Amritsar-Ambassador of United States of America (USA) to India Eric Garcetti today paid obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib along with his wife Amy Wakeland and a family member. During this time, Ambassador Garcetti visited Langar Sri Guru Ramdas Ji while doing Parikarama (circumambulation) and performed Sewa (voluntary service) with his own hands. Later, he went to Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib to pay obeisance, where he was given a garland of flowers and Patasha prasad by the Hazuri Singhs.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami honoured Ambassador Garcetti and his family members with a golden model of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, books and shawls at the information center of Sri Darbar Sahib. Earlier, Harjinder Singh Dhami and Ambassador Garcetti discussed various topics with each other during a meeting.
Talking to the Ambassador, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami asked him to start direct flights from the USA to Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar. The Ambassador responded positively to this.
About his visit, Ambassador Garcetti wrote in the visitor book that, “There are a few places in the world that are truly sacred – this Golden Temple is right there at the top of that list. You feel not only the holiness of this place but how the generous service of the people define not only the world as it is but as it can be. May the deep friendships between the United States and Sikhism always bring peace to our world. With deep respect and friendships.”
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that USA’s Ambassador Eric Garcetti was honoured upon his arrival here. He said that Ambassador Garcetti expressed that there is a large number of Sikhs living in his home state of California with whom he has a good and old relationship.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said Ambassador Garcetti has been asked to make special efforts to start direct flights from the USA to Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. He said that there is a large number of Sikh and Punjabi community members living in America, who will get a lot of convenience with the start of direct flights to Amritsar and will also avoid the expense and hassle of coming to Punjab from New Delhi.
On this occasion, SGPC assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Shahbaz Singh, manager Satnam Singh Riar, Narinder Singh, information officer Amritpal Singh, Randhir Singh, Jatinderpal Singh and others were present.