sikhpride

It is a truth that a good number of individuals and organizations have rendered yeoman service by promoting the education of Punjabi language and that of Sikh religion in states outside Punjab and countries beyond India. One of these organizations based at Belgium and named as Sikh Education Belgium has done a marvelous work in this regard. They conduct classes to teach Punjabi language, Sikh history, Gurbani (along with Santhya) and singing Gurbani on different musical instruments not only in Europe, but also in many other parts of the world including India. These classes are organized in Gurdwaras, specified places and also online. Their areas of service for the community have also covered giving training for tying turban, dumala and keski as well as training in gatka and personal abilities like lecture giving, Katha vichar, writing and reciting poetry, Kavishri etc. The team of ten persons behind all such activities is lead by Bibi Harpreet Kaur Ji.Bibi Harpreet Kaur telling about this organization has stated that it started with taking classes in the Gurdwaras in Belgium on Sunday in the year 2008. Gradually, this concept of teaching was extended to classes online for those who could not attend it on Sundays. Many more persons under their guidance and patronage came forward to take such classes in other European countries. It was followed by holding of spiritual camps during summer vacation every year in Paris, Germany and Holland. The number of children participating in all such programs increased year after year and the learners from these programmes started performing in congregations and Nagar Kirtans (like that of Vaisakhi). Children started explaining Sikh concepts not only in Punjabi, but also in respective foreign languages like Dutch, French and English. As stated by Harpreet Kaur whatsapp groups were made for explaining the children Gurbani meanings. During the Corona period efforts to promote Gurmat online were intensified. Even competitions were held online. Some of the unique competitions included that of performing Ardas, modeling in Sikh dresses, poetry recitation, turban tying, dumala tying etc. The active participation of children in various programmes of centenary celebrations elicited all around appreciation and applause. For example, in one of the competitions dedicated to the 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, their efforts were hailed by all including President SGPC. It was admitted that they were doing a commendable job in connecting children with the Sikh heritage. In another completion glorifying Sikh identity as organized by them, the winners thereof were honoured at Sri Damdama Sahib by Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh Ji.The excellence of their works became crystal clear when the first ever International Turban Tying And Awareness (ITTAA) competition was organized by Kes Sambhal Parchar Sanstha in March 2022 in which, this organization contributed a very large number of participants for turban and dumala tying not only in European cities but also in many cities of India. On the top of it, the topper of this competition honoured as Daster-e-Khalsa, Anmol Kaur, a medical student of Belgium is also a product of this organization. So, it can be said that this organization is really showing the way to others to come forward and work with sincerity and devotion to promote Sikh spiritual and cultural values and make the people know the teachings of the Masters.

Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) is a non profit, non political, charitable organization with a mission to transform lives of deserving students by providing them need based scholarships for higher professional education. The organisation was a registered in 1999 at Maryland in USA under Act 501 (C) (3) of IRC vide no. 52-2171746. Although, its address is 15129, Winesap Drive, North Potomac, Maryland-20878, USA, its main activity is to benefit the students in Punjab and neighbouring states. 539 scholarships were awarded in 2015-16 and 550 scholarship were given in 2016-17. All these scholarships are given through a Govt. of India recognized and a highly reputable NGO namely the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, New Delhi to ensure effective management and monitoring of the grant of these scholarships. The foundation has built excellent track record in governance and proven institutional capacity to deliver. It has time –tested procedures to invite applications, verify facts, have them certified by respective heads of institutions, conduct written tests and interviews and calibrate the scholarship amount as per accepted need assessment criteria. Its accounts are annually audited and certified by independent auditors. The organization can be contacted on telephone no. 3019633928 and through e-mail : info@shdf.org. S. Gajinder Singh Ahuja and Jaspreet Ahuja are the President and the Secretary of this organization. There contact nos. are +1 301-96393928 and +1 301-928-4270 respectively.