The brazen killing of Surrey Gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 was a traumatic event for many Canadian Sikhs last year. Yet to stay positive and rise even in times of adversity is what defines the spirit of the Sikh community. The Sikh Heritage Month in BC was launched on Saturday, March 30 celebrating this same spirit of resilience called “Chardi Kala.”
The theme for Sikh Heritage Month BC 2024 is “Chardi Kala,” meaning a positive and uplifted state of mind. Chardi Kala, a Sikh concept centered around high spirits, optimism and resilience, calls on all individuals to treat adversity as a catalyst for growth, faith and community.
“The Sikh community is no stranger to adversities. The year 2024 is a significant year for every important event Sikhs have gone through historically. It is the 325th anniversary of Vaisakhi of 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh ji created Khalsa, it is the 105the anniversary of the Jalianwala Bagh incident, it is the 110th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident and the 40th anniversary of the Sikh Genocide. The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognizing foreign interference behind it in the House of Commons was something that raised high levels of concern in the Sikh community. The only way our community can get through such traumatic incidents is through Chardi Kala. This year is really big and what better year to celebrate resilience,” said Jasleen Kaur Sidhu Director of Education, Sikh Heritage BC.
Sikh Heritage BC is an effort by Sikh Heritage Society BC which is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization. Across Canada, the Government of Canada officially recognized Sikh Heritage Month on April 30, 2019. This designation cements April as “Sikh Heritage Month,” underscoring the significance of preserving and celebrating Sikh culture.
Mohnaam Kaur Shergill Media Coordinator asked everyone to join and explore the bounds of Chardi Kala through a series of in-person events aimed at encouraging intercultural dialogue and spreading awareness about the contributions Sikh Canadians have made to the province of British Columbia for well over a century.
“We hope that British Columbians will take advantage of these events, and join us in celebrating the history and culture of the Sikh community,” said Shergill. “If you’ve ever wondered why we look the way we do, or why so many of us find ourselves actively involved in politics and social justice, then these events are for you.”
“Thank you to Sikh heritage BC for organizing and inviting us to today’s event and for your years of advocacy and support for your community. As I shared Premier’s message, today’s event marks the start of a month-long celebration of the enormous social, cultural, and economic contributions that Sikhs have made to our province. Canada’s first gurdwara opened in Vancouver more than a century ago. Since then, BC’s Sikh community has grown to become one of the largest in the world and helped shape the province we live in today. Even through challenging times, Sikhs have been strong champions for human rights and upheld the values of generosity, compassion and service for others. From providing food and shelter to people displaced by extreme weather events to vaccine clinics hosted at gurdwaras, Sikhs have been there to support their fellow British Columbians. British Columbia is proud to be the most culturally diverse province in Canada, and our govt is committed to making BC a more inclusive place for everyone to call home,” said Harry Bains.
This year Sikh Heritage Month was launched on March 30, 2024, at the Surrey City Hall. Guests enjoyed live performances, a sneak peak of arts event. This event also included official recognition of SHBC’s five scholarship recipients and celebration of three ‘Community Changemakers’.
Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra, Rumneek Johal, Jaspreet Singh Malik received the Community Changemakers’ award.
This year, Sikh Heritage BC has specifically curated a series of events throughout the month of April which aim to educate the public and create awareness around the resilience of Canadian Sikhs, and their commitment to justice and equality
Sikhs Speak: Embracing Chardi Kala – April 6, 2024 at Simon Fraser University Surrey, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. In partnership with the Sikh Students Associations of KPU, SFU and UBC, participants can join for an enlightening event where Sikhs from all walks of life come together to share their stories, experiences and wisdom.
Kaum (“Community”) – a live and interactive art exhibit at Surrey City Hall, April 14, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm. It will be an evening of art, performance and storytelling, celebrating Sikh resilience throughout the centuries. Reflecting on 40 years since the 1984 Sikh Genocide, Kaum will explore the past, present and future of Chardi Kala in the face of oppression. The kaum, or ‘community’, is a critical source of strength, solace and political direction and offers a well of inspiration for the visual art, film, poetry and music to be featured at Sikh Heritage Month’s flagship event.
1984: The Female Perspective – April 21, 2024 at Khalsa School, Old Yale Road, 2:30 – 4:30 pm. In partnership with the World Sikh Organization of Canada, join for a riveting discussion about the impact of 1984 on the Sikh community, through an exploration of resilience, faith and community, all told from the female perspective.
Blossoming: Eeshar Singh, Live in Concert, April 26, 2024 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6:30-9:00 pm. An intimate, immersive and musical evening with renowned musician and composer Eeshar Singh from the UK. Join us and be immersed in the meditative sounds of his Santoor, atmospheric synths, and the powerful boom of the Nagara. This event will also feature a discussion on the rich heritage of the Sikh musical and storytelling tradition, celebrating the completion of Season 1 of the Suraj Podcast X.
In addition to the aforementioned events, SHBC will also be hosting a number of partnered events throughout the month. Further details can be found at Sikh Heritage BC. SHBC’s education project also features five $1,500 scholarships. These scholarships are being awarded to current grade 12 students attending a post-secondary institution in September 2024, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or status.
They include the Bhai Mardana Ji Arts Scholarship, the Bibi Harnam Kaur Ji Leadership Scholarship, the Mata Bhaag Kaur Ji Athletics Scholarship, the Mata Khivi Ji Community Service Scholarship, and the Sant Teja Singh Ji Academic Achievement Scholarship. “In keeping with our mandate, these scholarships are a key element of our education project,” said Jasleen Kaur Sidhu.
“Although applications have now closed, we will formally recognize the scholarship recipients at the onset of Sikh Heritage Month. We hope funding opportunities like these will assist young British Columbians in pursuing their dreams and making an impact in their communities.”
For more information please visit: Education — Sikh Heritage BC. SHBC has also added a series of new lesson plans to supplement those which were unveiled in previous years, including lesson plans on Vaisakhi, Diwali, Jallianwala Bagh and 1984. These lesson plans aim to incorporate Sikh voices and stories into BC classrooms and are created by teachers for teachers. For more information please visit: Education — Sikh Heritage BC.
