INDIANAPOLIS (BALBIR SINGH)
Attorney General of Indiana Curtis Hill, Senator Jim Merritt , Indiana State House of Representative Todd Huston and Senate candidate Mike Braun, Candidate for Hamilton County Superior Court I Judge Will Riley were among more than 500 devotees who thronged Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Fishers to celebrate Vaikashi and 319th Anniversary of the Creation of Khalsa.
Attired in all whites, Danish Punjabi singer Anita Hjorth Lerch performed a Simran and a Shabad Kirtan. A blood donation camp was also organized in the Gurdwara premises. The VIP guests were welcomed by the management committee, spearheaded by Sikhs Political Action Committee chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa.
A fund raising campaign was also launched to construct a new gurdwara building. According to Mr Khalsa half a million dollars was pledged on the spot. Prominent among them were Salhan Brothers -- Baldev Singh, Gurmit Singh and Sarabjit Singh-- donated $ 100,000. Baldev Thind, Gurinder Singh Khalsa, Rashpal Singh and Gurpreet Malhi pledged $ 55,000 each.
Gurdev Singh Brar announed donation of $ 21,000. Darbara Singh Hiala, Onkar Singh, Sanjeev Pal Singh and Jaswant Singh Jassi are contributing $ 11,000 each.
All devotees enthusiatically participated in hoising of the Nishan Sahib with all rituals. Lunch (langar) was also served as it the Gurudwaras' tradition. The volunteers did a commendable all-round job.
Speaking on the occasion Attorney General of Indiana Curtis Hill said "I am so pleased to be included into Sikh culture, learn about new things, new people, love about culture which gives so much." He described Sikh community as a "hard working group."
Senator Jim Merritt praised Sikh community for their love, entrepreneurship, kindness, generosity. "You are kind to me, I feel belong to you."
Senate candidate Mike Braun said "I am going to the US Senate to represent people like you. If I do became a Senator, you can count on me."