World Leaders have wished the Sikh community around the world a Happy Vaisakhi 2022.
Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival and is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar.
It is a spring festival which takes place on the 13th or 14th April every year and marks the start of the Punjabi New Year, but it is also a day to celebrate 1699 – the year when Sikhism was born as a collective faith.
Taking to social media to celebrate the occasion, World Leaders such as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour Leader Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the Sikh community a Happy Vaisakhi today (14 April).
Sharing a video message on Twitter, Mr Johnson tweeted: “Wishing Sikhs in the UK and around the world all the joy and happiness of Vaisakhi. Thank you for everything you do for our country.”
Wishing Sikhs in the UK and around the world all the joy and happiness of Vaisakhi.
Thank you for everything you do for our country. pic.twitter.com/H6KLZzyUNk
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 14, 2022
The Labour Party posted graphic art as tribute, tweeting: “The Labour Party wishes British Sikhs and your families a very happy #Vaisakhi.”
The Labour Party wishes British Sikhs and your families a very happy #Vaisakhi. pic.twitter.com/0L24IXLyql
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) April 14, 2022
Sir Starmer also visited Croydon Gurdwara to celebrate Vaisakhi alongside the Sikh community. Sharing a video of his visit, the Labour Leader tweeted: “I wish you and your families a very happy Vaisakhi.”
I wish you and your families a very happy Vaisakhi. pic.twitter.com/d7fi6Oo1bw
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 14, 2022
PM Modi shared two images with a message written in both Punjabi and English alongside the tweet: “Best wishes on the special occasion of Baisakhi.”
Best wishes on the special occasion of Baisakhi. pic.twitter.com/1quwFoRKyM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2022
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh chose the festival as the moment to establish the Khalsa – the collective name bestowed to Sikhs who’ve been baptised.
At the festival, Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent bearing a sword and said that any Sikh prepared to give his life for his faith should enter the tent.
One-by-one, five men entered the tent and the Guru came out alone with blood on his sword – which worried the crowds – until the five men then came out from the tent unharmed and wearing turbans.
The five volunteers became known as Panj Piare or the ‘Beloved Five’ – and they were to be the first members of the Khalsa. They were baptised by the Guru who sprinkled them with Amrit, which is the Sikh word for holy water.
This ritual became the basis of the Sikh baptism ceremony.
