April 20

Potomac, MD

Dr. Sukhmander Singh, who ran for Congress in the California Democratic primaries, was the guest speaker at the Kaur Foundation’s kick-off dinner event. In response to his positive campaign ideas, he has been asked by the California governor’s office to take an active role in a federal commission.

Dr. Singh spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Bretton Woods Country Club and inspired them to do a more organized and focused service for the Sikh community. His message was about how Sikhs can take a hold of their future in America. The four steps outlined were:

1. Get Recognition:

September 11 was a wake up call for Sikhs. Even after being a part of American society for over a 100 years, our fellow Americans still do not know who we are. We must be active in our day-to-day lives in informing our friends and neighbors about who we are.

2. Take Part in Your Community:

We must be involved in our mainstream community by taking part in festivals, parades, and other activities. Be active in our schools, the PTA, and join sports teams. Help out in hunger drives, local charities, and walk-a-thons. These are only a few examples.

3. Raise Our Political Consciousness:

Register to vote and vote in every election. Learn about the political system. Find out who the candidates for office are. Donate to a campaign. Caste an informed vote. It is our civic duty.

4. Live Up to Your Potential:

We cannot speak about who we are and what we stand for if don’t have a firm foundation. And to stand on a firm foundation, each of us must read the Guru Granth Sahib for ourselves and learn the meaning - even if it takes one line per week.

The Kaur Foundation comprises of a group of Sikh American Women undertaking projects to promote a professional, consistent, and positive Sikh image. “It’s vision is to make the Sikh community visible. For a visible community, we are largely invisible,” said Mirin Kaur in her introductory speech.

She went on to say:

The need to have an organization looking out for our community has been felt and voiced by many. There are issues that need a response at the community level. Many of us as members of the Sikh community have faced ordeals, without the comfort of having anyone or any organization to turn to. We need to work together to build and leave a legacy our younger generation is proud to uphold.

Among the projects the Kaur Foundation plans to undertake range from educating school administrators about our religious values; setting up a book committed to select books on Sikh culture and history and distribute them to area schools and libraries; organizing a Friends of the Foundation effort so that we can invite others to speak to us and help us look outward; and especially to work with our children on various activities.

The introduction to the Kaur Foundation was followed by a viewing of the documentary “Raising Our Voices” created by an organization known as SAALT (South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow). The documentary highlights problems we face as a minority community.