PASADENA >> Sikh-Americans are hoping for a harvest of sorts today.
For a second year, they’ve entered a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, where they hope that their entry, Vasakhi
— named after the celebration of harvest in Punjab, India — fosters more public understanding about Sikh culture and its positive contributions to American society.
“In order to do that, we need to be part of the community, and the Rose Parade is a perfect opportunity for us to celebrate with fellow Americans,” said Bhajneet Singh, a spokesman and member of United Sikh Mission, in Fontana. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of the legacy of the Rose Parade, which is as American as it gets.”
The float was designed this year to showcase the harvest festival called “Vasakhi,” which is celebrated in Punjab in the month of April. The Punjab region of India is known as the birthplace of Sikh faith.
The float features an observant Sikh man with a beard and a bright yellow turban, sitting atop a white horse, on his way to participate in Vasakhi festivities.
The center of the float shows cultural games; an ethnic bazaar; embroideries; foods; and two peacocks, the state bird of Punjab.
Several Sikh-American families, who organizers say exemplify the Sikh principals of hard work, selfless service, and ensuring the welfare of all, will ride on the float.
The idea for a Sikh-American float at the Rose Parade sprang from a mission undertaken by Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, founder and president of the United Sikh Mission, to spread more public awareness about Sikh Americans and the Sikh faith, which began in India.
Singh, 43, of La Cañada Flintridge, said the hope of the group is to help foster a world where people are aware of the diversity of people in the United States and for people to appreciate that diversity.
“There have a been a lot of hate crimes, not only against Sikhs, but also against Muslims,” said Harbani Kaur, 29, a Sikh float volunteer, residing in San Diego. “This particular step is not just about creating an awareness about the Sikh religion and telling our history and where we come from, but also educating people that just because we look different, doesn’t mean we are dangerous … it’s basically accepting people with different identities, different backgrounds, and different cultures as one. At the end of the day, we’re all human. We all belong to the same human race. Basically we’re all equal.”
Volunteer Jasdeep Singh, 43, or Yorba Linda, said the community is hyper-sensitive to misperceptions of Sikh Americans after events like the Dec. 2 terror attack in San Bernardino. With recent hate crimes and discrimination on the Internet targeting Sikhs, Singh said some in the community may think they don’t belong.
“I think when you see the float … I think for Sikhs to see the positive signs of our contributions to what is part and parcel of the American fabric, I think it gives us a feeling like we do belong,” he said.
Sikhism is the world’s fifth-largest religion. Sikh articles of faith, including uncut hair and the wearing of turbans, symbolize the commitment Sikhs have to their faith, according to the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or SALDEF.
There are about 700,000 Sikhs in the United States. Sikhs believe in one God, equality among all, freedom of religion and community service, according to the Sikh fund.
