The 2025 Vaisakhi Celebration, “Khalsa Sajna Diwas,” organized in collaboration with the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI) and Carroll Community College was held on April 28, 2025, in Westminster, Maryland. 

Maryland Secretary of Education Dr. Sanjay Rai described Vaisakhi as “a vibrant and deeply meaningful festival for the Sikh community,” and one that resonates with others as well. He emphasized that Vaisakhi is more than just a celebration marked by visuals and calendars, it is a reminder of the strength found in unity and the beauty of diverse communities coming together around shared values.

Dr. Rai further highlighted how Vaisakhi aligns with the Moore-Miller Administration’s core principles of “equity, inclusion and leaving no one behind.”

Secretary of General Services Atif Chaudhry remarked that Vaisakhi is both a religious observance and a spring harvest festival rooted in “renewal, community service, and equity.” He noted that these values are appreciated in Maryland and reflected in the administration’s ongoing efforts to “rejuvenate and renew businesses” under Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller.

Chaudhry also reflected on the Vaisakhi Mela hosted by the Guru Nanak Foundation of America in Silver Spring, last year. He praised the strong sense of community at the event, where inclusivity and mutual support among residents and local businesses were on full display. Reflecting on his upbringing in Maryland, he recalled limited interfaith and intercultural engagement, and expressed pride in the growing collaboration among South Asian communities today.

Echoing this sentiment, Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee called Vaisakhi a celebration of “renewal, hope, and unity.” She underscored the administration’s genuine commitment to diversity, noting that events like these affirm Maryland’s inclusive spirit even amidst the “craziness” of Washington D.C.

Secretary Lee also praised Lt. Governor Miller, calling her “one of the hardest workers for the Asian American community.” Although Lt. Gov. Miller had to be in San Francisco on official duty, she sent her greetings through Secretary Lee, who conveyed, “She wanted me to tell you that this is a wonderful celebration, and that she sends you her wonderful greetings.”

Secretary Lee presented a proclamation from Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller designating April 13, 2025, as “Khalsa Sajna Diwas” in Maryland.

Chair of the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs (GCSAAA), Gurpreet Takhar, expressed gratitude to attendees and explained that the Governor and Lt. Governor could not attend due to last-minute scheduling conflicts. “The situation reminds us that our leaders often face tough choices while serving the greater good, and it’s important for us to understand and support these sacrifices,” said Takhar.

Takhar then played a joint video message from Governor Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller. Governor Moore stated, “We honor the festival that is deeply meaningful to the Sikh community, celebrating the harvest and the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. It’s a time of renewal and community and equality and values that connect all of us.”

Lt. Gov. Miller added “Vaisakhi, is celebrated across South Asia, from India to Pakistan to Bangladesh and Nepal, bringing people together in gratitude and celebration. It’s a powerful reminder of our shared values and the beauty of our diversity.”

GCSAAA Commissioner Dr. Raza Khan highlighted the significance of hosting the county’s first-ever Vaisakhi celebration, saying, “It is a reminder that while we have made progress, there is still important work ahead to build inclusive spaces where every culture and every voice is valued and celebrated.” He also noted the relevance of the venue, the Naganna Center for Innovation, named after a long-standing South Asian American family in Carroll County.

“It feels especially fitting to celebrate Vaisakhi in a space that bears the name of a South Asian family,” he added. 

President of Carroll Community College, Dr. Rose Mince, welcomed guests, stating, “What a beautiful evening for such a beautiful celebration. It is a true honor and privilege to welcome you to Carroll Community College for our very first campus celebration of this Vaisakhi festival that holds deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance for many in the South Asian community.” 

She thanked the Moore-Miller administration for acknowledging the vibrant contributions of South Asian Americans in the state.

Rev. Lawrence Walker of GOCI noted that Vaisakhi symbolizes “hope, service, and commemoration of the harvest season,” emphasizing the importance of honoring what the Sikh community contributes across cultures.

“At the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, our mission is pretty simple: to connect communities, to lift voices, to build a stronger, more inclusive Maryland,” he said.

GCSAAA Commissioner Dr. Bishal Bhandari reflected on the day’s deeper meaning. “Whether it’s the joy of the harvest, the dawn of a new year, or the commemoration of a defining moment in Sikh history, Vaisakhi embodies the spirit of renewal, unity, and hope,” he said. “It reminds us of the interconnectedness of our cultures and the enduring power of tradition.”

Maryland State Senator Dr. Clarence Lam, Maryland Director of Immigrant Affairs Kamal Essaheb, GCSAAA Administrative Director Christina Poy, and Commissioners Amarjeet Sandhu and Aman Shergill, also spoke at the event, where cultural performances celebrating Vaisakhi were presented. Youth Khalsa Toastmasters Angad Singh and Bavjot Khaneja presented the significance of Vaisakhi.

Virginia House Delegate, JJ Singh, who recently made history as the first “Turbaned Sikh” to serve as a legislator in the United States, also sent a special video message.

Prominent community members, including Sikhs of America Chairman Jesse Singh, and Dr. Sudhir Sekhsaria, were also present to mark the occasion.

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