This month, around the world, Sikhs are celbrating Khalsa, which dates all the way back to April 1699.  It began on Vaisakhi, the Sikh new year festival, when Guru Gobind Rai, the 10th guru of the Sikhs, gathered the Sikhs together to repel those that had oppressed them, and thus began a new way of life.  The ensuing battles took over six decades to finish, but it is that day in April that is celebrated as the birth of a  movement.  On many levels, I guess you could compare it to the July 4th celebrations here in the States where we celebrate our independence.  The Revolutionary War took years to complete, well beyond the July 4th 1776 date which is celebrated here. 

At this month's 102nd Precinct Community Council, Vice President of the Council Kaubul Singh expressed his happiness at being able to share this celebration with us. 

Here he is giving a brief explanation of Khalsa, followed by a brief ceremony where Captain Charles McEvoy of the 102nd Precinct joins Maria Thomson, President of the Community Council, in cutting the cake.  

The cake was delicious, by the way.  They also served up some spicy chicken which we enjoyed.  Woodhaven, and its' surrounding communities, have a rich variety of cultures which we are all exposed to on a daily basis and it's wonderful to get an opportunity to better understand each other.

It also speaks well of our country - and our community - that people from all over the world can come here and be Americans, and be integral parts of our communities, yet retain their culture.

You can learn more about the celebration of Khlasa here.

The 102nd Precinct Community Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.  The next meeting will be on May 19th at 8:00 PM and all are invited to attend.  It is held at the Moose Hall (across the street from the 102nd) at 87-34 118th Street.

A prior report detailing the 2 recent hit and run fatalities can be seen here, a brief ceremony honoring April's Cop of the Month for the 102 can be seen here, and Captain McEvoy's crime report for the month of April can be seen here. 

If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com.  

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