March

Daylight Savings Begins St. Patrick’s Day One of the first Sikhs to visit Canada was Capt. Kesur Singh, who (along with other soldiers of the British Empire’s Hong Kong Regiment) toured Canada on his way back to India after participating in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in London in 1897. A second contingent of Sikh veterans visited on return from the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. Canada’s landscape left a deep impression on them - influencing the first wave of Sikh settlement between 1904-1908. Most of the Sikhs entering during that period were retired Sikh lancers and infantry of the British Empire Army who had been stationed in Hong Kong and hoped to make their fortune in Canada before returning to their original homes in India. Some of the pioneers included Sikh musicians who provided a valuable way of preserving tradition. In keeping with the adventurous and fearless spirit that is such an integral part of the Sikh character, others embraced new opportunities and pursued interests, such as aviation, considered advanced and daring for their time. Whilst sports ventures like the Indian Hockey club (set up in 1934 to show support of ‘martyrs’ of the Indian Freedom Movement) provided ways for Sikhs to socialize with and gain respect from the