Two Sikh Americans, Jasmeet Ahuja and Sahil Singh Gujral, were among thirty individuals recently awarded the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans for 2012:

This fellowship program honors the American immigrant tradition. It has, since 1998, provided 30 fellowships annually to New Americans – naturalized citizens or “green card” holders, or children of naturalized citizens.

There are now 445 New Americans who are Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows. Many have already achieved great success and recognition for their achievements.

Each fellowship provides up to $90,000 in support of graduate study over two years in any field at any degree-granting institution in the United States.

Fellowships are awarded on the basis of a rigorous national competition that typically attracts between 850 and 1,000 applicants. Selection criteria emphasize sustained accomplishments that show unusual creativity, originality and initiative. We seek individuals who will use their graduate education to advance their abilities and commitment to contribute to American society and to be active citizens in a free country.

Jasmeet Ahuja has experience in South Asian and Sikh American issues and is pursuing a law degree at Yale Law School. Sahil Singh Gujral has a background in public health and healthcare insurance finance, and is reported to be planning to pursue a law degree or an MBA.