Our new trustee, Gulzar Singh, explains why Guru Gobind Singh Ji is so important to him and his family.
Gulzar kindly took the time to write this piece for us, sharing what Guru Gobind Singh Ji means to him on a personal level, as well as explaining the significance of the celebration and why it continues to hold such importance for Sikh families today.

I grew up in a Sikh household where caring for others was a daily occurrence and people were valued more than status. Family was never limited to those who shared a home when I was growing up. It also applied to friends, neighbours, and anyone else in need of companionship or support.

The idea that nobody should feel excluded or unsupported is deeply ingrained in Sikh culture. From a young age, I observed that listening, spending time together, and providing useful assistance were straightforward yet crucial methods of taking care of one another. These were simply ways of living; they weren’t discussed as values.

Those experiences have stayed with me. They have shaped how I think about community, belonging, and dignity. They have also helped me appreciate the importance of inclusive spaces where people are seen as individuals, not labels, and where support is built on trust and human connection.

What is Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Gurpurab?

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Gurpurab marks the birth of the tenth Sikh Guru and is a very important day for my family. It is a time to reflect, rather than celebrate in a loud or showy way.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji taught that everyone is equal and deserving of respect, regardless of who they are or where they come from. He also believed strongly in standing up for others, especially those who are vulnerable or treated unfairly. These ideas are central to Sikh life and are still very relevant today.

Remembering these teachings

For us, the day is about remembering these teachings and thinking about how we live them out in simple ways, through kindness, fairness, and helping where we can. Often this means sharing food, spending time with others, or offering service within the community.

What matters most is the reminder that faith is shown through actions, not words. That sense of responsibility towards one another is why this day continues to be meaningful for me and my family, and why it connects closely with the values of care, inclusion, and belonging.

 

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