Sikh Day Parade : May 7th 2016 at 12:30PM in DC

Saadh Sangat Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Please join us for Sikh Day Parade on 07May,2016 to celebrate Sikh presence in America. PFA the brochure for details.

Gathering place: National Mall lawns near 19th Street and Constitution Avenue
Kirtan Diwan: 10:00 am

Parade Starts at 12:30 pm &
Ends at 3rd Street and Madison Dr. at 02:30pm

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Agenda for Sikh Day Parade in DC on 07-May-2016
 
Morning Diwan: Lawns near 19th street and Constitution Avenue
 
Parkash:                            10:00am
Kirtan:                               10:00am – 11:00 am
Anand Sahib and Ardas: 11:00am to 11:30am
Bhog:                                 11:30am
 
Parade:                              12:30pm (from 19th street and Constitution Avenue)
 
Sequence:
 
Large Banner (Sikh Day Parade)
Nishan Sahibs
Panj Piyaras
Float with Guru Granth Sahib
Gurdwaras with Banners in the following order:
      – Sikh Society of Baltimore
      – Sikh Gurdwara, DC
      – Sikh Foundation of Virginia
      – Sikh Center of Virginia  
      – Sikh Association of Baltimore
      – Raj Khalsa Gurdwara
      – Guru Nanak Foundation of America
      – Guru Gobind Singh Foundation
      – Guru Gian Sagar Gurdwara
     
Second float in the middle after Sikh Center of Virginia.
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vaisakhiparade2016

Lost Heritage Event – June 12, 2016

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Amardeep Singh’s book event, Lost Heritage — the Sikh Legacy in Pakistan is planned at UMD on June 12, Sunday at 03:00PM.

PFA the flyer and visit our website for details.

URL: https://sikhgurdwaradc.org/ 

Invite for DC Sikhri small

Sikh American Identity Awareness Event – Apr 29 2016

Saadh Sangat Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

There is an event to increase the awareness of the Sikh American culture and identity, cultivate cultural sensitivity and widen the discussion around Montgomery County’s diverse communities. Come and join us to build stronger relationships in our community.

Date: 29-Apr-2016
Time: 11:30 AM to 01:00 PM
Venue: Executive Office Building, Auditorium,
101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD, 20850

Sikh event_042916 flier
Sikh Gurdwara DC URL: http://sikhgurdwaradc.org/

Amrit Sanchaar in GNFA Gurdwara on Apr 13th 2016 – 6AM

Amrit Sanchaar is planned to happen in GNFA Gurdwara. Details are as follows:

Date: 13-Apr-2016

Time: 6AM (try to be there at 6AM or so)

Venue: 12917 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Amrit

NOTE: Please do come after taking full bath including head.

Directions: General Directions from various starting points

From Baltimore:

Take 95 South, and take exit 33A towards Burtonsville

Left at Route 29 South

Right at Musgrove Road

Left on Old Columbia Pike

12917 Old Columbia Pike will be on your left side

From Ellicot City and Columbia:

Route 29 South

Right at Musgrove Road

Left on Old Columbia Pike

12917 Old Columbia Pike will be on your left side

From Northern Virginia:

Beltway (Rt. 495) to Silver Spring

From the Beltway, take Route 29 (Colesville Rd) North (Exit 30 A)

Take exit for Randolph Road West

Make first right on Old Columbia Pike.

12917 Old Columbia Pike will be on your right side before Musgrove Road

From Virginia Gurudwara Sahib (SFV):

Take 123 North and right on Braddock Road. Take Beltway North towards Tysons Corner/Bethesda/Silver Spring

From the Beltway, take Route 29 (Colesville Rd) North (Exit 30 A)

Take exit for Randolph Road West

Make first right on Old Columbia Pike.

12917 Old Columbia Pike will be on your right side before Musgrove Road

Volunteers needed for Vaisakhi Celebration in Indian Embassy on 23-Apr-2016

We are pleased to announce that Indian Embassy is celebrating Vaisakhi on 23-Apr-2016. So, we need 40 volunteers to attend the celebration in the form of groups having two members each. If you are interested, then please drop me an email with details of both members as a team with below mentioned information for both before 11 AM of 03-Apr-2016.

Details required:                        Name, Age, Email and Cell
Planned Celebration Date:    23-Apr-2016
Last date to volunteer:            03-Apr-2016 (latest by 02:30PM)
Volunteer by:
Email at: 
          connect@sikhgurdwaradc.org OR
Message  at:           https://sikhgurdwaradc.org/contact/
Within Sikh Gurdwara DC:    Meet Sevadar Harjeet Singh Sachdeva (Media coordinator) on 03-Apr-2016, between 12:30pm to 2:30pm for last minute entry

If anyone misses the deadline but still is interested, then please drop me an email and I will put you on waitlist and you might get a chance for the same. There is no harm in sending details to try.

Note: Group of 2 members required and 20 couples/groups would be selected directly from the Indian embassy and will receive invitation directly from them without any role of Sikh Gurdwara DC. We can only forward these details to them.

Canada’s Justin Trudeau’s cabinet: Diverse with more Sikh ministers than PM Modi

The Sikh community in Canada is really strong and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has his share of men and women from the community that he really depends on. He recently boasted that he had more Sikhs in his cabinet than even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi does (the latter has two). Trudeau’s cabinet is certainly more diverse than it has ever been — it has an equal number of men and women (15 each, excluding the PM), and there are four Sikh and two aboriginal ministers.

These Sikh ministers in Trudeau’s cabinet have fascinating back stories. Here’s a look at the Punjab brigade in Canada’s cabinet.

Navdeep Bains: Navdeep Singh Bains, minister of innovation, science, and economic development, with his mother Ajit Bains and his niece Rumeet Bains in Ajit’s home in Brampton.

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Amarjeet Sohi: Federal infrastructure minister Amarjeet Sohi’s success is an immigrant’s dream.

2

Harjit Sajjan: Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan invented a gas mask he could wear with his turban.
Among Sajjan’s many achievements is his patent on a gas mask that can be used while wearing a turban.

3

Bardish Chagger: Minister of tourism and small industries Bardish Chagger’s first entry to politics was when she was 13 years old.

4

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/12/justin-trudeau-modi-sikhs_n_9445312.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/11/06/canada-cabinet-facebook-post-alana-phillips_n_8494752.html

Program by Bhai Harjeet Singh Ji in Sikh Gurdwara DC – Mar 27th 2016

Please join us in attending diwan on Sunday, 3/27/2016.

We will have Bhai Harjeet Singh Ji (nephew of Prof. Darshan Singh Ji) performing at DC Gurdwara from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Program Schedule

Asa di vaar                                          –       8:00 am to 10:00 am
Sukhmani Sahib                                –       10:00 am to 11:00 am
Kirtan by Bhai Harjeet Singh Ji     –       11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Kirtan by Bhai Surinder Singh ji    –       12:00 noon to 1:15 pm
Langar                                                  –       1:45 pm

Free Akal Takhat Seminar at George Mason University – March 4th 2016 (Friday)

Saadh Sangat Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

There is a seminar on “Free Akal Takhat” taking place at George Mason University (flyer attached) on Friday, March 4 at 7:30pm.Seminar

Yearly update for DC Gurudwara – 2015

Sikh Gurudwara of Washington DC

The Year that was – Wrap up of 2015

 

With Waheguruji’s Blessings the Sikh Gurudwara DC prospered in 2015. Please find below the highlights for 2015 that we would like to build on this year with the support of our Sangat. Our Sangat’s commitment and hard work is appreciated and by Guru’s grace 2016 will be a better and brighter year.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Heralding in of 2015

A special kirtan diwan was held in the evening of the new year on Dec 31st 2014 form 7 pm to midnight. After the melodious kirtan by Bhai Surinder Singh and his jatha, the New Year was heralded in by the Sat Sangat with echoes of “Bole So Nihal” .

Guru Gobind Singh Prakash Utsav

The month of January was dedicated to the celebration of Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Atam Ras Durbar

On March 21, a special kirtan durbar was held from 7 pm to 11 pm. Resident Ragi jatha plus Ragis from the DC metropolitan area and visiting Ragis participated:

Bhai Jagmohan S (GNFA)

Bhai Gurdarshan S (GGSF)

Bhai Kuldip S (NEW JERSEY)

Bhai Kuldip S (Chantilly)

Bhai Tajinder S ((INDIAN IDOL FAME)

Baisakhi Celebrations

Special Diwan was held at the Gurudwara to celebrate the Baisakhi and the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.

On the occasion of the Baisakhi the sangat from all the Gurudwaras in the DC metropolitan area came together to participate in a Parade on Constitution Avenue to increase awareness about Sikhs and the Sikh faith. Multiple Sevadars (leaders) of the Sikh community, addressed the gathering at the conclusion of the parade. The highlight of the parade was the serving of langar to the parade participants.

A youth group from the Gurudwara performed Gidda at the Baisakhi celebration at the Indian Embassy DC.

NPR Program

On April 12th, NPR featured Vaisakhi celebration on their interfaith radio show. Bhai Sahib ji sang the shabad – “Ek pita Ekas kay hum baarik, Tu mera Gur Haayee”. The radio show also included Sevadar Ravinder Sawhney who explained the meaning of the shabad and Sevadar Rajdeep Singh from the Sikh Coalition who highlighted the importance of Vaisakhi for Sikhs.

Installation of Plaque to honor Pioneers of the DC Gurudwara

On April 19th, a ceremony was held to install a plaque to honor the pioneers, including Sevadar Dr. Shamsher Singh, who were instrumental in establishing the Gurudwara on the prestigious Embassy Row venue.

 

Workshop on Art through Story Telling

A workshop was conducted by Kaur Foundation on May 15th on the Art through Story Telling. The workshop invited participants to listen to powerful and moving excerpts about Sikh heritage, history and contemporary lives and then create their own visual and/or written art.

Bazaar

Under the guidance of Sevadar Mrs. Pavan Sawhney an open Bazaar was held in June. Volunteers participated and provided goods for sale. All proceeds from the Bazaar were donated to the Gurudwara.

July 4th Independence Day Parade

Sikhs from the DC metropolitan area, including participants from the DC Gurudwara, sponsored a float and walked in the July 4th Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue.

Vishesh Kirtan Diwan

On August 9th, a special Kirtan Diwan was held in which Bhai Tajinder Singh of Indian Idol fame was a major attraction.

Interfaith Unity Walk

The congregation from the Gurudwara participated in full force in the annual Interfaith Unity Walk. The highlight was the serving of Langar to about 350 walk participants. In addition, the walk participants who visited the Gurudwara were given a brief introduction of the Sikh faith and traditions.

Visit of Professor Darshan Singh

Professor Darshan Singh Khalsa visited the Gurudwara on October 17th and 18th during which he enthralled the sangat with his kirtan and words of wisdom.

Bandi Chhor Diwas

Special evening diwan was held on November 11th to commemorate the Bandi Chhor Diwas.

Month of Martyrdom

The diwans in the month of December were dedicated to honor the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and all of his Sahibzades.

Recognizing the sevadaars

We are all sevadaars and that selfless service has been critical to the smooth running of the Gurudwara. The wrap up of the year is not complete without specifically recognizing the following sevadaars:

Family of Bhai Surinder Singh – their entire family is devoted to the Gurudwara. Bhai Surinder Singh and his brothers are well known for their melodious voice, heartwarming shabad kirtan and sakhies.

Sikh School – Ms. Harpreet Kaur for establishing and running the Sunday School for children age 4 and above. The school offers three levels – primary, intermediate and advanced. The school curriculum focuses on Gurmat education teaching Punjabi, Sikh history, Sikh values and the life of the Sikh Gurus in a Montessori environment. Classes are taught by dedicated volunteers.

Langar – the langar team is coordinated by Sevadars Inderjeet Kaur, Manjit Kaur and Pammi Sawhney. The langar team’s sewa and seamless running of the kitchen is highly appreciated by the Sangat.

Sevadar Ravinder Sawhney for coordinating and regularly announcing the information about the Gurudwara’s upcoming programs with the Sangat at the Sunday Diwan.

Sevadar Jatinder Kaur and Sevadar Baljit Singh for their seva in maintaining the book keeping/accounting of the Gurudwara. Their strong organizational skills have kept the Gurudwara accounts in good order.

Creator of DC Gurudwara Website and Email – a new committee has been formed comprised of Sevadars Davinder Singh, Harjeet Singh Sachdeva with Mr. and Mrs. Grewal.

Unique and unassuming leadership provided by our Sevadars has led to a harmonious apolitical atmosphere in the Gurudwara. Each member of the sangat is welcomed to take initiative and ownership in whatever way they desire.

With the support of the Sangat we have been able to make some structural improvements to the Gurudwara – the granite courtyard work has been completed as well as repairs to the roof and the garage. With Guruji’s Mehar and the continued efforts of the Sangat we will be able to take on additional work on the Gurudwara this year.

 

Warm Regards,

Sevadars.

 

 

 

 

Annual Gurpurab Event

Event: Gurpurab of Chaar Sahibzaade, Mata Gujri Ji, Mai Bhago Ji and sacrifices of all Singhs in the Poh of 1704
Day: Saturday, 23rd January, 2016
Timings: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Venue: Sikh Gurdwara DC

 

Gurpurab