BY DR. HARBANS S. SRAON
The Sikhs started settling in Canada and the United States during late part of nineteenth century and early part of this century. They went through harsh times, in terms of exclusionary immigration policy, low wages, and refusal to grant immigration status. Spouses were not allowed to join them. They mainly worked in lumber mills, farms and railroads. Number of them died while constructing railroads which were very risky through mountains. Some of them went back to Punjab.
Due to hard work and determination, they started buying lumber mills in British Columbia and land in Canada in 1913. Then they started buying land under the names of trusted attorneys and they were occasionally betrayed.
In 1912, S. Jawala Singh started Guru Gobind Singh Scholarship at U.C. Berkeley. Number of distinguished Sikh students came to the U.S. on this scholarship. Among them were Dalip Singh Saund, Anup Singh and J.J. (Jagjit Singh), and others. They raised funds to start Khalsa schools in Punjab. Ghaddar Party started in 1913 which played key role in waking Indian conscience for freedom movement. With this background, some of the outstanding con attributions of the Sikhs can be listed as follow (in brief).
- S. Dalip Singh (Saund) became the 1st Asian (of course Sikh) Congressman of the United States. Prior to that he was a judge in Imperial Valley. He was a distinctive member of the community.
2, Anup Singh and J.J. Singh established in the east coast and started working for Indian freedom movement. They literally convinced President of the United States that Indian independence is very crucial for maintaining piece in Asia. It was a turning point in the international political situation and Indian freedom movement.
- Lumber millionaires in Canada were mostly Sikhs. They promoted the industry and created employment in B.C. area to contribute to Canadian economy.
- Father of optics technology is a Sikh (Narinder Singh Kapany). This technology has revolutionized the communication and medical fields. New usages are being explored currently. 5. Most of the fruit grown in California is contribution of the Sikh farmers. Didar Singh Bains is considered as “Peach King” in the United States.
- the most awarded eye surgeon and educators of eye specialist is a Sikh.
- Numerous brain surgeons, neurologists, cardiologists, engineers, scientists, technologists are Sikhs, helping U.S. and Canadian public. Names are too numerous to mention.
- Almost all major universities of the United States and some in Canada have distinguished Sikh professor’s indifferent specialties.
- Over 100 U.S. companies are headed by Sikhs as presidents or chairmen of boards. 10. Rice irrigation was pioneered by the Sikhs in California. 11. Cotton production was introduced by the Sikhs in Arizona which is still a good cash crop.
- The Sikhs developed Imperial Valley of California out of desert area. Now it is one of the most productive areas of Southern California.
- Sikhs have contributed billions of dollars to the economies of Canada and United States, in terms of production and tax contributions.
- Sikhs are serving the homeless people with meals and clothes in different ci their religious duty.
- Sikhs are enjoying reputation in the industry as healthiest workers as they do not smoke or use intoxicants. Dignity of labor (kirat karua) is part of their religious code. They breed prosperity wherever they go.
P.S.: Author is thankful to many Sikhs and institutions for providing information for this write-up. If anyone knows more about Sikh contributions, kindly send information care of World Sikh News, so that we can have series of such articles. The Sikhs have every right to tell about the contributions they have made in the Western world. The author apologizes if some names are not mentioned due to ignorance. Kindly fill this gap by writing about distinguished Sikhs.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1987
