Dr.Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 6 July:"Excellence Among Sikhs" organized by the Washington based Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) in Chandigarh today to honor Sikhs and organizations that have created a positive image of the Sikh community and those who have been doing pioneering work in different areas.
Some of the Honorees: Rabbi Shergill, a well-known singer, an environmentalist and a social activist, Saran Singh, the Editor of the Sikh Review in Kolkata, Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal who cleaned the Bein River associated with Guru Nanak in Sultanpur Lodhi, Ranjodh Singh, Head of Gurmukh Singh and Sons, from Ludhiana, Arpana Caur, an internationally renowned artist, Dr. Inderjit Kaur, Head of the Pingalwara Institution in Amritsar, and the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, a Delhi-based NGO which has done humanitarian service since 1984.Dr. Rajwant Singh, chairman of SCORE, said, "This event is an opportunity to recognize those individuals who have contributed society in general and also who have become role models for our youth. This would highlight the contributions of the Sikhs in strengthening the nation. We are very proud in honoring these distinguished personalities who have presented the Sikhs in a very positive manner in various fields". Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Cabinet Minister Punjab, Sardar Tarlochan Singh, Member Parliament and others Guests from all over Punjab and Delhi attended this program.
SCORE have organized similar events in Washington to highlight the contributions in America of Sikhs, and to create a presence of the community in the American political system. It had 300 distinguished guests from all over America attend this year’s event in June and over 20 elected leaders of United States attended the event. In previous years, keynote speeches from Congressional leadership at SCORE’s Capitol Hill Dinner have included Prominent leaders like Senators Hillary Clinton, Richard Lugar, and Charles Schumer.
SCORE has worked closely with the White House and U.S. Congress on Sikhs issues in America. Dr. Rajwant Singh has been invited by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to the White House several times.