SAN JOSE: British MP Terry Dicks spoke here of the promises made to Sikhs by Hindu India but were never kept. He spoke also of the terrible repression let loose on the Sikhs at the Third Annual Sikh Heritage dinner sponsored by Association of Sikh Professionals (ASP) held on Feb.161991 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose California. The 1990 recipient of the Sikh Heritage Award was Mr Terry Dicks. The Sikh Heritage award is given to non-Sikhs who actively contribute towards the betterment of Sikh community at large.
The first two awards were given to Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana in 1988 and to Congressman Wally Herger of California in 1989. The award dinners were held at Chicago and Los Angeles respectively
The function started with The Pledge of Allegiance and The Sikh National Anthem sung by the children of Khalsa School San Jose. Highlights of the ASP activities were presented by its president Dr. Jang Bahadur Singh. This national organisation has sponsored scholarships for Sikh students a documentary on the life and contribution of Bhagat Puran Singh of Amritsar Pingalwara and the sponsorship of annual Sikh Heritage award dinners. The Sikh Heritage lecture was delivered by young scholar Gurinder Sigh Mann of Columbia University New York.
In his lecture he eloquently outlined the history of Sikh educational heritage derived through the seminary and educational institutions process with vivid examples of the role of the Damdami Taksal and the AISSF in their respective spheres of educational lineage.
Mr Dicks was introduced by Dr A.S. Marwah Master of ceremonies was Dr. N.S. Kapany. An estimated 100 people attended the dinner
Congressman Norman Minneta was present at the dinner. Sharon Singh of Congressman Vic Fazio’s office delivered his message to the Sikh community. Attomey Mohinder Singh Mann introduced the San Jose city supervisors present at the dinner.
(Text of Mr Dicks speech next week)
Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991
