Sunday, April 18, 2004
Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Fairfield
2984 Rockville Road
Fairfield, CA
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The Punjabi-American Cultural Association celebrated Vaisakhi at the
Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Fairfield on Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18. An estimated 500 people
watched the movie "Sada Chir Jeevo" (movie on the martydrom of younger sahibzadas) on Saturday, April 17.
The following morning (April 18), 1500-2000 people attended the event at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple. Stalls
with food and clothing were set up and langar was served to all those in attendance.
The following is letter written to the editor of the Daily Republic (Fairfield Newspaper)
by Valerie Ozsu, an attendee of the event.
Dear Editor:
I would like to comment on the extraordinary event that the Sikh
Temple presented to the community today (April 18, 2004) in
commemoration of their New Year and advent of Spring, called
Vaisakhi. Not even the downpour of rain dampened the event nor
the spirits of the organizers or participants.
I thank Dr. Dhugga and the Punjabi-American Cultural Association
(PACA) for having this event in our community. My family and I
found the event to be culturally enlightening, and we were welcomed
by smiles and handshakes of many. The food was exceptional, and
even my children’s simple tastes of mac-and-cheese found the
exotic Indian cuisine to be very tasty, (even the spicy foods).
My daughter found this to be a great birthday outing.
Our world is changing and our country is a family of many
differences. To increase our knowledge and appreciation of other
cultures can only increase our tolerance and appreciation of the
wonderful diversity in our world. With the help of God and
wonderful organizations like PACA, one can only hope that one day
we can live in peace with one another.
My only complaint was finding out that the event was misprinted in
the paper and we arrived on Saturday as advertised. I can’t
complain too much though, since I was offered a different Indian
cuisine even for arriving on the wrong day. I hope that at future
events there might be more booths (barring the rain) that might
offer more education on the foods, music and prayers that
represent the spiritual side of the Sikh’s. Overall it was a
wonderful brief and entertaining overview of the Indian Culture.
My family looks forward to next year.
Sincerely,
Valerie Ozsu
Vacaville, CA
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