By Balwant Sanghera

The month of December is a very significant one especially for the Sikh community. It brings back the sad memories of the martyrdom of our tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji 's entire family more than three hundred years ago. This event is not only historical but also unique in many ways. Martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas and their grandmother Mata Gujri ji was not only very tragic but also unparalleled. It was a continuation of the stand taken against injustice by the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev ji and the sacrifices made by the fifth Guru Arjun Dev ji and the ninth Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Sikhs around the globe have been paying tribute to our Gurus and their followers who made the ultimate sacrifice for justice and fairness. Like every Gurdwara in Metro Vancouver, India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, # 5 Road in Richmond paid a very fitting tribute to Guru ji, the Sahibzadas and other devotees who sacrificed themselves for the good cause.  

At a very well attended Sunday gathering on December 28, the Gurdwara's Kirtani Jatha started the day with very melodious kirtan. The previous week, Giani Navneet Singh had recited the tragic story of the martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhaar Singh on the battlefield of Chamkaur. This week he continued this tragic saga of martyrdom of Sahibzada Jorawar Singh, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Mata Gujri ji in Sirhind in 1704 to a spellbound congregation in the Darbar Hall. Gurdwara's Punjabi School student Gur Nadar Kaur recited a very moving shabad about their martyrdom as well. Secretary Balwant Singh Sanghera thanked everyone for paying a very fitting tribute to our esteemed martyrs. 

As this was the last weekly Gurdwara service of 2025, Sanghera also shared a report from the Sikhi Awareness Foundation (SAF) about the work being done in the Punjab to help the victims of last year's devastating floods. Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, with the help of its congregation had raised $50,000 to help the victims of the floods in the Punjab. This money was passed on to SAF. In its report, SAF has given a rough breakdown of the work it has been doing in the Punjab to help the flood victims. It states that amongst other things, 5,000 educational kits valued at $70,000have been distributed to students in flood affected areas. It is restoring approximately 500 acres of flood damaged land in Fattewala village in Ferozepur District. On top of that, in 2026, SAF is planning to build at least 40 new homes in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Sultanpur Lodhi, and Amritsar. Furthermore, SAF has provided essential household items including mattresses, beds, washing machines, and fridges to hundreds of homes.  

The SAF report concludes with this pledge: "As winter approaches, our teams are preparing warmth packages that will be delivered to over 3,000 families across 40 villages. Meanwhile, Seva for our Kissan brothers is also under way, with Kissan kits planned for delivery in early 2026 to help restore livelihoods and self-reliance. " 

Gurdwara Nanak Niwas management committee is very thankful to its congregation and all the generous donors for opening their hearts and wallets to help our flood-stricken brothers and sisters in the Punjab. We are also pleased to work with SAF to ensure that the needy get the help as soon as possible. 

Balwant Sanghera  is the Secretary, India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas Society 8600 #5 Road, Richmond, BC, Canada.