By Balwant Sanghera

It was a matter of great pleasure for the management committee and the Sangat of India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, 8600 #5 Road, Richmond to welcome B.C. Premier David Eby to the Gurdwara on Monday, June 17. On behalf of the management committee, Secretary Balwant Sanghera welcomed Mr. Eby upon his arrival at the Gurdwara. Before going inside, the Premier took a brief tour of the Gurdwara grounds. He was very impressed with the beautiful park and its surroundings. This park is very popular for the newly wed couples and their families to take wedding pictures. Another attractive feature of this park is the 300 year celebration memento of the Khalsa’s Sirjna Divas  (1699-1999) memorial presented to Gurdwara Nanak Niwas by 36 Sikh Societies of BC and Washington State in 1999. The Premier was very impressed with this historical monument.

Prior to meeting with members of the management committee and the Sangat, Mr. Eby went upstairs to the Diwan Hall to pay obeisance to Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Coming downstairs through the lobby and the Langar Hall, the premier admired the spacious facility. He was then introduced to the committee members who were waiting for him.  After formal greetings, both Secretary Sanghera and President Mohan Singh Sandhu gave a very warm welcome to the Premier. He was provided with a brief history of the Gurdwara Sahib all the way from 1983 to the present and the services the Gurdwara provides to the South Asian community and the community at large.

Premier David Eby was informed by Sandhu, Sanghera and Mrs. Manjit Kaur Johal that amongst other contributions to the community this Gurdwara has raised large amounts of money for Richmond Hospital and for the purchase of five kidney dialysis machines -three for Rehpa Hospital and two for Guru Nanak Mission Hospital in the Punjab. These machines were bought through the Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation at a very reasonable cost. It was brought to the Premier’s attention that Gurdwara Nanak Niwas welcomes visitors, especially students from all over. They come here to learn about Sikhism, the South Asian community and related matters. This Gurdwara also serves as the headquarters of the Highway to Heaven Association. 

For example, in 2017, the Gurdwara hosted 13 United Nations Ambassadors from New York who were visiting Vancouver for a conference on Peace and Defence. They were keen to learn about Highway to Heaven Association. The Ambassadors were very impressed by the fact that devotees of most of the major religions of different denominations along a few kilometers of # 5 Road in Richmond have been working closely together in  supporting  each other and celebrating intercultural and religious harmony and diversity.

After enjoying a delicious Langar with the committee members, Sangat and invited guests, Premier Eby gave a brief speech about the efforts being made to improve the International Credentials related difficulties being faced by new comers, Pharmacare and bus passes etc. Before departing, the Premier enjoyed having his pictures taken with individuals and small groups. He profusely thanked the management committee of the Gurdwara and the Sangat for a very warm welcome and an enjoyable visit. 

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