WASHINGTON, DC: Sardar Lachman Singh Aujla is planning to head the Guru Nanak Library after many years of service to the Sikh Community as the caretaker of the

WSO office in Washington, D.C. In consideration of his last five years as the Honorary Chairman of the Sikh the activities of that establishment Secretariat he has offered a report of since its inception in September 1990. S. Didar Singh Bains, Intl President of WSO, and some associated Sikhs of California spearheaded the move to acquire suitable premises at Capi tol Hill Washington DC so as to set up a WSO USA Sikh Secretariat Hqrs so that Sikh Nation could voice their opinion openly and independently for their just cause for establishing a Sikh homeland. Accordingly, on Sept. 29, 1990 the offices of the WSO USA were inaugurated by S. Didar Singh Bains Intl. President WSO at the Intl. Sikh Secretariat Bldg which was attended by Representatives of Washington, DC Sikh Organizations, and local Gurdwaras. On Nov. 16-17, 1990 a meeting of the WSO-USA was held in this Secretariat which was attended by all Delegates from New York, Cleveland, Chicago and California and Dr. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon was elected as President of WSO, USA. During the months of January & February 91, meetings of the Wash- ington DC area Sikhs were held and an ad-hoc Committee was formed with its coordinator Dr. Pabla.

In April, 1991, Bibi Bimal Khalsa wife of Shaheed Beant Singh was honored which was attended by WSO. USA National Assembly Members and its executives.

During the Gulf War the WSO Intl Sikh Sectt. and the Sikh Foundation of Virginia arranged a Blood Donation Drive and the State Dept. of Washington, DC sent a letter of appreciation to the WSO-USA Secu A Dinner was later arranged in honor of distinguished and eminent Sikh scholars of Punjab University and Dr. Banerji of Calcutta and was attended by 60 guests.

On April 8, 1991-Dr. Pritam Singh Q.C. on the invitation of the State Dept. Washington visited the White House and thereafter he visited Intl Sikh Sectt. offices and was honored by 50 guests including National Press Reporters. The Baisakhi Gurpurab celebrations and meetings of WSO-

the Sikh Educational Society USA New York Chapter were held at Gurdwara where $5,000.00 for WSO USA and $2,000.00 for the Intl Sikh Sect, offices at Washington, DC were

donated.

On Nov 4,1991, Hon. Max Maddem. Member of Parliament of U.K. stayed for three days at the Sectt, and held many meetings with various Human Rights Groups and State Dept for the cause of the Sikh struggle in Punjab.

Delegates of Sikh Human Rights groups visited the Secretariat from the United Kingdom and held their meetings with Human Rights groups and U.S. State Dept. On April 25,1992 S. Joginder Singh Mann, a prominent Sikh leader was honored and about 50 distinguished guests attended including National Assembly Members of New York and California.

Bibi Daljit Kaur sister of S. Simranjit Singh Mann stayed at Washington and was honored with a luncheon.

Later that year, a fund raising function was held under the Chairmanship of S. Didar Singh Bains in honor of Hon. Congressman Dan Burton which was attended by many distinguished guests and Representatives of Congress and the Media.

A Joint conference of WSO USA and WSO Canada was held on Feb. 26,1993 at the National Press Club where more than 125 distinguished guests and Media attended. Chief guest was Hon. Vic Fazio who highlighted the Sikh struggle in Punjab and his strong support of Human Rights. S. Didar Singh Bains, S. Gian Singh Sandhu and Sardar Chahalm and many others delivered their speeches. A grand dinner was arranged in the National Press Club.

On April 21, 1993 the appointment of Ms. Nina Hudson as an executive secretary to the Intl President and President of WSO-USA was announced. Ms. Hudson had 26 years experience working with Foreign Affairs, Congress and Senators and during her tenure she arranged many meetings of S. Didar Singh Bains with State Dept. Representative and. Media.

On closing this brief report, it is worth while noting that our Intl President S. Didar Singh Bains attended President Clinton’s Inaugural Dinner.

A Great Event of 1994

On August 14, 1994, Sri Singh Sahib

Sri Manjit Singh Jathedar Sahib of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Amritsar very kindly inaugurated Guru Nanak Sikh Reference Library at the Intl Sikh Secretariat Inc Building Washington DC which was presided over by Dr. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, who is Chairman of this Library and more than 80 guests from New York, California and Washington attended.

By establishing this Library at the Intl Sikh Secretariat Inc Bldg at Wash ington DC our Bldg will be classified as Commercial and will be exempted from payment of Property Taxes which is more than $4,500.00 per year. The Library will be a non profit organization with exemption of Federal and local taxes from the donations by the dedicated persons. Also, a Sikh Trust will be formed. Services of a local Law Firm have been obtained and authorization has been given by the Chairman of the Intl. Sikh Sect. Inc. for this work.

On closing this report I express my sincerest thanks for all the General WSO USA members including Intl Delegates and Members of the National Assembly of WSO-USA and its President and Executive also to our worthy Intl WSO President Mr. Didar Singh Bains.

My many thanks to Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal Editor of the W.S.N. and staff of WSN who greatly as sisted this Secretariat, in publishing its reports and events in their esteemed newspaper, W.S.N. L.S. Aujla, W.S.O. Washington, DC

Article extracted from this publication >> March 17, 1995