Rina N. Risper
President and Publisher
The New Citizens Press

LANSING, MI -- The street was bustling with hundreds of colorful sarees and turbans at the annual Sikh  (pronounced “seek”) Indian Day Parade on April 19, 2008.  There was plenty of information and opportunity to learn about the Sikh culture and become more immersed in their lives.

Sikhism is a way of life for over 22 million people world wide.  Most of the Sikhs can trace their religion to the Punjab region of Pakistan and northern India. It’s the 5th largest religion in the world and is open to all.  Across the world, Sikhs have been known to speak out against injustices towards the less fortunate.

Traditional Indian food and spicy chai tea was available to all of the attendees complimentary.  Indian food is vegetarian for the most part. 

The organizers had a beautiful sunny day to celebrate and spend time with family and friends from all over the state of Michigan.

Sikhism’s central theological belief is that there is only one God.  In the Sikh religion, followers are to live moral lives, earn their living through hard work and honest means and to share the fruits of their labor through the charitable contributions and work.

The procession left Grand Avenue lead by five men with sword, to represent the five devotees.  A small group of men demonstrated the Gatka, which is a very entertaining martial arts particular to the Sikh religion.The winding crowd of people along with the floats circled Capitol Avenue and made their way back to Riverfront Park for more prayer and entertainment.

The parade was to celebrate Vaisakhi (an ancient harvest festival in Punjab)  - the day when the 10th guru of Sikhism Gobind Singh created a special identity for Sikhs.  It’s as important as New Year’s Day is.

For more information log on to
www.sikhs.org or call the Guru Nanak Sikh Center, 4701 Pleasant Grove, Lansing, MI at 517.272.0231.