Jim Huston given warm welcome at Gurdwara in Acton

 

 

 

 

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

INDIANAPOLIS (USA), JUNE 25

Mr. Jim Huston, Executive Director, Indiana Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), alongwith Derek Trovillion and Reverend Callie Smith visited Sikh Temple  at Acton Road, located at 10950 Southeastern Avenue in Indianapolis.

They were given a rousing welcome by the members of the management committee and the entire  American Sikh Sangat present on the occasion. Among those who received the chief guest and other dignitaries were renowned personality Kanwal Prakash Singh, Bal Sindal, incoming President of the Sikh Satsang, Maninder Walia, the outgoing President of the Sikh Satsang, Jesse Lalli and Harpreet Sandhu.

There was a large gathering of Hoosier Sikh Americans who have made Central Indiana their home and who are engaged in a number of different professions and occupations.

Mr Huston, Mr Derek Trovillion, Reverend Callie Smith and Mr Balbir Singh were presented ‘sarpoas’ (scarfs)  the Sikh Temple management.

 “It was an honour to be here on an invitation  which was sent little month ago. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels had visited the Gurdwara  (Sikh Temple) in 2008. It was natural the Indiana Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) is created and the OFBCI office has been set up," said Mr Jim Huston.

Addressing the gathering at the Sikh Temple, Jim Huston  said “service is a huge priority for you and it is a huge priority for us as well.”
Mr Jim Huston also interacted with the members of the Sikh community and was seen keen in understanding the Sikhism. Mr KP Singh informed the OFBCI Executive Director that there are five Sikh Temples in the state of Indiana.

Mr Huston along with Mr Derek Trovillion and Reverend Callie Smith also had community ‘langar’ (lunch) in Sikh traditions by sitting on the floor though Mr Huston was offered chair which he declined as he wanted to follow the Sikh traditions and customs.

Mr KP Singh and other members of the Sikh Community settled in Indiana expressed their happiness to have Mr Jim Huston on the occasion and assured the Government  that the American Sikh Community would  extend full support in cementing infaith relations with all communities.