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.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.