Prince Charles praises selfless service by British-Sikhs in Vaisakhi message

Prince Charles on Monday issued a video mess to convey his "lakh lakh vaidhaiyan" to Sikh community in UK and across Commonwealth on occasion of Vaisakhi and praised "selfless service" of British-Sikh community in battle against coronavirus pandemic. 71-year-old heir to British throne, who recovered from his COVID-19 diagsis last month, said he can only imagine great sness as event cant be celebrated in usual way as he lauded vital role being played by community on frontlines of crisis.

"In se challenging times, Sikh community is making an extraordinary and invaluable contribution to life of this country and to so many ors, just as it has always done," he said in his mess which he opens with "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh".

royal goes on to wish Sikhs a "happy, safe and peaceful" Vaisakhi, as festival which celebrates birth of Khalsa and speaks of all heartwarming reports of different faith communities pulling toger to offer each or support and friendship in se challenging times.

In mess issued by his Clarence House office, he tes:

"In United Kingdom, as elsewhere, Sikhs are playing a vital role on frontline of this crisis, wher in hospitals or or key roles, or through remarkable work that is being done by gurdwaras to support local communities and most vulnerable. In all this, it seems to me, Sikhs so marvellously embody values on which Guru Nanak founded your religion, over five centuries ago: hard work, respect and selfless service to those less fortunate than yourselves. He said that both he and his wife, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, are grateful for all Sikh community's "outstanding efforts".

"At same time, I kw that many of you are suffering personally from cruel effects of this pernicious virus, or tragically have lost those you love. I can only say that my heart goes out to you under such very difficult circumstances," he said.

Vaisakhi will t be marked with customary large garings and melas in different parts of UK this year as community is urged to stay safe amid coronavirus pandemic, with all events cancelled. London's annual Vaisakhi on Square held at Trafalgar Square, scheduled for next Saturday, was cancelled. A similar mega Vaisakhi event held at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, one of cities with UK's largest Sikh population, stands cancelled amid lockdown, with celebrations in Leicester, Southall and Gravesend also called off.

events at annual Vaisakhi events, including colourful street processions in form of nagar kirtans, feeding community with langars as well as cultural activities including tritional Sikh martial art of Gatka, have been replaced by a focus on community service to help vulnerable during lockdown.