FAIRFAX: On November 11, 1989, Sikh Foundation of Virginia (SFV) held an all-day Seminar entitled, “Viable Solution to Pun jab Issue/Human Rights in Pun jab, India.” The days activities started with Ardas by Giani Kul deep Singh Deep, Granthi of Sikh Foundation of Virginia in the Lan gar Hall of Gurdwara Sabib. Mr. Beant Singh Deu, Seminar Coordinator, made a few opening re marks and gave the agenda for the day. The program comprised six thought-provoking lively panel discussion.
Dr. Tara Singh, Chairman, Sikh Foundation of Virginia, briefly dis cussed the theme of the Seminar and introduced the three moderators Dr. Kamaljit Kaur Sethi, Dr. Harbaksh Singh Sethi, and Dr. Amar Jit Singh. He also intro diced the six distinguished speakers; Dr. Nau Nihal S. Grewal (Solution to the Punjab Problem); Dr. Ujagar Singh Bawa (Human Rights in Punjab); Dr. Rajindar S. Sidhu (Some Thoughts on Possible Causes of Punjab Situation); Mr. Gurujot Singh Khalsa (Modern Weapons to Combat Repression); Mr. Jatinder Kumar (Viable Solution for Punjab Issue); Dr. Gurbakhsh Singh (Defining Hu man Rights and their Implementation in Punjab). Mr. Ganga Singh Dhillon could not attend the Seminar. However, his letter to the Chairman of SFV was read to the Seminar attendees.
Some 100 participants took part in the Seminar. The environment was very congenial, Each formal presentation was thirty minutes long followed by a fifteen minute question/answer period. Only written questions were entertained. During the panel discussion, however, the audience asked questions directly to the speakers.
Several solutions for the Punjab problem ranging form “Sikh Homeland” to starting a dialog with the Indian Government to State autonomy to put a stop to the Nehru Gandhi dynasty by voting them out of power were discussed.
Sikh Foundation of Virginia will publicize date, time, and topic of the next Seminar in the near future. This Seminar series will continue as a channel of commination and exchange of viewpoints. Each Seminar will have varied speakers, its own theme and agenda. Sikh Foundation of Virginia plans to publish Seminar proceedings following each program.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 1, 1989
