Deesh & one-year old son Sean Sekhon prepare for centennial celebrations on the steps of the historic Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford

100th birthday of Sikh temple to be celebrated

By Ken Herar, The Times August 2, 2011 2:29 AM

As proclaimed earlier in the year by the City of Abbotsford and Mayor George Peary as the Centenary Year of the National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, built in 1911.

Celebrations have been taking place throughout the year and final preparations are currently underway for big weekend, next month.

On Friday, Aug. 26 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. there will be a start to a three-day weekend prayer service at the Heritage Gurdwara.

Saturday, Aug. 27 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., a host of cultural events will take place: Punjabi language competitions, sports competitions, and other events.

On the final day Sunday, Aug. 28 there will be a Nagar Kirtan Procession from the Heritage Gurdwara to Rotary Stadium and returning back to the site, where the unveiling of the Centennial Monument and the Sikh Heritage Museum will take place.

Med Manzanal, diversity coordinator from the City of Abbotsford said: " The whole Abbotsford community should be proud and feel celebratory about the 100th centenary of the Sikh Gurdwara. This is a tribute not just about our Sikh pioneers but a tribute to some great men and women who have opened doors of opportunities for the Sikh pioneers to settle, integrate, and flourish."

Deesh Sekhon, who is planning on attending the celebrations with her twoyear-old son Sean shared her comments.

"To have one of the oldest and longest standing buildings in North America is something all British Columbians can be proud of," Sekhon said.

"The rich history of the Gurdwara reflects how communities have worked together; accepting each other's diversity and celebrating it.

"The celebrations are for every member of our community to be a part of. I plan to come out to help celebrate this huge achievement.

"I think communities are only successful as its individuals; I encourage all members of our community to come out to one of the celebrations and learn about our heritage."

Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Times. Contact him at Kenherar@ gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Cycling across Canada in 2013

Proclamation from the City of Burnaby in support of our 2011 Cycling for Diversity

KEN HERAR EYES CROSS-COUNTRY DIVERSITY CYCLING TOUR IN 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HERAR EYES CROSS-COUNTRY DIVERSITY CYCLING TOUR IN 2013

After successfully completing a 200-kilometre trek from Mission to Victoria in late May, Cycling for Diversity leader and Link columnist Ken Herar is already talking about a cross-country mission in 2013.

Herar and his team of cyclists were recently honoured by B.C. Health Minister Mike de Jong in Abbotsford with a provincial proclamation recognizing May 21, 2011 as Cycling for Diversity day throughout the province.

"The ride is all about building partnerships and relationships in our culturally diverse communities," said Herar. "Why not celebrate across Canada . . . so much more work has to be done to build an inclusive country."

In 2012 the Cycling for Diversity team is committed to repeating the ride, but adding more communities along the way.

This year, the ride was heralded with special celebrations by many groups in Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria.

"The moment we stop doing this we enable barriers to form between cultural communities," said Herar, adding that next year's ride will build on the 2011 momentum and will include more riders. We did all of this to celebrate cultural diversity and to discuss the issues."

For a comprehensive photo journal on the 2011 ride, click on Cycling for Diversity on Facebook.

The bike that Herar rode was provided by Wenting's Cycle and Mountain Shop in Mission. It is being raffled through $5 ticket sales at kenherar@gmail.com.

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Visiting the Indian Friendship Centre in Mission during the Cycling for Diversity trek..

Celebrating 16 years as your diversity columnist

Canada's 144th birthday allows time for reflection

By Ken Herar, The Times June 30, 2011

I hope everyone has a beautiful Canada Day tomorrow. It's a fabulous time to explore your own community with all the festivities.

It's hard to believe it's been 16 years since I began scribing this column. I am celebrating this special occasion with a sense of achievement and humbleness. Some of the issues have dramatically changed since I entered these pages in June 1995.

I have always remained committed in sharing what we all need to do together if we're going go build an inclusive community. It's challenging, but nonetheless it gives me a sense of purpose and direction for the future.

It's still a long, uphill climb, but progress is being made at all corners and that's a reason to celebrate in my books.

I recall 16 summers ago knocking on various editors' doors and looking for that one opportunity to share my ideas.

The sad irony is many doors didn't open. It was disappointing to the say the least, but I never gave up on the dream.

That moment arrived when I contacted former Times editor Gord Kurenoff. It was my last phone call and lucky enough, he expressed an interest.

I was fortunate to work with two mentors - Kurenoff and then Rick Rake for most of these 16 years. They both taught me some valuable lessons, for which I remain forever thankful.

The first thing is never make the story about yourself. Always explore the issues and the people involved in the community.

I have never forgotten their words and they still echo in my soul. Life is truly based on opportunities and good people willing to listen. I have found in many cases that people have the skills, but just don't get the opportunities.

I find too often people's abilities get overlooked or underestimated.

Receiving the provincial proclamation from Abbotsford MLA and Minister of Health Mike de Jong two weeks ago was a unique way to celebrate this anniversary.

De Jong and Abbotsford Coun. Bill MacGregor, a cycling team member, took the moment to say some humbling words about my work and this achievement.

Honestly, our Cycling for Diversity team didn't do this journey for any recognition, but rather to celebrate and discuss the issues. Team members all had the vision of leaving our communities better than how we found them. The proclamation recognizes May 21, 2011 as Cycling for Diversity Day throughout the province. We've received four proclamations and counting.

The University of the Fraser Valley Community Radio Society, CIVL 101.7 FM recently, returned back from Halifax after sending three delegates to the 2011 National Community and Campus Radio Conference.

Earlier in the year, CIVL received the Award for Outreach at the Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards in March. CIVL was honoured to receive the 2011 NCRA Award for Community Development in Halifax. UFV student and CIVL on-air personality Alicia Williams was given an honourable mention in music programming excellence.

CIVL Society co-founder and president Dustin Ellis was elected to the National Community and Campus Radio Association's Board.

According to Aaron Levy, station manager: "This year's accomplishments are clear signs that CIVL's efforts are working, and that UFV and the Fraser Valley are benefiting from them. CIVL Radio will continue working to help raise the national profile and local involvement of the communities it serves."

n Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Abbotsford-Mission Times. Contact him at: kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

South Asian's celebrate Centennial in Abbotsford