The Indian Panorama

Tag: Richmond Hill

  • Sikhs take out an Impressive Parade in celebration of Guru Nanak Dev’s 554th Birth Anniversary

    Sikhs take out an Impressive Parade in celebration of Guru Nanak Dev’s 554th Birth Anniversary

    Guru Granth Sahib in a motorized vehicle is followed by thousands in a parade on 11 November, 2023 in celebration of the forthcoming 554th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

    I.S. Saluja

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): An impressive Parade (Nagar Kirtan) was taken out by the Sikh community of the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on November 11 in celebration of the 554th Birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the First Master of the Sikhs.

    Thousands followed the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book revered as the Living Master atop a motorized vehicle, with the priests attending and singing hymns (shabad kirtan). All along the 3-mile route of the parade, a number of organizations and individuals served food and beverages, called langar (free food) to each and everyone. Langar (free food) is a unique feature of Sikhism.
    Sikhism is the youngest and the fifth most followed religion of the world. The Sikhs, known for their enterprise, are present in every part of the world, and contribute richly to their nations of adoption. The U.S. Canada, UK, account for a larger percentage of the Sikh population. The annual Guru Nanak parade is organized by Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center in Richmond Hill in cooperation with the Sikh Gurdwaras and the Sikh organizations in the Tri-State area. The 2023 parade was in its 23rd year.

    Young boys performed Gatka which is a Sikh martial art.
    Free food and beverages were served all along the route of the parade.
    A group of bards, called Dhadhi, sings praises of Guru Nanak at Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society on 118 Street in Richmond Hill from where the parade passed on way back to Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center.
  • “Your turban does not mean terrorism”, New York City mayor says amid recent attacks on Sikhs

    “Your turban does not mean terrorism”, New York City mayor says amid recent attacks on Sikhs

    Gives a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): The Sikh turban does not mean terrorism but symbolizes faith, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, as he described the recent attacks and hate crimes against the community as a “stain” on the country and vowed to protect its members.
    He also gave a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism.

    “You are not about terror; you are about protector. That is what needs to be taught throughout this entire city. Our young people need to know that, our adults need to know that,” Adams said while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Centre in the Queens neighborhood of South Richmond Hill.

    Describing the Sikh community as an “anchor” in the Richmond Hill neighborhood, Adams said: “Your turban does not mean terrorism. It means protecting, it means community, it means family, it means faith, it means city, it means us coming together. We will change the dialogue and narrative with you. We can do it together.”

    Adams and New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar met and addressed members of the Sikh community here on Sunday, October 29, in the wake of recent incidents of hate crime and assault against Sikhs.

    On October 15, a 19-year-old Sikh boy was attacked by Christopher Philippeaux, 26, while he was riding the bus in Richmond Hill. Philippeaux punched the teenager in the back of the head, tried to knock off his turban and told him “We don’t wear that in this country.” Philippeaux has been charged with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

    Within days of this, 66-year-old Jasmer Singh was attacked when his car collided with another vehicle. The driver of the other car, 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin, allegedly punched the elderly Sikh man three times in the head and face and Singh later succumbed to his injuries.

    Describing the attack against Singh as a “violent senseless act”, Adams said, “Jasmer should still be with us. He should still be with his son. He should still be living out the American dream, watching his son, who’s now an immigration attorney.

    “He should still be…part of this community. That dream turned into a nightmare the other day when his life was taken from us prematurely,” Adams said, flanked by Singh’s son Subeg Singh Multani and other members of the Sikh community.

    Describing Sikhs as “protectors” of society, Jenifer Rajkumar asserted that the hateful targeting of Sikhs is “not acceptable” and perpetrators of such violence would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law. “For the first time, we are going to use the levers of government to end hate crimes against Sikh Americans. For the first time, we are going to come together and…educate…New York State, the United States and the entire world about who the Sikh people truly are so we are not attacked and misunderstood,” Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman elected to New York State Office and who described herself as a “daughter of Punjab”, said.

    Rajkumar said this was not the first time she had visited the gurdwara and had spoken out against hate crimes. “But it is the last time I want to be standing here speaking out against hate crimes. Starting now we are going to end the hateful targeting of Sikhs,” she said.

  • Faith leaders and elected officials denounce Hate attacks against the Sikh community members

    Faith leaders and elected officials denounce Hate attacks against the Sikh community members

    • I.S. Saluja

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): “STOP THE HATE” was a call given by faith leaders and elected officials at a press conference to denounce hate at the Sikh Cultural Society Gurdwara (Sikh temple) at 118 Street, Richmond Hill on October 25. The press conference was called by an upcoming Sikh politician Japneet Singh who had earlier in 2022 contested election for NY State Senate to represent District 15 and lost in Democratic Primary in August 2022.

    Present at the press conference were the wife and son of Jasmer Singh, 66, who was punched to death in a hate crime earlier this week. Also present was Mani Singh Sandhu a 19-year-old turbaned Sikh who was subjected to a hate attack on an MTA bus last week. “I don’t feel safe … when I come out from home,” said Mani Singh Sandhu. Subeg Multani, son of the deceased Jasmer Singh described how brutally his father was hit. “He just hit my father so intense, like so hard on his head. His two front teeth were taken out,” he said.
    The NYPD came for a bitter criticism. While NYPD numbers show overall hate crimes in the city are lower than last year, Japneet Singh says hate crimes against Sikhs are rising.
    “They (NYPD) are making as many excuses as possible to make sure it doesn’t get investigated as a hate crime. I don’t know why that is,” Japneet Singh said.

    For a community who has been dealing with bias and hate since 9/11 because of their religious attire, the fear is back once again.

    “This is the NYPD’s job to protect us. They failed to do so. They failed to do so,” said Subeg Multani. There was consensus that the incidents of hate, discrimination and bullying must stop , and that the faith leaders, the politicians and the community leaders should come together to educate people about the Sikhs and the Sikh faith to create a better understanding about the Sikh community.

  • Sikh Day Parade in New York City on April 29

    Sikh Day Parade in New York City on April 29

    I.S. Saluja

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): Sikh Day Parade, to mark the creation of the Khalsa (the Sikhs), is organized annually by the Sikh Cultural Society of Richmond Hill New York in cooperation with the Sikh Gurdwaras and the Sikh institutions in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
    The Sikh Day Parade this year is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, according to the information given by Davinder Singh Boparai, President of the Sikh Cultural Society to The Indian Panorama.
    Mr. Boparai told The Indian Panorama that all permits have been obtained and arrangements made. He has appealed to the Sikh Sangat to make the Parade a memorable one with their participation.

  • Indian American Sikh attacked in a robbery bid

    Indian American Sikh attacked in a robbery bid

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): In less than a month and a half a third targeted attack on an Indian American  Sikh has taken place in Queens neighborhood of Richmond Hill, which is considered a neighborhood dominated by Punjabis. Kuldip Singh, 62  who hails from Dasuya in Hoshiarpur ( Punjab) was taking a walk at around 10.30 in the morning of Sunday,  May 8 near his home in 115 Street between Liberty Avenue and 107 Avenue in Richmond Hill when a Black young man between 25 and 30 years on a bicycle stopped by him, threw his bike on the road, took out a pistol and asked for money. Kuldeep said told The Indian Panorama  that he impulsively caught hold of the Black guy’s right arm  in which he was holding the gun. What followed was a kind of wrestling  match between the two. The young man proved stronger than the old Kuldeep Singh and punched him ferociously.

    As a result, Kuldeep Singh suffered a few injuries on many parts of the body, including a fractured  nose and  a fractured finger of the left hand. The assailant managed to escape. The incident – the third attack on a Sikh- in the neighborhood has shocked and angered the community. A  Sikh community leader Harpreet Singh Toor said that the community should get together and instead of being silent spectators should come immediately to the rescue of a victim. Many  people in the Sikh community have  expressed admiration for the courage of Kuldip Singh who instead of sheepishly handing over the wallet faced the assailant. In the ongoing investigation, the police have impounded the attacker’s bicycle and the hunt for the assailant is on. The Indian Panorama contacted Kuldip Singh on May 13 evening to know about his health. He complained of terrible pain in his spine and head.

  • Sikh Day Parade in New York City takes place on April 23

    Sikh Day Parade in New York City takes place on April 23

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP) The Sikh Community is taking out a  massive and  impressive Parade in New York City in celebration of the community’s birthday on Saturday, April 23. Sikhism is the youngest and the fifth largest religion of the world, with a following of about 30 million across the world. Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society President Davinder Singh Boparai who gave program details to The Indian Panorama has requested all Sikhs and non-Sikhs to participate in the parade in large numbers. Organized by the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, New York, in cooperation with Sikh Temples and Sikh organizations of the Tri-States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the Sikh Day Parade on April 23  in Manhattan, New York is expected to attract large crowds of Sikh men, women and children, and contingents of Sikhs from as far as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The parade that will start at 12 PM from 38th Street  and Madison Ave, would wind its way  through the city and end up at 26th Street and Madison Ave for the conference on 23rd Street. There will be a dozen or so  floats depicting Sikh history, culture  and religion. Thousands will be marching  in the parade singing hymns from the Holy Sikh Scripture.

    An interesting feature is  participation in parade of NYPD band and police officers. Another impressive feature of the parade  is langar (free food). The whole 26th Street between Madison and Park is  dedicated to food stalls where free food will be  served to the thousands  irrespective of color or creed. A conference will be  held as the closing part of the parade.  The event is held annually to mark Vaisakhi, the harvest festival of Punjab that coincides with the day the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, created the order of Khalsa in 1699.

  • Queens Indian American community extends a reception to Melinda Katz

    Queens Indian American community extends a reception to Melinda Katz

    RICHMOND HILL, NY(TIP): The Queens Indian American community organized a reception to Melinda Katz, the Queens Borough President who is completing two terms this year.

    Melinda is now eying the post of District Attorney of Queens. It was a public relations exercise for Melinda who is admired for her work, in particular by the Punjabi community.

    Jarnail Singh Gilzian and Melinda Katz

    A Punjabi community leader Jarnail Singh Gilzian who owns the famous banquet and Restaurant Richie Rich in Richmond Hill hosted the reception which was attended by a large number of community leaders from Queens and Long Island.

    The more prominent amongst them who also spoke on the occasion included Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of Indian Overseas Congress, Harbans Singh Dhillon, former Election Commissioner, Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, Harpreet Singh Toor, former Chairman, Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, Satnam Singh Parhar, Former President, India Association of Long Island, and Bhinda Begowalia, President of Begowal Society. Each speaker spoke highly of Melinda and pledged support in her bid for District Attorney of Queens.

    Melinda Katz addresses the gathering. Seen to her right is Jarnail Singh Gilzian

    Speaking on the occasion, Melinda spoke of her work as Queens Borough President. She pledged her support to the community which had always supported her. She thanked Jarnail Singh Gilzian for organizing a reception to enable her to reach out to a large number of her supporters and voters.

    Sections of the gathering
    Sections of the gathering
    Sections of the gathering
    Sections of the gathering

    Earlier, on her arrival, Melinda was welcomed with a bouquet presented to her by Jarnail Singh Gilzian’s family.

    During her more than an hour- stay, Melinda went around meeting everyone individually and obliging them with photographs.

    Melinda Katz poses for a photograph with community leaders
    Gilzian family with Melinda

    Prof. Indrajit Saluja emceed the event.

     

     

     

     

  • Yes, a D.J. Can Make a Difference!

    Yes, a D.J. Can Make a Difference!

    RICHMOND HILL, NY: Loud music and wild parties are probably what comes to mind when we hear the words disc jockey (DJ).  Sukhjinder Singh is not one to argue against that, having worked as the DJ in the successful Punjabi Mela concert in New York last May.  But try asking South Richmond Hill residents and they will be quick to say that Sukhjinder is not your ordinary DJ.  DJ Sukhjinder is more than loud music and wild parties.  DJ Sukhjinder is also all heart.

    Born in Bholath, a town in Kapurthala district in the state of Punjab, India, DJ Sukhjinder went to the U.S. in 2000 on his own search of the American dream – good job, nice house and car, family, and plenty of money.  But the American dream did not come easy to the then 18-year old DJ Sukhjinder. “I did all kinds of jobs. I worked whatever job I could get – in restaurants, construction, you name it. I was earning only $80 to $90 a day.  Taxi work was not available at that time.”

    For years, DJ Sukhjinder tirelessly worked multiple jobs, but without losing sight of his goal – having his own business.  Then in 2012, DJ Sukhjinder opened his very own CD/DVD store in South Richmond Hill, NY. And his formula for success: Service.  As inspired by his personal experience as an unhappy customer.  “I needed a new SIM card for my phone.  The guy at the store was charging me $10 to swap SIM cards!  When all he needed to do was to pick up the cellphone and change the SIM cards.  From there I ventured into the cellphone business as well.  And never did I take money for changing a SIM card!”

    Since then, DJ Sukhjinder has dedicated himself to helping make things easier for the South Richmond Hill community.  To this end, DJ Sukhjinder now offers DJ, photography, videography services and financial services in his CD/DVD store.  DJ Sukhjinder processes international money transfers, domestic money orders, and bill payments.  For all these, DJ Sukhjinder has partnered exclusively with RIA Money Transfer: “RIA is great!  They have competitive fees, best rates, and extra mile service.

    DJ Sukhjinder continues, “With RIA’s money transfer service, I have yet to hear a customer complaining that money was not received.  Instead, customers are happy that loved ones don’t have to go out of their villages to get the money.  To them RIA is reliable and convenient.  And because customers are happy with RIA, I am happy with RIA.”

    Visit DJ Sukhjinder at his Ria location, 116-01 101st Ave, South Richmond Hill, NY.  He is currently offering fee-free bill payments to all new and existing customers.