[Photograph of Balwant Gill at the Sikh Temple in Vancouver]

Photograph of Balwant Singh Gill, former president of Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey, addressing the audience at the Sikh Temple (gurdwara) located in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.). Individuals had gathered at the Sikh Temple for the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan, an annual event hosted and organized by the Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver.

Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Sikhi, marking the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is a time of renewal, gratitude, and unity, celebrated with processions, prayers, and acts of service. Beyond its significance in Sikh history, Vaisakhi is also a harvest festival in Punjab, observed with joy and thanksgiving. Additionally, Vaisakhi holds special significance for Hindus, as it marks the beginning of the solar new year and is celebrated in various regions of India under different names, such as Pohela Boishakh in Bengal and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.

The Khalsa Diwan Society of Vancouver oversees the Vaisakhi celebrations in Vancouver. The Khalsa Diwan Society is a pioneer Sikh society, one of the oldest in Vancouver, formed on July 22, 1902 in British Columbia, Canada, formally established in 1906. In 1908, the Society purchased and built the first Sikh temple in Vancouver, which was located on West 2nd Avenue. This is believed to be the first Sikh temple in the whole of the American continent. This temple served the Sikh community until a new temple was occupied on April 25, 1970. The original temple was sold to build a bigger (present) temple located on Ross Street. The Khalsa Diwan Society has been a pioneer in raising Sikhi related issues and getting recognition for Sikhs in Canada. It continues to build a strong community based on Sikh values and principle