Guru Nanak Jayanti: Rishi Sunak Highlights Punjabi Heritage In Message, Trudeau Extends Greetings

In his greetings, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also praised British Sikhs as a "source of pride and inspiration" to the UK.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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In a greeting from 10 Downing Street on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mentioned his Punjabi Indian origin, news agency PTI reported. The 43-year-old politician was born in the United Kingdom to a Hindu Punjabi family who had moved from East Africa, with ancestors from Ludhiana and pre-Partition Gujranwala in modern-day Pakistan. In his greetings, he also praised British Sikhs as a "source of pride and inspiration" to the UK.

“It gives me great pleasure to wish Sikhs across the UK, in India and across the world, a Happy Gurpurab,” Sunak was quoted by PTI in its report.

“Today we celebrate the 554th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion. As somebody of Punjabi Indian heritage, this day is especially dear to me,” he said.

“This joyous occasion is an opportunity to once again recognise the immense contribution of the Sikh community to our country. You are a source of pride and inspiration to us all. Waheguru Ji Ki Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,” he added.

Sunak, Britain's first Prime Minister of Indian origin, has frequently spoken about his ancestors from the Indian subcontinent. Before his families immigrated to the UK, his father, general practitioner Yashvir, was born in Kenya and his chemist mother was born in Tanzania.

“Sixty years after my Naniji boarded a plane in East Africa, on a warm sunny evening in October, her great-granddaughters, my kids, played in the street outside our home, painted rangoli on the doorstep, lit sparklers and diyas; had fun like so many other families on Diwali. Except the street was Downing Street, and the door was the door to No. 11,” said Sunak, while making a reference to becoming the United Kingdom's first Indian-origin Chancellor at No. 11 Downing Street in 2020.

Sunak and his Indian wife, Akshata Murty, recently hosted a special Diwali event, and Downing Street was once again lighted up and adorned for the festival of lights - this time in No. 10, the prime minister's residence-office.

Canadian PM Trudeau Greets Sikhs On Occasion Of Guru Nanak Dev's Birth Anniversary

On the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted Sikhs in Canada and around the world, saying his teachings of equality, as well as the values of unity, selflessness, and compassion, can serve as an inspiration for all Canadians to build a better future for all.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Happy Gurpurab!" Prime Minister Trudeau's official statement was quoted by PTI in its report. 

A massive crowd gathered at gurdwaras around the country to commemorate the 554th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

"On this important occasion, families and friends will gather to reflect on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings of equality, and the values of unity, selflessness, and compassion that he upheld. These important values continue to guide Sikh Canadians today, and can serve as an inspiration for all Canadians as we strive to build a better future for all," he said.

Noting that Canada has one of the world's biggest Sikh communities, he stated that Guru Nanak's birth anniversary is a time for all of us to celebrate the tremendous contributions of Sikh Canadians to Canada's culture, community, and economy, which make our nation stronger and more vibrant.