Diaspora

CINCINNATI, USA: The Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati Gurdwara Sahib, located in the state of Ohio, USA, held its 23rd Annual three-day Kirtan Samagam with great devotion. This year's, the Samagam was dedicated to the 350th Shaheedi Purab (Martyrdom day) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Ninth Sikh Guru, and the sacrifice Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Dyala Ji, and Bhai Sati Das Ji.

DAYTON, Ohio, US: The Sikh Society of Dayton Gurdwara Sahib observed the 350th Shaheedi Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, along with the martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayala Ji, with deep reverence and a strong focus on youth involvement. The program began with the Akhand Path Sahib and the Bhog ceremony, and this year’s main aim was to encourage children and youth to connect personally with the Guru’s sacrifice through Gurbani.

AMRITSAR: Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) proudly announces that its distinguished alumnus and Professor of Eminence, Mr. Jaspreet Singh, Attorney (USA), has been appointed to the Transition Advisory Council of the U.S. state of New Jersey. He is the only Sikh and Punjabi to be inducted into the incoming administration’s core advisory structure. 

TORONTO: Two of the three Sikh activists, linked with Khalistan movement, arrested in Ontario in September on multiple firearms-related offences have been cleared of all charges, while the third accused continues to face prosecution. 

CHANDIGARH: Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by Minhaj University, Lahore in recognition of his lifelong commitment to interfaith harmony and the preservation of Sikh heritage.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that US government's decision to ban on beards of Sikh soldiers in the US army is highly condemnable and unfortunate. This action of the US government is also an insult to the Sikh soldiers who fought in Saragarhi and World War. He highlighted that maintaining unshorn hair is an integral part of Sikh religious identity.

CHANDIGARH: In a significant move towards strengthening global Sikhs' coordination and reinforcing 'Panthic' priorities, the Global Sikh Council (GSC), an umbrella organisation of national Sikh bodies from 28 countries, advocated for restoring the sovereignty, dignity and spiritual authority of 'Takhats' besides restoration of Sikh heritage sites in Pakistan. This was resolved in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of GSC in an extended virtual session lasting over three hours.

AMRITSAR: Keeping in mind the demands, needs and sentiments of the Sikh Sangat, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has established a coordination centre in Birmingham, England. The establishment of this centre has been possible with the efforts of Sikh Committee member from Mumbai Gurinder Singh Bawa and Interim Committee member Bibi Harjinder Kaur and with the support of Khalsa Panth Academy Birmingham.

CHANDIGARH: The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has expressed serious concern over the reported damage to the ‘Samadh’ of Sardar Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, located in Sheranwala Bagh, Gujranwala. Built in 1837 by the Maharaja in memory of his father, the heritage monument has suffered partial collapse following recent heavy rains in Pakistan.

AMRITSAR: Condemning the racist attack and rape on a Sikh girl in the Old Derby area of Birmingham in England, Shirpmaani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has termed it as a shame for humanity.

DAYTON, Ohio: Members of the Sikh community in Dayton joined hundreds of local residents to pay tribute at the 24th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held at the Beavercreek 9/11 Memorial. The event marked the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which claimed more than 2,600 lives at the World Trade Center, 184 lives at the Pentagon, and 40 lives in Pennsylvania. The annual ceremony was organized by the Beavercreek Police and Fire Departments. 

JALANDHAR: Executive Director of North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Satnam Singh Chahal, strongly condemns the recent surge in harassment targeting Sikh truck drivers across the United States, particularly in the aftermath of a tragic accident in Florida.

PHAGWARA: A recent incident in Los Angeles, where Punjabi Sikh youth Gurpreet Singh was shot dead by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), has sparked outrage. National BJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal condemned the act as a “cold-blooded murder of human rights,” calling the police's actions a stark violation of basic human dignity.

PHAGWARA: In Fremont, California, the Festival of Globe (FOG) India Day Parade and Fair are the main events celebrating Indian Independence Day. This year, the two-day celebration will take place on August 16th and 17th, from 10 am to 6 pm. The parade itself is scheduled for Sunday, August 17th, at 11 am, starting at Paseo Padre and Walnut Ave.

WASHINGTON: Indian-origin Mathura Sridharan has been appointed Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, the Attorney General's office announced in a statement on X. However, her appointment faced backlash with trolls questioning why a 'non-US citizen' was selected for the position, with some even pointing to her bindi, saying "This one has a perma-dot, huh."

For many NRI families living in the Gulf, especially those with strong roots in Punjab and across India, the United Kingdom remains a cherished destination—be it for vacations, family reunions, or educational pursuits for the next generation. With increasing flight connectivity and evolving visa norms, traveling from Dubai to the UK has become more accessible than ever.

JALANDHAR: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the increasing involvement of Punjabi youth, particularly young Sikh boys, in criminal activities across North America. In light of recent incidents reported from multiple cities in the United States and Canada, NAPA is calling on community leaders, parents, and institutions to urgently address this alarming trend.

CHANDIGARH: The Global Sikh Council (GSC), representing Sikh institutions worldwide, has strongly condemned the unilateral declaration by five Granthis of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, branding Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as Tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct). The GSC has termed this calculated and instigated move a blatant violation of Sikh Maryada, a breach of Panthic protocol and an instigated and direct challenge to the authority and primacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is the only temporal seat empowered to adjudicate Panth-wide matters.

JALANDHAR: Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), has issued a strong condemnation of the shocking and repeated shooting attacks on the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, calling the incidents a heinous hate crime that demands immediate action and federal scrutiny.

JALANDHAR: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly condemns the malicious attempts to label internationally acclaimed actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh as “anti-national.” These baseless allegations not only lack credibility but also reflect a dangerous trend of vilifying artists who have elevated India’s image on the global stage through talent, discipline, and sheer hard work.

JALANDHAR: In light of recent statistics released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the growing number of individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the vast majority of whom have no criminal convictions.

ALBERTA: The Indian diaspora in Canada is brimming with excitement and optimism ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit, which marks a significant thaw in relations that have been strained over the past year.

AMRITSAR: While conducting the sixth online NRI Milnee, NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal informed that more than 600 complaints of NRI Punjabis have been resolved so far in the online NRI Milnees. The sixth monthly online NRI Milnee held today at Amritsar to resolve the grievances of NRI Punjabis.

INDIANAPOLIS: Former SEWA International USA Vice president 44-year-old Darshan Soni was arrested on May 16 by the Carmel Police Department for allegedly plotting to murder his wife. He faces preliminary charges of conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder and Attempted Murder so that he would not have to divorce his wife, reports FOX59/CBS4. Darshan Soni is being held in the Hamilton County Jail

AMRITSAR: In a significant development, the Five Sikh High Priests have summoned Sant Singh, President of the Gurdwara Baba Budha Ji Committee in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before the Akal Takht, Sikhism's highest temporal seat. Simultaneously, they have barred him from continuing his duties as President pending further inquiry.

THE HAVUE: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during his visit to the Netherlands, appreciated the Indian community for its significant contribution in enhancing the relationship between India and the European nation.

BRAMPTON:  A Sikh entrepreneur who ran a trucking safety and insurance consultancy was shot dead outside his office in Mississauga, Canada. According to multiple reports, the victim has been identified as Harjeet Singh Dhadda. He hailed from Bazpur in Uttarakhand, India.

BRAMPTON: A 78-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl three separate times at a park in Brampton and police say there could be additional victims.

BRAMPTON: Three youth of Punjab origin have been arrested and charged in connection with an extortion investigation in Brampton. They were allegedly involved in making extortion calls to businessmen, spreading fear in the region.

OTTAWA: The Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) on Monday strongly condemned the call by Khalistani extremists on Monday to send back 800,000 Hindus to India.

CHANDIGARH: The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has extended its support to the recent appeal made by Singh Sahib Gyani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib, for all Sikh parcharaks (preachers) including Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadhrianwala, to come together under the banner of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib to rejuvenate the mission of Sikhi parchar across India.