CHANDIGARH – A galaxy of eminent Sikh men and women were honored for their contribution to society in general and the Sikh community in particular by the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), a U.S-based NGO for the promotion and preservation of Sikh culture, here on July 6.

Those honored included Rabbi Shergill, a well-known singer, an environmentalist and a social activist, Saran Singh, Editor of “Sikh Review” from Kolkata, Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who cleaned the Bein River associated with Guru Nanak in Sultanpur Lodhi, Ranjodh Singh, head of Gurmukh Singh and Sons, from Ludhiana, Arpana Caur, an internationally renowned artist and the daughter of writer Ajit Kaur, Dr. Inderjit Kaur, head of the Pingalwara Institution in Amritsar, the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, a Delhi-based NGO which has done humanitarian service since 1984, and young imaginative Harinder Singh for establishing an enterprise ‘1469’ in New Delhi.

Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, who had spearheaded the campaign of cleansing ‘Kali Bein’ rivulet in the past recent years, said ‘Gurbani’ has a lot of material for us to learn the laws of nature and to understand the human beings relationship with the environment.

Dr. Inderjit Kaur, who inherited the mission to serve through ‘Pingalwara Trust’ from Bhagat Puran Singh, said the path that Bhagat Puran Singh had chosen to serve the needy with a total selfless approach was very difficult for a common man. “Bhagat Puran Singh, who created the rooms for the poor sick patients at Pingalwara, had no room of his own,” Dr. Inderjit Kaur said. She remarked it would give a boost to NGOs and self-help groups and will facilitate funding for noble causes.

Famous industrialist Ranjodh Singh of ‘Gurmukh Singh and Sons’, who was honored for running educational and social institutions in Punjab said it was important for the Sikh community to get education and then to excel in various fields.

Harbhajan Singh of Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, a social organization that had adopted the children and the widows of the 1984 riots, said the real service that the Sikhs could do to the mankind was to create resources for the poor and the needy and generate opportunities for the children of the poor and the deprived families.

Arpana Caur remained too simple to deliberate on any of the issues as she received the trophy and thanked the SCORE.

Rabbi Shergill said, “I am proud to be a Sikh and such awards will motivate other Sikh youths to stick to the principles of Sikhism and work for the welfare of the community.”

Sardar Saran Singh I.A.S, former Chief Secretary to Bihar Government and Secretary to Government of India, was presented ‘Lifetime Service Award” in absentia for publishing the “Sikh Review” after retirement.

A surprise award of excellence was presented to an enthusiastic Youngman Harinder Singh for establishing an imaginative enterprise named “1469” for creating in distinct style art and other objects highlighting verses from Gurbani and popularizing and preserving traditional heritage. “1469” is the birth year of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. 

Tarlochan Singh, Member Parliament and former Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, presided over the function. Former Union Cabinet Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was the Chief Guest.

In his presidential address, Tarlochan Singh said Rajwant Singh has taken a new and admirable initiative of recognizing and honoring those persons and organizations which are selflessly doing good constructive work for the betterment of the Sikh community.

Rapping up the program, Sardar Dhindsa said by honoring some praiseworthy personalities and institutions, Rajwant Singh has elevated the entire Sikh community. He exhorted the Sikhs to religiously follow and act upon the noble principles enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib.
The other guests included Makhan Singh, Chirman, Guru Arjun Dev Institute of Technology and Management, Dr. Inderjit Kaur, former Vice Chancellor of the Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Political Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Punjab Cabinet Minister, Bhayee Sikandar Singh Bagrian, former Chandigarh Mayor, Harjiner Kaur, Vice Chancellor of Guru Granth Sahib University, Dr. Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Youth Akali Dal President Kiranjit Singh Kang, Rana Inderjit Singh of Gurmat Gian Missionary College, Prof Balvinder Pal Singh of the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Sukhwinder Singh of Vismad Group, Man Mohan Singh Kohli of Aroma Hotel, Famous singer and daughter of Late Surinder Kaur, Dolly Guleria, Baltej SingExh Mann of Punjabi University, Roopinder Singh, Assistant Editor of the Tribune, Bijay Singh of SGPS, Mr Kohli from London and Sarabjeet Singh of Sukrit organization and Gur Rattan Pal Singh.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, national Chairman of SCORE, said “This event is an opportunity to recognize those individuals who have contributed to society in general and also who have become role models for our youth. This would highlight the contributions of the Sikhs in strengthening the nation. We are very proud in honoring these distinguished personalities who have presented the Sikhs in a very positive manner in various fields”. He said the personalities who were honored today have created and spread a positive image of the Sikh community world-wide.

SCORE has organized similar events in Washington to highlight the contributions of Sikhs in America, and to create a presence of the community in the American political system. It had 300 distinguished guests from all over America attend this year’s annual event in June and over 20 elected leaders of United States Parliament attended the event. In previous years, keynote speeches from Congressional leadership at SCORE’s Capitol Hill Dinner have included prominent leaders like Senators Hillary Clinton, Richard Lugar, and Charles Schumer.

SCORE has worked closely with the White House and U.S. Congress on Sikhs issues in America. Dr. Rajwant Singh has been invited by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to the White House several times.