Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi in Singapore

Singapore, Apr 13 (UNI) Singapore Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam led the local Sikh community in Baisakhi celebration at the Central Gurdwara today, applauding the 15,000-strong ethnic nothern Indian community's success in business and state services.

Some 1,000 Sikhs joined Mr Shanmugaratnam, who donned a turban and was presented with a sword (kirpan) as well as a shawl a saropa, at the temple, on the fringe of the Little India, an Indian shopping precint in central Singapore.

Mr Shanmugaratnam highlighted the ethnic Sikhs service to Singapore in various fields in the civil service, armed forces, professional sector and businesses.

The Singapore Sikhs celebrated Baisakhi today, taking advantage of the Sunday though prayers continued through to tomorrow, the actual 309 anniversary of the Birth of Khalsa.

UNI XC RJ BST2219