Performers entertaining the crowd at the Vaisakhi celebration in Fort Cornwallis, Penang. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Thousands of Sikhs gather at historical Fort Cornwallis to mark birth of Khalsa Panth and harvest festival
LIVELY music filled the air as thousands of Sikhs gathered at the historical Fort Cornwallis in Penang to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival in northern India.
Vaisakhi also marks the establishment of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh guru, in 1699.
The venue of Fort Cornwallis holds significance for the Sikh community as it was their initial settlement in Penang.
Free vegetarian food was served during the open house which was attended by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his consort Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Chow, in his speech, said: “Vaisakhi is a time of joy and renewal, and a chance to reflect on the values of unity, service and selflessness.
“These tenets are fundamental to the Sikh faith.”
He said the teachings of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak emphasised the equality of all human beings and encouraged people to treat one another with kindness and respect.
“It is evident that values such as compassion, honesty, and community work are more important today than ever before in a world that is often marked by division and conflict.
“As Malaysians, it is crucial for us to remain united for a harmonious and prosperous future,” he added.
(Front row, from right) Ahmad Fuzi, Jagdeep, Chow, event organising committee advisor Surinderjit Singh and Ramkarpal at the event.
Chow said the Sikh community first came to Malaya in the mid-19th century, mainly as part of the British colonial workforce.
“They ventured into areas like law enforcement, military service, mining and transportation.
“Today, the Sikh community excel in various fields, including medicine, law, engineering, education and business.
“They have become a beacon in our nation, significantly contributing to its economic growth and development,” he said.
Learning to tie a turban was one of the activities organised during the open day.
Chow also thanked Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang for organising the event.
Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang is one of the earliest Sikh temples in Malaysia, having been first set up in Fort Cornwallis.
It has since moved to its present site in Jalan Gurdwara.
Jagdeep said: “The Sikhs are a small but strong community.”
A bhangra dance being performed at the Vaisakhi celebration.
He said that within its folds, individuals like his late father Datuk Seri Karpal Singh, hailed as the “Tiger of Jelutong”, had emerged.
“Such formidable figures will continue to arise, embodying the resilience and spirit of this community.
“But for it to continue, my Sikh brethren must upscale themselves.
“Penang has ample job opportunities, thus eliminating the need for Penangites to relocate in search of employment elsewhere,” he said, adding that about 400 multinational corporations are currently based in the state.
Also present were Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, state social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
