Senate Resolution No. 133

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 5, 2023, as Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, The true architects of society and community are those
extraordinary individuals whose faith and unremitting commitment have
served to sustain the spiritual and cultural values of life; Sikh leader
Guru Gobind Singh was undoubtedly such an individual; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 5, 2023, as Guru Gobind Singh
Jayanti Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The festival honors and remembers the Sikh leader Guru
Gobind Singh, a truly inspirational man who was also a warrior, poet,
philosopher, and spiritual master; and

WHEREAS, Guru Gobind Singh was the son of the ninth Sikh guru, Guru
Tegh Bahadur; after his father was killed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb,
Singh became a Sikh leader when he was merely nine years of age; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his purposeful life, Guru Gobind Singh fought
against Muslim rulers and the injustices committed by them; he became
renowned for his skills as a warrior and for the way he lived his life
to set an example for others; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Guru Gobind Singh not only mastered the art of
fighting, but also focused on spreading his philosophical teachings in
the Sikh community; and

WHEREAS, Guru Gobind Singh also started the tradition of Khalsa,
which includes Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (an iron
or steel bracelet worn on the wrist), Kripan (a sword or dagger), and
Kacchera (short breeches); and

WHEREAS, This tradition birthed a new ceremony for Sikh warriors
whose duty was to protect people from religious persecution; during this
ceremony, a Khalsa Sikh was given the title of a Singh, whereas a female
was called Kaur; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of Khalsa in Guru Gobind's life became a way
of life and the warriors had to follow a very strict code of conduct; he
also finalized the "Kartarpur Pothi," a manuscript of the great Guru
Granth Sahib which serves as the primary scripture of Sikhism; in total,
this extraordinary man fought 13 wars against the Mughal Empire; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his purposeful journey of life, Guru Gobind
Singh compiled, with dignity and kindness, decades filled with gracious
literary works, moral causes, and humanitarian efforts, justly earning
the devotion of his followers and the admiration and respect of his
fellow man; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 5, 2023, as Guru
Gobind Singh Jayanti Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.