Another humanitarian Gesture by Leicester’s Sikh community as part of the drive to mark Vaisakhi!

Ahead of the occasion, the Sikh community is coming together to hold an event, at which food can be donated, on Sunday (12 APRIL) at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, in East Park Road, from 10am until 5pm.

Leicestershire Sikh Alliance is welcoming people from all backgrounds to take part.

Jagjit Singh, chair of the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance, said: “This really is a fantastic way of celebrating Vaisakhi. The fundamental tenants of the Sikh faith are serving others, and treating everybody equally- and what better way to put this into practice than by having a food drive? We urge people of all backgrounds and communities to join us in celebrating, and really helping those in the greatest need.”

Lots of people are expected to attend Sunday’s event.

The Sikh Alliance has teamed up with Leicester Charity Link, Trussells Trust, Midlands Langar Seva Society (MLSS) and Kirpa Foodbank to provide support and donations to vulnerable people.

Amandeep Rai, vice chair of the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance, said: “In hard times religious communities need to be even more relevant to the harsh realities of the cities they operate in. In this spirit, the Sikh community of Leicester will be celebrating the holiest day in its calendar by making it relevant to all Leicester’s communities.

“The food drive is a humble attempt to provide relief to the severe difficulties that many from all backgrounds are enduring.”

At the end of the day the food will be taken away by the charities to be distributed at a later date.

Vaisakhi is the most important day in the Sikh calendar and marks the formation of the Sikh community in 1699, known as the Khalsa. Central to the Khalsa and Sikh faith is the principle of seva (selfless service).

This year’s Vaisakhi parade in Leicester takes place on Sunday, April 26.

~ Source: leicestermercury.co.uk