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Journey of a Sikher
Many of us sit in our comfortable homes, in cushion seats and have a bag of chips, with a can of soda. Oblivious to others, we sit numbed in our own reality. One person I know that is not numb for sure is my sister Harpreet. Though she is younger than me, I respect her passion, her drive, and mostly her sacrifice to offer voices to those subject matters which are normally drowned out. Harpreet graduated college just like most of us, with a degree in a field she wanted to pursue. She started her career and promising potential and income awaited. She was quickly hired as a reporter by a local TV station who noticing her talent and drive offered her own segment and ample opportunity for advancement. Though the potential for income and promotion at that moment was high, she started to feel like there was more to offer with the skills she had. With the support of her husband she quit her job and went to India, with a mission to document stories of the Widows of 1984. This experience I believe changed her to her core, and she became someone that was not after the fame and money, that was potentially viable in her career as she was unique, showcasing diversity in a field that had very little of it. I know many people in the Indian community believe that wealth is the measure for success, but very few believe that experience, and life fulfillment itself can be successful. For the Widow Colony, Harpreet and Manmeet (her husband) struggled financially, barely making ends meet. They had to move to Texas which had a lower cost of living to complete this project, continuously ask for donations for post production expenses, but they kept digging, and scrapping. They would tell their experiences to anyone that would listen, and would go around trying to organize the Sikh community to host screenings for this movie. As with anything, there was resistance and push back, even from Sikhs who wanted to quell this matter. Yet Harpreet kept pushing it and eventually was able to host screenings all over the globe, starting off in India itself, inviting prominent leaders to view it. Amazing courage and perseverance was shown on her and her teams behalf to be able to pull off from the grass roots, something our community was not used to, having its own media representation. For the first time it was a Sikh film maker telling the story of the Sikh experience. What a wonderful product and documentation the Widow Colony is, it is one of the tools that can be used now, to never forget. After its success at film festivals, Harpreet again was at a cross road, she could now pursue even more lucrative careers with media companies with the experience of having directing and producing a major documentary feature. Yet again the calling to put oneself, and their opportunities in the back seat, to give someone else a voice was still in her. Quickly Harpreet organized another team to go to India once again, this time to tackle the issue of farmer suicides. Again the major obstacles of funding and logistics were painstaking. In the end Harpreet was able to take a team to India to start filming the story of farmer suicide from a personal standpoint. This time she wanted to make a true difference in the lives of those she was using to tell the story. Her vision and I remember myself and many others thinking was impossible. To take the poorest children who had lost parents to farmer suicide, empower them to feel like they can fight for their rights, and organize a demonstration in Dehli, have them all meet with the agricultural minister and demand change in policies. For those who know a little about India, this is a very high feet to even attempt. But again drive and determination, heartache and hard work paid off : http://www.alittlerevolution.com/home.php?p=main&showvid=main-09 Many people feel, they need to know a celebrity to know what greatness is, or someone who is rich and famous. We seldom acknowledge those normal people who have abnormal desires and capabilities, their drive to make their vision come to fruition not for themselves but for the betterment of others. I am sure Harpreet and Manmeet could have had very comfortable lifestyles, they are both very smart and talented individuals. Yet they choose to put a passion first, something that takes courage, sacrifice and commitment, very few people can put it all on the line like that. Sadly our community is not swift to recognize such talent and commitment, and many of these people end up disheartened. I probably have not seen or experienced everything but I have seen some of the lowest points to try to get these issues out, to organize small things, to fund these sorts of projects, and deal at times with a thankless community. Yet I am encouraged by the spirit of those who have the heart and selfless service aspirations, they know no defeat. Harpreet/Manmeet, you are one of those few people. Thank you for your service to our community, thank you for bringing these stories to the forefront, and mostly thank you for continuing to do this work even when every instinct and rational sense was telling you not to. After all in the end, that is the real Sach, the truth that only thing that one can take with them is selfless service, the rest we just leave behind like castles of sand. More information on Sach Productions : http://sachproductions.org/ and comming soon... http://www.alittlerevolution.com/ |
