Director Harjus Singh is finishing up post-production for his film, “All Quiet on the Home Front,” based on the story of Bhagat Singh Thind, who fought for U.S. citizenship in a landmark 1923 U.S. Supreme Court case. Starring Sikh actor and designer Waris Ahluwalia, the film explores issues of identity, citizenship, and veterans.

“This was a human story of a World War I U.S. Army veteran who was willing to give his life for a country that no longer wanted him,” Singh told NBC News. “Reflecting on the themes of ‘What do we define to be an American’ and ‘How do we treat our veterans,’ I also found the imagery of a Sikh with his identity in full U.S. Army attire. And as 2015 proceeded and there was this sense that you had to look a certain way to be perceived as an ‘American,’ I wanted to show that a person with a turban and beard can be a U.S. Army veteran and an American hero.”

The film almost did not get made, however, when Ahluwalia was not allowed to board his plane in Mexico City. “There were certain parallels with what [Ahluwalia] did in Mexico City with his character Bhagat Singh that we spoke about in rehearsals,” Singh said. “In many ways, Waris had a bit in common with the real Bhagat Singh Thind.”

The film is expected to begin showing at film festivals this fall.

ABHAYJEET Singh Sachal, 14, of Surrey will be joining the Students on Ice Arctic Expedition from July 21 to August 5, 2016. He received a full $11,900 scholarship from the US Embassy to take part in the expedition.

“This expedition will allow me to explore my passion for learning about the dynamics about climate change, delve into my passion for scientific research, and will give me an adventure of a lifetime. Upon my return, I will share my knowledge with the community in order to implement the changes that we need,” Abhayjeet, who is going to be a Grade 10 student at Delta’s Seaquam Secondary School, noted.

As the participants travel to the eastern Canadian Arctic and western Greenland, they will be learning about the poles from a global perspective. The expedition will involve a team of more than 100 high school and university students from around the world.

Guided by a team of scientists, elders, artists and educators, they will develop a deeper connection to the land, culture and people of the Arctic as they engage in hands-on research, listen to elders, visit remote Arctic communities, observe wildlife, hike through Auyuittuq National Park, and bridge cultures and foster understanding with youth from around the world.

They will learn about the impacts of climate change, the importance of ocean conservation, and other important topics, grounded in an understanding and appreciation for the people who call the Arctic home.

Since Students on Ice (SOI) began nearly 16 years ago, more than 2,500 students and educators from 52 countries have participated in SOI’s life-changing journeys. They form an alumni family that is connected by their experiences and provide ongoing support to fellow expeditioners as mentors, teachers, and lifelong friends.

There will also be a satellite system on board the icebreaker. During the expedition, Students on Ice will update their expedition website with videos, photos, and student journals – and so you will be able to follow the trip online.

IN 2013, Abhayjeet gave a TEDx talk called the Theory of Creativity that allowed him to pursue his passion for public speaking. Shortly after the talk, Deloitte Incorporation sponsored him to speak at schools about getting involved. This year, he started a Speech Club at his school to help students with public speaking.

He is also an active member of the Debate and Model United Nations Club, where he went on different delegations to debate on topics such as climate change and Arctic sovereignty. He is also very involved with the school’s Environmental Club, where he built a rain garden and led an environmental awareness presentation at a local elementary school.

In his spare time, Abhayjeet loves playing instruments such as the piano, tabla and harmonium. He said his life would be incomplete without sports such as tennis, badminton, curling and hockey. Since the age of seven, he has played hockey in the Surrey Minor Hockey League. Above all, he is very passionate about volunteering.

“I combined this passion with my experience in filming and editing when I took part in a Reel Youth Film Program, where I made short films to raise awareness of ageism. I also volunteer with organizations such as Road2Wellness, where we raise funds for hygiene-related issues in developing nations, and Students Without Borders, where we raised money to build a well in Kenya,” he added.

Abhayjeet said: “I am inspired by not only my parents, who push me to do better, but by my creativity and how I can always find creative solutions to problems around me, and I hope to use this to solve a problem that I will soon see first-hand: climate change.”

And Abhayjeet points out that he will be making history as the youngest Sikh to go to the Arctic.
A good role model, indeed, for South Asian youth.

Source- voiceonline.com

Punjab’s World War-II hero and last Military Cross awardee Colonel Daljit Singh Randhawa (retd) died in Hoshiarpur. He was 95.

He is survived by his 92-year-old wife Satwant Kaur, two sons — Col Jasjit Singh Randhawa (retd) and Major Amanjit Singh Randhawa (retd) — and two daughters. His elder son-in-law Saravjit Singh Hothi retired as Air Vice-Marshal, while younger son-in-law Col HPS Pannu (retd) served with 71 Armoured Regiment.

The decorated officer had been undergoing treatment “after a fall at his Model Town residence two weeks ago and had been on life support”, said a family member. The last rites will be performed at his native Phulgana village on the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road at noon on Saturday.

Coming from a family whose seven generations have served in the Army, Col Randhawa’s great-great-grandfather Subedar Harnam Singh was the first to join the defence services and fought during the 1857 mutiny.
Col Randhawa was decorated with the prestigious Military Cross for chivalry displayed during the 1944 Burma campaign in Kohima.

“At 24, my father was the youngest officer to receive the Military Cross. He felt proud to see my son Ibandeep, now a Major, getting inducted into the Army,” said Col Jasjit Randhawa (retd).

“He sustained injuries while killing four Japanese soldiers in hand-to-hand combat on the road to Imphal. He was the Parade Commander at the country’s first Independence Day Parade in Delhi, where Lord Mountbatten was given the guard of honour,” recalled Air Vice-Marshal Hothi.

“He was born in Montgomery, Pakistan. He was posted as Major in Poonch and often shared stories of the days of demarcation of the LoC. After receiving the Military Cross, he was allotted 28 acres in Pakistan. The land was re-allotted at Phuglana, where his last rites will be performed,” said daughter Pearl Hothi, who lives in Jalandhar.