AMRIT KAUR AHLUWALIA MEMORIAL GR

This section will discuss the advantage for Sikh’s to adapt and assimilate with American Culture and Society. This is now our country, and we should make every effort to connect with this great society. This chapter will cover examples of American Sikhs and various organizations who are working to be a part of and take active interest in the

United States of America

Sikh Scholarships and Prizes

AMRIT KAUR AHLUWALIA MEMORIAL GRANT PROGRAM
The Center for South Asia Studies (CSAS) at the University of
California, Berkeley established the Amrit Kaur Ahluwalia Memorial
Grant Program with the generous support of Dr. Joginder Singh
Ahluwalia and family. By annually providing grants for summer research
to select graduate students, this program will give young scholars the
opportunity to pursue their first serious research in Sikh Studies. We
believe that this program will fulfill an important mission by drawing
promising scholars to Sikh Studies, enabling them to embark upon
exciting research agendas, and encouraging them to share their
enthusiasm and knowledge with the wider community.

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Center for South Asia Studies
10 Stephens Hall, #2310
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2310
http://ias.berkeley.edu/southasia/
(510) 642-3608 (Phone)
(510) 643-5793 (Fax)
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Scholarship for the Harvard bound

http://sikhscholarship.org/?page_id=8

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The Guru Nanak Prize
gurunanakprize@hofstra.edu.

Gujri Foundation

Punjabi Culture:

Provide Financial Assistance to Punjabi Cultural Organizations: Gujri Foundation will provide financial assistance and support organizations that organize Punjabi cultural functions and events across the country.

There is a large population of Punjabi families and individuals spread across the United States. The Punjabi people are originally from the Indian subcontinent, primarily from the state of Punjab in India and also from Pakistan. The Punjabi community in the country does not have many opportunities to learn their language, learn about their culture or participate in Sikh religious functions. The youth of the community are loosing touch with their culture, language, religion and traditional family values. In this scenario every single opportunity presented to the Punjabi community in general, and specifically to its youth, to learn and appreciate their culture becomes significant.

With an objective of providing the Punjabi community opportunities to come together and strengthen personal bonds, Punjabi cultural functions and events are planned and hosted by different organizations. One of the primary objectives of these events is to provide the youth of the community opportunities to learn, appreciate and imbibe their culture. The events organized by these organizations include traditional community festivals like Vaisakhi, concerts featuring Punjabi music and dance such as Bhangra, traditional sports such as Kabaddi tournaments, religious functions such as birthdays of the Sikh Gurus, etc.

Most of these organizations are organized exclusively to promote Punjabi culture and many are also registered/incorporated. A significant number of these groups are operated through financial support provided by the Punjabi community.

Gujri Foundation identifies and supports organizations that primarily work to promote Punjabi culture among the youth. This activity is fully funded by the charitable donations received by the organization.

All organizations desirous of receiving such assistance are required to submit a written request for funding. All requests must clearly demonstrate the value of the program for the community in terms of measurable outcomes. This is to be submitted as an essay that describes the event’s objectives, plan of action and need for resources. This essay is to be submitted as part of a docket, which includes comprehensive information about the organization, historical documentation regarding the event, dates of the event, proposed budget, specific fund request, promotion plan and details regarding the venue. All applications are also required to provide documented evidence that the vendors identified by the organization have been selected thorough processes that systemically preclude any conflicts of interest. All applications are thoroughly scrutinized by the Gujri Foundation to check whether they qualify for assistance, and therefore can be forwarded to the final deciding authority.

All directors and officers of the organization have vast experience in conducting programs that promote Punjabi culture in the USA. Decisions regarding financial assistance provided by the organization are taken by the governing board or empowered committees appointed by the board, during meetings scheduled as per the organization’s bylaws. Two of the key criteria used by the organization to evaluate the applications will be, the impact of the program upon the community, and involvement of youth - as organizers, volunteers, participants and viewers. The organization will maintain minutes of all such meetings. Further, the organization will maintain comprehensive records of all disbursements. Such records will include bank statements, receipts, complete details of the beneficiary organization, etc.

In almost all cases the organization will pay the vendors directly for the services provided by them towards an event or program. Such payments will only be released against valid invoices and other necessary documentation. After the event or the program, all beneficiaries need to submit documentary evidence of the program such as photographs, audio/video media, etc. They also need to submit a report about the goals accomplished and indicate shortfalls, if any. The organization will maintain all such reports and accompanying documentation as part of its official records.

As part of the measures to ensure that all funds provided by it are being used for the intended purposes, the organization will also seek reports form independent experts appointed by it. The organization will appoint experts to participate in the events and programs and submit their independent reports regarding the stated goals and results achieved.

The program will suspend its assistance to an organization, if it receives evidence that the beneficiary organization has deliberately provided wrong information or misused the funds.

Gujri Foundation will seek opportunities to promote its objectives among those who attended such programs. When appropriate Gujri Foundation will also seek opportunities to raise funds towards its cause during such programs.

This activity will be fully funded by the charitable donations received by the organization. The directors and officers of the organization involved in this activity do not receive compensation in any form, for the services rendered.

http://www.gujri.org/index.html

MOHINDER SAMBHI

Ludhiana-born doctor funds US university
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12
Mohinder Sambhi, a Ludhiana-born doctor and hypertension specialist, who spent his career teaching at Indian and US universities, made the second endowment in two years in the memory of his wife, Minno, by offering $2 million to John Hopkins University for setting up the Centre of India Studies, Washington. Two years ago, he helped set up a chair on Indian classical music at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a donation of $1million.

Sambhi, who remained a professor from 1971 to 1994, is now professor emeritus at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California.

Jessica P. Einhorn, dean, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington, says in a message that Sambhi’s endowment will create a Chair in India studies and will provide the impetus for what is planned to be the leading center which would provide a forum for discussing key issues relating to India.

The deepening relationship between India and the USA is a consequence of a decade of profound political and economic changes within India as well as the result of a shift in the US understanding of its own interests in the region. This is the ideal moment for a sustained focus on the relationship between the two countries, partners in creating a more stable and prosperous world, she said.

The center would seek to train and educate future generations of decision-makers while providing an arena for continuous high-level analysis and appraisal of developments in India and in evolving Indo-US relationship. It would also work as a platform not only for discussions on bilateral relations but also for broader issues where appropriate, such as India-China trade, energy and, of course, critical South Asian topics relating to regional stability and progress, she added.

The center will be formally launched on September 25

(See attached file: LAL CHAND BANNER.jpg) (See attached file: SR-99 Photo.pdf) (See attached file: Yamla Jatt Picture by Fw 99 9 3 05.jpg) Thanks, With deep regards, Rajinder Brar: 559-243-8275(O)

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