News & Update

California’s State Legislature has proclaimed November to be Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month, formally acknowledging the contributions California’s Sikhs have made to the Golden State. Sikh Americans across the state now have an opportunity to educate neighbors, teachers, colleagues, and friends about our religion, our shared values, and the part we’ve played in American history since 1899, in a high-profile way.

This chance to educate is far more important than many realize. Even those who may see and recognize a Sikh every day do not know much about their Sikh American neighbors, co-workers, and even friends. As the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) found in its 2013 study, Turban Myths, conducted in partnership with researchers from Stanford University, 70 percent of Americans cannot identify a man wearing a turban as a Sikh American. In fact, one in five respondents who sees a turbaned stranger said they feel anger or apprehension towards them. This bias is further reinforced by the media.

The required understanding and education have created positive discourse led to change. For example, the NCAA now allows players with religious headgear to participate in the highest levels of collegiate sport, and police departments like Washington DC’s MPD allow officers to serve with their articles of faith intact.

Considering Education as a powerful tool, they create a strong sense of respect from all the communities.
As a mothers wish a better future for their son — a future where they can not only pursue any career with their turban and beard intact, but also where they are appreciated for what they adds to the fabric of American society.

Americans should see their turban and smile, letting it stand for freedom and justice rather than suspicion and mistrust.

Education empowers individuals to create change and ACR 147 gives us the platform to do just that.

~ by Sumeet Kaur Bal
~ Source: http://theaerogram.com/

A 25-year-old practising homeopathy has become the first Sikh to be appointed as a traffic warden in Pakistan.

Gulab Singh, who hails from the holy town of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, joined the service in the rank of a Sub-Inspector.

He is the youngest of the siblings. Gulab completed his matriculation in Nankana district, graduation in Lahore and then received a doctorate in homeopathy from Bahawalpur. He is the second Sikh to be appointed in any of the forces, the first being in Army.

“The attitude of my fellow trainees and officers was very good towards me. Nobody ever forced me to do anything against my religious beliefs,” Singh said. He said he never had any problems wearing his kara (bangle), or keeping his kirpan (dagger) with him.

As he was a vegetarian, green meals were arranged for him in the mess during the training period, he added.

“I am very grateful to my officers for this gesture.” says Mr Singh.

Proud to see such Singhs offering their services to their Nation and Guru Sahib by retaining his Sikhi!

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

~ Edited by Tapasleen kaur
~ Source: Facebook.com

A Matter of Pride and Honor when The Decorated Canadian war veteran Lt. Col Harjit S received the Order of Military Merit, one of the military’s highest recognition, the Order of Military Merit.

He is the first Sikh to receive this award and continues to be a role model for youth across the country as he prepares to serve his country in new ways.
Lt. Colonel Harjit Singh is an Afghanistan war hero who is the first Sikh to command a Canadian Army regiment and who was portrayed as a role model in Ottawa’s latest Welcome to Canada booklet for the immigrants. He is also a former Vancouver police officer, decorated after serving once in Bosnia and three times in Afghanistan.

Lt. Harjit Singh expressed Sikhism “It was an identity thing. I needed the commitment because I knew it would keep me on the right path. I found the true meaning of Sikhism and I loved the warrior aspect of it.”
“When I was fighting to understand who I am, that (warrior) aspect was something that I really identified with.”

Sikhs became warriors because of persecution. But Mr Singh says the main religious principle is that a Sikh must be a positive and contributing member of society. “It’s important to defend your own rights. But there is a requirement that you must defend the rights of others. “When I was in Afghanistan, a man came up to me and said, ‘You are a Sikh and I know you must help me’.”

Lt. Colonel Singh joined the British Columbia Regiment as a Trooper in 1989 and was commissioned in the Regiment in 1991. He was promoted to Captain in 1995 and to Major in 2005. Lt. Colonel Singh has served in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as three deployments to Afghanistan, most recently in November 2010 he was requested to serve as the Special Assistant to US Army Major-General James Terry, Commanding General of 10th Mountain Division and Commander of Regional Command South.

He continues to be a role model for youth across the country as he prepares to serve his country in new ways. He stands out as a Warrior in Real Sense keeping his Sikhi Intact!

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

~ Source: ThelinkPaper.Ca

Gurpreet Singh Sarin was the First Sikh contestant in the American Idol 12-year run show, a major rallying point for Sikh-American fans. Being the first Sikh contestant, he realized it also would be good exposure for Sikhs. ,Gurpreet Singh Sarin was the brightest looking participant in ‘American Idol’

While this may have ruffled the feathers of most, Singh Sarin doesn’t let that kind of thing bother him. “I’ve been getting that kind of stuff all my life,” he says, flashing his infectious smile. “I know that if I stay in the contest, people will stop focusing on how I look and start noticing my voice. The judges and viewers have started to embrace his Sikh identity and appreciate his diverse musical talents.
They nicknamed him as “The Turbanator”.

On being Interviewed about his Turbaned look he proudly adds,” I practice a religion called Sikhism, which is the fifth-largest religion in the world. Sikhs wear turbans as a sign of commitment to their values of justice, integrity, and love. The turban is almost like a police uniform—it signifies to people that I have a certain set of principles, and that I will stand up for them.”

Gurpreet Sarin, first Sikh on American idol and first Sikh to make it to top 40, has released his first single, “Compassionate Father”. The theme of this song is religious bigotry – something that we in the Sikh community have experienced. The central message is that we can never judge another person’s relationship with God, and that all spiritual paths lead to the same ONE.

He has opened new doors for Sikhs to follow their passions without being offended for their looks and identity.

~ Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

Ajay Singh Banga Brings Pride stands out as The Only Sikh Indian in Fortune’s ‘2014’s Top People in Business’ list.

MasterCard president and CEO, Ajay Singh Banga is the only Sikh Indian to make it in Fortune’s ‘2014’.

Mr Banga, who studied economics at Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College and received his MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad ranked number 28 in the list. He spent 13 years of his working life with Nestle India before moving to PepsiCo, Citigroup and eventually MasterCard which he joined in 2009.

To hear him talk philosophically about a “world beyond cash,” he sounds more like a Silicon Valley futurist than a payment-processing executive.

The first thing you notice about Banga, 54, is the thick black beard on his face and the elegant black turban atop his head. The turban is central to Sikhism (Banga was raised Sikh in Pune, India, the son of a retired Indian military general) but is a rare sight in U.S. boardrooms. In a graduation speech at New York University’s Stern School of Business in June, Banga conceded as much: “I tend to stand out in a room,” he said. “Turbans and beards will do that to you.”

Mr Singhs’s eye trained on technology, MasterCard looks well positioned to lead in a post-cash world.

“Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. For MasterCard, that very well could come in the form of Apple Pay, which may finally break the barrier between consumers and mobile payment. MasterCard and Banga could benefit from increased transactions using mobile phones,” Fortune said.

Apple CEO Tim Cook featured second in the rankings, followed by Gilead CEO John Martin, to round off the top three. The list featured the top 50 CEOs of 2014.

A Man who is as firm on his mission as on his religion gathers great respect & pride from every Indian and Sikh community!

~ Source: http://profit.ndtv.com/

Mr. Anup Chitrak Portrays his Emotional Perspective and Vision about Guru Gobind Singh Ji Through his magnificent Art collective “MeraGobind”. His collection showcases the journey of Guru Gobind Singh through his eyes.

He completely submerges himself into his work. He has been researching on Guru Gobind Singh intensively for over 5 years. Behind every piece of his creation, are numerous sketches, thorough research, inspiring music and true emotion.

He researched into Sikhism and its philosophy as a belief and not as a religion. He started listening to Gurbaani Kirtan every evening and reading every book written on Sikhism at that time.

One day, while sipping tea on the terrace of his studio, he noticed a falcon sitting on the water tank, which ritually visited for the next one week. The falcon is said to be a symbol of the 10th master, Guru Gobind Singh, one with sharp vision and focus. It was the ultimate sign of motivation for Mr. Chitrak and thereon, he decided to absorb himself whole-heartedly into his next endeavor “Mera Gobind”.

An Art with Emotional Sentiments! Have A Glimpse at his creativity and his love for Guru Gobind Singh Ji!

~ Edited by Tapasleen Kaur
~ Source: http://www.sodelhi.com/

The New York Sikh Games attracted hundreds of athletes and spectators to Glen Cove. The weekend’s event called an annual effort to bring the community together.

“I felt a need to unite our children,” said Manmeet Lamba, general secretary at the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, a Sikh temple in Glen Cove that organizes the games. The third-annual, two-day multisport event drew participants from Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. About 625 athletes of all ages competed during the two days, which brought out hundreds of spectators. The basketball semifinals were in full swing Sunday afternoon with players, drenched in sweat, running up and down the court, competing to get to the finals that took place later in the day.

Simran Lamba, of Westbury, said Sikh men allowing their hair to grow is a key part of their religion, but the practice is sometimes misunderstood and can lead to discrimination. “It holds them back,” he said.
He said one of the goals of the annual event is to instill confidence in the younger members of the Sikh community so they will have that reassurance when facing potential adversity.

The focus was on the children, giving them a sense of community so they are successful in life and stay out of trouble.

One of the goals of the annual event is to instill confidence in the younger members of the Sikh community so they will have that reassurance when facing potential adversity.

Like & Share to appreciate the efforts of the Sikh community abroad organizing such events instilling a sense of confidence and belongingness to the youngsters!

~ Sorce: www.newsday.com