By Hardey Singh Gakhal
City of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Stratford has a combined population of over half million people. Situated only 60 miles west of Toronto and 100 miles from Niagara Falls, this area is popularly known as Golden Triangle because it is surrounded by rich farm land and hardworking Mennoite communities. It is also a centre for advance technology in Canada.
Once predominately German population gave it a name Burlin but now landscape is changing, Statistic Canada shows that only 39 percent German speaking immigrant lives here followed by 35 English and remaining a mixture of Yugoslavian, Portuguese and Asian.
It is the home of two well known universities, University of Waterloo only 27 years old is a world leader in Computer technology and Engineering. Wilfrid Laurier University previously known as Lutheran College is well known for its Business and Social Science schools.
Three campuses of Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology has a reputation as one of the best. The large numbers of graduates from this college are the back bone of business and industry in this region.
Situated on the lifeline of Ontatio (Highway 401) these cities are booming with business activities and ready to become another metropolitan city in Canada.
It is the home town of Lennox Lewis the first Canadian boxer to win the Gold Medalin 1988 Olympics in Seoul. It is the home of Alex Bauman who won 3 gold in 1984 Olympics. It is also the home of Darryl Sittler a legendary Canadian Hockey player. Billionaire Mike Stronic chairman of giant auto parts manufacturer, started his humble career by washing dishes in a restaurant here in Kitchener.
Amidst its hustle the first Sikh arrived here about 30 years ago and he goes on to become one of the president of Canadian Organized Labour movement. Then the second Sikh came here 8 years later i.e. 1967. Majority of the Sikh immigrants start coming here in 1972. Estimated 5,000 Sikhs live in this area now and numbers are growing fast.
The Silchs in this area, like any other Sikh anywhere are in a very upbeat mood and climbing the social and economic ladder fast. Many have shown remarkable progress.
Gurdwara Sahib Kitchener popularly known as Golden Triangle, is a place where many forces clash and test their ideas but in the past few years Sangat has shown remarkable maturity and sense of Responsibility that in four consecutive elections they have elected executive committees unanimously.
In the recent meetings the Sangat has unanimously elected 121 members execute committee with a difference. For the first time they have elected 3 Amritdharis and 3 women to the responsible job of managing the affairs of the Gurdwara Sahib.
S.Narinderpal Singh Kahlon and S. Dalbar Singh Grewal were given the jobs of President and Vice President: Tespectively. S. Hardev Singh Gakhal is given the job of General Secretary. Sardamni Mandeep Kaur Dhillon and Sardarni Prectam Kaur Dhamrat were Bie ven the job of Treasurer and Assist Treasurer respectively. Sardarni Balwinder Kaur Gil, S, Ninnal Singh Chatha. S.Sadhu Singh Mundy, S. Singh Sandhawalia will share various other responsibilities such as library, teaching the children about Sikh history and music.
S.Nirmal Singh Chatha is a ‘well respected Sikh businessman’ Owning and managing a high tech manufacturing business. He is outspoken supporter of World Sikh Organization. S. Hardev Singh Gakhal is a community activist. An accountant by profession and Real Estate Broker he has served as International Representative from Canada to the World Sikh Organization. Sardami Mandeep Kaur Dhillon is a accountant by profession.
By electing these 11 members the Sikh Sangat of this area has indicated a more appropriate approach to participate in community and other Sikh Affairs. Let us see how far they succeed in fulfilling the aspirations of the Sangat.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 11, 1989
