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SGPC to fund five ‘true Sikhs’ at Cambridge

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is to sponsor five Indian Sikhs at Cambridge University, provided they maintain their Sikh identity. If the Ph.D and M.Phil students cut their hair or trim their beards while studying they will have to refund their scholarships, says SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar. College fees and living expenses will be provided equally by SGPC and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust. On their return, students must serve in SGPC institutions for at least five years. More information: http://sikhsangat.org

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New network for US Sikhi teachers

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRi) in the US has announced plans for a Sikh Education Conference in Bridgewater, New Jersey, on September 26-27. It will bring together Sikh educators working with children from kindergarten to Grade 12. For several years teachers and administrators at American Gurmat and Panjabi Schools have talked about forming a network in which they can share their teaching styles, knowledge base, and passion for Sikhi education. The conference will kick off the Sikh Educators Network (SEN). More information: www.sikhri.org

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‘Defend dastaar’ plea to Governor

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has been asked to condemn a new rule that allows the American State’s judges to force witnesses to remove religious head coverings in court. Civil rights group SALDEF (the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) had expressed concern that Sikhs will be forced to remove their religiously-mandated dastaars (turbans) in courtrooms. Director of Law and Policy Rajdeep Singh Jolly points out that dastaars are worn daily as a matter of religious observance and do not cover or conceal the face.