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| Brigadier Manjit Singh Sarla, vice-president, Punjabi Biradri, at the news meet on Tuesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey |
Patna, April 12: Baisakhi is round the corner and the Punjabi community in the city is all set to celebrate in style.
Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi will inaugurate a programme to celebrate Baisakhi at SK Memorial Hall on April 13. “Around 1,500 families are expected to take part in the festival,” said Brigadier Manjit Singh Sarla, vice-president, Punjabi Biradri, at a news meet today.
“Baisakhi is the most auspicious and important festival in north India, especially Punjab. The biradri is organising this programme tomorrow,” said Sarla.
He added: “The day is very important for Punjabis. The Sikh religion was founded on this day. Guru Govind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikhs, and his disciples took their pledges on this day. The ritual of wearing kara (arm band), kachcha (inner wear), kirpan (weapon), kanga (comb) and kesh (long hair) also started on Baisakhi.
“For Hindus, Baisakhi is the beginning of the new year. It is also the time for harvest,” said the brigadier.
Unfortunately, this was also the day when the infamous Jallianwala Bagh incident took place.
“We have, therefore, decided to start our programme by paying tribute to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh and the victims of the Japan tsunami. We shall also pray for universal peace,” said Sarla.
Describing the cultural events planned for the programme, Sanjay Saluja, treasurer, Punjabi Biradri, said: “We have invited famous artistes from Delhi. Singer Dilbagh Singh and his troupe have been invited to perform.
“Comedian Kheyali, who had acted in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Singh Is Kinng, has also been invited. Famous Punjabi singer Dolly Siddhu will also perform,” said Saluja.
Entry is by invitation only, and entry cards are not being sold, added Saluja.
He also said: “The event has been sponsored by the members of the biradri. We do not want the celebrations to be limited only to peoples’ homes. We want it to be a community festival.”
