LUCKNOW - Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University invited more than 40 Universities at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Center here on Jan 16 to felicitate Mahamahopadhyaya Swami Bhadreshdasji, a sadhu and scholar of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. He was honoured with two awards – ‘Acharya Pravar’ by Uttar Pradesh and ‘Excellence in Philosophy’ by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, 

BY A STAFF REPORTER
BUENA PARK, CA- Jain donors in Los Angeles  signed an agreement for establishing  the  Bhagwan Sumatinath and Guru Nanak Postdoctoral Fellowship in Jain and Sikh Studies at San Diego State University. The  signing ceremony was held at the Jain Center of Southern California on Jan 27. 

WASHINGTON,D.C. - An Indian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur, Gurinder Singh Khalsa, has been presented the prestigious Rosa Park Trailblazer award for his campaign to persuade US authorities change their policy towards Sikh headgear. In 2007, Singh was not allowed to board an airplane because of his turban, organisers at the event. After that, he took the issue all the way to the US Congress, 

NEW YORK,NY - The first thought would be that it’s a social awareness campaign ad, to highlight the Sikh community, an effort to fight discrimination based on appearance. However, a huge billboard ad at Times Square featuring an Indian American actor and model, Pritam Singh, 74, with a turban and beard, is a promotional for Dollar Shave Club, a California-based company selling hair grooming, trimming, and maintenance products, according to news reports.

DOWNEY,CA - Bal-Balika of International Shree Swaminarayan Sansthan of Vadtal (ISSSV) Youth winter camp was held at the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir here from Jan 4 to 6, in the presence of Lalji Maharaj and senior sadhus from India as well as sadhus from the Mandir here. The main theme was ‘Day to Day Satsang to Know, Understand, and Connect’. The camp brought together more than 50 children and their parents from across the region to experience a fascinating journey of a child in search of profound...

FRESNO,CA –  The Nation Sikh Campaign ‘We Are Sikhs’ ran a comprehensive campaign in 2018 with TV ads, digital ads, and grassroots events to help raise the profile of Sikh Americans. The campaign which was a tremendous success fundamentally shifted the understanding and views of Sikh Americans in the Central Valley region and won several awards, according to a press release. PBS Central Valley wants to keep the campaign going and has put the ads back on air and may even take them nationwide.

MONTEBELLO- Devotees gathered at Shri Nand Shiv Durga Mandir here, to start the new year with prayer. Swami Adrishananda performed Gayatri Hawan, followed by bhajans, Hanuman Chalisa, arti and mahaprasad. This event was sponsored by Suresh and Madhu Chandna.

PASADENA,CA – The United Sikh Mission, float in the Rose Parade this year was titled “A Divine Melody Resonates in All.” It won the Isabella Coleman Award for outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design on Jan. 1. The float had a concept called “Naad” which correlated to the parade’s theme of “The Melody of Life.” The Sikh float featured the string instrument known as ‘rabab.’ The float also received the Leishman Public Spirit Award for its float entitled “Serving Kindness.” 

By Dr. JASWANT SINGH SACHDEV
POMONA, CA – On December 25, several thousand Sikhs - more than in any previous celebration of Darbar-E-Khalsa – thronged the grounds of the LA County Fairplex here. The massive religio-social annual gathering in Southern California, on the day of Christmas, was the brain child of Captain Harbhajan Singh, the founder of the International Institute of Gurmat Studies. 

​BY A STAFF REPORTER
IRVINE,CA - About 200 guests attended the annual Christmas program hosted by Sri Yeshu Jayanthi here on  Dec 1. The Turtle Rock Community Park Multipurpose Room was decorated to reflect the theme of Christmas. The multicultural program began with a classical Bharatanatyam dance, followed by a children’s skit to convey the story of Jesus’ birth.