July

In addition to individual Sikhs being awarded for their various achievements and contributions to Canada at the highest level, recognition of the community’s significance as an integral part of Canadian culture, history and modern life has been officially recognized in other ways. In 1999 a first day cover postal stamp depicting the Khanda (emblem of the Sikh faith) was issued to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Vaisakhi (a key historical event and celebration in the Sikh calendar). And in 2009 a major exhibition, titled, ‘The Spirit Born People: Defending the World’, was hosted by the Parliament of Canada in honor of forgotten Sikh and other Indian national heroes of World War I and II. Co sponsored amongst others, by the Anglo Sikh heritage Trail, UK, the exhibition, like other such cultural events supported through international partnerships, exemplified the close links that Canadian Sikhs have continued to maintain with the global Sikh community and their shared recognition of the need to promote wider understanding and recognition of Sikhism through such initiatives.