Sikh NGO holds unity walk, health camp in Penang

 According to The Star "HUMANITARIAN organization United Sikhs Malaysia held a goodwill walk and medical camp at Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru, Penang, over two days.

A full-day medical camp provided complimentary health screenings to more than 200 members of the public.

“Volunteer doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals administered comprehensive health assessments.

“These included glucose monitoring, cholesterol testing, dental examinations, eye screenings, bone density checks, and cardiac evaluations. “This ensured attendees received holistic health assessments addressing multiple aspects of their well-being,’’ said United Sikhs Malaysia director Sunil Shukvir Singh.

The United Sikhs legal team also set up an interactive information booth for participants seeking to understand their legal rights and protection.  The non-governmental organization’s (NGO) legal team also addressed issues like bullying and cyberbullying.

A 3km goodwill walk was held the next day attracting more than 100 participants.

It aimed to promote healthy living and interfaith unity, with people of different backgrounds walking together in a display of harmony.

Sunil Shukvir said the collaboration with Malaysia Foodbank Organization and healthcare professionals showed how faith-based institutions could serve all communities, transcending boundaries of race and religion.

Both events were launched by Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, who said Penang remained committed to being a model state where people were healthy and lived in harmony, regardless of race or religion.

“The location of this gurdwara beside a church and a Buddhist temple symbolizes what Penang stands for – unity, respect, and shared humanity,’’ said Jagdeep.

Meet the first Sikh American Chief Election Officer in Virginia

 According to Babu Shahi “ In a groundbreaking achievement, Seth H.S. Bhogal, a devoted Amritdhari Sikh, has made history by becoming the first Sikh American to serve as Chief Election Officer in Prince William County, Virginia. His appointment marks a milestone not only for the Sikh community.

Bhogal’s journey is featured in the inaugural edition of “Faith in Action,” a new series launched by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), celebrating Sikh Americans who live their values and strengthen their communities.

Speaking to SALDEF, Bhogal shared that his long-standing relationship with the organization began years ago through seva (selfless service) at various gurdwaras across the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region. “I have seen the birth and evolution of SALDEF and am proud of all the help this organization has brought,” he said.

Bhogal emphasized that his Sikh identity has been a guiding force behind his civic engagement. “It was important to show others that Sikhs in America are part of the political voice,” he noted. “As an Amritdhari Sikh, I want to show how Sikhs can overcome barriers publicly and work in any field. There are no obstacles for me and there should not be for other Sikhs.”

Explaining the rigor of his role, Bhogal described how election oversight begins months in advance with comprehensive training under Virginia law. “As Chief Election Officer, my day starts at 4 a.m. on Election Day. I’m responsible for all precinct operations—from managing officers and equipment to ensuring ballot security and confidentiality,” he explained.

Polling operations run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., after which Bhogal personally delivers the secured ballots to election headquarters under police escort.

When asked what advice he would offer other Sikh Americans aspiring to participate in civic work, Bhogal urged them to learn and respect the law. “You must know the law of the jurisdiction you serve in and handle all election matters with confidentiality and professionalism,” he advised. “Always remember the three rules: Calm, Observe, Report.”

Deeply rooted in the Sikh principles of seva (service), sarbat da bhala (welfare of all), and nyaya (justice), Bhogal’s work serves as a testament to faith in action. His leadership underscores the vital role Sikh Americans play in upholding democratic values and fostering trust in civic institutions.

“Faith in action is not just about service,” said Amrita Kular, SALDEF’s Director of Communications. “Through his integrity and commitment, Seth reminds us that it’s also about standing for truth and justice in every space we enter.”

Khalsa Aid Distributes Over £38,000 Worth of Diesel to Flood-Affected Farmers in Punjab

 According to Pukaar News "

Khalsa Aid has delivered diesel worth more than £38,000 (approximately ?42 lakh / $47,000) to farmers devastated by the catastrophic 2025 floods in Punjab. 

This significant distribution took place within just two days as part of the charity’s Punjab Rehab Phase 2 project, which aims to restore the agricultural backbone of the region and rebuild the livelihoods of affected families. The unprecedented floods earlier this year caused severe damage to nearly 148,000 hectares of farmland across Panjab, a state where about 25 per cent of the population depends directly on agriculture for their survival. The disaster submerged vast tracts of land, putting thousands of small and medium farmers at risk of losing their entire source of income.

To counter this crisis, Khalsa Aid launched an urgent diesel distribution program to assist farmers in resuming cultivation. The initiative provides 20 liters of diesel per acre to farmers owning between one and ten acres of land affected by flooding. Diesel is essential for powering farm machinery such as tractors and water pumps, enabling the clearing and preparation of fields for the next planting cycle.

The project began on 10 October across eight villages in the Ajnala tehsil of Amritsar district: Talwandi Rai Dadu, Lakhuwal, Lalwala, Dabbar, Kamirpura, Phule Chak, Kotli Korotana, and Nangal Vanjhawala. Khalsa Aid volunteers are working closely with local communities to ensure fair and transparent distribution.

Farmers’ identities are verified, after which they receive slips that can be redeemed for diesel at designated local fuel stations. These slips are then collected by volunteers to monitor and maintain accountability throughout the distribution process.

Within just two days, from 10 to 12 October, Khalsa Aid successfully distributed approximately 48,112 liters of diesel—equivalent to a value of over £38,000—providing critical support to hundreds of farmers struggling to rebuild their livelihoods.

This initiative is funded entirely by donations from local and international supporters who have rallied behind the cause. Guided by the principle of ‘selfless seva’ (selfless service), Khalsa Aid’s intervention ensures that even the smallest farmers, who were most vulnerable to the disaster’s financial impact, have the means to plant crops and sustain their families.

Khalsa Aid’s Punjab Rehab Phase 2 is a comprehensive recovery effort that goes beyond fuel provision. Volunteers are also engaged in levelling damaged farmlands, distributing seeds and farming equipment, and offering training on flood-resilient agricultural practices.

As Punjab continues to recover from the 2025 floods, Khalsa Aid remains committed to supporting the farming community, helping them regain stability and secure their future.

EcoSikh launches mission to revive Guru Gobind Singh’s sacred ‘Baaj’

 According to The Statesman “ EcoSikh, a global non-governmental organization and a response from the Sikh community to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, has unveiled an ambitious plan to revive the Baaj, the raptor closely associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a 140-year-old Mumbai-based institution, aims to rehabilitate the Baaj (Northern Goshawk), Punjab’s official state bird, along with the Shaheen Baaj (Peregrine Falcon). In addition, EcoSikh announced its campaign to plant 350 Sacred Forests to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Both announcements were made at a press conference held at the Press Club, Chandigarh, on Wednesday.

Dr Rajwant Singh, Global President of EcoSikh, stated, “The soaring bird of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Baaj, reminded people to live a life of dignity and courage. It is unfortunate that this powerful symbol of the great Guru—and Punjab’s official state bird—has vanished from the state’s skies due to habitat loss, illegal trade, and pollution.”

He added that it is deeply concerning that no recorded sightings of the Baaj have been reported by Punjab’s Wildlife Department in over two decades. “This situation has inspired our plan to reintroduce the Baaj to Punjab—to restore ecological balance and to pay tribute to this revered symbol associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji,” he said.

Dr Rajwant further announced, “EcoSikh is excited about its MoU and collaborative plan with the BNHS to embark upon the Sacred Fauna Mission, a scientifically guided initiative bringing together multiple stakeholders to rehabilitate the Northern Goshawk and restore its lost habitat across Punjab.”

Dr Supreet Kaur, President of EcoSikh India, said, “We are committed to planting 350 new Sacred Forests in tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Each forest will serve as a living classroom—restoring biodiversity and celebrating the Sikh Gurus’ timeless relationship with nature.”

Over the last 16 years, the EcoSikh Charitable Society has planted more than 1,350 Sacred Forests across India, each serving as a living sanctuary of biodiversity and spiritual reflection. Charan Singh, Convenor of Sacred Forests & Sacred Fauna at EcoSikh, added, “Planting forests in the name of our Gurus has been our sacred tradition for years. With the Sacred Fauna Mission, we are now extending this tradition to the skies.”

Highlighting the impact of these initiatives, Lokesh Jain, Managing Director of TK Steel and Convenor of Lungs of Ludhiana, an EcoSikh project dedicated to greening the city, said, “Under the Lungs of Ludhiana initiative alone, we have planted around 280 forests, comprising more than 1,52,000 native trees.”

Ujjagar Singh, President of the Gurdwara Committee, remarked, “With the support of the Sadh Sangat, EcoSikh is creating a Guru Har Rai Herbal Garden at Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib. Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was a true nature lover who established a medicinal herbal garden in Kiratpur, known as Naulakha Bagh, meaning the garden of 900,000 plants.”

Digital museum of Sikh heritage to mark 10th anniversary with free event at the University of Leicester

 According to In Your Area “ A museum which showcases Sikh heritage will mark its tenth anniversary with a celebration hosted by the University of Leicester.

The Sikh Museum Initiative (SMI) was established a decade ago in Leicester to preserve and promote Sikh history and heritage in the UK.

It has built up an extensive collection of relics and documents, which have been digitised to demonstrate the bond between the UK and Sikh communities, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to understand the close relationship that exists.

The SMI collaborates with museums nationwide, presenting lectures and exhibitions, with its team taking its Virtual Museum, featuring VR headsets and digital touchscreens, on the road.

The 10-year celebration is being hosted by the University’s Heritage Hub, which brings people and organisations together to connect, explore and celebrate the rich heritage of Leicester and the surrounding region.

The free event, taking place on Wednesday, October 29, on the university’s campus, will include guest speakers, insightful talks, and a vibrant showcase of arts and heritage stalls highlighting Sikh culture. 

Visitors will also be able to experience the SMI’s digital showcase of 3D relics.

Kartar Singh, general secretary of the SMI, said: “Over the past decade, the Sikh Museum Initiative has been a beacon for preserving and sharing Sikh heritage in the UK and abroad – blending history, art and 3D digital innovation to bring stories alive.

“As this celebration we also look ahead: to expand our educational reach, deepen our community engagement, and continue pushing the boundaries of how heritage is experienced.

“We’re especially grateful to the university’s Heritage Hub for partnering with us to deliver this milestone event, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating our journey and the vibrant future of Sikh heritage.”

Professor Sarah Scott, director of the Heritage Hub, said: “The SMI team has worked tirelessly to research the stories and heritage that make up the rich history of the Sikh community here in the UK – and the way the team has harnessed virtual reality to take the exhibits to audiences around the UK is particularly impressive.

“We are delighted to be hosting the 10 year celebration of the Sikh Museum Initiative on the University’s campus and are looking forward to hearing about its future plans at the event.”

The university worked with the SMI on the 2017 exhibition, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Battles, Treaties and Relics, which saw a Sikh manuscript in the University Collections digitised.

The event takes place on Wednesday, October 29, between 6pm and 8pm. To register for the event visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/heritagehubuniversityofleicester/1826644”

Sikh Heritage Banquet in Westland honors community service, celebrates culture

 According to Click on Detroit “ The 33rd annual Sikh Heritage Banquet took place Saturday, Oct. 4, in Westland.

Sikh-Americans, neighbors and friends gathered to celebrate their rich culture and traditions. Members of law enforcement, fire departments and elected officials attended the event at the SoHo Banquet & Event Center on Warren Road.

Local 4’s own Priya Mann, who served as co-emcee, was honored with a Community Service Award for her volunteer efforts.

This year’s theme focused on the power of positivity.

“Sikh values are American values, these values are not different. We want to serve people with humility and with passion,” said Harpreet Sachdeva of the Sikh Heritage Foundation. “Let’s all be united together. The world is suffering and this is the time to come together and unite and help each other.”

Since arriving in the U.S. in the early 1900s, more than 125,000 Sikh-Americans now live in Michigan.

Floods kill 30 and submerge 1,400 villages in Punjab

 According to BBC “ At least 30 people have died and more than 354,000 have been affected by heavy rains and floods in the north Indian state of Punjab. 

Authorities have declared all of the state's 23 districts flood-hit, after rivers and reservoirs swelled to near-danger levels.

Some 20,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying and flood-affected areas, with hundreds of relief camps set up to provide shelter and essential facilities to the affected families.

Appealing to the country to "stand by the state", Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said these were the worst floods the state had seen since 1988. Punjab is often referred to as the "food basket" of India and is a major source for agricultural production, particularly of staples like wheat and rice. 

The government says there has been extensive crop damage on some 148,000 hectares of agricultural land, which has been submerged under water. 

A quarter of Punjab's 30 million people depend on agriculture, raising immediate concern about rural livelihoods.

Torrential downpours have caused water level in the state's Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers to rise to dangerous levels, putting hundreds of low-lying areas at risk. Many reservoirs are also reported to be nearing full capacity.

People living on the banks of the Sutlej river told the BBC they are keeping vigil on the water levels throughout the night to ensure their safety. 

"The water is high. The dam is seeping... Wherever it breaks, we fix it with sacks," Jasveer Singh, a resident of Sabra village told BBC Punjabi. Multiple disaster response teams, along with the Indian army, airforce and the navy, are helping with the rescue operations. Some 35 helicopters and more than100 boats have been pressed into service. 

On Tuesday, chief minister Mann toured the flood-hit Ferozepur district by boat. He said the situation was grim and sought funds from the federal government to deal with the crisis. 

India's weather agency said the floods are being caused by the repeated interactions between monsoon currents and weather systems like westerly disturbances. 

This has also brought unusually heavy rains to several other parts of northern India, it said. 

Across the Indian border, floods have also devastated Pakistan's Punjab province, affecting some two million people over the past few weeks.

Sikhs from Malaysia and Singapore compete in MASPORE Games

 According to NST “ The MASPORE Games were inaugurated in Ipoh in 2014 to bring together the Sikh community from Malaysia and Singapore to particpate in sports and recreational events.

It also serves as a platform to strengthen bonds while promoting fitness, teamwork and community pride through sports activities.

The MASPORE Games were first held at the Andersonian field in Ipoh 11 years ago with only one sport — football. About 100 players and officials participated then.

Over the years, it has flourished, the games were held in Kuala Lumpur (2016 and 2019), Ipoh (2017 and 2022), Penang (2018 and 2024) and Melaka (2023).

The ninth MASPORE Games, held in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 7-9, attracted about 800 participants and officials.

Hosted by Kelab Sukan & Rekreasi Kuala Lumpur, it featured football, hockey, badminton, netball, pool, darts, bowling, pickleball, volleyball and futsal.

The teams from Malaysia and Singapore that participated were Kelab Sukan & Rekreasi, Khalsa Kinta, Kelab Sukan &amp, Rekreasi Sikh Pulau Pinang (United Bro's), Negri Sembilan Sports Club (N9SSC), Sentul Hockey Club, Soti Squad Singapore and 3J Badminton Club.

THE WINNERS - Football: Khalsa Kinta; Hockey:KSRPKL; Badminton: KSRPKL; Netball:KSRPKL; Pool: KSRPKL; Darts: N9SSC; Veteran football: N9SSC; Veteran hockey: KSRPKL; Volleyball: N9SSC; Pickleball: N9SSC; Bowling:Khalsa Kinta.

Most Promising Young Talent awards were also handed out at an appreciation dinner held at Wisma Tatt Khalsa on Aug 9.

THE RECIPIENTS - Pickleball: Jaidev Singh Pannu (Khalsa Kinta); Hockey: Jaideep Ryan Singh (Khalsa Kinta); Netball: Khusalini Kaur (Khalsa Kinta); Badminton: Mannluckvynnder Singh (3J Sports Club); Football: Mahinder Singh (N9SSC).

* N9 Sikhs Sports Club will host the 2026 edition in Seremban and Kelab Sukan Rekreasi Khalsa Kinta will host the 2027 edition in Ipoh.