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Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan Vancouver: Celebrating Community, Culture, and Longstanding Partnerships

April 11, 2026

The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan in Vancouver stands as one of the most powerful and vibrant celebrations of faith, culture, and community spirit in British Columbia. Each year, thousands gather to honor Vaisakhi—a significant occasion in Sikh history—through prayer, music, service, and unity. This year’s celebration was especially meaningful for the Royal Academy of Punjab, as it provided an opportunity to come together with our community, showcase our youth, and recognize valued partners who continue to support our journey.

At the heart of this year’s celebration was a proud moment of partnership and leadership. Our General Manager, Hardeep Singh Sahota, stood alongside the Red FM 93.1 Vancouver team—Kulwinder Singh Sanghera, Nick Chowlia, Baldev Singh Mann, and Tony Sanghera—highlighting a relationship built on trust, shared values, and a deep commitment to community service. His presence reflected not only leadership but also the strength of a partnership that has played a vital role in the growth of the Royal Academy of Punjab.

Red FM 93.1 Vancouver has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Royal Academy of Punjab since 2014. Beyond that, their contribution to the wider community spans over two decades, making them one of the most influential voices in promoting Punjabi culture, community engagement, and meaningful dialogue. Their ongoing dedication to highlighting cultural initiatives and supporting grassroots organizations continues to create lasting impact across generations.

The Nagar Kirtan itself was a beautiful and powerful experience. The streets of Vancouver came alive with the sound of kirtan (devotional singing), vibrant floats, and Gatka performances that reflected the rich traditions of Sikh heritage. Community members of all ages participated, creating an atmosphere filled with joy, unity, and purpose. Volunteers demonstrated the true essence of seva (selfless service), dedicating their time and energy to ensure the success of the event. Free langar was served throughout the route, reinforcing the values of equality, inclusiveness, and generosity that are central to Sikh teachings.

One of the most inspiring aspects of this year’s celebration was the participation of students from the Royal Academy of Punjab. These young performers brought energy, passion, and pride to the event, showcasing the results of their dedication and training. Their performances were not just displays of talent but reflections of cultural preservation and identity. Through their involvement, they continue the important work of carrying forward traditions and sharing them with the broader community.

Behind every young performer is a strong support system, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the parents who made this possible. Taking time out of their busy lives to bring their children to rehearsals and performances is no small commitment. Their dedication plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation and ensuring that our cultural heritage continues to thrive. It is through this collective effort—parents, students, instructors, and community partners—that meaningful cultural experiences are created.

The collaboration between the Royal Academy of Punjab and Red FM 93.1 Vancouver is a testament to the power of community partnerships. Over the years, this relationship has grown into more than just support—it has become a shared mission to uplift, connect, and give back. Whether through event promotion, community outreach, or cultural advocacy, Red FM has consistently stood beside us, amplifying our voice and helping us reach wider audiences.

Hardeep Singh Sahota’s leadership continues to play a key role in strengthening these relationships and guiding the organization forward. His pride in standing with Red FM during the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan reflects a broader vision—one that values collaboration, cultural preservation, and community impact. Under his leadership, the Royal Academy of Punjab remains committed to creating opportunities for youth, celebrating heritage, and building meaningful connections within the community.

Vaisakhi is more than a celebration—it is a reminder of identity, resilience, and unity. Events like the Nagar Kirtan bring people together across generations, backgrounds, and experiences. They serve as a platform for cultural expression, education, and community building. They remind us of the importance of staying connected to our roots while continuing to grow and evolve as a community.

As we reflect on this year’s Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan, we are filled with gratitude. Gratitude for our partners like Red FM 93.1 Vancouver, whose unwavering support continues to strengthen our work. Gratitude for our leadership, whose vision drives us forward. Gratitude for parents and families, whose commitment ensures the success of our youth. And most importantly, gratitude for the community that continues to come together in celebration, support, and unity.

The Royal Academy of Punjab remains dedicated to its mission of promoting Punjabi culture, arts, and heritage. With continued collaboration and support, we look forward to building on this momentum and creating even more opportunities for engagement, learning, and celebration.

Together, as one team and one community, we will continue to honor our traditions, uplift one another, and give back in meaningful ways.

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COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan
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Royal Academy of Punjab

Covid-19 Health and Safety Plan

Safe Physical Distancing: The dance floor has been marked into safe distance zones whichare at least 2 metres apart or more. Only one person is permitted per marker, and please stayin your marked area.

Hand washing: Please wash your hands or sanitize before your class and after your class.Use the sinks in the washrooms (one person at a time)

Masks: The most recent recommendation from Canada’s public health is that of wearing anon-medical masks or face covering as an additional layer of protection, even when physicaldistancing is active at the studio.

We recommend you wear a mask while attending a class if you are comfortable doing so, but do take it offif you experience dizziness or a shortness of breath while wearing it.

Our Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols: We have implemented enhanced antibacterialand antiviral cleaning and sanitizing protocols for all common areas and surfaces, includingwashrooms, light switches, door handles. etc. This includes increasing the frequency thatthese items are cleaned (number of times per day) as well as the timing (before and afterclasses).

If You Feel Unwell: If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, a cough, sorethroat, stuffy or runny nose, etc, or if you are in proximity with someone who is ill, please stayhome and DO NOT attend classes (This will be strictly enforced).

Class Times: We are staggering our class start times with a break between classes to allowfor cleaning and sanitization as well as to prevent large groups from congregating in thestudio during class cross over.

Limited contact: Staff and students are asked to please refrain from high fives and hugs forthe time being from public health advisors.

Travel: If you have recently travelled internationally, please stay home, self - isolate yourself,and refrain from attending the classes. Also, if you have travelled across different provinceswith-in Canada, it is mandatory to let us know in advance.

PARENTS: You can help! Please help your children read and understand these guidelines if youdecide to send them for their classes at the studio.We have given the full control to ourparents to make the decision of whether to send the children to the studio or continue theirclasses on ZOOM. We recommend to encourage the students to take safety as a priority andthen learn to keep themselves safe.