S.Kavneet Singh addressing the Khalsa School children at the gurdwara
American Sikh Council (ASC) representative S.Kavneet Singh was invited to speak on the topic of ‘Bullying Prevention’ and ‘Sikh Scouting’ by a very passionate and engaged sangat of the Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara (Carteret) in Port Reading, NJ on Sunday November 4, 2018.
The American Sikh Council (ASC) has several national level initiatives and bullying prevention and Sikh Scouting are two of them. ASC has educated over 5,000 school children and over 3,000 professional bullying prevention specialists at over 40 events in the last 36 months. ASC has educated over 106,000 non-Sikh Scouts across the nation in the last four years.
S.Kavneet Singh spoke on bullying prevention and other issues which impinge on the self-esteem and confidence of Sikh American children especially within the confines of the school environment to a gathering of over 100 children and their parents at the Gurdwara.
He spoke and gave an overview about the issue of bullying of Sikh American children, while touching on a historic groundbreaking book ‘Bullying of Sikh American Children – Through the Eyes of a Sikh American High School Student’ authored by S.Karanveer Singh Pannu while a junior in high school in 2015. The book was even attested by none other than President Barack Obama with a personal letter from the White House on April 29, 2016.
www.bullyingsikhamericanchildren.org
S.Kavneet Singh then spoke about the ‘Sikh Scouting – A National initiative’ and how it can positively impact the lives of the young Sikh children so that they can not only become dynamic Americans but strengthen their Sikhi and become self-confident young Sikhs keeping their identity intact.
He shared books, material and brochures; all prepared for the empowerment of Sikh children so that they can immerse themselves in Scouting across the nation for all age groups.
S.Kavneet Singh explained how parents can avail of scholarships up to $50,000 if their children achieve the Eagle Scout Award and/or the Gold Award. Further ASC has also initiated a $2,500 one-time award in conjunction with all the member gurdwaras to be given to any GurSikh who has achieved the distinction of the Eagle or Gold.
http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/sikhs-and-scouting
The sangat members had many questions and he did his best to answer all of them. S.Kavneet Singh engaged with the sangat in smaller groups from the young children to the adults after the event.
Khalsa school children and parents attentively listening to S.Kavneet Singh
S.Prabhjot Singh, S.Parvinder Singh and S.Gurpreet Singh must be thanked for their foresight and assistance in making the event a success.