US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti pays obeisance at holy Sikh shrine Golden Temple
Amritsar, February 26
The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, his wife Amy Wakeland and one more family member paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Monday.
During Ambassador’s visit, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami discussed various matters with him. Dhami requested him to start direct flights from the USA to Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. Dhami said the Ambassador gave a positive response in this regard.
Dhami felicitated Garcetti and his family members with a model of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), books and shawls at the Information Centre.
Accompanied by his family members, the US Ambassador visited Sri Guru Ram Dass Langar hall, performed parkarma (circumambulation) and sewa (voluntary service). Later, he went to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib to pay obeisance, where he was given a garland of flowers and patasha prasad by the Hazuri Singhs.
About his visit, Garcetti wrote in the visitor book, “There are a few places in the world that are truly sacred. The Golden Temple is right there at the top of that list. You feel not only the holiness of this place, but how generous service of the people define not only the world as it is, but as it can be. May the deep friendship between the United States and Sikhs always bring peace to our world. With deep respect and friendship.”
Dhami said the US Ambassador said there was a large population of Sikhs in his home state of California with whom he had good and old relationship. The Ambassador said the commencement of a direct flight from America to Amritsar would offer convenient connectivity to the Punjabis settled in the United States.
