Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 24 Apr, 2023 04:21 PM
  • Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

One of the most anticipated multicultural events of the Lower Mainland the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade was celebrated over the weekend after a 3 year pandemic hiatus. 

Canada’s largest Vaisakhi Parade outside of Punjab, India took place on Saturday, April 22, in Surrey, and was attended by 700,000 people. 

Vaisakhi is a significant festival in Sikhism and Punjab, commemorating the harvest season and the birth of the Khalsa, the community of baptized Sikhs. The festival has gained prominence in Canada, especially in British Columbia, home to the largest Sikh population outside of India.

Surrey residents were excited to be a part of the parade once again and dressed up in colourful traditional attire. 

The parade route started at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, one of the largest Sikh temples in North America, on 128th street and 85th Ave, and wound through the streets of Surrey, attracting participants and spectators from all over the Lower Mainland and beyond.

Road closures were in place from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on the day of the parade. 128th Street was closed and detours were in place between 72 Avenue to 88 Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Boulevard.

The colorful and vibrant community event started building around 8:30am and saw volunteers and local businesses enthusiastically handing out treats and food to attendees in order to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience. 

To ensure the event ran smoothly  Surrey Fire Service, Surrey RCMP, Surrey Police Service, Surrey Bylaws and BC Ambulance Service were also on scene.

High profile politicians such as Premier David Eby, Opposition leader of the BC United Party, Kevin Falcon, and MLA Jinny Sims were in attendance at the parade. 

The Darpan Magazine team was at the parade in full force and parade goers were eager to pick up a copy of the special Vaisakhi issue of the magazine. 

Darpan Magazine hopes to see more of you take part in the Vaisakhi celebration next year. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Visually impaired elderly man punched in the stomach by stranger: VPD

Visually impaired elderly man punched in the stomach by stranger: VPD
The 69-year-old victim, who was wearing a bright yellow high-visibility jacket and walking with a cane, was walking through the crosswalk at Thurlow and Alberni around 11 a.m. on March 31, when he was punched in the stomach by a stranger. The suspect fled the area before police arrived. The victim did not suffer physical injuries.

Visually impaired elderly man punched in the stomach by stranger: VPD

Man in possession of a weapon in a public place dies in hospital, incident involves Surrey RCMP

Man in possession of a weapon in a public place dies in hospital, incident involves Surrey RCMP
The Mounties say front-line officers and members of their mental health outreach team were called Friday to check on the well-being of a man who had threatened to harm himself with a weapon. They say the man was found at the home, reportedly in possession of a weapon, and police fired shots.

Man in possession of a weapon in a public place dies in hospital, incident involves Surrey RCMP

21 year old student from Delhi, Kartik Vasudev, shot outside a Toronto skytrain station, family left in shock in India

21 year old student from Delhi, Kartik Vasudev, shot outside a Toronto skytrain station, family left in shock in India
Kartik Vasudev who was only 21 was shot dead outside a skytrain station in Toronto. He was going to hop on the bus to head to his part-time job. The family was able to confirm the death on Friday afternoon but don't know the motive behind the shooting.   

21 year old student from Delhi, Kartik Vasudev, shot outside a Toronto skytrain station, family left in shock in India

“How much longer?” The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system

“How much longer?”  The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system
While the pandemic has taken the major focus of the healthcare arena and has been using most of its resources, the system was already running beyond 100% pre-pandemic. While normal businesses may have responded to pandemic-related challenges by simply hiring more staff, the health care system was already maxed out and could not respond by just adding more resources than it could safely handle.

“How much longer?” The case of delays in BC’s healthcare system

What comes next for federal dental care

What comes next for federal dental care
The terms of the deal say the government must start with children under the age of 12 in 2022, expand to under 18-year-olds, seniors and people with disabilities in 2023, and fully implement the program by 2025.

What comes next for federal dental care

Canada to donate more money to COVAX

Canada to donate more money to COVAX
COVAX raised another US$1.7 billion from countries like Canada at the event. The cash is intended to help Canada make good on its commitment to donate at least 200 million doses by the end of the year.

Canada to donate more money to COVAX