Prime Minister Bill English visits Kolmar Gurudwara

Prime Minister Bill English on Sunday, July 2, made a maiden visit to the Sri Dasmesh Darbar on Kolmar Road, in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Mr English was received by hundreds of enthusiastic community members at the Gurudwara. National List MPs Kanwaljit Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar also accompanied Mr English on this historic visit.

Mr English arrived shortly after noon and was ushered into the conference room for a meet and greet with the members of organising committee of the Gurudwara and wider community. Executive members of the Gurudwara, community leaders and other members of the Sikh community shared the table with the Prime Minister as he interacted and learned more about the Gurudwara and Sikhism.

Mr English took a short tour of the Langar Hall where hundreds of community members were busy in preparing food, serving others and contributing in different ways in the communal kitchen.

The Prime Minister was briefed about the functioning, overall philosophy and purpose behind Langar before proceeding to the main Gurudwara Hall to address the attendees.

Mr English humbly bowed down in front of the Darbar Sahib (an elevated Takht or throne where Guru Granth Sahib is placed) and sat alongside the community members.

He acknowledged his joy on being in the Kolmar Gurudwara for the first time and shared his views on the similarities and differences between Christianity and Sikhism.

"It is just good to understand the different ways people see the world, and what's impressive here and very recognisable is the generosity of the temple and the people in this community who benefit from the common kitchen," Mr English told The Indian Weekender.

"I go to the church every Sunday, this one day makes me feel like a common man and not a dignitary like other days of the week," Mr English said while addressing the audience, as translated in Punjabi by Kanwaljit Bakshi.

The Prime Minister mentioned the importance of diversity in New Zealand, and how the members of the Sikh community have contributed toward the economy and made the country a much more multicultural society.

 "We value their strong commitment to their families, to their businesses and the country because that is what makes the country work. The government is here to support the people who want to work hard and want to get ahead, and that's the kind of country National [Party] wants to see," Mr English told The Indian Weekender when asked what his message to the Sikh community in New Zealand was.