US state passes resolution hailing Sikhs’ contribution
WASHINGTON: The US state of Indiana has unanimously passed a resolution recognising the Sikh community’s significant contributions to America.
“The Indiana Senate recognises and acknowledges the significant contributions that American Sikhs have made across the United States and to the State of Indiana on the great occasion of Baisakhi as National Sikh Day,” said the resolution.
Passed unanimously by the Indiana Senate on Friday, the resolution was introduced by Indiana lieutenant governor Suzanne Crouch. Community leader and chairman of the Sikhs Political Affairs Committee Gurinder Singh Khalsa started the senate session with a Sikh prayer.
United States Vice-President Mike Pence sent his support for the resolution, a media release said on Friday. Also for the first time, National Sikhs and Baisakhi Day will be celebrated on May 15, 2017, in the Indiana State House with governor Eric Holcomb. Passage of the resolution is an important milestone in the history of Sikhs in the US, said Khalsa. This is “start of something special and significant for Sikhs” all across America, he said. Khalsa, who has been developing relationships with public officials in other parts of the country, hoped his efforts will expand Sikhs culture of selfless service to community and be a beacon of hope in spreading Sikh values.