In a small cage. I knew at once that I wanted to keep him

BAISAKHI ESSAY – 4 (500 WORDS) 
Baisakhi is one of the main festivals of the Sikh community. It marks the beginning of the 
New Year for them and is also celebrated to rejoice the ripening of the crops. Many people 
from the Hindu community across the country also celebrate the day for the same reason. 
However, the name of this festival varies from region to region. Just as every other Indian 
festival, Baisakhi also brings people together. Get-together are held, temples and 
gurudwaras are decorated with lights and flowers, people dress up in ethnic wear and 
enjoy good food. 
Baisakhi Celebrations Around the World 
Not just in India, Baisakhi is celebrated in other parts of the world too. Here is a look at 
where this festival is celebrated and how: 
Pakistan 
Pakistan encompasses quite a few historical sites of importance to the Sikh with one of 
them being the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev and these attract Sikh as well as Hindu 
pilgrims from far and wide every year on the day of Vaisakhi. 

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Until the 1970s, the festival was celebrated with zeal by the locals too. Baisakhi Mela was 
held in Lahore after the harvesting of the wheat crop. However, all this began fading after 
Zia-ul-Haq came to power during the 1970s. Recently, the Pakistan Muslim League even 
banned kite flying. However, Baisakhi Melas are still held in Eminabad and certain other 
places in Pakistan. 
Canada 
There are huge numbers of Sikhs residing in Canada and they celebrate the festival of 
Baisakhi with great zeal. This is one of the main festivals for them. Nagar Kirtans are held 
and large numbers of people take part in the same. Surrey, a city in the Province of British 
Columbia, Canada attracted more than 200,000 people for their Baisakhi celebration in the 
year 2014. The record was broken in the year 2016 with 350,000 people and further in 
2017 with 400,000 people attending the Baisakhi festival held in the city. 
United States 
Manhattan and Los Angeles are two such cities in United States that celebrate the festival 
of Baisakhi with immense enthusiasm. The people belonging to the Sikh community in 
Manhattan offer free food on this day and also contribute in different tasks to improve the 
community. Kirtan are held in Los Angeles and processions are carried out to celebrate this 
festival. 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom too has a large Sikh community. West Midlands and London are known to 
have the largest number of Sikhs in the UK. The Nagar Kirtan held in Southhall attracts 
large number of people from different parts of the United Kingdom. It is held in 
coordination with Birmingham City Council. The Nagar Kirtan starts from the gurudwaras 
in the city and ends at the Baisakhi Mela organised at Handsworth Park. This year saw, 
Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor attending the Baisakhi parade that began and culminated 
at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall Gurudwara located on Havelock Road. 
Conclusion 
Baisakhi is celebrated by the people from the Sikh community living in different 
parts of the world. Indians are known for their warm behaviour and the celebration of 
Baisakhi in different countries thus attracts the locals too who take part equally 
enthusiastically.