:dateline:For a faith group trying to spread awareness and understanding about its American heritage, there�s no bigger platform than the Rose Parade.
The heritage of Sikh Americans will be reflected and celebrated on a Rose Parade float on Jan. 1 in front of a global audience of 80 million people. The idea for the float sprang from a mission undertaken by Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, founder and president of the United Sikh Mission in Fontana, to spread more public awareness about Sikh Americans and the Sikh faith, which began in India. Elements of the float reflect the 125-year history of Sikh Americans, from their beginnings in agriculture and railroad work, to their involvement today in the fields of law, public safety, the military and academia, among many other endeavors.
A white two-story wooden house that sits high atop a green hill at the rear of the float is a representation of the Stockton gurdwara, the first Sikh house of worship, which was founded in California 102 years ago.
Below and toward the front of the float are representations of work by the early Sikh Americans, with a locomotive engine and a farm tractor symbolizing farmers and railway workers. The front of the float features a red, white and blue banner, emblazoned with the words �A Sikh-American Journey.�
Funds for the $250,000 float were collected through the donations of Sikh Americans throughout the United States. The effort was first put forth by the United Sikh Mission in Fontana, with collaboration from SikhLens, Khalsa Care Foundation and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
�The theme of this year�s Rose Parade is inspiring American stories,� Dhindsa said. �The Sikh American story speaks to American ideals, such as a dedication to family, hard and honest work, and an enterprising spirit, and that�s why the Sikh American float will be featured in America�s new year celebration this year.�
The float will feature about 1,700 roses, 2,500 gerbera daisies and other materials such as palm bark and green parsley flakes, said Brian Dancel, spokesman for the Phoenix Decorating Co. in Pasadena, which is building the float. Hundreds of volunteers, many from the Sikh community, are expected to decorate the float with floral material.
�We�re very honored that the Sikh community has decided to choose the Phoenix Decorating Co. as their float decorator,� Dancel said. �The first year of their participation means a lot to the community as well, as we have seldom seen a first-time participant from a community, so we are more than respectful to exactly what their message is. Their participation in the parade will be seen by millions around the world.�
The 12 members of the Sikh American community on the float include men and women who are members of California-based police forces, the U.S. Army, a film student at Chapman University and civil rights advocates.
The goal will be to bring more awareness and understanding about a peaceful group that in the past had suffered discrimination and had been the target of hate crime after 9/11.
�Most of the time, when people see a person with a beard or a turban, they ask them a question, �so where are you from,� and this is a way to tell them that we are from here, we have been in this country for over 100 years,� said Minu Kaur Singh, creative director of the float. �There are third and fourth generation Sikh Americans that are as American as apple pie. It really didn�t take me that long to decide this was the direction we have to go. We have to share the story of who we are and how long we�ve been in this country, and how proud we are to be part of this wonderful land of the free.�
Sikhism is the world�s fifth-largest religion. Sikh articles of faith, including uncut hair and the wearing of turbans, symbolize the commitment Sikhs have to their faith, according to the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or SALDEF.
There are about 700,000 Sikhs in the United States. Sikhs believe in one God, equality among all, freedom of religion and community service, according to the Sikh fund.
�Rashpal Singh, our president of the United Sikh Mission, had a vision of having us go out on this public forum to really show people who we are so that we aren�t labeled as terrorists,� said Bhajneet Singh, a spokesman and member of United Sikh Mission. �His mission was to go out and show the American public that we are also in law enforcement, in the military, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and we are just as American as everybody else. And that�s why we�re here today to spread awareness in this celebratory event in the Rose Parade. We all watch it on TV. It was our dream to be here.�
