1/ Wishing everyone who celebrates a Happy Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas.
To those who do not know the historical significance, I will briefly share what I have learned about it through the years.
As per @SikhRI, Bandi Chhor Divas represents "Emancipation Day"
2/ Sikh Gurus
Sikhi is guided by the teachings of 11 Gurus (leaders who guide us from darkness to light) from Guru Nanak Sahib to the Guru Granth Sahib (our scriptures in homes/Gurduaras).
Guru Hargobind Sahib was our 6th Guru; Bandi Chhor Divas remembers his imprisonment.
3/ What Happened?
Guru Sahib was imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir at the Gwalior Fort for months-years (uncertain how long exactly)
Alongside Guruji, were 52 imprisoned political prisoners, the Hindu Rajahs (Kings/Princes)
4/ Rejected Freedom
Guru Sahib was offered his freedom by Jahangir through the efforts of Bhai Jetha & Mian Mir.
Guruji rejected this opportunity at freedom in solidarity with the unjust ongoing detainment of the Rajahs.
He refused to be released unless they all were.
5/ Context
Guru Hargobind's father was the 5th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Sahib.
Guru Arjan Sahib was tortured to martyrdom by Jahangir after refusing to convert to Islam.
Guru was made to sit on a burning hot sheet while boiling hot sand was poured over his body, for 5 days.
6/ Fearlessness
How strong must one's inspired faith be to stand up to the person that tortured your father to their physical end?
This was not about religion, this was Guruji demonstrating that a Sikh must always stand for justice & did not waver in belief or action.
7/ What happened
Jahangir said that whoever can hold onto Guruji's chola (robe), may be released with him.
A special chola was stitched that had 52 strips attached to it, one for each Rajah that was imprisoned.
“The lifestyle they have chosen is a defence mechanism to the trauma they experienced” as a reflection to residential school survivors.
3/ Pitfalls
One of the most enlightening pearls were pitfalls people who have seemingly good intentions may encounter while doing Anti-Racism Work and promoting Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility
This was presented by @LenPierre2 - an Indigenous Cultural Safety Consultant
First dose Dec 20 & second dose Jan 31st.
At the time we weren't sure what optimal dosing interval was & had ongoing supply issues, so many got 2 doses at varying shorter intervals.
Now we know ~12 weeks is a good interval, but also are seeing waning immunity.
3/ Waning Immunity
Data is showing our antibody levels to #COVID19 are decreasing, but that doesn't mean our overall immunity is, as we are seeing by our vaccine effectiveness data in BC.
But, in BC we still are losing too many ppl, almost 50 have passed in last week.