Fresno (California): On Saturday, February 24, 2018 nearly 100 Jakara Movement volunteers came together with Tree Fresno to plant trees at Jaswant Singh Khalra Park in Southwest Fresno. The Park was named after Jaswant Singh Khalra in August 2017 after the Jakara Movement led Sikh community efforts to honor the late martyr.
Volunteers from Jakara Movement during a tree plantation drive.
The tree planting event brought Sikhs from all ages together to plant many types of trees to beautify the park. Members of the Jakara Movement’s Sikh Honors and Service Society high school clubs came from all over town to spend their Saturday morning planting the trees. One member, Simran Shergill, a senior and President of the Central East High School club, remarked, “It’s important for us to take care of the environment. Gurbani reminds us of our responsibility to Mother Earth.”
Many collegiate members of the Jakara Movement Chapter at Fresno State also participated. Manraj Singh, a second year engineering major, shared, “Beautifying Jaswant Singh Khalra Park is our community’s duty. We fought for the name change and it is our way to share our history with the larger American community and take pride in our neighborhood.”
Councilman Oliver Baines of Fresno, who led the effort to change the name of the park, also participated in the tree planting, along with Central Unified School District Trustee Member Terry Cox. The event was a big success and many were impressed by the large Sikh youth participation. The Jakara Movement hopes the entire Sikh community is inspired by the park and the will work for such dedications in their own community. The organization is planning a city-wide kite festival on Sunday April 8th that will be open to the entire community.