barublogRecognition at the Sikh Awards
Sardar Tarlochan Singh MP, India, was awarded the Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Sikh Awards last night.
Event Highlights
The Awards took place at the Plaza Hotel Westminster Bridge, where notable individuals like Pardeep Singh Bahra, a rising young fashion entrepreneur, and Navtej Singh, the world’s first Sikh bodybuilder, were also honored with the Sikh in Sports Award.
Hosts and Guests
The event was hosted by Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s Director of Environment and Digital London, and its former Director of Transport Policy, alongside Kiss FM’s DJ Neev. The Sikh Awards recognized pivotal contributions made by the Sikh community across various fields, with winners from Asia, USA, Canada, Europe, and Africa.
Winners of the Night
Charity and Seva Awards
Sikh Helpline (UK): Sikh in Charity Award
Swaran Singh Gharial (Kenya): Sikh in Seva Award
Entertainment and Media Awards
Bhai Baldeep Singh (India): Sikh in Entertainment Award
Sangat Television (Birmingham): Sikh in Media Award
Education and Professional Awards
Gursharan Kaur (Canada): Sikh in Education Award
Amrit Singh Uppal (Singapore): Sikh in Profession Award
Business Awards
Malvinder Mohan Singh (India): Sikh Businessman Award
Parminder Kaur (Netherlands): Sikh Businesswoman Award
Sukhi Ghuman (Nottingham): Sikh Entrepreneur Award
Prestigious Gathering
The event saw 750 guests, including elite international dignitaries, public figures, community heroes, sports stars, and celebrities. Last year, UK Prime Minister Rt Hon. David Cameron received a Special Recognition Award for his efforts to strengthen UK-Sikh community relations.
Special Themes and Highlights
Each year, The Sikh Awards adopts a central theme. This year’s theme honored the sizable battlefield contributions made by Sikh soldiers during the Great War, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Notably, the Sikh community, making up only 2% of the British Indian population, constituted 20% of the British Indian Army, with 130,000 active Sikh soldiers.
Key Speakers and Exhibits
Representatives from the Royal Army, Royal Navy, the Tower of London, and renowned historians spoke at the event. Highlights included the SOAS exhibition on Sikhs in WW1 and a special trumpet rendition by the Army’s band.
Launch of The Sikh 100 Power List
A highlight of the event, hosted by The Sikh Directory, was the launch of the third edition of The Sikh 100 Power List, detailing the most prominent Sikhs in the global community.
Founder’s Vision
Navdeep Singh Bansal, founder of The Sikh Awards, expressed delight at the event’s success over the past five years. He emphasized the purpose of the awards: to recognize, honor, and celebrate the achievements of the Sikh community and their contributions to society, as well as to commemorate Sikh soldiers’ contributions during WW1.
The Sikh Awards 2014 Winners
Business Categories
Sikh Businessman: Malvinder Mohan Singh (India)
Women in Business: Parminder Kaur (Netherlands)
Entrepreneur of the Year: Sukhi Singh Ghuman (UK)
Charity and Seva Categories
Sikhs in Charity: Sikh Helpline (UK)
Sikhs in Seva: Swaran Singh Gharial (Kenya)
Education and Professional Categories
Sikhs in Education: Gursharan Kaur Kandra (Canada)
Sikhs in Profession: Amrit Singh Uppal (Singapore)
Entertainment and Media Categories
Sikhs in Entertainment: Bhai Baldeep Singh (India)
Sikhs in Media: Sangat Television (UK)
Sports and People’s Choice Categories
Sikhs in Sport: Navtej Singh (India)
The Sikh People’s Choice Award: Pardeep Singh Bahra (UK)
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award: Tarlochan Singh MP (India)
Tarlochan Singh’s Legacy
Tarlochan Singh, born in 1933, is a renowned figure in Sikhism, sports, Indian politics, and Punjab. A respected Parliamentarian, sports administrator, columnist, and communicator, he has witnessed significant events in Sikh history and contributed immensely to various fields. He is credited with producing the first Sikh calendar in 1973 and has played pivotal roles in organizing major sports events in India.
Conclusion
The Sikh Awards continue to celebrate and honor the achievements of the Sikh community worldwide, recognizing their contributions to society and preserving their rich history and culture.
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