“LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH” TO CELEBRATE GURU HARKRISHAN SAHIB GURPURB VERY SUCCESSFUL
SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY SUFFERS GREATLY WITH MANY SERIOUS HALTH CONDITIONS…MANJULA SOOD MBE
(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- Health event held to celebrate the birthday {Gurpurb} of the 8th Sikh Master Guru HarKrishan Sahib Ji on Sunday 11 August at Gurdwara Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib in Leicestershire UK was well organised, attended by over 100 people ranging from 5 years to 86 years and was very successful.
Guru Har Rai’s youngest son Guru HarKrishan was born in July 1656. He was the 8th Sikh Guru who cured countless members of all faiths at Delhi, India. K.S Duggal, SIKH GURUS, Their Lives and Teachings, UBS Publishes, 1993 states when people found out that Guru HarKrishan was visiting Delhi, large crowds flocked around him day and night. At the place where Guru Ji cured so many from smallpox, Bangla Sahib Gurdwara was built which provides vegetarian food for thousands of devotees everyday as well as accommodation for a nominal fee.
One of the stall holders providing health information at the event, Kirit Mistry founder and Health lead of South Asian Health Action SAHA commented “ This was a wonderful opportunity to promote health issues that our communities face such as Diabetes, Cancer, Kidney Disease, Dementia, Respiratory and Hypertension. It also raised awareness of Organ Donation as people from South Asian communities have to wait much longer for organ transplant. We would like to encourage our communities to take part in research and clinical trials to help future generation receive the needed for heart conditions.
Dr. Sonal Bhavsar of Indived Ayurvedic and Holistic Therapy Centre, Diabetes Self-Help Group said health event like these need to be organised more and regularly to help the Asian communities raise awareness about health and well-being. I have been able to reach out to so many people. Excellent health event. Ten year old Dilan who came to the health event with his family said it is good to be healthy. We should cook meals at home and drastically reduce take away fast food
Councillor Manjula Sood MBE could not attend due to family celebrations commented “Best wishes to Punjabi Listeners Club for organising “Look After Your Health”. It is very important to look after one’s health and well-being. People of South Asian heritage suffer with many serious health conditions for example diabetes, heart, high BP, Cancer and many more.
British Heart Foundation BHS Ambassador Sulakhan Singh BEM whose photo is on front page of one of BHF’s heart health publications said in order to get and keep good health it is utmost important to control what you say with your mouth as well as what you put in it. Do gentle exercise for 30 minutes daily, go for regular walks, eat less, eat healthy foods, increase eating fruits and vegetables, and keep a healthy weight.
Guest of Honour at the health event, Franne Wills, Head of Service, Culture, Leicestershire which includes Heritage, Libraries, Collections, Learning and Participation of Leicestershire County Council which has population greater than one million people was pleased to be invited and commented ” Amazing to see so many health organisations come together to promote positive health messages. Fantastic event.”
One of the organisers Co-Ordinator of Punjabi Listeners Club Tarlochan Singh Virk wished to thank Sukhdev Singh Atwal Sokha Udopuria Kabin King CEO of Derbyshire, Santokh Singh Bathh of Knighton Self Service on Welford Road Franne Wills of Leicestershire County Council, Oadby Gurdwara Management Committee, Louise Monk of Local Area Co-Ordination Oadby and Wigston, all the health stall holders and their volunteers and each and everyone who attended and made the “LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH” successful and memorable.
