News & Update

Harjit Sajjan immigrated to Canada from India with his family when he was five years old.

Having grown up in South Vancouver, Harjit benefited from everything this diverse and culturally rich community had to offer. While attending local elementary and high schools, Harjit was active in many of the sporting and athletic programs.

Harjit is married to Dr. Kuljit Kaur Sajjan, a UBC-educated family doctor, and together they have two young children.

Harjit Sajjan has four operational deployments; one to Bosnia and three deployments to Afghanistan. He has been awarded the following honours in recognition of his service to Canada:

Order of Military Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (Afghanistan)
General Campaign Star (Afghanistan)
Mention in Dispatch
Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal
NATO Service Medal (Bosnia)
Golden Jubilee Medal
Diamond Jubilee Medal
Canadian Forces’ Decoration
US Army Commendation Medal
Chief of Defence Staff Commendation
Deputy Minister Award (Department of National Defence)

Harjit Sajjan was a member of the Vancouver Police Department for 11 Years serving in South Vancouver and was selected as a Detective for the Gang Crime Unit. Harjit has long been advocating for education and mentorship programs that engage the youth to become more active members of society, while strengthening youth defense against the rule of gangs and drugs.

Born in a small village in India, Harjit learned the importance of the very basic human necessities at a young age. He is immensely grateful for the privilege of being a Canadian and now participates in humanitarian efforts where ever he can make a difference. He and his wife have four sponsored children and support many charities that promote health and education to impoverished children.

~ Tapasleen kaur
~ New Delhi, 5th Nov ’15

While stories such as the Khalsa Aid helping Syian refugees or a Sikh man using his turban to save a boy’s life warm our hearts immensely, incidents of racism and cultural discrimination do the exact opposite. It’s been four years since Osama Bin Laden’s death but racial discrimination in the US seems to know no bounds.

As if racial profiling in the States wasn’t enough, prejudices against the Sikh community in general adds more murk to the damage. The following incident, shared by The Sikh Coalition, is a testimony to this fact.

When Parampal Singh Ghai and his father visited a famous Nathan’s joint in Maryland (Baltimore) to get some dinner, little did they know that they will be subjected to racial bigotry. While they waited for their dinner to arrive, they noticed the restaurant staff calling out to people by their names. Since Parampal hadn’t been asked his, imagine his horror when he looked at his receipt that identified him as ‘Osama’ instead of Parampal.

The humiliation was enough to leave a long-lasting blow, however when Parampal confronted the employee, he didn’t receive an apology. Instead, coupled by another employee and customer, they simply laughed. With a ‘deepening humiliation’, Parampal returned his food back to the staff.

The Sikh Coalition writes:

“Since the 9/11 attacks, Sikh Americans, who wear religious turbans and maintain unshorn hair, have repeatedly endured bigotry and violence because of a mistaken and offensive affiliation with members of the Al Qaeda terrorist network. Many have been called racial slurs such as “Osama,” “raghead” or “terrorist,” at the workplace, on the streets, and at school. Just last September, Inderjit S. Mukker, a father, was physically was attacked on his way to the grocery store in a Chicago suburb and also called a “terrorist,” “Bin Laden,” and told to “go back to your country.” Sikh school children have not escaped the backlash. In a recent national survey, the Sikh Coalition found that approximately 67% of turbaned youths nationwide report being bullied and verbally harassed because of their Sikh religious identity. The Sikh Coalition has also represented Sikhs who have faced verbal harassment in the workplace, including at Autozone, an auto parts company, that allowed a Sikh employee to be repeatedly harassed and subjected to “terrorist slurs” by customers such as “Bin Laden.””

~ Source: IndiaTimes

After 4 years of being Canada’s third most important language, Punjabi officially became the third language in Parliament of Canada after English and French.

1.40% of Canada’s population comprises of Sikh people. They are not only credited for paving the path to Canada for all South Asian immigrants but have also created the presence of Sikhism in the United States.

The said action was taken after the election of 20 Punjabi-speaking candidates to the House of Commons.

The Parliamentary elections, which were conducted on 19th October led to the selection of 23 South Asian-origin members, 3 out of whom do not speak Punjabi

Out of 20 Punjabi speaking members, 14 are males and six are females. Also, 18 are Liberals and two are Conservatives.

Prime Minister-designate, Justin Trudeau, is scheduled to unveil his Cabinet this week.
MP Deepak Obhrai of Conservative Party said, “The voice of the Indo-Canadian community will now be very well represented in the Parliament. In the overall aspect of it, the South Asian community won.”

It’s a big step for Canada’s Parliament. It’s finally official.

~ News Source: First Post

After knowing about the plight of drought-affected families in Latur district, a group of SIKHS announced monetary help to the affected and have also decided to adopt an entire village in Marathwada – often looked at as India’s emerging farmer suicide capital, DNA reports.

Maharashtra Sikh Association has extended monetary help to 25 drought-affected families in Latur district who they say needed help in the deepening crisis.

“We went to Marathwada and visited many places. The situation is quite grim. We immediately extended monetary help to the 25 drought-affected farmers,” Mal Malkit Singh, spokesperson of Maharashtra Sikh Association told DNA.

He also told ,”one girl in Marathwada committed suicide for the lack of money to buy a monthly pass for a government bus.

“We met her family and decided to take care of her sister’s education. If she wants to go abroad we are ready to fund her education,” he said.

While announcing to adopt a village, Singh said their focus is to keep drought-ravaged families alive.

“We want to focus on sustainable development. As a part of the adoption we will build check dams so that particular villages do not face water shortage in the summer,” he said.

“Farmers are the backbone of our economy. We have to help and save them,”” Singh added.

Currently, the group is hoping that other people will also follow their path.

Great by the SIKH Community who came to their rescue when almost 80% of the state is facing a drought with more than 600 farmers already committing suicide this year.

~ Source: Scoop Whoop

Once upon a time, there was an Indian hockey legend who was known as the world’s most feared penalty corner specialist of his generation. He participated in three Olympics – winning a medal each time. His name was Prithipal Singh.

But this shining star’s life was very short. He was murdered in broad daylight by his own students in the campus of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.

Today, a movie based on his life is all set to be released. And it will unfold some of the most interesting and inspiring aspects of his life.

The feature film called ‘Prithipal Singh…a story’ is expected to hit the silver screen by early next year. It has been directed by Babita Puri, who is the first woman to direct a Bollywood sporting biopic. The film will be premiered at the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival next month.

Here are five interesting things that you should know about Prithipal Singh:

1. A wonderful player since the very start

Prithipal Singh started his hockey career in 1950 as a part if his college hockey team. He was appointed the captain of the team in 1955.

Nicknamed “King of short corner” by hockey commentators, Prithipal Singh stunned everyone with his performance from the very start of his career. He participated in the Munich festival held in Germany where he was recognised as the best full back player in the world. He was also awarded the “Roll of Honors” in 1955 for his all-round achievements in sports and education.

2. A jack of many trades

Prithipal was not just an incredible hockey player, but also a post-graduate in agriculture. He worked for Punjab Police as well as the Indian Railways. Later, he became the deputy director for youth welfare in PAU, Ludhiana. In 1965, he was awarded the Railway Minister’s Medal for being the Best Railway Sportsman.

3. His memorable performances at the Olympics

Prithipal participated in three Olympic games and each time he surprised the world with his incredible performance. He bagged medals in all three of them — silver in Rome (1960), gold in Tokyo (1964), bronze in Mexico (1968).
In the Tokyo Olympics, India scored a total of 22 goals, out of which 10 were scored by Prithipal alone.

4. His tragic death

It came as a shock for the world when Prithipal Singh was murdered. And that too by his own students at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), where he worked as the sports director. The year was 1983 and he was shot in broad daylight.

On that fateful day, Prithipal parked his bike outside his office at 8:20 am. Suddenly two students pulled out revolvers and shot him. The entire incident was witnessed by over 50 university officials and students. Unfortunately, none of the witnesses came forward to support Prithipal, nor did they identify the accused in court.

5. Holder of the first-ever Arjuna Award conferred to a hockey player

Indian Government acknowledged his incredible performance in hockey and honoured him with the first-ever Arjuna Award conferred to a hockey player. He received the award in 1961 by the then Indian President, Rajendra Prasad. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1967 for his meritorious contributions to world hockey.

Share & Spread for the WORLD to know about his INSPIRING LIFE!

~ Source: betterindia.com