[Photograph of a group of individuals onstage at the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan in Surrey]

Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals onstage at the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan held in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Among the group are Gordon Campbell, Penny Priddy and Sue Hammell.

Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University. He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation. In 1984, Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms. From 2001 to 2011, Campbell served as Premier of British Columbia, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure as Premier, Campbell reduced taxes, restrained spending, revolutionized the measurement and management of regulations, and markedly improved the economy of the province. Among his recognitions and awards, Campbell received the Order of British Columbia as well as the Order of Canada. In 2014, he was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Thompson Rivers University. He was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for his contributions to the province and country.

Penny Priddy is a Canadian politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Newton from 1991 to 2001. She held several ministerial roles, including Minister of Women's Equality, Minister of Health, and Minister of Education. A trained nurse, she worked extensively in community services, supporting children, families, and people with disabilities. Priddy was also active in the Surrey School Board and various community organizations.

Sue Hammell is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Green Timbers, serving multiple terms since 1991. She held key roles, including Minister for Women's Equality, and co-founded the Minerva Foundation for BC Women. Hammell also worked internationally to support female leaders and served as Executive Director of the Surrey Aboriginal Society.

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.