By Balwant Sanghera
We live in a global village. Social media and technology have advanced to such a stage that whenever and where ever an unusual event takes place in the world, within seconds, everyone knows about it. The on-going conflicts around the globe as well as the stresses and strains of daily life have made people recognise the need for peace- both internal and external. The places of worship are well equipped to meet the spiritual needs of people. The growing number of places of worship and the worshippers all around is a clear reflection of this. In this regard, a few kilometers of a road in Richmond have been playing a very important role not only for the local residents but also from people all around Metro Vancouver and elsewhere.
Richmond’s Highway to Heaven has become famous worldwide. This stretch of # 5 Road between Bridgeport Road and Steveston Highway has gained not only national but also international attention. It is unique to Richmond. India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, also popularly known as the #5 Road Gurdwara, was the first place of worship to be built along this road. Since then, more than twenty religious institutions, including a mosque, a Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Pagoda, a Monastery and many others representing various religious denominations, call No.5 Road their home. Representatives of most of these institutions meet on a fairly regular basis to discuss issues of mutual interest and promoting inter-faith and intercultural harmony. Most of these places of worship are managed by volunteer boards.
Like many other religious institutions, India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas is managed by an executive committee which is elected every three years by the members. The latest executive committee was acclaimed for a term of three years running from January 1 2015 to December 31, 2017 recently. The new executive comprises of: Chairman: Asa Singh Johal, President: Sohan Singh Basi, Vice President: Balbir Singh Jawanda, General Secretary: Mohan Singh Sandhu, Secretary: Chain Singh Batth, Assistant Secretary: Balwant Singh Sanghera, Treasurer: Ubed Singh Sidhu, ViceTreasurer: Amrik Singh Jawanda, Assistant Treasurer: Rana Singh Dulay, Directors: Darshan (Donny) Singh Basran, Surjit Singh Gill, Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Kashmir Kaur Johal, Manjit Kaur Johal and Dilbag Singh Johal.
Like many other places of worship Gurdwara Nanak Niwas is home to a number of community programs. These include the Art of Living Yoga classes, Kundalini Yoga classes, Seniors’ Yoga classes, Punjabi School and Chai Chaupal. In addition to that, youth activities and tournaments are held at these premises from time to time. The Gurdwara has also hosted a number of Inter-Faith Bridging seminars in order to promote intercultural harmony. It has taken a leadership role in organizing participation by the Highway to Heaven Association members in the Steveston’s Canada Day Parade. Students from various schools, colleges and universities in B.C., U.S. and other parts of the country visit the Gurdwara every year to learn about the Sikh religion as well as the Indo-Canadian community. On special occasions like the Diwali, Lohri, Vaisakhi and the New Year, the Gurdwara overflows with devotees. Like previous management committees, the current executive is also dedicated to serving the congregation and the community to the best of its ability.
Balwant Sanghera is a retired School Psychologist and Community Activist.
