Original Post Date: 12 April 2015
The Sikh community in Leicester have today been taking part in the annual Vaisakhi food drive to try and collect over 10 tonnes of food for local charities.
The event was held at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara on East Park Road, throughout the day thousands turned up to offer food.
Vaisakhi is the holiest day in the Sikh calender and marks the formation of the Sikh community in 1699, also known as the Khalsa, it is central to Sikh faith and is the underpinning principle of Seva. This year Vaisakhi day falls on Tuesday April 14th.
To celebrate Vaisakhi and put the principles of Seva (Selfless Service) and Langar (free Kitchen) into action, the Sikh community teamed up with local charities, Trussells Trust, Midlands Langar Seva Society (MLSS), Leicester Charity Link, and Kirpa Foodbank to provide support and donations to the vulnerable and needy.
Jagjit Singh, Chair of the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance said, "This really is a fantastic way of celebrating Vaisakhi. The fundamental tenants of the Sikh faith are serving others, and treating everybody equally- and what better way to put this into practice than by having a food drive"
Amandeep Rai, Vice Chair of the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance said, "In hard times religious communities need to be even more relevant to the harsh realities of the cities they operate in. In this spirit, the Sikh community of Leicester will be celebrating the holiest day in its calendar by making it relevant to all Leicester's communities. The food drive is a humble attempt to provide relief to the severe difficulties that many from all backgrounds are enduring."
