A hotel in Bradford was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of culture, tradition and unity as an annual celebration took place.
The Cedar Court Hotel was the venue as the Yorkshire Sikh Forum (YSF) hosted its Vaisakhi Celebration on Thursday, May 8.
The event drew a large and diverse gathering from across the region to commemorate one of the most significant festivals in the Sikh calendar.
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, marks the Sikh New Year and the historic formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The celebration was attended by the then-Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Beverley Mullaney, who was the chief guest.
“The vibrancy, hospitality, and spirit of service seen today are a shining reflection of what makes Bradford such a strong multicultural city,” she said.
She also applauded the Yorkshire Sikh Forum for hosting such a heartwarming and inclusive event.
The evening featured traditional music, vibrant cultural performances, and the sharing of Evening Meal, reflecting the Sikh values of hospitality, equality, and service.
A notable highlight of the event was the fundraising effort in support of the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal, where £4,000 was raised by the Yorkshire Sikh Forum and guests.
The event proceedings and stage were hosted by Simmy Sekhon, solicitor and spokesperson of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum.
The Forum is a prominent community organisation dedicated to promoting Sikh values and interfaith harmony. It was founded in 1989 at the request of then Minister Kenneth Clarke, and officially launched in 1992 by Minister Ann Widdecombe.
Event organisers said the evening’s success was a testament to the vision of Dr Nirmal Singh Sekhon, the founder and chairman of the YSF, whose decades of service have helped position YSF as a leading voice for Sikh values in Yorkshire and beyond.
Special recognition was also given to Mr. Hardev Singh Sidhu, General Secretary of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum, for his dedicated coordination of the event and community outreach.
The celebration welcomed a wide range of dignitaries, civic leaders, and respected community figures, including:
- Ms. Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader, Bradford Council
- Mr. Thomas Mullaney, Lord Mayor’s Consort
- Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson QPM
- Ms. Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India, Manchester
- Ms. Fatima Khan-Shah, The Mayor’s Inclusivity Champion
- Mr. Adiba Rashid, Community Engagement Officer
- The Right Reverend Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, and Mrs. Howarth
- Dr. Sofia Buncy DL, Director, Khidmat Organisation
- Mr. Richard Padwell, Chief Superintendent, Bradford
- MP Imran Khan, Bradford East
- The Very Reverend Andrew Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, and Mrs. Ali Bowerman
- Judge Jonathan Rose, Recorder of Bradford
- Mr. Rashad Bokhari, CEO, Council for Mosques
- Dr. Manoj Joshi MBE DL, Mr. Jas Athwal DL, Mr. Balbir Panesar DL
- Esther Wakeman, CEO, Leeds Hospital Charity
- Mr. Johnny Chagger, Director, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
- Professor Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Bradford
- Professor Mel Pickup, CEO, Bradford Teaching Hospitals
- Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL
- Judge Lawrence, Leader, Jewish Community
- Ms. Sharon Jandu, Yorkshire Asian Business Association
- Ms. Gill Arnold JP DL, Mr. Ben Paolozzi JP, and many others from legal, medical, academic, and interfaith sectors.
In his closing remarks, Dr Nirmal Singh Sekhon expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the VIPs, dignitaries, and guests for their presence. He noted that their support added immense value to the celebration and reaffirmed the spirit of unity, respect, and cultural pride that Vaisakhi represents in both Sikh tradition and Bradford’s diverse community.
