KHALSA DlWAN SOCIETY, at Vancouver in Canada, formed on 13 March 1909, with Seva Singh as president, was incorporated on 23 February 1915 under the Societies Act, with the primary object of promoting Sikh teaching and way of life, establishing and maintaining Gurudwaras and appointing ministers and missionaries. With fresh influx of Sikh immigrants during the 1960`s the scope of the Society`s activity widened. One of the major concerns then was to secure the immigrants their rights as full partners in the life of that nation, and the constitution was amended to this end in 1970.
The Society influenced, both directly and indirectly, the individual and collective activities of its members. Besides providing them with a moral anchor, it was their meeting point socially as well. Under its auspices, several new Gurudwaras such as those at places like New Westminster, Abbotsford, Victoria, Port Alberni, Lake Cowichan and Nanaimo were established. The Society set up a library, published books on Sikh religion and history and sponsored competitions in gurbani recital . The Gurudwaras affiliated to it also published a biweekly newspaper, Canadian Sikh Samachar.
The society steadfastly campaigned for the recognition of the legitimate rights not only of the Sikhs but of all Indian immigrants. It helped them acquire, in 1947, the municipal, provincial and federal franchise and, in 1951, a special agreement which annulled the 1908 legislation, commonly known as `the continuous voyage legislation` and fixed a quota system for Indian immigrants. This agreement was terminated in 1968 henceforth, under the new immigration regulations, the immigrants from India were to be treated on the same basis as those from other countries. K.S.S
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The Khalsa Diwan Society is a pioneer Sikh society formed on July 22nd, 1902 in Canada, America; it was formally established in 1906. In 1908, the Society purchased and built the first Sikh Gurdwara at 1866 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver British Colombia (BC) in Canada. The Gurdwara was inaugurated on January 19th, 1908. This is believed to the first Sikh Gurdwara in the whole of the American continent. This Gurdwara Sahib served the Greater Vancouver Sikh community until new Gurdwara Sahib was occupied on April 25th, 1970. The 2nd Avenue property was sold for $100,000 to build a bigger (present) Gurdwara Sahib in Ross Street. It was very unfortunate to lose this historical Sikh monument.
As the population of Sikhs rose in BC, the society decided to build a new gurdwara in 1969. The society purchased a 2.75 Acres of Land in 1968 and construction of the gurdwara was completed in April 1970. The new Gurdwara Sahib’s foundation stone was laid on March 30th,1969 at 8000 Ross Street, Vancouver B.C. in the 2.75 acre lot at the corner of Ross Street and S.E. Marine Drive. The construction was completed in 1970 by the Haebler Construction Co. Ltd. at the cost of $433,000.
The building of the Gurdwara Sahib was designed and built by a well known architect M/S Erickson and Massey. On November 30th,1969, the 500th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the opening ceremony of the present Gurdwara Sahib was performed. Although the building was not occupied until April 25th,1970. The holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib was moved from the 2nd Avenue gurdwara to the new location at 8000 Ross Street on Vasakhi day of 1970.
The Khalsa Diwan Society has played a major role in social and economic development of the British Columbia for over a century. The society has been a pioneer in raising Sikhi related issues and getting recognition for Sikhs in Canada. The Society plays a key role in the Komagata Maru affair in the early 1900′s and other major events in BC and Canada.
The society continues to work to build a strong community based on Sikhi values and principles. Presently many Punjabi classes are offered in the temple and at various schools in Vancouver; training in kirtan and gurbani is organised for the youth at the temple complex. The society has setup a computer training centre for new immigrants to make them job ready. Many other computer courses are also offered for kids, youth and seniors. Every year the society arranges a Vaisakhi Nagar KirtanProcession and it is witnessed by over 100,000 attendees. Every year the society organizes sports activities including soccer, kabadi and wrestling tournaments. Almost over 100 teams take part in this sports function.
