Washington D.C.—The grant of Indian Passports to those Indians who are Political assylees abroad due to economic reasons is being reviewed by the Government of India in order to grant them permission to travel to India to meet their family members and relatives. This was disclosed by Indian Ambassador to the US, Dr S Jaishankar, while addressing community leaders at his residence on the eve of Vaisakhi celebrations.
Dr S Jaishankar has hailed the contributions of the Sikh community as pioneers among the Indian-Americans embodying the spirit of India. During a reception held to celebrate Vaisakhi, a religious holiday that marks anniversary of the first Sikh initiation which takes place at the beginning of the Punjab harvest season, Jaishanker noted that the gathering was both to mark the auspicious occasion, and to recognize the contributions and concerns of the Sikh community in the US. He reflected on the contributions of the Sikh community in strengthening the Indo-US relations, and recognized the community as pioneers among the Indian-Americans embodying the spirit of India. The Sikh community gave the first Indian-American Member of US Congress.
The celebration at the ambassador’s residence yesterday was attended by over 200 guests belonging to the Sikh community from across the Unites States. Jaishankar emphasized the Indian Embassy’s commitment to the welfare and progress of Sikhs in the US, and cited as example his public support for the initiative to allow Sikh members of the US military to display articles of faith. On the occasion, a congratulatory message sent by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley was read out. The celebration included religious invocation, a cultural program, and an exposition by a noted Sikh scholar on the relevance and meaning of Vaisakhi.
Those who attended the event include Mr Taranjit Singh Sandhu Deputy Chief of Mission, Mrs Sandhu Minister for commerce, N.K.Mishra Minister personal & Community Affairs, N. Shridharan Counselor Press, information & Culture, NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal, Jesse Singh Chairman Center for Social Change, Dharampal Singh Uggi President Sikh Association of Baltimore, Amar Singh Chahal Coordinator Kartarpur Marg Executive Steering Committee, Dr Surinder Singh Gill Organizing fellow Obama for America, Ranvir Singh Vice President State Bank of India, Paramjit Singh Bedi Chairman Board of Trustees Sikh Foudation of Virginia, and Dr. and Mrs. Sahni.
Jasdip Singh Jesse the Chairman Governor Maryland Commission read the citation of the Governor of Maryland presented to Ambassador by Sajid Tarar chairman center for Social Change, Baljinder Singh Shammi, Diving Sha, Pawan Bejwara, and N.K. Mishra community minister flanked with Ambassdor Dr. Sukhpal Singh Dhanoha, Radio Zindgi Producer, Surinder Singh Raheja, Dr Amarjit Singh Richmond, Mayor Modi, Sarwan Singh Manku Press Photographer, and Mr.s Brar from World Bank.
Welcoming the statement of the Indian Ambassador to the US, Dr S Jaishankar for reviewing the grant of Indian Passports to those political assylees who had taken political asylum for economic reasons, Dalwinder Singh Dhoot Chairman North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) said that this is a very welcoming statement of our Ambassador on the eve of Vaisakhi Celebration, and that it will benefit several thousand Indians. Dhoot said that NAPA Panel had three rounds of meetings with concerned Ministers and department heads to seek this kind of gesture to the Indians residing abroad.
NAPA is a Non-Partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin North America by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in North America.
