In my 47 years, I have seen Indianapolis
grow into a vibrant international City (Metropolitan area of nearly two million;
from one Sikh in September 1967 to nearly 2,500 families today in central Indiana).
This past week alone there were three major events that we participated in:
Saturday, September 6: The 48th Penrod Arts Fair (one of the largest arts and
cultural fairs in the Midwest; average one-day attendance: 30,000).
http://www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/penrod-arts-fair/Slideshow?oid=2918294
Sunday, September 7: Second Annual Festival of Faiths (Festival attendance: 4,000;
Sikh presence: one hundred this year; over 150 Americans of different faiths, ethnicity,
and ages participated in the Turban Tying Demonstration; 25 young people in the
Sikh Youth Choir gave a moving rendition of a Sikh hymn).
You may enjoy the video link below (45 seconds):
Tuesday, September 9: International Citizen of the Year Gala honoring
Indianapolis Mayor and Mrs. Greg Ballard; attended by 800 people including
several from the Punjabi Sikh community). As one of the past recipients of this
Award, I had the honor to serve as one of the Vice Chairs for the Gala. Mayor
Ballard has visited the Sikh Gurdwara 4 times in the last 6 years. (see attached
photographs).
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| (L-R) Gurinder Singh, Rev. Richard Hamilton, KP Singh, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (2014) |
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| Mayor and Mrs. Ballard (far left) receiving Siropa (2013) |
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| Guests at our table at the International Citizen of the Year banquet (2014) |
Indianapolis, much like other major cities, is a happening place and members
of the Sikh American community are awakening to the reality and promise
of pride in mainstreaming and civic engagement.
My writings and visual images celebrate this wonderful and welcome transition.
The excitement and interest in the growing diversity all around us may hold
the key to each community discovering their rightful place in America.
Among the upcoming events (September 20th) is An Evening Celebrating Christel House India with song and dance by celebrated Danish-Punjabi singer-song writer Anita Lerche (right). The event is sponsored by Indiana philanthropist Christel DeHaan and Co-Hosted by some Sikh families, and is expected to be attended by a large number of Punjabi and Sikh-Americans.
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