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Emerging Leaders: From entrepreneurship to entertainment, from the White House to Punjab -- the speakers at the “Emerging Leaders” Conference left an indelible mark on the minds of everyone who heard them. Waking up, and off and going by 8 am, has never been so worth it. The weekend began with speakers and participants alike rubbing the sleep out of their eyes, hustling to hail New York City cabs, and quickly packing into the lecture hall of the Cornell Medical College. Eager. Each one dressed in their own distinct interpretations of “business casual” -- a symbol of the diversity of the attendees. The atmosphere was vibrant. Speakers gave quick-hitting “Ted-style Talks” on diverse subjects, from the innovative vision of Guru Nanak to the importance of playing an active role in our own development. Each speaker had a unique approach. Some showed photos and recalled inspirations from their past. Some left the audience speechless with their powerful deliveries. One even sang. Everything was fair game. In this conference, it was visible that the Surat Initiative has a distinct vision of helping people live a purposeful life through developing educational programs and resources. By educating the Sikh community on all fronts, Surat aims to inspire people to make tangible, real world contributions. From this perspective, the first ever Emerging Leaders Conference was successful -- it held true to its vision and promised growth for the future. What made this event so powerful was that it was a collaborative effort. No one was left out. The wide range of activities and topics -- art displays, entrepreneurial advice, a film screening, inspiring speakers, poetry writing, and pizza! -- ensured that everyone received an equal opportunity to display their expertise as well as learn from others. The Saturday night art auction featured mesmerizing creations by young artists who had poured their passions onto canvas. Jagdeep Raina from Toronto, Harleen Kaur from New Jersey, along with other talented artists stole the night as onlookers bid on the priceless pieces. Simultaneously, participants of the conference were being treated outside … by being serenaded. With the backdrop of the marigold Big Apple sky in place, American Idol contestant Gupreet Singh Sarin and Sirjaut Kaur of Wisconsin put on soulful performances. These few hours captured the essence of the entire weekend. People were snapping, clapping, singing, laughing, speaking, working, learning, connecting. And channelling the inspiration from those around them. The Surat Emerging Leaders Conference demonstrated to me the potential that we all have and provided ideas and models for tapping into this potential. From gurbani and Sikh history to entrepreneurship and entertainment, the conference touched on everything under the sun. It’s been five days since the conference. I’m already looking forward to next year’s. |
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