BUFFALO: North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association concluded its 4th very successful annual meeting on August 18, 1996. Annual dinner was attended by 200 members and guests. Sikh physicians and dentists from 12 states in the U.S. and Canada attended the meeting. Number of life member has exceeded 50 and many more are expected to join, Dr. Amarjit Singh (Secretary of the Organization) and Dr. & Mrs. Amarjit Singh of Buffalo worked very hard 40 make the meeting successful and made sure that everybody felt at home, Dr. Amarjit Singh will replace Dr. Tejpal Singh Dhillon of North Carolina as president in one year. Dr. Dhillon is one of the founding members. Dr. Ujjager Singh Dhillon of Fresno was elected Secretary elect. Dr. Jasbir Singh Gill of Stockton, Dr. Baldev Kaur of New York, Dr. Jass Singh of Albany, New York, Dr. Darshan Singh Dhalla of Florida and Dr. Tejinder Singh of Toronto were given the responsibility of increasing membership. Main thought of the meeting was to propagate the Sikh value system and message of brotherhood between different age group of Sikh physicians and medical students and to help the Sikh medical and dental students.

Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal of California presented history of newspaper and role played by different newspapers in the west in short period of 12 years were highlighted. Dr. Amarjit Singh requested all the members to support the voice of the Sikhs. Dr. Gurpal Singh Bhuller of Vir genie presented an introduction to the scholarship program of Association of Sikh Profession ales. At the annual dinner S. Jasbir Singh of Khalsa Net was the guest speaker. His work with the next generation of Sikhs and how to improve the future was very impressive. S. Gurbux Singh Malhi, the first turbaned Sikh M.P. of Canada was the chief guest. He explained how his faith in Wahe Guru helped him win in a constituency of 75,000 voters where Sikh voters are only about 5,000. He said that he had the chance to speak 95 times in the parliament and on 2025 times he has spoken only on Sikh issues. He also in dictated even though he is a Sikh he works on behalf of his entire constituent. He has raised his voice with the Indian Govern ment regarding Jaswant Singh Khalsa’s arrest. He has also asked for International airport in Punjab so that our Sikh brothers in western world would not have to face hostile Delhi officials. Mr. Malhi also presented certificate of appreciation to members of the ex-active of N.A.S.M. & D.A.

In the end Dr. Tejpal Singh Dhillon, President of the organization thanked Mr. Malhi and presented him a plaque on behalf of the organization. Dr. Dhillon also urged the youth to get involved in politics. He gave the example of Mr. Malhi that if he can become a M.P. they can also do it. Mr. Dhillon and his whole family are the backbone of this organization.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 28, 1996