LONDON: The Global Sikh Council (GSC), representing 32 national Sikh organizations, has awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, a distinguished member of the House of Lords, during its annual general meeting held in the committee room at the House of Lords, Westminster, London. The GSC President, Lady Kanwaljit Kaur Singh, and the members of the council also honoured Tony Matharu, a prominent London businessman, for his philanthropic contributions to society.
During the ceremony, the GSC General Secretary Harsaran Singh highlighted that a portrait of Lord Indarjit Singh is being displayed in the gallery of the House of Lords, an achievement that is deeply commendable for the Sikh qaum. As the first turban-wearing Sikh member of the upper house of the UK Parliament, this recognition is a testament to his significant contributions to British society, the Sikh community, and interfaith harmony. He added that holder of the title of ‘Baron Singh of Wimbledon’ Lord Indarjit Singh has also been the recipient of the prestigious Templeton Award and Interfaith Medallion in recognition of his service to faith communities.
Jagir Singh, representing Malaysia, emphasized Lord Indarjit Singh’s role as the Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (UK) and his active involvement in national and civic occasions, including the Commonwealth Service and the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
Globally recognized for his contributions to the interfaith movement, Lord Singh serves as a patron of the World Congress of Faiths and is a member of the executive committee for the Inter Faith Network UK. His notable presence at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, further highlights his influence as a representative of the Sikh faith.
On the occasion vice president Parmjit Singh Bedi from the USA lauded Lord Singh’s contributions to Sikh issues through his role as editor of the Sikh Messenger and as a presenter on BBC Radio’s Thought for the Day and Pause for Thought.
After receiving their awards, both Lord Singh and Tony Matharu pledged their support to help further the GSC’s goals and its mission to serve the global Sikh community.
Several prominent speakers, who addressed the event include Dr. Karminder Singh Dhillon from Indonesia, Dr. Jasbir Singh Puri from Ireland, Ram Singh Rathore and Harjeet Singh Grewal from India, Kirandeep Kaur Sandhu from Nepal, Sukhdev Singh Belgium, Sardul Singh Uganda, Ranbir Singh Atwal Thailand, Treasurer Satnam Singh Poonia from Birmingham, Satvinder Singh Dhadiala, Satinder Singh Ardhan, Surjit Singh Jutla, Navdeep Singh, Balbir Kaur Matharu, all from London.