Indo-Canadians Celebrate Khalsa Diwan Society Centenary

December 19, 2006

Author: Francis C. Assisi

Source: IndoLink

http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=121606110340

Canadian Sikhs are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the pioneer Sikh institution Khalsa Diwan Society, on December 15-25, at the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Society was formed in order to fight for justice and fairness for people of Indian heritage living in Canada in the early 1900s. Its headquarters at that time also became a very important center of activism and patriotism for the pioneers seeking India's independence from the British rule.

Since its inception, Khalsa Diwan Society has done a commendable job in serving the Indo-Canadian community in Canada. The objectives of the 100 years celebration is to share with the community and especially the youth, the achievements and sacrifices of Sikh Pioneers and to discuss how they have helped in shaping the lives of all today, a press release said.

Consider the scenario, exactly 100 years ago, in 1906.

Pioneering immigrants from India, mostly Sikhs who had served the British armed forces in their far-flung outposts around Asia, were making their way to British Columbia. What brought them to the lumber mills and railroads of the Pacific Coast were the push of economic dislocation and the pull of economic demands in Canada.