Slain teen's memory honoured at B.C. Sikh celebration

Businesses and families will be giving away free food Saturday in stalls along the route of Surrey's Vaisakhi parade, but a special stall also will be set up where gifts will be handed out in the memory of a slain teenager.

The family of Maple Batalia plan to use to hand out head coverings and flyers to help promote the charity B.C. Victims of Homicide.

Batalia, 19, a student and aspiring actress, was gunned down late at night on the Surrey campus of Simon Fraser University in September 2011.

Vaisakhi traditionally marks the harvest, but also celebrates the Sikh tradition of seva, selfless service to the community.

For the Batalia family, the occasion means bringing awareness to end violence against women.

"Every person who is in the Vaisakhi, I request never kill the women, always help," said Sarbjit Batalia, Maple Batalia’s mother.

Batalia’s sister, Rose Batalia, said the family doesn't want her killing to be forgotten.

"Yes, we've suffered a loss, but we're trying to come out from it and further educate people so they don't end up in similar situations," Batalia said.

The parade's organizers say they welcome the Batalia family’s efforts.

"They try to keep alive her memories and whole community don't want this kind of incident to happen again," said Gian Singh Gill, president of the Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara.