Pentagon commemorates Vaisakhi for the 3rd successive year

Washington: The harvest festival of Punjab (India) ,Vaisakhi was commemorated at Pentagon for the 3rd successive year, signifying that U.S Defence Department places high value on supporting free exercise of religion of its personnel.

"This is significant because the Department of Defence places a high value of supporting free exercise of religion of its personnel," Pentagon Chaplain Kenneth R Williams told PTI in an interview on 2nd May 2016 as he helped in organizing the Vaisakhi celebration.

"We are honoured to celebrate Vaisakhi here at the Pentagon, which is not only the birthday of the Sikh religion but also the day that Guru Gobind Singh set us on the path to be Sikh soldiers and warriors," said Major Kamal Kalsi, one of the Sikhs who have been allowed to serve in the US armed forces remaining intact with his religious symbols.

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Kalsi also thanked the Pentagon Chaplin's office for being so supportive of this Vaisakhi celebration, which is the most important festival among the Sikh community.

Petty Officer Guldeep Kaur Sindhu was the main speaker of event, who has served on active duty in the US Navy for 6 years.

The director of the Sikh Heritage Museum in Canada, Pardeep Singh Nagra also spoke on the occasion that was marked by Kirtan and Ardaas.

(Inputs from PTI)