New York Sikh Youth compete for Dastar/Personality Awards 2009

On: 3 May, 2009, By: Press Secretary, Location: USA

The stage was set for the young turbanators on the 2nd of May at Richmond Hill local school to rock the city with their beautiful eye-catching turbans! The USA chapter of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle organized “Turban Tying and Personality Competition 2009” with the motto to help Sikh children practice and perfect the skills of tying a turban which is an important article of the Sikh faith. With Kenneth Cole , Hermes and Ralph Lauren already introducing the turbaned looks for 2009, these young Sikhs of New York are exploring the world of fame with their neatly tied turbans.

At noon, the auditorium of St.Benedict Joseph Labre School was beaming with hundreds of participants, volunteers and spectators who were all eagerly waiting to see the competition. The participants were categorized into five groups based on their age. A 4-member panel judged them based on neatness of the turban, over all personality, communication skills and external Sikh practices. With about 25-30 competitors in each group, the competition proved tough for many students who had just begun wearing turbans or “dastar” as they are traditionally called. However, the enthusiasm of the participants was infectious and left the judges in a dilemma, as each of the participants seemed so passionate about their values and faith as well as their love for their turban. The competition, in its second year now and has received great appreciation and support from the local Sikh community. The Project Co-ordinator Team was Youth From GGSSC Harmeet singh , Surjit Singh, Darshan Singh Marco

The Turban is an important article of the Sikh faith and highly respected by all members of the Sikh community as “Guru’s gift”. However, cultural pressures and racial prejudice has affected the lifestyles of the community in various parts of the world and hindered in their way to practicing the Sikh traditions externally. One of the biggest impacts has that the mainstream American population has little understanding of the Sikh turban and hence it has created a mistaken identity... Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle has been working actively with the communities in Richmond Hill in order to educate the mainstream population about Sikhism and turban as well as prepare the youth to proudly wear their turbans and be able to explain about it as and when the need arises. The latest effort in this direction was the Turban Tying Competition when dozens of Sikh youth walked the ramp on the beats of Punjabi music proudly displaying their Sikh identity.

Competitions Results:

Group A
1st Prize: Gurmantar Singh
2nd Prize: Gurmehar Singh
3rd Prize: Sunjit Singh

Group B
1st Prize: Arshdeep Singh
2nd Prize: Mankaran Singh
3rd Prize: Jaskaran Singh

Group C
1st Prize: Baneet Singh
2nd Prize: Mann singh
3rd Prize: Jagraj Singh

Group D
1st Prize: Amrinder Singh
2nd Prize: Simranjit Singh
3rd Prize: Rajwinder Singh

Group E
1st Prize: Gobind Singh
2nd Prize: Dalbir Singh
3rd Prize: Varinder Singh

The panel of judges consisted of the following experts from different fields:

Dr Tina( NY), an eminent dentist from Long Island and a marathon runner

S. Atam Parkash Singh( Maryland), a well-known community activist who launched Khalsa Toastmaster in Maryland to encourage public speaking skills amongst Sikh youth.

S Kuldeep Singh( NY), youth coordinator of 3HO, Yoga & martial art trainer who is neuro muscular therapist by profession.

Roma Kaur(Toronto), a TV Producer/ Director, Media & PR strategist, she is actively involved with women & youth activities internationally.

The Co-ordinator for judges was Inderpal singh

The event was organized with the cooperation of The Sikh Cultural Society of New York and Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Temple of Richmond Hill and the local Sikh Community.

Baba Bhanda Singh Bahadur sikh Society , Dhan Dhan Baba Bhuda Sahib Society , Prem singh Cultural Society , Baba Deep Singh Society

Shromani Akali Dal

Langer seva was done by Dhan Dhan Baba Bhuda Sahib Society And the fruit and Snack was done By Apna Bazar and all other donars and volunters who where behind the success of the event .

About Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle:

Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle is a non-political international organization working with youth and women in the field of education, community development, health and social awareness. The USA chapter has been organizing activities for the youth through camps and competitions for the past nine years.