The Indian Panorama

Tag: sikhs in america

  • Book Review – Sikhs of New Jersey – The Pioneers from Punjab

    Book Review – Sikhs of New Jersey – The Pioneers from Punjab

    Surinder Kaur Puar

    Pages: 210, including Preface, Forward, Introduction, Acknowledgments, Thirteen Chapters, Epilogue, Glossary, Notes and Index. Includes illustrations of relevant people, locations and documents.

    Available for purchase at: AHP website [Americanhistorypress.com], other online booksellers, and your favorite local bookseller

    ISBN 13: 978-1-939995-32-2 · $21.95 · U.S. History – New Jersey – Religion-Sikhs

    Publishers: American History Press · 404 Locust Street · Staunton, Virginia 24401-3353

     Sikhs of New Jersey: The Pioneers from Punjabtravels through more than a century of time. It escorts the reader back to the struggles of pioneer Sikhs who suffered torture and racial discrimination at the hands of Canadian and West Coast Americans while trying to establish themselves as a Sikh American immigrant community. Indian Sikh migration to the East Coast of America was more favorable because of the relaxed immigration laws, and the migrants to that area quickly became assimilated, thus allowing them to pursue higher education and better career opportunities.

    This book clearly describes how a handful of New Jersey Sikh families established a vibrant community and a place of worship through their farsightedness, determination and valor in the early 1970s.  The internal conflicts of the Sikh Gurdwara management, the writer points out, are in no way unique to the Sikhs; they inflict all religious places. Even though the author rarely suggests solutions, she is hoping that the younger, educated generation will take a proactive lead in the management of their Gurdwaras and find answers to the challenges which they will face in the future. It is no coincidence that the publication of this book is occurring in the year 2019, the year of the 550th birth celebration of Guru Nanak. It is intended to bring home the universal message of Baba Nanak to all humanity that Ik On Kaar—the same light—spirit prevails in each of us and LOVE is the way to reach within!

    Surinder Kaur Puar is also the author of Light of Santpura, Mother’s Day Blissand Punjabi Language Simplified. She hopes to inspire all other Sikh Gurdwara Sangat and Interfaith Communities to write their own stories to preserve their past for future generations.

    About the Author

    A graduate of Panjab University, Surinder migrated to the United States in 1966 in order to join her husband, Dr. Mohindar Singh Puar. She is one of the founding families of the Garden State Sikh Association, the first Sikh Gurdwara in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She cofounded the Khalsa School at the Gurdwara Sahib in 1974. Her passion for language learning and teaching connected her with the non-profit educational organization Literacy Volunteers of America, and eventually at Sant Baba Bhag Singh University at Jallandhar, Punjab, India where she spends a couple of months each year training teachers and inspiring students.

    She spent most of her career years working for the Resource Center for Women and Their Families, an organization dedicated to educating and preventing domestic violence amongst families. The last decade of her life has been spent writing in order to preserve the past for posterity, among many of her other pursuits.

    Surinder may be contacted at 908-416-7393 or Surinderkpuar@yahoo.com

     The author is readily available for book signings, talks and other publicity events.

    Media contact is David Kane [DKane@americanhistorypress]

                                                Phone:  (540) 487-1202

  • Indian American Anshdeep Singh Bhatia is the first Sikh in Trump Security

    Indian American Anshdeep Singh Bhatia is the first Sikh in Trump Security

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia has become the first Sikh to have been inducted into the security detail of US President Donald Trump.

    Anshdeep was inducted last week after he completed his grueling training in the United States.

    His family moved to Ludhiana from Kanpur during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He lost his uncle and a close relative after the frenzied mob stormed their house in Kanpur’s KDA Colony in Barra. His aunt’s marriage was scheduled in second of week of November and the family was busy making an arrangement.

    Anshdeep’s father Devendra Singh was also injured in the attack and had received three bullet wounds.

    His grandfather Amreek Singh Bhatia, a manager with Punjab and Sind Bank, opted for a transfer to Ludhiana. His father, who was into the pharmaceutical business in Kanpur, married in Ludhiana and moved to the United States with his family in 2000. Anshdeep was 10 at that time.

    Anshdeep who dreamt of making to the President’s security one day stumbled upon a block when he was told he would have to change his looks. But Anshdeep moved the court against the riders and the decision came out in his favor. “

  • Not by Violence, my Sikh Brethren

    Not by Violence, my Sikh Brethren

     By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    Sikhs in the US are belittling themselves by indulging in acts of violence against factions which do not agree with their ideology. While there is freedom of expression in this country, there is also a restriction that the expression has to be peaceful. Physical attacks are a felony and the US law enforcement is bound to proceed against the perpetrators of violence.

    It pains peaceful Sikhs in America (and elsewhere in the world, too) to find a faction of Sikhs supporting creation of Khalistan in India, making physical attacks on those Sikhs who do not subscribe to their ideology. Nobody questions their right to advertise and advocate their demand for a Khalistan in India, but all eyebrows will be raised when they commit violence against those not supporting them, or rather opposing them.

    The Sikh groups supporting Khalistan have of late taken to the forbidden path of violence.

    May be, they are frustrated that the mass of Sikhs abroad does not support them. In India, where they want Khalistan, they hardly have any influence. It is their frustration which is driving them to acts of violence against their opponents. They may not realize now, but history has a lesson to be reminded of- there is ultimate failure when a movement goes violent, because then it loses direction, and people’s sympathy.

    They need to be reminded of the famous words: you may befool some for all the time; all for some time; but not all for all times.

    Advocates of Khalistan need to understand this.

    They may also do well to remember that Law Enforcement in this country will not allow them the freedom to go violent against individuals. When the law comes calling these people will repent.

    In attacking Manjit Singh GK, President , Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, and a Shiromani Akali Dal leader,  and his companions at a gurdwara in Yuba City on Saturday, August 25, the attackers who claim to be pro- Khalistan, have shown complete disregard to the Sikh Gurus who have taught us the lesson of universal brotherhood. They have set a bad example for our younger generation. They have strengthened the already strong impression among US law enforcement that the Sikhs are a violent community. They have further sullied the image of the Sikhs worldwide. They have challenged peace loving majority of Sikhs. They have challenged the laws of the land.

    I only hope, wisdom will dawn on them and they will act as the Sikhs our revered Gurus wanted the Sikhs to be- humble, loving and treating the entire mankind as children of One God. Only then will the Khalsa have a sovereign sway.

    And, in fine, I urge the US administration to curb with a heavy hand this tendency to be violent among some people. Or, else, this nation which has prided itself as being a nation of peaceful and loving people, will soon face the headaches of a third world country.

    Are you all listening?

    If yes, and, if you agree with my viewpoint, share it with as many as possible. Because it is the question of the dignity of the Sikhs and India. Because it is the question of peace in America.