Ambassador Sandhu meets World United Guru Nanak Foundation Executive members

Washington DC (Surekha Vij) - Members of the World United Guru Nanak Foundation (WUGNF) USA met on July 22 with the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The members were part of the group of Sikhs which had met PM Modi at his residence in New Delhi on the occasion of Sadh Bhavana Divas and celebration of Guru Teg Bahadur’s 400th birth centenary.
    The delegation members expressed their deep felt appreciation for the phenomenal work being done by Ambassador Sandhu in promoting US-India relations. Ambassador Sandhu also makes all Sikhs proud and represents what every Indian can achieve through their hard work and competence.
    Recalling their meeting with PM Modi, Gurcharan Singh said, that PM Modi had called the Sikh tradition a living example of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ - strong India, and that the Sikh community has become synonymous with the national spirit of courage, prowess and diligence. Prime Minister had recalled his association with the community and how visiting gurdwaras, taking part in langar and living with Sikhs has been part of his life journey. PM had said that the Sikh Gurus spent their entire lives uniting the nation and left their imprints all over India, from Gujarat to Bihar, Singh added.
    PM Modi had further said that the nation remained grateful for the community’s contribution to India’s Independence and to India’s progress after the independence. “India’s history is incomplete without the mention of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s contributions, Sikh struggles against the British and Jallianwala Bagh tragedy,” PM Modi, saluting the Sikh spirit of service and enterprise, said. India’s rising stature made Diaspora the proudest and opened new horizons for them as the world viewed them with greater respect. Gurcharan Singh recalled that he was very emotional to see the PM in turban and the love and  hospitality he bestowed upon the Sikh delegation.  He has requested PM Modi to open a Sadhbhavna center in each country to bring all communities close. This would enable them to celebrate Indian festivals, strengthen language, culture, traditions and rituals. Gurcharan Singh said that he thanked PM Modi for his support to open the Kartarpur Corridor.  PM Modi met the delegates for more than two hours.  It was an emotional moment for all present.
    Ambassador Sandhu expressed the importance of education and knowledge partnership in India-US bilateral relations and recalled the work done by great Sikh leaders in promoting education in India. He further said that he looked forward to India Diaspora youth being connected to their roots and culture. He said embassy will provide all possible support for their travel and safe stay in India, while they visit historic and religious places like the Golden Temple, and also visit such places as Hyderabad and Bangalore, where diaspora youth can learn about the Indian success stories like the IT sector. This will open their eyes and expose to them the reality of the negative propaganda being done by those handful of anti-India elements who are supported by inimical forces.
    Ambassador Sandhu also suggested that Gurdawaras could work in coordination with the embassy to provide help in consular services like filling up the of the application forms and understanding the rules, regulations and procedures. Since many people who come from Punjab have difficulty filling up the forms and understanding the language and other basic things required in the new country, such a service in the true spirit of Sikh tradition would be of great help for diaspora. Gurdawaras can have computers and office space to help all, especially the new immigrants, while they have partake in seva,(service)  and langar (community meals).
    Dr Surinder Singh committed to help in these initiatives. He expressed his staunch loyalty for serving India and Indian diaspora and exposing the inimical forces targeting India. Members of the WUGNF included its President, Gurcharan Singh, former executive from the World Bank, General Secretary Dr.Surinder Gill, and Chairman Amar Malhi. On this occasion, Ambassador Sandhu also welcomed an Indian industrialist Amarjit Singh visiting from Delhi, who is looking to increase exports from India to the US. Ambassador assured all possible support from Embassy for increasing trade between the two countries.