London barrister becomes youngest Sikh to receive OBE

London barrister Jasvir Singh has become the youngest Sikh in the world to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The honour marks the recognition of the contribution of the Punjabi diaspora in the UK

Born and brought up in London, his family traces its origins to the Doaba region of Punjab. "I feel immensely proud to have been honoured with an OBE. It was a complete surprise, and it is heartening to know that my work on social cohesion and faith communities over last 7 years has been recognized in such a significant way," he says.

Singh is the Founding Chair of an organization called City Sikhs and the Chair of the Faiths Forum for London, representing the interests of nine main faith communities in London - Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian, and Baha'i communities.

with thanks : TOI : Link : for the complete news story

A Sikh Activist In US Explains What It’s Like To Be In Trump’s America

Excerpts from the interview.   

SW: Can you help us understand the kind of environment Indians and other citizens from South Asian countries are living in currently, particularly in the aftermath of series of acts of hate crimes witnessed in the country?

In some ways, things have changed for the Indian American community. While Sikhs have been well aware of the problems of discrimination and hate violence, most Indian Americans had thought they were immune to racism in America. Indian American community is finally realizing that they are just as vulnerable as any other minority in this country & that is causing a sort of identity crisis. 

SW: Since you are an active community member, what kind of concerns have people shared with you? Are there whispers of returning to India or other native countries?

I have not heard anyone speak seriously of returning to India due to a fear for safety or security in America. While people are becoming a bit concerned due to recent attacks, I think most Indian Americans realize they are generally safe and comfortable here in the US. The recent attacks have shaken the Indian American community and opened its eyes a bit - but there does not seem to be a deep-seated fear. 

With thanks : scoopwhoop : LINK for the complete news story.

Sikh-American Girl Allegedly Harassed By US Man In Subway, Told To 'Go Back To Lebanon'

NEW YORK -- A Sikh-American girl was harassed on a subway train here when a white man, mistaking her to be from the Middle East, allegedly shouted "go back to Lebanon" and "you don't belong in this country," the latest in a series of hate crimes against people of South-Asian origin.

Rajpreet Heir was taking the subway train to a friend's birthday party in Manhattan this month when the white man began shouting at her, according to a report in the New York Times.

Heir recounted the ordeal in a video for a Times section called 'This Week in Hate', which highlights hate crimes and harassment around the country since the election of President Donald Trump.

Heir said she was looking at her phone when the white man shouted at her saying, "Do you even know what a Marine looks like? Do you know what they have to see? What they do for this country? Because of people like you."

He told Heir he hoped she was sent "back to Lebanon" and using expletives said, "You don't belong in this country," before he left the subway.

Heir, a Sikh, said she was born 30 miles from Lebanon, not the Middle Eastern country but a namesake city in the American state of Indiana.

Heir said as the man left the train, she saw a young white woman in the train staring at her "with tears in her eyes."

"What had just happened provided evidence of what I had sensed beneath the surface for a long time - racism that can turn violent and lately does," she said.

The report added that two fellow passengers stepped in to help Heir after the incident on the train. One woman tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she was all right. "That meant something because when you're a minority, you're so used to just experiencing things on your own," Heir said.

Another woman reported the incident to a police officer at a subway station.

The report said that as New York City works to respond to a rise in reports of discrimination and harassment, subways have emerged as a source of special concern.

with thanks : huffingtonpost : LINK : for detailed report.

Sikh couple and their infant in Washington receive threat note inside a diaper

NEW YORK: An Indian American Sikh couple in Richland, Washington, found a note on their doorstep with vague threats in it, including phrases like “You are under attack” and “Watch yourself”. The note, however, was not in an envelope, but strangely, inside a diaper.

The couple have a new-born baby, so it’s possible that the perpetrator was trying to insinuate a threat to their child, or even be mocking them, as Sikhs have been ridiculed by racists for wearing a turban, a tenet of their religion.

The couple, who were not identified by Tri-City Herald newspaper which first reported the incident, are long-time residents of the ti-cities area. The husband works as an engineer and emigrated from India several years ago.

The couple told the publication that they have become frightened. They are more careful of their safety and skip taking walks in the neighborhood. They have also put up security cameras around the house.

“Those things bothered us,” and the diaper and note were strange and upsetting, the husband said. “I’ve never had any bad interaction with any of my neighbors. I was very surprised. Why would anybody do this?”

The couple have reason enough to be worried. A spate of crimes targeting the Indian community has been reported nationwide. Recently, a Sikh woman was sexually assaulted inside a gurudwara in Oregon and a Sikh man, Deep Rai, was shot on his property in the Seattle area of Washington. He survived.

with thanks : newsindiatimes : LINK : for detailed report.

Indian-American Sikh Doctor Amandeep Singh Gets Death Threats In US

WASHINGTON:  An Indian-American Sikh doctor Amandeep Singh has received death threats from an anonymous caller in the US state of Indiana. The person also sent threats to Dr Singh through text messages and claimed to have murdered the phone's previous owner, according to the US-based Sikhs Political Action Committee.

"The subject then indicated that Singh was next," said SikhsPAC, in a statement.

Investigations revealed the not only was the phone's owner was alive but the number was hacked by a third party. Dr Singh said that the local police was treating the incident as a racially-motivated hoax.

"This is one of the several similar threats against Sikhs in Indiana in the last week including one incident which involved a handgun," claimed SikhsPAC chief Gurinder Singh Khalsa.

"Intimidation and violence against the Sikh community has been on the uptick since September 11 across the country... American society has no place for this type of violence," Mr Khalsa added.

He further said that his association is working with Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to address several cases of harassment and intimidation against Sikhs.

Dr Amandeep Singh has been living in the United States since 2003 after graduating from a medical school in India. He is presently Chief Medical Officer at Indiana's Monroe Hospital.

Many cases of race-related crimes and threats against Indians have been reported from the United States in the recent past.

In February, Indian engineers Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at by a US navy veteran Adam Purinton, who reportedly yelled, "Get out of my country", at a Kansas city bar. Kuchibhotla died on the spot whereas Madasani was severely injured. In another incident, an Indian-origin Sikh Deep Rai was shot outside his home in Washington by a partially-masked gunman, who screamed, "Go back to your own country".

(with inputs from PTI)

with thanks : NDTV : LINK

Hate crime: Sikhs in US ‘intimidated, harassed’ at alarming rate

Sikhs in the US are reporting an increase in violent threats and harassment against the community amid rising incidents of hate crimes against Indian Americans in the country.

Chairman of the Sikhs Political Action Committee (SikhsPAC), Gurinder Singh Khalsa, said so far there have been two death threats and two reports of vandalism against Sikhs in the state of Indiana, TheIndyChannel.com, an ABC Television Network affiliate, reported on Thursday.

One incident included a direct threat against a Sikh from a man carrying a handgun in Fishers city, according to the report.

“Somebody showed him the gun and asked him: ‘Who are you? What country do you belong to?’”

Khalsa said there have been other incidents too where Sikhs were threatened.

Sikh-American physician Amandeep Singh said he was directly threatened last week with a text message and doesn’t understand why this is happening to Sikhs around the nation.

Singh said he felt a range of emotions after the threats, including fear for his family and his patients.

“Fear, especially if you have family, kids, the safety of your family and kids, that comes to mind first,” said Amandeep. “Then you try to make sense of it.”

“I believe I’ve been living here 14 years and never experienced anything like that specifically,” Singh said.

“My job is serving the people you know, everyday I’m there for the people and taking a stand with them and serving the community. It was hard for me to comprehend even something like that coming to somebody’s mind.”

SikhsPAC has contacted the US Attorney General’s Office and is working with law enforcement. The threats were under investigation.

Indiana is one of only five states in the US without a hate crime law, said the report.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

No BS 3 vehicles available any where. Shutters down greet the consumers.

Concerns over growing intimidation, threats against members of the Sikh community in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sikhs in Indiana say they’re being intimidated and harassed at an alarming rate in recent months, but they don’t believe they’re the intended target.

Many members of the community believe that the “attacks” that have been directed at them stem from a misunderstanding of who they are and the misinterpretation that being a Sikh is the same as being a Muslim. And those attitudes come from the heightened fear of Muslims across the country.

President Donald Trump’s immigration ban is just one example of a political act that has affected public attitudes about Muslims in recent months, but it’s not the only one. 

Members of the Sikh community in Indianapolis are hoping to set the record straight before someone goes too far - but they don't condone violence against Muslims either. 

with thanks : theindychannel : LINK : for detailed news report.

Rs1,106-cr SGPC budget focuses on youth, Sikh education

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 29

With focus on promoting education and Sikh religion and its values, the SGPC today passed Rs 1,106.59-crore budget for 2017-18 fiscal year at its general house here today.

It witnessed a raise of 8.65 per cent (Rs 88.1 crore) as compared to last year despite demonetisation denting gurdwaras’ donation.

During 2016-2017, the proposed budget was Rs 1,064.14 crore, but only Rs 1,018.49 crore could be spared as the apex body-run gurdwaras witnessed a decline in donation due to demonetisation, an official said.

It was also for the first time since 2011 that the general house was conducted in the presence of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh.

Earlier due to Sehajdhari Sikhs’ voting rights row pending with legal implications, the SGPC’s 2010 executive body, endorsed by the court, used to announce the budget till last year. Now, as this bar is obsolete, the budget was presented by SGPC general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla.

The focus has primarily been kept on catching the Sikh youth’s fancy towards Sikh ethics and nurturing their career in academics, sports, civil, defence and other professional arena. It has been decided to make Sikh education compulsory in its primary-level schools (Classes I to V).

A separate head of Rs 33 crore has been kept reserve under the education fund.

For education, the SGPC has announced Rs 227 crore for elevating the standard of studies at its 88 institutes. Last year, just Rs 204 crore could be spared.

To bring the youth in the mainstream without compromising on the Sikh principles, a special training school has been started at Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra Institute of Advance Studies in Sikhism, Patiala.

Similarly, a separate sports department has been proposed to be set up to promote sports in schools and colleges.

Sikh students, who excel in the field of sports, agriculture, science and other research fields at national and international levels, will be honoured with Rs 1 lakh each, along with certificates in special programmes.

Those who successfully qualify the IAS/IPS will be presented cash reward of Rs 1 lakh and PCS will get Rs 75,000. Special scholarship provision of Rs 51,000 each has been decided to be given to Sikh students who grab first 20 positions in the school Education Board exam.

Similarly, Rs 4.5 crore has been proposed for Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib. The SGPC has set up preparatory schools for civil services and armed forces at Fatehgarh Sahib. A sum of Rs 1.5 crore has been spared for the Armed Force Training Academy at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College.

On the social front, the committee has announced Rs 9 crore to help cancer patients from its trust funds.

To help deserving “baptised” Sikh students in their education, annual scholarship of Rs 2,000 has been kept for primary-level students, Rs 3,000 for Class X and Rs 4,000 for Class XII students.

An amount of Rs 1.63 crore has been proposed for the same.

Out of general fund of Rs 64 crore, Rs 6 crore has been spared for Miri Piri Medical Sciences and Research College, Shahbad (Haryana), which is expected to start by 2018.

with thanks : Tribune : LINK

Half A Million Views For This Sikh Man's 'Turban' Protest At Times Square

NEW DELHI:  A 23-year-old Indian-American chose a unique way to speak out about against hate. Angad Singh tied his turban in front of everyone at New York's Times Square as a tribute to 66-year-old Timothy Caughman who was recently killed in a racial attack. In a video posted on Facebook, the Sikh man spoke to New Yorkers about rising hate crimes in the city as he stood in solidarity with the victim.

"Every day when I put on my turban, I am putting myself in hate's way", he said in the video. "But I am not scared because putting on my turban is the most American thing I can do", he added.

The video was posted on Monday and has nearly half a million views.

With thanks : NDTV : Watch the Detailed report and a VIDEO : LINK

MANJINDER SIRSA ASKS OPPONENTS TO SPELL THEIR AGENDA OF DEVELOPMENT

MANJINDER SIRSA ASKS OPPONENTS TO SPELL THEIR AGENDA OF DEVELOPMENT. REACHES OUT TO PEOPLE WITH PRO DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE AGENDA

New Delhi, March 29 : The Bhartiya Janta Party and Akali Dal candidate from Rajouri Garden Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa today asked his opposition candidates who are  contesting the Rajouri Garden bye election to spell their agenda of development and pro poor initiatives for the present elections.

        Reaching out to the electorate with his pro development and welfare agenda for the people of the constituency Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that this is high time for the people of the constituency to know the candidates on the basis of their agenda. Spelling his own agenda for the present elections, Mr. Sirsa said that his agenda is same as of his party BJP-Akali Dal who is committed to work for upliftement of the poor and downtrodden and help ameliorate the condition of the middle class families with people oriented development agenda of the BJP-Akali Dal led NDA government at the centre headed by Prime Minister Mr. Narinder Modi.

        He said that on hand is BJP-Akali Dal whose sole agenda is to work for development and prosperity of the country, on the other is AAP whose agenda is to level all sorts of false, misleading and baseless allegations against the political opponents and committing the agenda which is against the very foundation of our constitution. He said that third party in the present field is Congress which has no agenda of governance for the country or its people. He said that people vote for the political parties on the basis of their agenda of development and it was amusing to note that only the BJP-Akali Dal has spell out its agenda and roadmap for the development of the nation and welfare of the people. He said that opposition parties of the BJP-Akali Dal have miserably failed to disclose their agenda of governance.

        Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa further said that as a servant of the people of constituency he had worked a lot during his public life whether it is working as MLA or working as a representative of DSGMC, people are well aware of the fact that whatever he had promised, he had delivered to it. He said that now too he is committed to work for the welfare of the people of Delhi in general and of  Rajouri Garden in particular and assures people that he will be personally available to people all the time for their welfare works.

        The BJP-Akali Dal candidate called upon the people to differentiate between the one working for the welfare of people and development of area and the ones who had done nothing their tenures. He urged the people to vote for the BJP-Akali Dal for the betterment of the area.

PR Sirsa Office