UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, helped out with the Sikh festival, known as Vaisakhi when she visited a Sikh place of worship, located in the Black Country.
Theresa May visited Guru Nanak Gurdwara, in Caldmore, Walsall, where she helped cook chapatti, which is flat bread, in preparation for the Sikh Festival.
While visiting the Gurdwara, members of the Sikh community were given the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister. She also accepted a bust of Sikh Soldier, which was given to her by the Sikh community. The bust represented the contribution made by Sikhs in the First World War. The bust is a model of the seven-foot WW1 Sikh Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which is the UK’s first and only monument to the Sikh service during the Great War.
Theresa paid her respects by bowing down to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which is the religious script of Sikhism. She also paid tributes to the contribution Sikhs have made in Britain, before helping in the kitchen.
WW1 Sikh Memorial Chairman Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal, an army reservist from Handsworth Wood, presented the model bust to the Prime Minister.
He said: “The Prime Minister’s visit to the Gurdwara for Vaisakhi is a momentous occasion, and it recognises all the positive contributions British Sikhs make to our country.”
“We are here today because of the glorious heroism and bravery of the Sikh soldier. In presenting the bust, we highlighted our shared history and contribution to western freedoms which continues to inspire us now and in future.”
Kundan Singh Khera, general secretary of the Gurdwara, said: “She cooked some chapatti after having a look around the kitchen.”
“She enjoyed a cup of tea in the hall with the Sikh community. She was very appreciative of the Sikh community.”
