When a number of Sikhs shifted from Punjab to USA during the last decade of the 20th century, it
looked that their future in the great country was great as they could earn considerably because of their hard
work and entrepreneurship. However, when on 11th September 2001 the tragedy of terrorist attack took
place in USA, the gradually prosperous becoming Sikhs started becoming targets of the hate crimes. The
first Sikh to become victim was S. Balbir Singh Sodhi, the owner of a gas station in Arizona. Since then, the
things have not changed. The Sikhs are still being harassed and even murdered because of hatred against
them which is mainly caused by a misunderstanding regarding their Sikh identity. Another brother of S.
Balbir Singh Sodhi also became a victim of such a hatred. However, the Sodhi family had been continuously
living there and have not given up their articles of faith. Rana Singh Sodhi, another brother of S. Balbir Singh
Sodhi organizes every year on 15 September, a memorial in the memory of his brother. The Gas station is
then transformed into sacred place where prayers are made and candles are lit. The amazing will power,
determination and faith of Rana’s family makes them role-models. This family along with a good number of
Sikhs are making best of the efforts to make the people aware of Sikh identity, and their way of living. S. Rana
Singh Sodhi was again in the news this year when 15th Anniversary of his brother’s killing was observed and
he called a Press Conference to educate the people about their articles of faith. He further stated that during
all these years his bitterness has not increased, rather after seeing the support from people of all faiths for his
community, his love for his country (America) has increased. It was just because of his love that he talked to
Roque (the killer of S. Balbir Singh) who wanted to express his regret and felt sorry for his act of crime. The
killer said “I want you to know from my heart, I’m sorry for what I did to your brother,” Frank said. “One
day, when I go to heaven to be judged by God, I wish as to see your brother, and I will hug him, and I will
ask him for forgiveness.” “We already forgave you,” Rana replied. He told that he never wanted Roque put to
death, because it foreclosed the possibility of remorse. The beginning of this kind of conversations and the
response of Rana Sodhi in this regard speak volumes about his merciful attitude implying forgiveness, which
is one of the qualities of a Gursikh. That makes Rana Sodhi a true Gursikh role-model.
