fire Departments had accepted the requests from the committee of Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in reaction to pressures from the general sangat to keep the route as it has been for several years now.

Safety Concerns
Initially, individuals representing the Emergency Response (Ambulance, Fire, Police) services had complained that the Nagar keertan should not pass through 124 Street, between 82nd Avenue and 84 Avenue, which is a narrow residential street, because it would be extremely difficult for emergency vehicles to make their way to the scene of an emergency should there be a need on April 15, the day of the nagar keertan. This concern has been resolved with the arrangement for two ambulance and two fire-rescue vehicles to accompany the nagar keertan at a cost of $50, 000 additional to the sangat.

Gurmat vs. Manmat
Several gurmat-minded Gursikhs explained that the passing of the nagar keertan through 82nd Avenue and 124th Street made stall preparations for the nagar keertan easier for the sangat of Guru Nanak Academy, Khalsa School, and Gurdwara Amrit Parkash. On the other hand, had the nagar keertan continued straight down 128th Street instead of turning onto 82nd Avenue, the businesses on 128th Street would have had the opportunity to over commercialize the nagar keertan on its way out, and its way back, as they have often attempted to do in past years. Shameless acts of selfless promotion by politicians, bhangra stars, and commercial groups has been a common occurance during the nagar keertan. Keeping the nagar keertan around the 128th Street shopping area for so many hours would turn the nagar keertan into a bhangra music / social festival rather than a festival of faith, devotion, love, truth, and celebration of the Khalsa.

For more information, please contact sikhyouth@shaw.ca or visit www.bcsikhyouth.com

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