Praying for positivity

Mona

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Baisakhi brings a new start — new season, new year, harvesting of the crops… the day is here again, albeit in a challenging time. The celebrations are not going to be the same, with us locked up in our homes, but then who can stop one from praying for positivity and indulging a bit in sweets, for this is a special day. It seems like that’s the plan for celebs too!

Memory lane

Baisakhi has always been special for us — it’s our solar new year, reaping of the crops begins today; Khalsa Panth was founded this day, so there are reasons, more than one, to celebrate it. Growing up, sweets were made at home; our parents would take us to fairs, when they wouldn’t, we would run with friends to the fair. Whether one had money or not, we would still roam around, checking every single thing. Sad, no more fairs now! This Baisakhi is going to be a memorable one because we are locked at home, and social distancing is our responsibility. It’s a big day so we would do paath at home, make kheer and pray that the Corona threat is over soon.

— Balraj Syal, Khatron Ke Khiladi Season-10

Helping hand

Hailing from a family of farmers, I recall Baisakhi meant crops would be harvested and money would come home! Visit to a gurdwara was a must, which continued even when I moved to Mumbai. The night before each Baisakhi, I would go to a gurdwara, chop vegetables and make rotis. I would pay obeisance the first thing on the Baisakhi morning. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case this year. But then this is the time to show solidarity with the less-fortunate ones. I have taken permission from Oshiwara Police Station and would go out to feed folks who live in nearby make-shift shanties. I have been taking some aloo sabji-roti or dal chawal or bread. Yesterday they wanted some tea, since grocery stores are only open now on Mondays, so I am hoping to take tea and something sweet for them.

— Abheyjit Attri, actor

Special feeling

Baisakhi was really special when my grandmother was with us and we lived in the village. It was a holiday from school, and good food, meeting friends was the order of the day. My grandmother would make parsada and take it to the gurdwara. When we moved to Mohali, it wasn’t the same; visiting the gurdwara once a week continued though and on special occasions, doing seva and having langar held its charm. During the lockdown, we are planning to have some pakodas and meetha just to re-live the days gone by.

— Joban Sandhu, singer

Family fun

This time around, all the festivals including Baisakhi will be celebrated at home because of the lockdown. Since I am surrounded by my family, every day is a festival for me, as I get to spend time with them. Also, for now, Harsh and I are both busy shooting in full steam for Hum Tum aur Quarantine at home. This Baisakhi, I will definitely miss my mother’s side of the family. However, Harsh and I will be celebrating together. I will make something sweet, like sheera, and both of us will gorge on it!

— Bharti Singh, comedienne-anchor

Cooking delicacies

My father’s family comes from an agricultural background, so Baisakhi was always special. Elaborate food and visit to a gurdwara with the family were part of celebrations. I am currently at home in Ludhiana, but as going out is not an option, so I would be sitting with the family and eating something sweet. To be honest, in the lockdown, cooking seems like the best bet, and we are eating something sweet every single day! Though I worry much about the calories, Baisakhi calls for elaborate meals and time together, and that it shall be!

A vote of thanks

Today as we face one of the biggest challenges and an invisible enemy, let’s pray together for a brighter future on Baisakhi. We should thank God for all the resources and courage he has given us. We should also thank all our brothers and sisters who are fighting on the front-lines, be it farmers, health workers, cops, sanitation workers and everyone involved in the fight against corona. Let’s all stay together and stay safe.

— Ihana Dhillon, actress

— Jasmin Bajwa, actress mona@tribunemail.com