KP (Kanwal Prakash) Singh, a longtime resident of Indiana, received the 2010 Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th annual Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.
Indianapolis, Indiana: KP Kanwal Prakash Singh, a longtime resident of Indiana, received the 2010 Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th annual Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.
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| KP with family and friends - left, Maninder Walia and Rabindra P. Singh, second from right |
The event is organized by the United Way of Central Indiana as a part of the Black Expo Summer Celebration activities. This year there were over six hundred people in attendance and fifteen volunteers, four of them Asians, in various categories were honored. It was a matter of great pride and honor for all of us to see one of our own recognized and celebrated at this prestigious event. KP was deeply moved by this great honor and recognition of his many involvements in central Indiana over the past four decades. His remarks on receiving the award reflect his sentiments, sense of humility and thanksgiving (see below).
About the Award Recipient
Kanwal Prakash (KP) Singh is honored by the Asian American Alliance Inc. Singh was born in India and came to the U.S. in 1965. He has been a tireless advocate and supporter of cultural diversity and the importance of arts to life and human spirit. Singh is founding member of the International Center of Indianapolis and The Asian American Alliance, where he has remained active as a Board Member and volunteer since 1999. He serves on the Advisory Board of Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young Persons, Butler University Center for Faith and Vocation, and Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network. Recognized as a pillar and pioneer in Indianapolis, Singh is a respected spokesperson on issues of racial, religious, and ethnic harmony and understanding.
About United Way of Central Indiana
United Way of Central Indiana serving six Central Indiana counties, United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) helps sustain vital human services by working exclusively with proven human service agencies that direct life-changing opportunities. UWCI also helps reduce the needs of future generations by helping ensure that kids enter school ready to learn and graduate, ready to earn.
KP Kanwal Prakash Singh, a longtime resident of Indiana, received the 2010 Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th annual Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.
UNITED WAY DIVERSITY AWARDS BREAKFAST held at 500-Ball Room, Indiana Convention Center on July 17, 2010
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| KP delivering his acceptance speech |
KP's deliverance at the awards ceremony:
Dear friends and distinguished Hoosiers:
“Neechon ooch kuray Mera Gobind:
God in His infinite Mercy exalts the ordinary,” remind the Sikh Scriptures.I do not have the right words to express my deep gratitude to receive the Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award. “God in His infinite mercy elevates the ordinary.” -The Sikh Scriptures
Whatever little that I may have done that inspired you to bestow this great honor on me, for me it pales in comparison when I think of the names and generosity of friends and strangers who adopted me as one of their own and guided my life and destiny over the last 43 years and made me feel at home and welcome.
On this list are: my wife Janice, our sons Jay and Rob; my friend and mentor, The Honorable Senator Richard Lugar; Dr. Albert Chen, Founder Asian American Alliance; Rev. Richard Hamilton, retired Minister North United Methodist Church and a respected spiritual leader; Dr. Dan Felicetti, former President of Marian College (now Marian University); my extended family and few hundred dedicated and enlightened Hoosiers, some of them are with us this morning.
This Award belongs to them; this is their gift to me. I am grateful for their friendship and trust.
I thank each of you for giving me the opportunity and privilege to serve with you in any of the myriad ways over the past four decades.
As I am reflecting on your blessings, I am also thinking of my beloved parents who gave me the spiritual and cultural foundation; I am remembering the horrific events of 63 years ago in the Indian subcontinent that left my young life shaken and uncertain on a sidewalk in Amritsar. I saw darkness of spirit, unimaginable anguish, and untold suffering up-close and personal. The experience taught me humility and something about compassion toward others.
Today, this amazing honor! I am very grateful and deeply moved by this miraculous twist of fate. Indiana has given me home and opportunities. America, a sense of belonging and undreamed-of blessings to heal my scars.
I am evermore determined to walk in the footsteps of great public servants and put my time and modest gifts to service. Your love and encouragement would be my anchor and driving force. Let us continue to celebrate and advance those ideas that help us grow as a nation and as members of one human family. Let us continue to enlarge our vision and mandate where there is room for all faiths, cultures, and communities to serve and make a difference.