In this photo-essay, Gurmeet Singh of WSN takes you on a journey to Singh Garh where farmers are camping on the threshold of Delhi since the last six weeks. The first day of the Farmers’ Year 2021 was a memorable day of my life, family and the Sikh people across the globe. While the world was ushering in the New Year with many Covid19 restrictions in force across India and the world, the devout and everybody else marched in procession the entire stretch of ten kilometres singing praises from Guru Granth Sahib to God Almighty, accepting his will and rededicating themselves to continue the Farmers struggle till the accomplishment of their legitimate rights.

REWRITING THE SCRIPT FOR CELEBRATING NEW YEARS, a page was added to the history of struggle movements in South Asia and the current Indian sub-continent, when the revolutionary Farmers’ Morcha organised a Nagar Kirtan -Religious Procession, through the Morcha district on the borders of Delhi, under the aegis of Guru Granth and Guru Panth. Covering the vast stretch of the Singh Garh -the city-state of the Sikhs of Punjab on the threshold of Delhi, with traditional Langars all across the 7-kilometre route, the Nagar Kirtan provided another dose of Chardikala.

Farmers Morcha on the borders of Delhi is adding to the surprises day by day and the world is startled and amazed, why shouldn’t the world be? Every day a new story, an event, a technique, a concept, a  new kind of Sewa -selfless service, not only for the protestors but also for those living around this city-state, is popping out and only the Almighty knows where it comes from.

 

With the temperature dropping to nearly zero degrees centigrade at 1.1 degrees, with the dense fog enveloping the roads in Delhi and on the highways, with visibility, not more than 50 feet, with the icy cold weather chilling the bones, the farmers from Northern India, led by the Sikh farmers of Punjab defied the difficult times and spent time with God, yearning for results, yet expressing gratitude.

It was gratifying to see Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Balwant Singh Behramke, sitting next to the Guru Granth Sahib, under the huge open marigold flower-bedecked tractor, distributing Parshad -the Guru’s sweet offerings.

The Nihangs,-the Guru kiyan ladliyaan faujan -the beloved army of Guru Gobind Singh, marched in their traditional blue attire and shastras on horses. Their battalion included men across all ages from the teens to the octogenarians who were riding horses barefooted and playing Gatka -the traditional Sikh martial art.

Like in all religious processions -a must during Sikh Gurus’ birth anniversaries and other festivities, young men and women could be seen cleaning the roads prior to the arrival of Guru Granth Sahib – the Throne of the Guru and the preceding Panj Pyaras-the Five Beloved Ones -as the traditional leaders of the procession.

The three rows of Panj Pyaras in the Sikh colours of blue and yellow walked with the “Nishan Sahib -the flag of the Sikh Nation”. The glory on their faces and head high with the spiritual spirit was imbibing the Chardikala spirit amongst those who were witnessing it, with many of the onlookers of the region seeing the spectacle for the first time.

 

The furling Niushan Sahib was roaring with “Deg Teg Fateh” -Food and Justice shall be always available, Panth Ki Jeet -the Peoples’ will shall prevail. This is how the Sikh spirit of food, security and peoples will from the House of Guru Nanak was reaffirmed to the Sikhs and conveyed to the friends of Sikhs and the government of the day.

Glory to God, Magnificently, Marvellous, Astonishing…one falls short of words. Guru Granth Sahib was placed in a tractor. It was like a victory march where the Lord himself has blessed the farmers, their tractors and their hard work, their skills, their temperament and their huge patience despite the daily deaths of their brethren.

Thousands of Sangat -men and women, walked behind the Guru, singing hymns, praising the Lord. Countless, humble, disciplined, calm, composed and of course with a charm and equipoise.

My young kid Harnoor Singh was so amazed that he said, ”What better way than this to celebrate the New Year!”

Speaking to World Sikh News, Balwant Singh Behramke said, “the Guru blessed us with this idea only a day before. We thought it would be a good idea to spend the day in gratitude.” Some leaders of the Kisan Morcha were seen participating and doing Sewa during the Nagar Kirtan.

My family and farmers were blessed by the Guru at the advent of the Gregorian calendar New Year. I have all the reason to believe that the year will usher in a New Era for the Farm community, not only in Punjab but even the rest of India, South Asia and the world.