SAN JOSE,CA: The Sangat of San Jose celebrated the Birthday of Khalsa with great enthusiasm An Amrit Sanchar ceremony took place on April 15. 1995 at Gurdwara Sahib in which 18 individuals received the gift of Amrit (Sikh Initiation) from the Punjab Pyaras. Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khalsa and Bhai Jit Singh Bainiwalplayed a key role in the initiation ceremony.
Two Kirtan Diwans were held on April 14-16. Several famous Raji Jathas such as Bhai Manjit Singh Ji of Sacramento, Bhai Amrik Singh Ji of Punjab, and Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal former Hazur Ragi, Delhi, participated in the Kirtan Diwan.
The children of Khalsa School San Jose actively participated in the Kirtan and speeches Malinder Singh Kohli. Bhupinder Singh Khehra, Gurinder Pal Singh and many other school organizers participated in the event.
Special Fund Raisers were held for Bhai Ranjit Singh (Kuki)and Bhai Sukhminder Singh (Sukhi) in San Jose and Fresno. The Sangats of San Jose and Fresno contributed several thousand dollars for this fund, Bhai Jit Singh Bairuwal of San Jose and several members of the Gurdwara management committee helped in collecting the funds. Gurdev Singh Gill of the (HRO was in California for the past week soliciting for this fund. He was one of the many speakers who asked the community for its help others who have spoken include: Dr Mohinder Singh Pooria of Fresno. Sardar Harinder (Harry) Singh Gill, Sadar Peter Singh and Sardar Jagjit Singh Boparai of Tracy Both Sukhi and Kuki have been falsely accused and put in a New York prison. They were sympathetic to the Sikh cause of Khalistan in Punjab and escaped to USA due to police harassment. The Indian government is trying hard to extradite them and kill them. These young men have been languishing in the US jails for the last eight years. A Sikh Legal Defense Fund has been opened to fight the case of Bhai Sukhi and Kuki Discussions on this issue were held with people in Fremont, and Los Angeles to advise them of the situation and to gather support. There is an acuto shortage of funds. Sikhs and other freedom-loving people are requested to donate generously to this fund. This fund has been maintained by Bibi Amrit Kaur Boparai of Tracy and other stalwart supporters of these young men for the last several years. They have done a great job in maintaining this fund and fighting the case. This fund is now being transferred to Ontario, Canada due to close proximity to New York. It will now be managed and maintained by S. Gurdev Singh Gill of Malton, Canada. To donate to this fund, please send a check or money order to: Sikh Defense Fund C/O Gurdev Singh Gill 7517 Rockhill Road Mississauga, Ontario, Canada LAT 228 Ph (905) 672-5785.
Sardar Gurdev Singh Gill has expressed his great appreciation for the many people who worked to make the fundraisers a success and to those whose contributions will go a long way to assist in the defense of these young men. Also to the gracious hosts in the many cities that he visited who made his stay in California such a pleasant and productive one.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 21, 1995
