The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mike O'Brien) :

I, too, welcome the debate. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell) on securing it and on being elected as founding chairman of the all-party Punjabi group. I note his use of the word "Punjabi" and I shall certainly ensure that it is used in documents. I congratulate the Punjabi community, in particular the Sikh community from the Punjab, on the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa. I have attended several celebrations of the anniversary, including some in my constituency. They were important to the whole community and were enjoyed not only by the Sikh community, but by many others who attended them.

There are many Punjabis in Britain, some of whom are Hindus, some of whom, are Muslim, although the majority are from the Sikh community. Each community makes an enormous contribution to our country. As a Minister, may I, on behalf of the Government, publicly thank the Punjabi community for their contribution to Britain? We are a multicultural society and we are stronger because of that. Our culture is more diverse and more enjoyable. Our trade links are more varied; our ability to take a wider cultural perspective is enhanced greatly by the economic and social potential which comes from the Punjabi community. That is why cultural diversity is not just about having the right moral perspective on issues relating to multiculturalism; it is also good business for Britain. It is about getting right the sort of society that we can become.

  Celebration of “GURU MANIO GRANTH” AND Sikh Forum Book Launch at the House of Lords 

On Tuesday 14^th October 2008, a distinguished collection of the British peerage and the Asian community assembled in the Cholmondeley Room, one of the most beautiful areas at Westminster with the nicest view, under the auspices of the Viscount Slim, a great friend of India with family ties and a special interest in the country.

After a tea reception with snacks, samosas and cakes, guests took their seats in the main room with its marvellous view of the Thames river across the terrace.

The occasion was to mark the fourth centenary celebrations of Sri Granth Sahib, and the release of the Sikh Achievers book written by Ranjit Singh, OBE, the President of the Sikh Forum. Speaking afterwards, he said his reason for writing the book was because,

‘I wanted to highlight the name of the late Lieutenant General Arora so people can read about him in the future.’

“The Granth As the Eternal Guru” written by Mr Malkiat Singh Rahi was also distributed on the night.

 After that, HE Governor General JJ Singh (Retd) India, talked in an entertaining way, he was in London with his wife Anupama as part of an international tour.  The Governor is in charge of Arunachal Pradesh, a scenically strategic part of North East India.

Guru Nanak International Education Trust, a charity Trust was established in the year 1996 by Late Dr. Waryam Singh and Ranjit Singh, OBE. It was the result of the vision of Dr. Waryam Singh who spent most of his life in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He was a successful scholar who held the post of Director Professor of the University of Aberdeen. His desire to establish a Guru Nanak Chair in University of Aberdeen became a reality when he shared his ideas with Ranjit Singh. OBE, President of The Sikh Forum, UK who already had been a supporter of the Sikh intellectual community. Due to their joint efforts and support of the well-wishers, they were able to raise funds for the said chair.

Unfortunately, Dr. Waryam Singh died of heart attack before any step could be taken towards establishment of this chair. The fund was utilised then to establish Guru Nanak International Education Trust, which was duly registered with the Charity Commission, UK.

The Trust has embarked upon a programme of funding educational projects primarily in UK and abroad. Many scholars in UK have and continue to receive grants from the Trust in their times of need. The Trust is committed to helping deserving UK students. Abroad, more than two hundred students have been selected and were awarded scholarships by the Trust. The Trust works closely with the India International Education Trust in India under the leadership of its Chairman, Justice Kuldip Singh (Retd) of The Supreme Court of India.

In future the Trust intends to spread this endeavour in other parts of the world as well. The Trust also funds intellectuals to get their work published. The Trust hopes not only to work towards eradication of illiteracy, but also wishes to support bright and needy children in the field of education to succeed in life.

From then on, till today, The Sikh Forum, UK has been a forceful voice for the Sikhs. It has promoted interests, culture and traditions of those having faith in principles enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib contain ing preaching's of the Sikh Gurus, Muslim Sufis and Hindu Bhaktas. It has raised issues, which concern Sikhs nationally and internationally.

On many occasions the President of The Sikh Forum, UK has earnestly pressed the Indian political leader ship through the Indian High Commission in UK to probe the 1984 riots by independent international organisations. In a recent development in which the French Government banned turbans and other articles of faith. Ranjit Singh, OBE, the President of The Sikh Forum. UK actively urged upon the French Government to stand by their commitment to respect different cultural and ethnic identities. Guru Nanak's birthday was celebrated in the year 2001 with great fervour and dedication, which was attended by many prominent personalities drawn from various institutions of UK. The Sikh Forum, UK is committed to supporting UK Sikhs in achieving highest levels among the intellectual, political and religious leadership of the British society.

The Sikh Forum, UK works closely with important lead ers and organisations of the United Kingdom and India. Being a compassionate Forum, it constantly supports The Great Ormand Street Hospital for Sick Children. It has and intends to further support the efforts of deserving charities such as ETHIOPIA AID, OXFAM, SAVE THE CHILDREN. SHELTER. UNICEF, HELP THE AGED, CHILDREN WITH LEUKAEMIA, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, POPULATION CONCERN and ACTION AID to name a few.