Latest news with #Vaisakhi
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'World-class' Scottish produce on Bute House stage
According to a Freedom of Information request submitted by [[The Herald]], 24 official events were held in Bute House between April 1, 2024 and April 17, 2025. On April 15, then-First Minister Humza Yousaf dined on braised lamb shoulder in a biryani sauce, alongside saffron-infused Scottish yogurt, aloo potato cakes, and 'micro coriander'. Guests enjoyed a 'dark chocolate and chilli tart' with Scottish cream and honey biscuit crumb. Former FM Humza Yousaf served guests saffron-infused yogurt, braised lamb, and micro coriander. (Image: PA) On April 29, the day Mr Yousaf announced his resignation as First Minister, he hosted members of Scotland's Sikh community for a Vaisakhi event, which celebrates the birth of a key order in the religious community. Around 40 people dined on chili broccoli salad, tabbouleh, courgette pakoras, carrot and parsnip bhajis, and tamatar-kheera salad. Mains included 'butter paneer curry, aloo gobi and jeera rice, confit tandoori chickpeas and dal,' with mango lassi and fresh fruit served for dessert. Mr Yousaf would depart Bute House a week later, and his successor, John Swinney, would not hold his first officially recorded event until August 7. Read more: Amid the bustle of the Fringe, Mr Swinney hosted an 'All Festivals Reception,' welcoming representatives from the arts community. The same day, staff served 'smoked paprika chicken with spiced seasonal vegetables and pea shoots,' Scottish pancakes with smoked salmon, cucumber and Scottish cream, as well as home made vegetarian haggis truffle with onion jam. Guests listen to a speech by Mr Swinney at the reception. (Image: Scottish Government) Two weeks later, a reception was held ahead of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Guests enjoyed 'chickpea, spinach, and almond butter seasonal vegetables' with warm in house made blackthorn focaccia bread, as well as 'mini Scottish beef burgers with Scottish cheddar cheese and inhouse made tomato sauce.' Chips and macaroni and cheese were also served, alongside 'bite sized' treats and Scottish vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit. In September, Mr Swinney held a special dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. Just 18 people were invited to the intimate event, including Mr Swinney's wife, Elizabeth Quigley, and son Matthew. Several Scottish politicians attended along with their partners; including Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Fiona Hyslop, Jackson Carlaw, and Alison Johnstone. Starters included a 'heritage tomato salad with Fife buffalo mozzarella,' Scottish gin curd smoked salmon, a Highland game, prune and baby leek terrine, vegetable piccalilli, and Scottish oatcakes. 'Pan seared Scottish salmon' was the first main course, alongside 'braised Scottish lamb shoulder served with Scottish Edinburgh butter fondant,' baked fillet of cod with a 'blackthorn Scottish sea salt and dill crust,' slow braised Scottish beef, and pan roasted chicken stuffed with local butcher haggis. Winter risotto and a seasonal vegetable tartlet (with peppery rocket) were offered to vegetarian guests. Scottish cranachan, an 'Edinburgh Ale dark chocolate tart', an almond sponge and a lemon posset were served for dessert, alongside a selection of Scottish cheeses, fruit, and oatcakes. Several days later, on October 1, guests to Bute House enjoyed vegetarian haggis truffles with onion jam, 'mini choux buns filled with an Isle of Mull cheddar mousse,' and caramel pecan éclairs served with candied orange. On October 24, an afternoon tea hosted for young carers and their companions brought out a different side of the Scottish Government's culinary expertise. Young carers enjoyed an afternoon tea with Mr Swinney. (Image: Scottish Government) Young people were served house made pork sausage rolls, poached chicken and mayonnaise scones, blue cheese and pickle buns; as well as roast chicken on focaccia, cheddar finger sandwiches, and brownie bites and mini carrot cakes. December at Bute House saw meals become heartier as the dark days of winter drew near. On December 10, Mr Swinney oversaw a reception consisting of mini beef burgers, panko chicken bites, mini pizzas, brownies, empire biscuits, and fresh fruit. Six days later, guests enjoyed haggis truffles with onion compote, a 'sticky shallot and almond parcel,' and a holiday favourite – mince pies. At an event toasting Scotland's 'senior culture sector representatives', in early January 2025, guests were served a tomato and mozzarella salad, Scottish baked cod with citrus potatoes and wild mushrooms, and winter risotto with pumpkin and squash. Attendees at the small affair included MSP Angus Robertson, BBC presenter Kirsty Wark, former Fringe boss Shona McCarthy, and Scottish Music Industry Association CEO Robert Kilpatrick. One attendee at the dinner, Culture Counts director Kathyrn Welch, posted on LinkedIn about the dinner, writing: 'A thoroughly memorable evening – dinner with First Minister John Swinney and Cab Sec Angus Robertson at Bute House in Edinburgh. Such a treat to be in the company of thoughtful and brilliant folk from across the culture sector, discussing what the future of a vibrant and ambitious sector would look like.' Read more: At an intimate dinner celebrating the retirements of Lord Justice Clerk Leeona Dorrian and Lord Justice General Colin Sutherland in February 2025, guests enjoyed smoked chicken with an 'Ayrshire ham and sultana terrine,' oven roasted North Sea halibut, winter baby vegetables, and a whisky crème brulee and Perthshire rhubarb. Multicultural fare returned in March, as Irn-Bru onion bhajis, lentil, coconut, and corn curry, slow cooked chicken madras, and lamb shoulder josh rogan were served at several Bute House receptions. A [[Scottish Government]] spokesperson praised the work of the Bute House kitchens, commenting: 'Events at Bute House, the First Minister's official residence, are an important way to showcase what Scotland has to offer, promoting jobs and investment to industry while engaging with representatives from around the world. 'The menus are carefully chosen to ensure ingredients are sustainable and sourced from Scottish producers – giving world class Scottish produce a platform on the global stage.'
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hundreds attend Vaisakhi event hosted by West Midlands Police
Hundreds of people gathered in Birmingham over the weekend for an event organised by police to celebrate the Sikh festival of West Midlands Police Sikh Association hosted the event at the force's Tally Ho! training centre in Edgbaston on Saturday, along with local gurdawaras and in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall contributed to a Langar, a community kitchen open to everyone who attended for also called Baisakhi, is a festival that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, in 1699. It was originally a harvest festival in the Punjab region of India until it became the Sikh community's most important takes place in mid-April each year, and various events have been held across the West Midlands to mark it in recent weeks. Saturday's event started with the raising of the Nishaan Sahib, a sacred flag, and a small also included sports activities such as kabaddi and weightlifting, as well as arts and crafts for children. Sundeep Kaur Cheema, from the Sikh Association, said: "The event, seamlessly blending tradition with education and joyous celebration, undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all who attended, showcasing the profound strength and vibrant spirit of the community." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBC
19-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Yellowknife's Sikh community turned a gym into space for prayer to celebrate Vaisakhi
Members of Yellowknife's growing Sikh community gathered to celebrate Vaisakhi this weekend, transforming a gym at the city's multiplex sports facility into a space for prayer on Saturday. The annual harvest festival of Vaisakhi is one of the holiest days in the Sikh calendar. For Sikhs, the festival marks the creation of the order of the Khalsa in 1699 — a defining moment in Sikh history which gave the faith its final form. But it's also an opportunity to come together, with large events acting as opportunities for people from different communities to meet and celebrate. Also called Khalsa Sajna diwas, the holiday is usually celebrated in mid-April, but Yellowknife's celebration is a bit later because of the time it took to find a space and get everything ready. "We are a bit late, but at last we are celebrating so we are happy for that," said Mangot Kaur, who helped organize the event. Kaur said it was a lot of work getting the gym ready for the event, but many volunteers helped. "They all came together and worked really hard to make this place look like this," she said. There were prayers in the gym in the afternoon and evening, with some of the prayers read by gurus who flew in from Vancouver to lead hymns. There was also a food drive outside, with volunteers serving homemade vegetarian food free to anyone who passed by, another important tradition on Vaisakhi. "These events are really important for us so we can get together, united, and celebrate our values," said attendee Darwinder Kaur, (No relation) who moved from B.C. to Yellowknife a year and a half ago. She said it was hard to adjust to her new home at first, but events like this where she can observe her religion in community make it easier. Yellowknife's Sikh population has grown a lot in the last few years, says Pankaj Sohi Seth, and events like this help the community come together. "We moved in 2012 to Yellowknife from Vancouver, and it was a big change to us. In the beginning, we actually started doing prayers in our own houses," she said, with the few Sikh families hosting in turn. But a few years ago, they started renting a hall from a church or other space once a year. They now try and hold celebrations like Saturday's two or three times a year, Sohi Seth said. But without a permanent Gurdwara, the community isn't able to come together and pray as much as they would like. Sohi Seth said she and others are working to bring a Gurdwara, or temple, to Yellowknife, but the the project is still in the early stages. They are currently in the process of registering a Yellowknife Sikh Sangat society as a non-profit. Once this is done, she said, they will begin the work of fundraising for a Gurdawara. Darwinder Kaur said for her, a Gurdwara in Yellowknife would be more than just a building. "It's not about going somewhere out, it's about inner peace, to give something to my soul."
India Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Exclusive: From Vaisakhi in Pak to espionage: How Jyoti Malhotra became a security threat
What began as travel vlogging under the garb of a spiritual journey to the holy sites of Sikhism has spiralled into a troubling case of digital warfare and espionage. Jyoti Malhotra, who first visited Pakistan in 2023 during the 324th Vaisakhi Festival, is now under investigation by Indian intelligence agencies for allegedly aiding cross-border influence to exclusive investigation documents seen by India Today TV, Jyoti Malhotra's participation in the religious trip was first facilitated by Harkirat Singh, a key coordinator known for taking Sikh jathas (pilgrim groups) to Pakistan via the official Singh, who has organised several such pilgrimages, particularly around Vaisakhi - a major Sikh religious festival - is now under scrutiny for allegedly introducing Jyoti Malhotra and others to individuals in the Pakistan establishment. When Jyoti Malhotra failed to get clearance for the Vaisakhi trip in 2023, she was allegedly introduced to Ehsan alias TRIPS AND FIRST CONNECTIONEach year, thousands of Sikh pilgrims travel to Pakistan's holy sites - Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore - through an arrangement between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property was during the preparation for one such journey that Jyoti Malhotra first met Ehsan alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official later declared persona non grata by India on May second visit to the 325th Vaisakhi Festival in April 2024 triggered further concern. Not only did she return to Pakistan, but she also overstayed by more than a month - from April 17 to May 25. Investigators believe this period marked her deeper involvement in a Pakistani influence network operated through diplomatic and digital PILGRIMAGE TO PROPAGANDA WARIntelligence inputs suggest Jyoti Malhotra, who runs a travel-focused YouTube channel, became a part of a covert influence campaign that involved portraying Pakistan in a highly positive light. Her videos praising Pakistan's hospitality, infrastructure and culture were seen as components of a modern psychological warfare strategy - an attempt to shape public opinion through soft curated narratives deliberately downplayed geopolitical tensions and were aimed at building sympathy for Pakistan, particularly among India's digital youngsters. Experts believe such content is part of a broader disinformation tactic used in modern hybrid EXTENSION-TURNED-TRAPJyoti Malhotra's attempt to secure a visa extension for one of her Pakistan trips became the turning point. Intelligence sources confirm that Harkirat Singh introduced her to Ehsan alias Danish, a mid-level official at the Pakistan High Commission in officially named Ehsan Dar, was operating under diplomatic cover but was suspected by Indian agencies of acting as an ISI intelligence coordinator. His role: identifying and cultivating 'soft targets' - individuals with social reach or influence - to embed in strategic information IS EHSAN DAR?advertisementEhsan Dar was posted as consular and cultural staff at the Pakistan High Commission. Internal surveillance flagged his consistent interactions with influencers, journalists and YouTubers. His method relied on visa help, cultural liaisons or interviews to develop rapport and gain was expelled on May 13, declared persona non grata for engaging in activities "incompatible with his diplomatic status" - a term typically used for MALHOTRA: A SOFT TARGETRaised by her father as a single parent, Jyoti Malhotra did various small jobs in Delhi until she lost her employment during the Covid-19 pandemic. She then started a vlogging channel, which gained this period, she came into contact with Ehsan, who initially offered small perks and support and what now appears to be strategic subsequent trips and growing digital footprint showed signs of influence. Investigators say Ehsan and his team suggested content ideas and messaging, guiding her toward topics that subtly criticised Indian policies while glorifying Pakistan. Her tone shifted from travel enthusiasm to a more ideological narrative, aligning closely with Pakistani PAHALGAM VIDEO: A CASE STUDY IN INFO WARFAREAmong the digital evidence, one particular video is under close examination. Uploaded after the Pahalgam terror attack, Jyoti Malhotra's video pinned the blame on Indian security agencies, ignoring mounting evidence pointing to cross-border terror believe that this video exemplified modern information warfare. By redirecting blame internally, such narratives erode public trust in national Jyoti Malhotra's case, the video was being treated not as poor judgment, but as part of a structured disinformation strategy and will likely serve as key case evidence.A WIDENING NETFollowing her extended stay in Pakistan, Jyoti Malhotra visited several other countries - China, Nepal, Bangladesh, the UAE, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bhutan, according to an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report accessed by India Today TV. Each of these trips is now being reviewed in light of her links to Ehsan and her digital messaging visit to Kashmir in November 2024 also drew attention. Her final recorded Pakistan trip took place in March 2025, just two months before Ehsan was have seized her digital devices, uncovering encrypted chats, coordination cues, and content aligning with Pakistani narratives. Her case is now being studied as a template of modern influence BIGGER PICTUREJyoti Malhotra's story has become a cautionary tale in the era of digital espionage. With influencers, vloggers and journalists increasingly shaping public opinion, intelligence agencies are shifting focus to the soft-power battleground of online case highlights how modern-day espionage no longer depends solely on stolen documents or secret cameras. It now unfolds on YouTube thumbnails and Instagram Watch IN THIS STORY#Pakistan
CBC
17-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Spring comes later in the north — and so do Vaisakhi celebrations, with thousands gathering in Prince George
Thousands of samosas, more than 400 pounds of potatoes and weeks of preparation: those are just a few of the ingredients that go into planning northern B.C.'s largest Vaisakhi celebration. The annual festival marking the spring harvest is generally held in April. But in Prince George, where it takes a little longer for the weather to warm up, the event is held in May to avoid snow on the roads during the morning procession, and to avoid competing with larger events held in Surrey and Vancouver, which many local residents also attend. But over the years, the Prince George event has grown into its own, attracting people from all across the region looking to connect with the Sikh community. "It's a beautiful, colourful, spiritual experience," said Rashpal Bains of the Guru Nanak Darbar Society, who says they are expecting up to 5,000 attendees with RSVPs from people as far away as Vancouver, Prince Rupert and the Peace River regions. "We are inviting the whole of B.C." For Sikhs, Vaisakhi marks the creation of the order of the Khalsa in 1699 — a defining moment in Sikh history which gave the faith its final form. But it's also an opportunity to come together, with large events acting as opportunities for people from different communities to meet and celebrate. Prince George's Sikh community dates back decades, with some early members coming to the region more than a century ago. It grew to new levels in the 1960s and 70s when an influx of new immigrants from the Punjab region arrived in Canada, with many taking jobs in the region's burgeoning lumber industry. The Guru Gobind Singh Temple Society was established in 1974, and the city's first gurdwara opened on Christmas Day in 1978, with ground being broken on a second in 2002. Approximately 2,500 people in Prince George reported their religion as Sikh in the 2021 census, making it the largest non-Christian religion in the city of about 77,000. But Bains says participation in the celebration is not limited, and this year it was actually city officials who took the lead on planning for the event, months before she was involved. Other community groups, including the RCMP, will be taking part, and aside from food, there will be music, dancers and a martial arts display. "I'm so proud this event isn't about only the Sikh community," Bains said. "This event has become a part of Prince George." A procession through the city is scheduled to begin from Guru Nanak Darbar at 10 a.m., travelling down Ospika Boulevard and ending at the CN Centre/Exhibition Park site around noon, where celebrations will last until at least 2 p.m.
