“I will feel more powerful when I go back to India than when I came to North America” Wadala] SELMA, CA: Sikhs of Central California hosted a warm farewell party for Kuldip Singh Wadala, senior Vice President of Akali Dal (B) on July 8th at Pea Soup Anderson Restaurant. Prominent farmers, businessmen and professionals alike attended the party. During his introductory statement, S. Charanjit Singh Bath praised Wadala for his honesty, strong leadership, past sacrifices for Sikh cause and his efforts to unify various Sikh political factions in Punjab. He expressed his support for Wadala’s political endeavors.
Sardar Didar Singh Bains President of World Sikh Organization, International called Wadala as a chain-link between various Sikh organizations. “Wadala sahib, we agree with your efforts to unite Sikh organizations, we are with you,” said Mr. Bains. However, he made it clear that Sikhs in United States are with Wadala and not necessarily with every leader in the party he represents. He gave conditional support to Badal Dal, “We will support Badal or any other leader who will fight for Sikh cause,” he said. “We will support principles not personalities.” Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohinder Singh Poonia exhorted leaders in India to work toward establishing strong Sikh news media. “Without a credible newspaper highlighting Sikh point of view, our leader’s statements are distorted and fabricated by Indian newspapers bent upon famishing Sikh cause,” he said. He expressed his dismay over losing newspapers like The Tribune or Hindustan Times to Sikh adversaries, although they were originally started to represent Sikh cause.
Wadala in his brief speech thanked Sikhs in North America for love, respect, regards and their concerns for Sikh cause. “By sharing thoughts with you on various Sikh issues, I have learned a lot and I will convey your feelings to Sikh masses in India.” said Wadala, “I feel enriched emotionally with your company.” He however, was concerned about warring Sikh factions in North America who are trivializing the Sikh cause through unnecessary wrongdoings. He promised that his Akali Dal will always honor ceria in social principles directed toward the wellbeing of mankind.
He reiterated his earlier statements that Sikhs were not separatists or seditious. He also was critical of certain press reports wrongly depicting his whirlwind tour of North America geared toward propagating political philosophy. “I came here to visit my family, relatives and friends,” he said, “Of course I feel honored to be party of the extended family of Sikhs m general in United States.” At the end Sardar Didar Singh Bains honored Mr. Wadala with Siropa. Efforts of Sardar Mohinder Singh Thandi for sponsoring farewell party were appreciated very much.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 10, 1996
