|
June 2015 was a month of spiritual
significance for several faith communities in Indiana. The plans for
Indy's Festival of Faiths, scheduled for August 30th at Veterans
Memorial Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis took a major leap forward; we
learned about the long-awaited "Sacred Journeys" Exhibit at The Children's Museum opening the same weekend in August, presenting prospects of sharing and cooperation.
Indianapolis and Mrs. Mayor Greg Ballard with guests at the dedication of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
June
2015 became a month of other momentous community events: religious
celebrations, commemorations, and historic transitions. A week-long
colorful ceremonies marking the rededication of the Hindu Temple of
Central Indiana, built in the architectural tradition of an ancient
Hindu Temple in India, attracted thousands. Many City and State
dignitaries, interfaith leaders, and the faithful from across the
Midwest and beyond attended the dedication of the landmark Hindu Temple
in Central Indiana.
Congregation gathered on the opening of Gurdwara Shri Hargobind Sahib, Greenwood, Indiana
Gurdwara Shri Hargobind Sahib, Greenwood, Indiana
Taking
center stage in the enlarging spiritual landscape of Indiana was the
grand opening of Gurdwara Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji in Greenwood. The
Gurdwara dedication was attended by Honorable Diego Morales, Special
Assistant to Indiana Governor Mike Pence; Greenwood Mayor and Police
Chief, Indiana State Representatives, and over a thousand Sikh Americans
and their friends.
There
is a new cultural vibrancy in the Indian, Asian, and Sikh Diaspora in
the United States and other continents, reflecting a major commitment to
create institutions of learning, worship, and service, anchored in
native traditions, cultural heritage, and spiritual foundation, to share
with the world and future generations. This was another milestone in
our journey to serve and celebrate the recently arrived cultures,
faiths, and populations. We are fulfilling long-awaiting dreams: new
places for ceremonial gatherings, prayer and exultation of faiths;
sacred spaces for preserving heritage and uplifting the human spirit.
At
the Sikh Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) in Indiana and around the world,
there were solemn remembrances of the Martyrdom of the Fifth Sikh, Guru
Arjan Dev, at Lahore in June 1606 on the orders of the Moghul Emperor
Jahangir; commemorations of the 31st Anniversary of Indian Army's "Operation Bluestar"
in 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and other Sikh Gurdwaras in
the Punjab where thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed. There were
prayers for peace and universal harmony and goodwill toward all
humanity. As an act of solidarity, the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis
collected funds and tons of clothing for the victims of the recent
earthquake in Nepal.
ADDRESSING TOMORROW'S CONCERNS TODAY
As
the Sikh American community in the USA has grown in size and stature,
lingering issues of unfounded stereotyping, mistaken identity due to
their sacred articles of faith, bullying of Sikh children in schools,
workplace discrimination and harassment, unprovoked violence and safety
issues, and the denial of being able to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces
remain to be addressed. The biggest hurdle in this area has been the
entrenched perceptions about unfamiliar traditions and governing rules
that need to be revisited and revised in light of the many diverse
faiths, cultures, and communities make up today's America. These are our
new frontiers of opportunities and challenges, where civic engagement,
networking, vigorous advocacy, and learning about new lands and cultures
may serve us well.
The
Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis has been a leader in this effort in
central Indiana for the last 40 years. National Sikh organizations and
Sikh media have been leading the efforts for better understanding of
Sikh American concerns. The wheels of societal change move slowly and
always need sustained effort, commitment, and imaginative daring ideas.
The urgent matter of individual and community health, because of its
universal and direct impact, on the other hand, has caught the attention
of Sikh congregations in central Indiana.
Lavleen Kaur Samra - Health Fair at the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis
Lavleen Kaur Samra, a Ph.D. student in Public Health at Indiana University conducting a Health Fair at the Sikh Satsang.
A YOUNG HEALTH ADVOCATE IN OUR MIDST
Miss
Lavleen Kaur Samra, a Ph.D. candidate at Indiana University, is leading
this effort. Lavleen is pursuing her research in Health Behavior and
Preventive Medicine. With charts, graphs, and diagnostic equipment,
Lavleen has been visiting Sikh Gurdwaras in central Indiana, addressing
congregations, distributing health-related literature and healthy choice
advice regarding food, diet, nutrition, and do's and don'ts for
healthy, disease-free life choices. Lavleen is passionate, articulate,
understands her audience, addresses them in Punjabi, and knows how to
win trust in her cause, which she hopes will be their cause and a
catalyst for change. Lavleen is frank and persuasive in bringing home
the dangers of alcohol, sweets loaded with sugar, food preparations
floating in cooking oil. She offers alternatives and cautions
moderation. Suddenly, we are learning about healthy food and sensible
diet changes that can prevent many devastating diseases: diabetes, high
blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, liver disease, and a host of
other health challenges.
Lavleen
is eminently qualified to lead this effort with her Bachelor's Degree
in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University, Master's Degree in
Behavioral Community and Social Health from Indiana Wesleyan University,
and sound training in family values and discipline at home. Eager
parents love her bold, refreshing and non-threatening approach and flock
to her with their concerns and questions. Lavleen offers with home-spun
humor: "Enjoy your food, but eat less;" "substitute vegetable oils with coconut oil;" "skip too many sweets and spare yourself early onset of diabetes;" "live healthy and tension free and prevent heart disease and heart attack."
The body, mind, and spirit are interconnected, as the Sikh sacred
scripture reminds us. To serve God and to reach one's full potential,
one needs to be wise about one's health, diet, exercise, and rest.
SAM 4900: Lavleen Kaur Samra presenting examples of healthy diet and conducting health screenings
Lavleen
Samra's all-important, timely community seva, and health awareness
efforts, especially focused on women's health. This is critical at a
time when our Gurdwara Langars have become feasts: serving deep fried
foods and rich sugar-loaded sweets as a featured delicious welcome fare
as the worshippers arrive. The money saved by curtailing our current
excessive indulgences could be channeled into making health fairs a
regular feature of our Gurdwara services. Some of the saved revenue
should be allocated towards paying for the health awareness literature
and supplies needed at health fairs. Maninder Walia, President of Sikh
Satsang, has expressed that we consider a stipend for the special sevas
that we receive from gifted volunteers like Lavleen. I think such
encouragement sends a message that we value and welcome critical
services and initiatives that benefit families. Our small investment may
someday earn big rewards for promising youth leaders as we encourage
their professional pursuits in their chosen fields.
Diego
Morales, Special Assistant to Indiana Governor Mike Pence, presenting
the special proclamation to Paramjeet Singh, President, Gurdwara Shri
Hargobind Sahib, Greenwood, Indiana
Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers greeting Maninder Walia
Prayers ongoing at the dedication of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
Friends attending the dedication of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
Lavleen Kaur Samra addressing the Sikh Satsang congregation to provide advice on health screenings, healthy diet and living.
ENCOURAGING BIG IDEAS AND DARING PURSUITS
Community
leaders and parents must encourage young people to pursue careers that
inspire them to be among the brightest and best, lead them on paths to
become successful innovators, trailblazers, and leaders in their fields;
assure undreamed-of honors and rewards. New Gurdwara buildings have
their rightful place, but it is our commitment to great ideas and doing
something about them, making the right and timely investments that may
hold the key to a future worthy of limitless opportunities and
potential. We have to set our mind and spirit to such a vision, and
Sutguru will lead us the rest of the way in the intensely-competitive
Holla Mohallas of our times. For "Wahegurujee Kee Fateh: All victories belong to the Wonderful Lord," we have to strike the right and wise balance.
Indianapolis, Indiana USA www.KPSinghDesigns.com July 7, 2015 |
