LOS ANGELES, CA, USA—Floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade often have a message, but in the case of the United Sikh Mission entry, “A Sikh American Journey,” the message was vital: We are Americans. Tournament of Roses Examiner recently spoke with Minu Kaur Singh, the float’s creative director, about Sikhism and the first Sikh float to roll down Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, 2015.
It was the brainchild of Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, the founder of the charitable organization United Sikh Mission, Minu Singh told us. “He immigrated back in the ’80s and really enjoyed watching the Rose Parade in his home on TV. Since 9/11 when hate crimes against Sikhs increased, he kept thinking what a great idea it would be to have a Sikh float, since so many people watch the Rose Parade and it would bring awareness.”
