Simran Jeet Singh

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji gathered Sikhs in Anandpur Sahib for Vaisakhi in 1699, he was also dealing with to oppressive political conditions. War, poverty, corruption, and hatred were rampant. Tyranny and injustice were all around him. The guru fought back against these, actively and tirelessly. Addressing injustice was a central focus of his leadership. But that’s not all he did. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was also a lover of life. He enjoyed art and music, and he was known to immerse himself in singing gurbani—even in the face of battle. He found occasions for joy, and family, and community, without ever turning away from the harsh realities of his time.

In a moment of extreme duress, when empire is thriving and people are suffering, it can feel easy to lose ourselves in despair. At times, I feel that pull, too. But this is not the way of Sikhi, and it’s not the way of Guru Gobind Singh. What we learn through their example—including through Vaisakhi—is that we always have agency. We can always create something new. And we can always push for positive change.

It may not be easy, and it may feel like the odds are against us, but this is precisely why it’s so important.

May we all live into this spirit. Vaisakhi diyaan vadhaaiyaan!

Renee Good
Mother of Three
Seeking Justice
Murdered by ICE
Trump’s America

Rest in Power
Rest in Peace

We’re in a brief moment where both the cities of New York and Hoboken have Punjabi American mayors: Zohran Mamdani and Ravi Bhalla.

Mayor Bhalla will conclude his 8 years as mayor of Hoboken in mid-January, transitioning to the New Jersey State Assembly, which he was elected to last year.

Shaabaash and best wishes to our two favorite Punjabi Mayors!