“I have always referred to our Indian diaspora as India’s ‘Rashtradoot. You are all Maa Bharat’s powerful voice and exalted representation overseas.
Narendra Modi, PM
The contemporary movement of Sikhs from the traditional area of Punjab state in India is referred to as the Sikh diaspora.
The Sikh community stands out as a bright and noticeable thread-weaving heritage of exceptional accomplishments in the fusion of world cultures.
Sikhs have become powerful players in the world of entrepreneurship. They have demonstrated outstanding courage and resourcefulness as they rose from modest origins to powerful positions in international companies. Jasminder Singh, the CEO of the May Fair Hotel and the Edwardian brand Raddison Blue, is one such pioneer. The founder and proprietor of 2 Sisters Food Group, Ranjit Singh Boparan is often referred to as the “Chicken King” in the West Midlands.
Sikh values have always placed a strong emphasis on education, and the diaspora has zealously promoted this cause across the world. To improve their communities, Sikhs have actively founded educational institutes and scholarship programmes. Dr Narinder created the Sikh Foundation in 1967. Kapany, S. By imparting the essence of the Sikh heritage to the ever-expanding Sikh diaspora, particularly the youth, by promoting progressive ethics, lyrical mysticism, and the heroism of Sikhs, and by creating resources for the academic and autistic study of Sikhism, it promotes the past, present, and future of Sikhism. Additionally, pioneering advancements in the realm of biotechnology have been achieved by academics like Har Gobind Khorana, the Physiology of Medicine Nobel winner.
Throughout the beginning of time, the Sikh diaspora has contributed to the rich world of art, music, and literature. With their rich storytelling, authors and poets like Navtej Bharti, Rupi Kaur, and Khushwant Singh have enlivened the literary world. Amandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Amrita Shergill are a few examples of Sikh musicians and performers that have excelled in their respective genres.
While discussing the colonial diaspora, we must forget the Punjabi-speaking Kenyans who were recruited by the British in 1896 to help construct the Mombasa-Nairobi African line. These Sikhs’ more recent generations are now prospering and residing in Kenya where they serve as leaders in fields including commerce, trade, medicine, the battle for independence, academia, and even sports. They have a unique place in the hearts of the locals because when they first came, around 125 years ago, people like Shaheed Udham Singh and Satguru Jagjit Singh, the sect leader of the Namdhari religion, supported the locals in their fight for independence. What is admirable about this situation is that the Sikhs, who were moved here, brought the Guru Granth Sahib with them and put it up in a temporary building named Makindu Sahib, which is now a shrine to be reckoned with, having a Darbar Hall, an ultra-modern kitchen, langar hall, a whooping 92 rooms for visitors, a museum and a library! There is also Gurudwara Railways Landhis, in Nairobi built in 1902 having all modern amenities.
Then there are Sikhs from Canada! People like Bob Dhillon have given the University of Lethbridge $10 million to support futuristic education using cutting-edge technology like blockchain, cryptocurrencies, AI, and robots. He gave the use of 100 residences in 2011 to Albertans who had been evacuated due to a fire.
The founder of the Guru Nanak Mission and Medical and Educational Trust, which runs a hospital and a nursing school, is Barjinder Singh, who was born and raised in Canada. He is also a founding supporter of the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Ottawa and the chair of IC-IMPACTS, which is now working on the clean Ganga Mission. These are just a few instances of how Punjabi-speaking Canadians have been actively striving to establish diplomatic links between Canada and India on both a personal and professional level.
A beturbaned guy, in any region of the world, is soothing and heartening in addition to renowned and prominent figures, and there are several examples to support this claim! In 2019, Gurtaj arrived at the busy Rio de Janeiro airport, eager to spend a few days in the city. He was surprised when a man asked him on the spot, phone in hand, to call a Sikh buddy who was living in Brazil and hadn’t spoken to another Sikh in years. Then there is the story of the Sikh immigrants to Argentina who left in 1908 for the provinces of Salta, Tucuman, San Luis, and Santa Fe. Their offspring and grandkids are well assimilated into the neighbourhood.
These touching tales are endless because the Sikh diaspora leaves a legacy of service and friendship everywhere they go. Without even asking the man’s name or address, a Sikh in Iraq once lent him some money so he could take his unwell wife to a hospital for treatment. In another incident, a student in the States was taken aback when a fellow Sikh stopped him in the middle of the street and extended an invitation to supper. A Gujarati woman travelling with a little child frequently stops a Sikh guy wearing a turban to ask for assistance or directions.
People in other countries may recognise a Sikh by their unique turban and beard, and they can attest to the fact that they would always be helpful, under any circumstance, especially in uncharted territory because they are familiar with the fight. The Sikh diaspora is a wonderful example of continuous dedication to social advancement. They have made a name for themselves as change agents that promote compassion on a global scale. The successes of the Sikh people represent the fundamental principles of their faith and are a witness to the strength of equality and unity in all spheres of life, including education, business, public service, and philanthropy. The rich tapestry of Sikh contributions, which continue to influence worldwide society, makes the world a richer place.
