Timmins hosts annual Khalsa Day Parade, welcomes future Sikh police officer

The Sikh Sangat of Timmins hosted its second annual Khalsa Day Parade Saturday complete with prayers, tasty vegetarian food and the bridging of cultures.

This year, organizers invited Indigenous singers to help them launch the event.

Timmins hosted its second annual Khalsa Day parade Saturday in a beautiful celebration of Sikh culture. (Image courtesy of the Timmins Downtown BIA/Facebook)Khalsa Day is an opportunity for Sikhs to share their ways of life with a community that's embraced them.

"We believe this is our responsibility to be part of the community and to protect our community and to serve our community as well,” said Kanwaljit Bains, member of the Sikh Sangat of Timmins.

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The parade is the main event and is a feast for the senses. It also gave participants a chance to meet the city's first Sikh police officer.

Cadet Isahn Bhullar from Brampton, Ont. is currently in training at the Ontario Police College.

Cadet Bhullar got one day of paid leave and he chose to come to where he'll be launching his police career.

“Being here today actually gave me a great boost in confidence,” said Cadet Bhullar.

“I met so many people here and that’s a platform that I can make my own connections because I have to deal in this community and that was the reason as to why I chose that one option to use it right now for this beautiful event."

Bhullar has eight more weeks of police college and upon graduation, he'll be officially moving to Timmins to work.

“He’s very personable, he’s very friendly, (has) many questions and you have a true sense that he enjoys the police service and enjoys coming up to Timmins," said Sergeant Lorne Yee, recruitment officer for the Timmins Police Service.

“I think Timmins, the weather is cold, but the people are warm right so that’s what pulls you back, that’s what pulls you right here," said Bhullar.

He said the fact there is a welcoming Gurdwara in Timmins was a major factor in deciding to accept a job in the city.