UNITED SIKHS, the first Sikh organization to become a United Nations affiliated non-governmental organization has been doing selfless humanitarian work since it came into existence in the US in 1999. Over the next two decades, it has expanded globally and numerous chapters of this community group which was founded on the Sikh principles of seva and egalitarianism propounded by its founder Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji have been opened. In a candid conversation with Deepika Banerjee, staff writer of India News, Gurvinder Singh, Director of the Australia Chapter of UNITED SIKHS, highlights the story behind the genesis of the organization, its intrinsic values and the humanitarian work that the members have been doing all across the world.
Take us through the story of the genesis of UNITED SIKHS. When and how was its foundation laid? Who all were the founding fathers of this organization?
UNITED SIKHS began in 1999 when a group of Sikhs from New York joined hands to help in the socio-economic development of the Punjabis and Sikhs as well as other immigrants who were facing language barriers and racial disparities by empowering and educating them. Not only this, the pioneers of UNITED SIKHS also spread awareness about the religious and cultural connotations attached to the long beard, the turban, etc., which Sikhs sport. For instance, they made flyers to educate people of other communities about the Sikhs-their history, the significance of their religion and their contribution to the global economy. Apart from this, the organization has also been doing humanitarian work and in the US after the 9/11 attack UNITED SIKHS was one of the organizations which was at the forefront providing humanitarian aid.
Could you enlighten us on the philosophical underpinnings of this organization? What is its mission? And what are its goals and objectives?
It is based on the Sikh principles. We support the disadvantaged and those who belong to minority communities and are generally excluded from the mainstream society. Our aim is their upliftment by empowering and educating them so that they become self-reliant and are able to lead a dignified life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji throughout his life abided by and spread the message of equality and he believed that each and every individual had not only the right to do seva (serving the community) but was also entitled to be the recipient of seva if needed. It was on the basis of this simple yet noble principle that he started the system of langar (community kitchen) so that each and every member of society gets served by his fellow beings.
You are the Director of the Australia Chapter of UNITED SIKHS. How did you get associated with this organization?
The Australia Chapter of UNITED SIKHS was launched in 2009. But, I came into contact with the organization in 2016 and started doing volunteer work. Then in 2017 when Cyclone Debbie wreaked havoc in the Queensland area, I remember I was with a couple of friends. As part of the UNITED SIKHS team we went to Townsville area and provided humanitarian aid to those affected for 2-3 days with the support of the army, local gurudwara and local volunteers. This was my first project as a UNITED SIKHS member in Australia.
What are the major accomplishments of the Australia Chapter of UNITED SIKHS so far since you took over the reins of the organization?
UNITED SIKHS is the first Sikh organization which is a United Nations affiliated human rights organization. In Melbourne in the year 2017, we represented a Sikh child’s case in the Tribunal Court for being denied admission in a school and it was really a huge achievement when we not only helped in ensuring that the child got enrolled at the school but this case also set a precedent for other schools who made amendments in the rules of their school uniform.
Do you reckon that organizations like UNITED SIKHS can play a pivotal role in establishing peace, brotherhood, and stability in the world tormented by war, terrorism, poverty, diseases and starvation?
Definitely. In fact, organizations like ours are playing a pivotal role in providing succour to people in such areas. To cite an example, volunteers from UNITED SIKHS have served people stuck in war zones like Syria. They helped the local people by providing cooked meals and medicines. Moreover, our team has also been instrumental in helping the Rohingyan refugees who took refuge in Bangladesh following the persecution they faced in their own country. We served them meals and provided all sorts of help for more than 3 months. I believe that volunteer groups like UNITED SIKHS serve as a bridge that closes the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
How is UNITED SIKHS helping the Afghan Sikhs?
Afghan Sikhs have been facing atrocities from certain hostile groups for the past many years and we have been striving to help them from the inception of their problems. UNITED SIKHS representatives even helped in negotiating the release of Sikhs captured by belligerent groups and after the 25th March attack on a Sikh gurudwara, our main priority has been to ensure their safe passage to other countries. We have been lobbying in the US, Canada, the UK, New Zealand and India and fortunately, the Indian government has given around 650 Sikhs and Hindus permission to go back to India. We have helped them to get passports and air tickets. We have also set up help desks in Delhi where we guide them how to make all the requisite documents to establish one’s identity. Along with the Delhi Gurudwara Committee, we even plan to start a project to help them gain skills so that they can get jobs.