Making aware Americans that Sikhs have a separate identify

Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, NRI Affairs Minister, presenting bouquet to American Republican and Former Congressman of Pennsylvania Mr. Curt Weldon at his residence at Chandigarh on Friday.

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 7

Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, NRI Affairs Minister, Punjab stressed the need to educate Americans about the separate identity of Sikhs to avoid any untoward incident in future besides seeking cooperation of the United States of America for more investments in Punjab.

            This was discussed in a meeting with American Republican and Former Congressman from Pennsylvania Mr. Curt Weldon, who called on Mr. Majithia here today. The NRI Affairs Minister said that the United States should launch campaigns in association with Sikhs so that they could not be targeted as mistaken identity. He said that due to mistaken identity, Sikhs were constantly targeted in United States even after the unfortunate incident of firing on Sikhs at Oak Creek Gurdwara in Wisconsin. He said that this is need of the hour to make aware Americans about the separate identity of Sikhs by launching community and confidence building programs.

            Mr. Majithia said being a small, yet enterprising community, the Sikhs have always contributed towards nation building, growth and prosperity of whichever nation they have settled in. He said that they have contributed richly to the growth of the United States in the every sphere, be it agriculture, entrepreneurship, academics and their Armed Forces.

            Talking about the Wisconsin incident of firing, Mr. Majithia said that it was very unfortunate that ever since the 9/11 attacks in 2001 in New York-the last ten years, the Sikhs were being targeted because of their attire and resemblance. He also appreciated the gesture of the President of United States of America of ordering the National flag to be flown half mast in respect of the victims of the Gurdwara incident, which went a long way in healing the wounds of the Sikh community.

Apprising Mr. Weldon about the world class basic infrastructure for investment and incentives being providing by the state government, Mr. Majithia sought cooperation from US Government to motivate the Americans and Punjabis settled in the United States for more investments in Punjab. He also informed Mr. Weldon regarding the initiative s taken by Punjab Government for the welfare of NRIs including separate NRI police station, Fast Track Courts, NRI Cards etc.   

            Lauding the contribution of Sikhs in the development and prosperity of America, Mr. Weldon said that there was large and dense population of Sikhs settled in US and all the possible cooperation to Sikhs would be provided by America for safeguarding their interests. Mr. Weldon also assured the Minister that US government would start special awareness campaigns and community programs soon.