LAHORE: A jubilant gathering of 2400 Indian Sikh pilgrims arrived at the Wagah Border near here on Saturday (13th April, 2024) marking the commencement of festivities for Khalsa Janam-din and Vaisakhi Mela 2024.

Welcomed with warmth and hospitality, the pilgrims were greeted by prominent officials including PSGPC Pardhan Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and Additional Secretary Shrines Rana Shahid Saleem, along with esteemed Sikh leaders such as Sardar Mampal Singh, Sardar Tara Singh, and Satwant Kaur.

Expressing gratitude towards the government of Pakistan and the Evacuee Trust Property Board, group leader Kulvant Singh and deputy party leader Amarjit Singh expressed their delight at being in Pakistan.

They emphasized the significance of visiting the sacred Sikh sites in the country, highlighting the fervent desire among Sikh communities to make this pilgrimage.

Secretary Shrines Rana Shahid Saleem assured that all necessary arrangements for security, medical facilities, and other amenities had been meticulously organized under the guidance of board Chairman Arshad Farid Khan.

The Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal was adorned with vibrant colors and decorations, symbolizing the spirit of the occasion.

Similar preparations were completed at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and other significant Gurdwaras.

The highlight of the Vaisakhi Mela festivities is scheduled for 14th April at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal, where pilgrims will gather to celebrate and partake in religious rituals.

The pilgrimage, spanning ten days, will conclude on 22nd April, after which the Sikh devotees will return to India.

PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomes the Pilgrims:

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif felicitated Sikh community living in Pakistan and across the globe on the celebration of Vaisakhi.

In a message, the prime minister said that the Government of Pakistan and all the provincial governments were ensuring provision of all facilities to the Sikh Yatrees who were visiting their religious places in Pakistan to perform their religious rituals.

Vaisakhi was an occasion showing the colours of spring and an event to exchange feelings like love, affection and joys.

Shehbaz Sharif said that they felt pride that Pakistan comprised the beauty of combination of different faiths and cultures and the event of Vaisakhi further added to that beauty.

“On the occasion of Vaisakhi, I give you all the message of love, affection and peace. Let’s play our role in building a peaceful world,” he added.

__________

* Vaisakhi/ Baisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh (in the Indian national calendar, Vaisakha is the second month of the year) that is observed on 13th or 14th April annually.

Newspakistan.tv/APP