STOCKTON; National party conventions are a major step in U.S. presidential politics. This year, the Sikh community is taking an active part in this most elemental of election year events,

The Democratic convention in New York hosted alternate Cal, Representative, Sharon Singh, a member of Cong. Vic Fazio’s staff and special, Miss, Delegate, Dr.Balwant Singh, The Republicans will see former assembly candidate and El Centro mayor, David Dhillon among GOP regulars in Houston Texas next week.

David Dhillon said, “I am proud and excited to represent Imperial County as an Honorary Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Houston Texas.

He further added that this represents his third Republican Convention.

I truly believe the Bush/Quayle team represents the pride and values of Imperial County and this nation. I will work to re-elect George Bush, President of the United States and Dan Quayle, Vice President of the United States because I feel they offer the best leadership in foreign policy, a recovering economy, and strong traditional family values.” A Jackson Miss, reporter covering the convention wrote of Dr. Balwant Singh: “There were a lot of zany looking folks in various funny hats and costumes milling around on the floor of the Democratic National Convention recently, hoping to be panned by the network TV cameras.

But no conventioneer drew more Curious attention than a tall, slender brown-skinned turbaned man in white flowing garments, with a long greying beard, who was often seen in or standing near the Miss .delegation. And his was not any kind of make-believe getup.

He is Dr.Balwant Singh of Pascagoula, a teacher in the Moss Point Public School System, who is a practicing member of the Sikh faith, a mild-mannered service oriented religious belief founded in India five centuries ago.

Singh was not actually a delegate to the national convention, but he was here because he has become enraptured by Democratic politics since he was made a presidential elector for the Democratic ticket from Mississippi’s Fifth Congressional in April.

Each day, Singh wore a different color turban, The color choice, each of which has certain meaning, is left up to individual followers of Sikhism. But on Wednesday, the day that Bill Clinton was given the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Singh wore a yellow turban,

Why? I asked him.

Yellow dog Democrat,” he said with roaring laughter.

A native of Punjab, India, Singh had come to the United States in 1969 after graduating with a master’s degree in political science from University of Punjab.

He is fascinated, the 59-year-old Indian native said, at seeing democratic values at work “Freedom, however, has a price. You must get involved. Social studies classes in school should be dealing with and becoming aware of our citizenship responsibilities,” Singh said.

His faith teaches that God lives in the heart, and that sincerity in serving mankind is true worship of God. But service to mankind also “becomes the foundation of good government,” Singh declared.

He opposes quota systems, he said, “because the weak become weaker and the stronger become more alienated.”

Sharon Singh, aid to Cong Fazio is a graduate of UC Davis where she received a degree in Education. After teaching Kindergarten she decided to become more active in politics and applied for, and was awarded a Jesse Unruh Fellowship where she began working in the Cal. Assembly.

Currently interested in human rights and women’s issues she was elected as an alternate representative to the democratic convention.

Sharon plans to move to Washington D.C. soon, where she will continue with her work for the Congressman and with her efforts to gain national attention to the cause of human rights worldwide.

Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 21, 1992