:dateline:The Sikh Sewak Society from Connecticut ran a successful�Vaisakhi education campaign focused in the Norwich and Newlondon County area. �Bus shelter locations were rented to educate fellow Americans about the Sikh religion and Vasakhi.�Around 100 signs were created and posted in total.��
The bus shelter signs�showed�the message, “Happy Vaisakhi,” with pictures of Sikhs, such as Kamal Kalsi and Sanatam Kaur, in order to raise awareness. �Photos�of Sikh boys with patkas were also used.�The signs also cited statistics such this: “99% of people in America who tie turbans are Sikhs and not anyone else.”
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Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, a member of Sikh Sewak Society International, said, “Our main goal is to make our fellow Americans feel comfortable when they see a turbaned Sikh. They should know we are Sikhs and we have our distinct identity. They should know we are from Punjab which is in India and that Sikhism is not a�branch of any other religion.”
Khalsa also said that larger Sikh organizations such as United Sikhs, SALDEF, and Sikh Coalition were doing a great job raising awareness, but that every Sikh should contribute to�this�effort.�Swaranjit Singh Khalsa also requested all Gurudwara Parbandak Committees to take initiative and participate in Sikh awareness activities. �
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The Lamar Company helped with this initiative by providing�discounted pricing. Parminder Pal Singh Khalsa from Jalandhar, Punjab also contributed generously.�The signs were designed by Rootsgear, a company based in New Jersey.
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