Masisi Sings Sikh Community's Praises
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday April 16, 2018 13:09
The Sikhs were celebrating Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a historical and religious festival in Sikhism. It is celebrated on April 14 every year as per the Nanakshahi calendar and the Mool Nanakshahi calendar.
“I have observed a lot of good things about the Sikh community. They are a good example of commitment, success, resilience, compassion and persistence. They are perfectionists with vigour, which always yields results they set to achieve. It cannot be a surprise that they tend to do well,” he said.
Masisi said the Sikh in Botswana have done so well owning many temples in Gaborone considering their not so large numbers. “You are law-abiding citizens and the chairperson has informed me that all of you pay their taxes.
I promise you that as it has been the case, you will continue to be protected by the Constitution of Botswana, which I will uphold at all times,” he said. Masisi also praised the Sikh Council of Botswana for a medical clinic, which they run helping communities for free. He praised them and urged them to continue being truthful and faithful to their religion as it teaches important life lessons.
Welcoming Masisi, Sikh Council of Botswana chairperson, Ajit Singh Ahuja thanked the President for honouring their invitation. He said their religion has existed in Botswana since the 1970s and they currently have over 40 families following the religion. “We are honoured to have yet another President visit us here.
The Sikh community is famous for entrepreneurial skills and a majority are in business and hire many Batswana. We will be hoping for many more opportunities so that we can continue employing and empowering more Batswana,” he said. Ahuja said that Sikhism originated in the Punjab region of India. He said Sikhs live by sacred scripture Guru Granth Sahib. He said they believe in engaging in selfless service, striving for social justice for the benefit and prosperity of all, and honest conduct and livelihood.
The Sikhs donated P51,000 to Masisi’s Ipelego Trust, a non-profit making organisation he formed with a view to improve the conditions of lives of his then constituents in Moshupa-Manyana constituency.