Farmers in Kallair Balla village of Punjab’s Amritsar district celebrated Vaisakhi on Tuesday with immense joy and enthusiasm. On this auspicious occasion, they began harvesting wheat using traditional sickles while enjoying the rhythmic beats of drums. Before starting the harvest, they performed Ardas to express gratitude to God for a successful Rabi crop, especially wheat.

Vaisakhi marks the Punjabi New Year and symbolizes prosperity, gratitude, and the beginning of the harvest season. Ranjit Singh, a farmer from the village, shared that the festival holds deep cultural and religious importance. He highlighted that the day commemorates the historic moment when Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa Panth and introduced the tradition of Amrit Sanchar.

He also noted that this is the time when wheat ripens in Punjab and harvesting begins. Agriculture continues to be a primary source of livelihood in the state, supporting both farmers and laborers. Despite modern machinery like combine harvesters, many farmers still start the process manually as a mark of tradition.

Ranjit Singh emphasized the importance of beginning any new task, especially harvesting, with prayers and Ardas to seek divine blessings. He added that wheat is a crucial crop that meets the country’s food requirements for the entire year. Recalling the past, he mentioned that India once depended on wheat imports under the PL-480 Act from the United States, but Punjab’s farmers played a vital role in making the nation self-sufficient in food production. Even today, they remain central to India’s food security.

Farmer Kawardeep Singh described the atmosphere as joyful not only in their village but across the entire state, as people celebrate Vaisakhi with great enthusiasm. He emphasized the festival’s cultural and historical significance. Another farmer, Daljit Singh, stated that Vaisakhi is a major occasion for the farming community as it marks the readiness of the wheat crop for harvest. After offering prayers, farmers have started cutting the crop, feeling a deep sense of pride and happiness. For them, the harvest represents the result of nearly six months of hard work, care, and patience.

Farmers nurture their crops like their own children, facing various challenges throughout the season. This day brings the reward of their efforts, along with financial stability and hope for the future. The harvest supports household needs and helps prepare for the next cropping cycle. Across Punjab, the harvesting season begins with prayers, celebrations, and traditional rituals. The festive spirit is enhanced by dhol beats and community gatherings. As Kawardeep Singh explained, just like a business reaches its final stage of returns, this is the moment when farmers receive the fruits of their labor—their “golden crop”—bringing both fulfillment and preparation for the seasons ahead.