Norwich,CT,USA: The Vaisakhi campaign was run by “Sikh Sewak Society International” all over CT mainly focused in Norwich and Newlondon County area in which they rented bus shelters locations by Lamar Company to educate fellow Americans about Sikhism and Vasakhi.
The billboards mainly focus on Message “Happy Vaisakhi” with the picture of Turbaned Sikh and Website ” www.sikhs.org “.
In billboards picture of Sikh Army officer “Kamal Kalsi” in his camouflage turban and “Sanatam Kaur Khalsa” in kesgi(Turban) was main attraction.
Sikhs of Connecticut running Vaisakhi Campaign
Other pictures used were of Sikh Boys with Patka(cloth Kids use to cover their head).
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa Member of Sikh Sewak Society International said “Our main goal is to make our fellow americans feel comfortable when they see turbaned Sikh. They should know we are Sikhs and we have our distinct identity. They should know we are from Punjab State which is in India and Sikhism is not not branch of any other religion”.
Khalsa said ” It is very important that everyone should know that message of Guru Nanak Dev ji was for whole mankind and not for one faith and Sikhs are follwers of Guru Nanak”.
Total around 100 signs were posted to create Sikh awareness with focus on lines that “99% people in America who tie Turban are Sikhs and not anyone else”.
Khalsa said “Our big Sikh organization like United Sikhs,SALDEF,Sikh Collation etc are doing great job in Sikh Awareness but its never enough,This is duty of each and every Sikh to help them as well as organize activities on their own to create Sikh Awareness “.
The Billboards were designed by Rootsgear company based in NewJersey.
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa also requested all Gurudwara Parbandak Committees to take initiative and participate in Sikh Awareness activities.
Khalsa also thanked Lamar Company for giving them special pricing for this good Cause.
Kuljit Singh Khalsa from Connecticut ,Jaspal Singh Paul from City of Norwich,Manga Singh Security In-charge Backus Hospital Norwich also donated generously for this cause.