White House celebrates Gurpurb with Sikh-Americans

Washington, USA: The White House has celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, in the presence of eminent Sikh-Americans from across the US.

Led by Melissa Rogers, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, senior officials from the Obama administration turned up to welcome Sikhs who were dressed proudly in their traditional Punjabi attires, colorful turbans and business suites. Charge d’affaires of the Indian Embassy Taranjit Singh Sandhu conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the occasion of Gurpurb.

The meeting was also addressed by Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Gautam Raghavan, advisor, White House Office of Public Engagement, among others. Last week, President Barack Obama had extended his best wishes to Sikhs across the US and around the world on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.

“This sacred time is an occasion to reflect on Guru Nanak’s timeless teachings and the principles that are at the heart of Sikhism, including the equality of all human beings, the pluralism we cherish in diverse societies and the compassion we owe one another,” he said.

PM’s greetings conveyed

• Obama administration turned up to welcome Sikhs who were dressed in their traditional Punjabi attires, colorful turbans and business suites
• Charge d’affaires of the Indian Embassy Taranjit Singh Sandhu conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the occasion of Gurpurb

Source: The Tribune