Sikh Sangat News Celebrating Sikh culture and sharing Sikh voices
Vancouver, Canada: “If I can learn Punjabi, why not Punjabi youth? They should not forget their roots and language. Learning another language creates better understanding. This is the beauty of our multicultural country,” said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan in response to questions from the media about his message to the youth and his interest in learning Punjabi.
Sam Sullivan said he liked to learn Punjabi and say something in Punjabi wherever he could. Neatly sporting a blue turban, Sam Sullivan arrived at Vancouver’s Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar Society last Sunday to inaugurate its new building.
Amidst loud applause and slogans of “Bole So Nihal,” Sullivan delivered his speech in the packed main hall. He said in Punjabi: “I am very glad to be here with the congregation on the auspicious occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the new building. I am very pleased to know that the entire teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib convey the message of ‘nobody is my enemy, I am friend of all; our Father is one and we are His children and seek the well being of the whole human race.’ I am also very pleased that the Sikh community has made great progress in all fields and they have made all round contribution in the development of Canada … I pray to God to bless all with happiness, unity and peace. I like to learn Punjabi and Gurmat and Gian Singh Kotli is my teacher. Whenever I get time I try to learn Punjabi.”
Giani Kulvinder Singh presented a plaque of honor to Sullivan on behalf of the gurdwara management and congregation.
To all Sikh boys and girls, young men and young women and my friends, I am inspired by our Mayor Sullivan. If he can, I can too. I am starting my Punjabi language lessons from my Nanaji. If I could learn French and speak fluently, I can Punjabi too whether its my mother tongue or not. Personally, I think learning lanuages is so much fun and one can communicate in another person’s language and feel close connections socially, mentally and culturally. Please I dont want any encouragement from any one through here, if you can encourage one person in your family, in your group to learn Punjabi, that will do me. One word at a time, one Punjabi speaker at a time. Lets keep it going.
THANK YOU MR. SAM SULLIVAN. PLEASE BE FIRM ON YOUR LEARNING OF PUNJABI AND ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THE TEACHINGS OF TEN GREAT MASTERS. EVERY BEPTISED SIKH HAVING PHYSICAL PERFACTNESS AND PURITY OF MIND IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF KHALSA AND SIKH PHILOSOPHY IS A GLOBAL CONCEPT.
raaj karega khalsa , aaki rahe na koi….
bole so nihaal , sat sri akal …..