The Sikh community has made Britain an even greater place to live and work: This was a key message from West Midlands’ Mayor Andy Street who hosted a special reception to celebrate Vaisakhi, the annual Sikh festival.
Held at a banqueting suite in Edgbaston, Birmingham – constituency of Preet Gill, Britain’s first female Sikh MP, who was absent - last Tuesday the event brought together movers and shakers from the region’s Sikh community, which make up 2.4% of the total 5.6 million population.
Guests included former MP and now Small Business Commissioner Paul Uppal, Ninder Johal of Signature Awards, Sarinder Singh Sahota, Jagjit and Satinder Taunque, Paul Sabapathy CVO CBE, Director of the recently opened Centre for Sikh & Panjabi Studies Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, recruiter Kash Dhaliwal, Dr Paschal Anosike and Nirmaljit Singh – to list just a few. The Indian Consul General Dr Aman Puri also made a brief appearance for the photo shoot.
The evening began with networking followed by a prayer by Ajit Singh, priest from a Walsall gurudwara. Then, a brief welcome speech by 15-year-old Ambreece Mangat who invited host Andy Street on to stage. “Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Fateh’, Andy began. “Today is not about politics, it’s about celebrating Vaisakhi and I’m genuinely delighted to welcome you all,” he continued. A vegetarian meal was served and Andy went around meeting guests.
Andy, who this month marks his first year as elected Mayor, has been working tirelessly since his triumph to actively engage with diverse communities, an action some may argue he had overlooked in his previous role as MD of John Lewis.
