A few local Sikh volunteers concerned with hate crimes in US have been regularly hosting Sikh Awareness Program for groups of Non-Sikhs local community members. Mrs Bhagwant Kaur Rangi usually finds groups of Non-Sikhs from various Churches, Community Colleges, Adult Homes and others willing to attend an informative session about the Sikhs at Gurdwara Sahib, Nishkaam Seva Sahib.
The author Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev presents a personally prepared power point presentation for this purpose detailing Sikh history, Sikh Philosophy, Sikh demographics, Sikh presence in U.S. in Arizona, Sikh participation in World War I and II, Ongoing Homeless Dinner Seva by local Sikhs and Hate crime against Sikhs. This presentation by him lasts for about 40 minutes and is then followed by a documentary of about 20 minutes prepared by SALDEF with the help of Justice Department.
Following this the visitors are taken through the sanctuary and their questions and curiosities are answered. Finally they are served freshly prepared Langar, free community vegetarian lunch where they get an opportunity to intermingle with the sevadaars.
On December 11th, a contingent of about 25 members of valley FBI members was invited by Mrs Balbir Kaur and Mrs Rangi to attend the talk offered by Dr. Sachdev. After being served with breakfast around 10 am they were taken to the class room to attend the above stated session. Following this, they visited the sanctuary and then a hot delicious freshly prepared vegetarian lunch was served.
We are of the opinion that these regularly arranged programs at least 4-5 times every year after 9/11 have tremendously helped the local Sikh community in spreading the word out to the public at large about unique Sikh Identity with uncut hair and turbans.
Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, M.D. F.A.A.
Phoenix Arizona