Langar Day at RVU: Celebrating Sikh Values and Cultural Awareness in Medicine
By: Gursharan Lubana, OMS-I, Rocky Vista University
On April 22nd, RVU’s Colorado campus hosted its first Langar Day—a Sikh tradition of community service and shared meals—in honor of Vaisakhi. Organized by Gursharan Lubana OMS-I, Amiroop Sandhu OMS-I, Dr. Trevino, the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, and Kate Connors, the Director of International Scholars, the event brought together students, faculty, and staff to celebrate compassion, equity, and cultural understanding.
Bridging Cultures Through Compassion
On a bright spring day at Rocky Vista University, we gathered not just to share a meal, but to share a message. Langar Day, rooted in the Sikh tradition of service, justice, and equality, offered our campus community a meaningful space for learning, reflection, and connection.
As a Sikh-Canadian medical student, I was honored to organize this event to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. My hope was to show how Sikh values can help us grow into more compassionate, inclusive, and ethical physicians.
Langar: Serving with Compassion and Equality
During the presentation, we invited students and faculty to join us in enjoying Langar, a warm vegetarian meal served together in the auditorium. This act of sharing food is more than just a tradition—it is a living expression of Sikh values: equality, humility, and community.
This spirit of inclusive hospitality is something we aspire to replicate in medicine: treating every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect, and building systems that serve everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Seva and Medicine: A Shared Mission
At the heart of Sikhism is Seva, or selfless service—the act of giving without expecting anything in return. In medicine, Seva aligns with the very spirit of healthcare: putting our patients’ needs above all else.
Seva teaches us to serve with humility, to listen with empathy, and to approach every encounter with a servant’s heart. It reminds us that healing is not just a profession, but a calling.
Another central principle is Sarbat da Bhala, “the welfare of all humanity”. Sikhism teaches us to pray and act for the well-being of everyone, regardless of who they are. In medicine, this translates into a commitment to health equity, working to eliminate disparities, and advocating for those whose voices often go unheard.
Sikhs are taught to be lifelong learners, continuously seeking knowledge as a form of spiritual and personal growth. Similarly, physicians must be lifelong learners, committed to staying current with evolving diseases, treatments, and medical advancements to provide the best care
Sikh teachings also emphasize Sat (truth) and Nyay (justice)—and standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. In our future roles as physicians, this inspires us to lead with moral clarity, uphold ethical standards, and fiercely advocate for our patients in complex and unjust systems.
A Day of Connection and Meaning
What made this day truly special was the overwhelming support from students, faculty, and staff. We were genuinely touched by the turnout—so many faces eager to learn, share, and connect. We didn’t expect such a beautiful response, and it made the experience even more meaningful for everyone involved.
Langar Day was more than an educational event—it was a celebration of shared humanity. It reminded us that we all benefit when we make space to learn from one another’s stories, beliefs, and cultures.
Cultural Awareness in Medicine
We recognize that no one can be 100% culturally competent, but we can strive to be more culturally aware. By being open, curious, and respectful, we move toward a more inclusive model of care. Events like Langar Day offer important opportunities to build that awareness, and we’re proud to be part of a community at RVU that values those efforts.
In a field as diverse as medicine, cultural awareness is not just a skill, it’s a necessity. It helps us become better listeners, more effective healers, and more compassionate human beings.
Looking Ahead
As proud Sikhs and future physicians, we are deeply passionate about carrying these values—Seva, Sarbat da Bhala, truth, justice, and compassion—into how we care for others. We strive to live by them now, and we remain committed to practicing them for as long as we are blessed to do Seva.
We are incredibly grateful to the RVU community for embracing this celebration with open minds and hearts. May we all continue to learn from one another, serve one another, and heal together, with compassion, dignity, and unity.
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