Rupinder Mohan Singh |

Choosing identity: American or Indian?

November 3, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Simran Jeet Singh, who will be running the ING New York City Marathon (as a featured runner) in three days, writes in the Huffington Post about his identities as a Sikh, American, and Indian, and the role that the Indian state-sponsored atrocities of 1984 against the Sikh people (and others since) has played into how he reconciles the various labels: Yet I find that the values and ideals of my religion, Sikhism, resonate more closely with those of America. Like […]

Categories: 1984, Profiles, Reflections • Tags: Huffington Post, New York City Marathon, Simran Jeet Singh, United States

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Ensaaf’s “Cascade of Voices”: giving voice to the survivors of 1984 and beyond

November 2, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Ensaaf (meaning “justice) – an organization that I mentioned in my last post, released a new advocacy video today about the survivors of abuses in Punjab during 1984 and beyond: Our powerful new advocacy video, produced by the New Media Advocacy Project, showcases survivors’ determination to learn the true fate of their loved ones, as well as the continuing emotional and financial impact these abuses have had on families. Kashmir Singh’s son, Harjit Singh, was just one of the thousands of […]

Categories: 1984, Profiles • Tags: Ensaaf

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The morning when the sun set: November 1, 1984

November 1, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Once more I am the silent one who came out of the distance wrapped in cold rain and bells: I owe to earth’s pure death the will to sprout. Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) One morning, 27 years ago, I – a young lad living in the west – was walking to school. It was seasonably cool morning. There was a dusting of frost on the grass and a slight chill in the air, but a warming sun was rising. […]

Categories: 1984, Reflections • Tags: 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Ensaaf, Harmandir Sahib, India, Indira Gandhi, Operation Blue Star, Operation Bluestar, Sikh genocide, Sikh Genocide Project, Sikhs for Justice

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IVACC College Scholarships for South Asians in Northern California

October 31, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Indus Valley American Chamber of Commerce, located in Sacramento, California, is offering a scholarship for South Asian college students in Northern California: The Indus Valley American Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the second year of the IVACC Scholarship Program. Scholarships are being awarded to college students that have shown a commitment to the South Asian community and culture. The IVACC Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications with a deadline of 11/22/10. Please download the scholarship information […]

Categories: Resources • Tags: California, Education, Financial Aid, Indus Valley American Chamber of Commerce, IVACC, Northern California, scholarship

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State of California settles with Trilochan Singh Oberoi, but maintains discriminatory policies

October 27, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In 2005, despite meeting all other requirements, Trilochan Singh Oberoi was refused a job as a correctional officer by the State of California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), unless he shaved his beard and removed his turban. The decision of the CDCR was ruled as discriminatory by the State Personnel Board, but the State of California still refused to hire Trilochan Singh. Consequently, Trilochan Singh filed a suit against the CDCR. Today, it was announced that the State has […]

Categories: Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: California, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CDCR, Corrections officer, employement discrimination, State Personnel Board, Trilochan Singh Oberoi

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Long Island, NY Sikhs struggle with Gurdwara issues

October 26, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After the Gurdwara in Plainview, New York was shut down due to code violations, Sikhs on Long Island can’t catch a break, as the second of three Gurdwaras there had also shut down earlier this summer: After fire inspectors went to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island in Hicksville, it was closed when town inspectors found a kitchen had been illegally installed in the basement and people were living there, [Oyster Bay spokesperson Phyllis Barry] said. The temple had no […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Diwali, Glen Cove, Gurdwara, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center, Hicksville, Long Island, New York, Plainview

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President Obama’s Statement on the Observance of Diwali

October 26, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Different religions have their own significance to Diwali. Today, President Obama released a statement to acknowledge the Diwali celebrations of several faiths – including Sikhism – across the country: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release October 26, 2011 Statement by the President on the Observance of Diwali Today, here in America and around the world, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali – the festival of lights. Many who observe this holiday do so […]

Categories: Events, Politics • Tags: Barack Obama, Diwali, White House

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Guru Hargobind & Bandi Chorh Divas (photo & artwork: Inkquisitive Illustration)

Happy Bandhi Chorh Divas!

October 25, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Today marks Diwali, the “festival of lights”, which is celebrated all over India (the Huffington Post queries whether Diwali’s growing popularity should make it the next new American holiday). Diwali has its origins in the Hindu tradition, however it has a different historical significance for Sikhs, who on this day celebrate Bandhi Chorh Divas. On this day, Sikhs celebrate the release of Sikhism’s sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, from prison in 1619. He also secured the release of 52 other Indian princes with his own (as described on this blog before). […]

Categories: Art, Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Diwali, Guru Hargobind, Huffington Post, Inkquisitive Illustrations

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Guinness lets the air out of Fauja Singh’s balloon

October 25, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Centenarian Fauja Singh’s record-setting completion of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon won’t be record-setting, after all. Guinness World Records will not recognize Fauja Singh’s achievement because he cannot present a birth certificate – a document that was not produced in India in 1911 – to prove the year of his birth. His passport and other documented evidence is not acceptable to Guinness. His trainer, Harmandar Singh, suggests that there is a disconnect in recognizing the status of developing nations: Harmandar Singh, […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Canada, Centenarian, Fauja Singh, Guinness World Record, marathon, Toronto Marathon, Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Author Archives: Rupinder Mohan Singh

Choosing identity: American or Indian?

Ensaaf’s “Cascade of Voices”: giving voice to the survivors of 1984 and beyond

The morning when the sun set: November 1, 1984

IVACC College Scholarships for South Asians in Northern California

State of California settles with Trilochan Singh Oberoi, but maintains discriminatory policies

Long Island, NY Sikhs struggle with Gurdwara issues

President Obama’s Statement on the Observance of Diwali

Happy Bandhi Chorh Divas!

Guinness lets the air out of Fauja Singh’s balloon