Immigration of the Sikhs in North America (Canada & USA) will be completing about 100 years by the end of the current century.

The Sikhs started their lives as laborers in the lumber mills in Vancouver, BC and as farm laborers in BC and California during the beginning of this century. They faced many hardships besides the racial discrimination to settle in these countries. Their early living was in crowded bunker houses on the farms. Now they forma sizable, progressive group of the new Canadians and new Americans, They are holding very respectable jobs, own business, although still some, especially new comers from villages without any skills, are working in the mills and factories. Almost all the Sikhs live in spacious and magnificent houses, apartments and rented houses.

Although a lot has been written on “Sikhs in Canada” or “Sikhs in USA” very little is known about the highly qualified Sikhs who have contributed a lot to build the economy of their respective new countries. It is a matter of great pride and pleasure for me to write on such a topic. In fact this idea originated in the mind of Kulraj Singh, Convener of the World Sikh Samalen being held on September 2125, 1995 at Amritsar under the aegis of the Akal Takht. ‘Kulraj Singh has advised me to prepare this information in some form ‘which could be displayed in a particular exhibition. Thus it gives us a good opportunity to compile this information to portray the achievements of the Sikhs of North America, specialized in the above fields at the World Sikh Samalen.

All the concerned Sikhs of Canada and USA, therefore, are requested to send their bio data about half a page and their contributions also about half a page to me at the following address or by Fax: (514) 6865501. They may contact me on phone at office (514) 6875010 or at my residence phone (614) 6811254 for further information, their information should reach me by the 1th of July, 1995. Suggestions to improve its presentation at the Samalen are also invited.

Devinder Singh Chahal, Professor Institute Armand Frappier 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Quebec H7N 423.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> June 23, 1995