Sikh Heritage Month - April 

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This year, to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month throughout April, Langara is proud to greet everyone with a Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. This salutation expresses the bond of fellowship between members of the Sikh community and means “The Khalsa belongs to Waheguru (Lord, God), The Victory belongs to Waheguru.” Langara thanks the Sikh community for their ongoing connection with the College and recognizes all the accomplishments achieved by Sikhs in our College community, across British Columbia, Canada, and the globe. 

Canada’s first Sikh heritage month was officially celebrated in BC in 2018 (the event was celebrated prior to that in the Sikh community), with the province being home to about half of Canada’s Sikh population. Langara’s international student population’s largest demographic is from India, of which, many are Sikh. Langara is, additionally, uniquely honoured to be neighbours with the Punjabi Market at our main campus. As an educational institution, Langara is grateful for the beautifully distinct and inclusive perspective Sikhs bring to our College community as well as the rich culture and history passed on from generation to generation. 

This year’s observance of Sikh Heritage Month is centered on Anand, a Sikh concept that refers to a state of absolute inner peace, tranquility, and bliss that is found through connection with the Divine; it is an eternal joy found beyond the struggles of this world. This uplifting connection is a reminder for everyone to look beyond the material world and present hardships to find harmony. 2025’s Sikh Heritage Month theme of Anand’s is also reflected by accomplishments of Sikh-Canadians, such as:  

  • The resistance of Baltej Singh Dhillon whose bravery to insist on religious accommodations for RCMP officers resulted in a national conversation and greater acceptance of the Sikh religion and its obligations to wear a turban and have a beard 
  • The best-selling explorations of feminism, immigration and Sikh identity through Rupi Kaur’s poetry 
  • Palbinder Kaur Shergill’s work as a judge on the Supreme Court of British Columbia as well as her involvement in community associations like the Fraser Health Authority, World Sikh Organization and Sikh Feminist Research Institute 

Countless other Sikh individuals have made significant contributions to the local and global community, which Langara recognizes, is endlessly thankful to benefit from, and provides a platform to support the work of the Langara Punjabi Association (lpa.langara@gmail.com).  

We also have a list of materials and the Library's literature guide (video and books) related to Sikh identity included below. 

Video Guide 

Events 

Resources