By V. Sivaji
The historic Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in the heart of Georgetown reopened after undergoing major renovation work earlier this morning.
The 125 year-old temple now looks radiant with a fresh coat of paint and other upgrading work.
Leading the opening ceremony was Penang Deputy Chief Minister 11, YB Jagdeep Singh, YB Ram Karpal Singh, MP for Bukit Gelugor, YB Steven Sim, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative and a host of guests.
Among them were His Excellency Shri Somnath Ghosh, High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly in Punjab, India, Datin Seri Gurmit Kaur, Patron of Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang, Ong Pang Wen from Sunway Group representing Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah who had donated RM1 million towards the good cause.
More guests were from as far as India, Singapore, Thailand were among those lending support. The formal celebrations had started as early as 6am with prayers and holy chants by priests.
In his speech, Jagdeep said the restoration would ensure that an important part of the state’s history is preserved for future generations.
“Penang is proud to preserve landmarks such as Wadda Gurdwara Sahib, which embody our shared multicultural heritage.
“We are deeply grateful to Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah for his generosity in supporting this restoration. His contribution reflects a commitment to inclusivity and unity, ensuring that this temple remains a beacon of faith and harmony for generations to come,” he added.
Later, Jagdeep, Ram Karpal, Sim along with other temple officials joined hands to unveil the plaque to mark the opening.
