WASHINGTON, DC—President Barack Obama received personal thanks on behalf of the Sikh community from Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Washington based Sikh Council on Religion and Education, yesterday in New York. Dr. Singh was invited by the White House to a reception by the President for diplomats and UN ambassadors at Waldorf-Astoria hotel at the eve of his important speech at the United Nations.
Dr. Singh said to the President, “We thank you deeply for your kindness and your support during the tragedy at the Sikh Gurdwara in Wisconsin. We really appreciate it.” President responded by saying, “It was needed and more will come and you can be assured of that.” Dr. Singh said, “We prayed for you and will continue to pray for God’s blessings upon you.” Obama responded, “I need that every day.”
Dr. Balvinder Kaur, a child Psychiatrist from Washington and wife of Dr. Singh, said, “Mr. President, we are grateful that you lowered the US flags at half staff. President Obama responded and said, “It was a senseless killing and it should not have happened.”
Dr. Rajwant Singh also thanked the first Lady, Michelle Obama by saying, “Your visit to Wisconsin to see the family of victims was really healing for all of us. It was gratefully appreciated by all Sikhs. She responded, “I was touched by sentiments and spirit of the families especially the youth. They are all so kind.”
Dr. Rajwant Singh talking to Michelle Obama and Dr. Balvinder Kaur on the right and President Obama in the back
Dr. Singh further requested to Michelle Obama, “We would like President to be seen with the Sikhs to send a positive message all across the nation perhaps he can have a delegation at the White House or he can visit a Sikh center. She responded, “We certainly will work on it.”
Dr. Kaur said to the first lady, “I had to be trained to deal with kids but the way you are handling the issues related to kids is amazing.” Michelle Obama said, “We need people like you and we will do it together.”
Dr. Rajwant Singh also had a long exchange with Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s senior most political advisor for future initiatives to help the issues of the Sikhs in the US. She assured of the support of the President and his administration.
Dr. Singh also thanked Senator Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, for having a hearing on hate crimes and domestic extremism at the US Senate and inviting Sikh victims of Wisconsin Gurdwara tragedy for the testimonials.
