Latest news with #Punjab-origin
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Two Punjab-origin candidates win key council seats in Texas
Two Punjab-origin candidates — Sanjay Singhal and Sukh Kaur — have won their respective city council runoff elections in Texas. Sanjay Singhal, a retired energy executive and graduate of IIT Delhi, secured a decisive victory over his nearest rival Nasir Hussain in Sugar Land's District 2. According to unofficial results from Fort Bend County, Singhal received 2,346 votes to Hussain's 777. 'This victory belongs to the residents of District 2. I am deeply grateful for the community's support and ready to serve with transparency and dedication.' Singhal, who has lived in Sugar Land for over 30 years with his wife, their two sons and daughters-in-law, said. Singhal campaigned on transparent governance, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement. Sukh Kaur, an education reformer and the first Sikh woman on San Antonio's City Council, retained her District 1 seat with a win over Patty Gibbons. Kaur, a nonprofit leader who lives in San Antonio with her husband and two children, defeated challenger Patty Gibbons with 65 per cent of the votes. 'I think we really talked to the community and shared that we want to work. And one of the things that we said is District 1 is about preserving our history while still moving our district forward,' Kaur told the media after the results. Kaur focused her campaign on affordable housing, public transit expansion and inclusive urban development. In a closely watched mayoral contest in Sugar Land, , a Houston suburb with a large Indian-origin population, Carol McCutcheon defeated William Ferguson to become the city's new mayor, succeeding Joe Zimmerman. McCutcheon secured 6,103 votes, while Ferguson received 5,402, according to unofficial tallies. McCutcheon, a retired reservoir engineer with decades of public service experience, said she entered the race to help guide Sugar Land's growth with 'strategic vision'. Her priorities include improving crime response, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring quality of life for residents. Additionally, Jim Vonderhaar won the City Council At-Large Position 1 seat with 6,048 votes, defeating Maggy Horgan who received 4,278. Swearing-in ceremonies for the new council members and mayor are expected in the coming weeks.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
California varsity launches Sikh studies project led by Punjab-origin scholar
The University of California, Santa Cruz, has launched a new academic initiative aimed at reshaping global perceptions of Sikhism through digital storytelling and inclusive scholarship. Led by Punjab-origin professor of economics and Sikh studies scholar Nirvikar Singh, the project seeks to offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Sikh history, identity, and philosophy. The project is titled 'Sikhs in the 21st Century: Remembering the Past, Engaging the Future', an official release by the university said on May 15. The initiative, housed at UCSC's Humanities Institute, produces multimedia content exploring the evolution of Sikh institutions, the impact of colonialism, and the complex identity of the Sikh diaspora. It challenges oversimplified narratives and aims to offer a more accurate and nuanced view of Sikh history and philosophy, according to the release. 'Many existing accounts lack depth or are shaped by colonial-era interpretations,' said Singh, who earlier held the Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair of Sikh and Punjabi Studies. 'We're reexamining inherited assumptions and opening space for deeper, evidence-based engagement.' In collaboration with UC Santa Cruz's Teaching and Learning Centre, the project also creates space for voices often excluded from Western academic circles, especially young scholars from Punjab and marginalised communities in the Sikh diaspora. The videos, enriched with archival visuals, maps, and carefully curated sources, are designed to engage younger generations, including Sikh youth in India and abroad who are navigating identity in a globalised world. Simran Jeet Singh, a US-based Sikh scholar and author, praised the initiative for its intellectual rigour and cultural sensitivity. Singh said the goal is not just to correct the historical record but to 'help scholars and communities see old things in new ways,' while honouring the depth and diversity of Sikh heritage.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Journalist-turned-author Jagtar Singh's book traces Sikh struggles over a century
At a time when the Khalistan narrative, pushed by a section of Punjab-origin diaspora , is impacting India's relations with some of the Western countries , it is important to trace its origins. And that's precisely what journalist-turned-author Jagtar Singh's latest book, 'Sikh Struggle Documents 1920 to 2022' does. The book was released at the Chandigarh Press Club on Saturday. Singh, a former political correspondent of the Indian Express, said that the concept of Khalistan first emerged in 1940 as a response to the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Muslim League. Initially proposed by Dr VS Bhatti of Ludhiana, the idea of an independent Sikh state garnered more attention from Congress than from the Akalis,he added. Jagtar got to witness the rise of militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from close quarters after he was transferred from Chandigarh to Amritsar in 1979. The book contains around 180 documents, including the communication between former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Akali Dal president Sant Harchand Singh Longowal that paved the way for the signing of Rajiv-Longowal Accord in July 1985. These documents have not appeared in the public domain until now. In the present-day scenario, the author says, the Khalistan discourse has significantly strained India's relations with Canada and is seen as an irritant in the context of the United States, particularly following the foiled attempt on the life of Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The author's other books include 'Rivers on Fire – Khalistan Struggle', and 'Kalapani: Punjabis' Role in Freedom Struggle'.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjabis elected MPs in Canada, celebrations erupt back home
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Punjab's Sujapur village erupted in a celebration when Liberal candidate Sukh Dhaliwal was elected an MP for the sixth time in the Federal polls in Canada on Tuesday. Dhaliwal is among more than 20 Punjab-origin candidates who were elected to the House of Commons in Canada on time, around 65 Punjab-origin candidates contested Canada's Federal polls, won by the Liberal 2021, 18 Punjabis had won the polls, while in 2019, 20 Punjab-origin were elected to the House of Punjabi community forms a significant part of Canada's South Asian population and influences many 64, won the Surrey Newton seat, defeating Conservative nominee Harjit Singh Gill, his closest rival in the fray.A businessman, Dhaliwal was elected an MP from Surrey Newton in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021. He earlier served as an MP from Newton-North roots in Sujapur village in Jagraon in Punjab's Ludhiana district, Dhaliwal on Tuesday became the cause of an unseasonal merry back home with many villagers breaking out in a dance to the beats of 'dhol' and others distributing elder brother said Dhaliwal remained connected with his roots and loves his Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, who studied with Dhaliwal, said it was a moment of happiness for comes to his villages and meets locals, said Grewal, adding, he knows many of them by candidates Amanpreet Singh Gill and Sukhman Gill won from Calgary Skyview and Abbotsford, South hailed from the Moga district. Their victories also led to celebrations in their native Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and AAP Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora congratulated both of them for their expressed hope that they would further strengthen ties between India and among those who won in the Canada polls were the Liberal Party's Anita Anand from Oakville East, Bardish Chagger from Waterloo, Anju Dhillon from Dorval-Lachine, Randeep Sarai from Surrey Centre, while the Conservative party's Dalwinder Gill from Calgary McKnight, Arpan Khanna from Oxford, and Tim Uppal from Edmonton SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami extended his greetings to the Punjabis who won the a statement, Dhami termed the victories a matter of "great pride" for the Sikh community and all work, honesty, and humanitarian service of Punjabis won them the election, he SGPC chief expressed hope that the elected Sikh and Punjabi Members of Parliament will uphold their religious also congratulated the Liberal Party and its leader, Mark Carney, on their coming to power.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Record 22 Punjabis elected to House of Commons in Canada
A record 22 of the 65 Punjabis in the federal poll fray have been elected to the House of Commons in Canada on Tuesday as Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party pulled off an extraordinary comeback. The Punjabi-Canadian community, a key part of Canada's South Asian population, played a particularly prominent role in this election. In 2021, 18 Punjabis had won, while in the 2019 federal polls, 20 of Punjab-origin were elected. This time, 16 sitting Punjab-origin MPs were seeking re-election, with many ridings seeing a direct contest between Punjabi candidates. In Brampton, Punjabis won five seats: Liberal Party's Ruby Sahota defeated Conservative Party's Amandeep Judge from Brampton North, while Liberal candidate Maninder Sidhu defeated Conservative Party's Bob Dosanjh from Brampton East and Amandeep Sohi of the Liberal Party defeated Conservative Taran Chahal from Brampton Centre. Sukhdeep Kang of the Conservative Party defeated Liberal candidate Sonia Sidhu from Brampton South and Amarjeet Gill of the Conservative Party defeated sitting minister Kamal Khera from Brampton West. Prominent Liberal Party winners of Punjab origin are: Anita Anand from Oakville East, Bardish Chagger from Waterloo, Anju Dhillon from Dorval Lachine, Sukh Dhaliwal from Surrey Newton, Iqwinder Singh Gaheer from Mississauga Malton, Randeep Sarai from Surrey Centre, Gurbax Saini from Fleetwood Port Kells, Param Bains from Richmond East Steveston. Conservative Party winners of Punjab-origin include Jasraj Hallan from Calgary East, Dalwinder Gill from Calgary McKnight, Amanpreet Gill from Calgary Skyview, Arpan Khanna from Oxford, Tim Uppal from Edmonton Gateway, Parm Gill from Milton East, Sukhman Gill from Abbotsford South Langley, Jagsharan Singh Mahal from Edmonton Southeast and Harb Gill from Windsor West. Pro-Khalistan leader and New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Jagmeet Singh, however, suffered a setback as he lost Burnaby Central in British Columbia, finishing third with less than 19% of the vote share, trailing both the Liberal Party's Wade Chang and the Conservative Party's James Yan. He also led the NDP to a devastating defeat, with the party on track to win just seven seats — losing 18 compared to the 2021 federal election. It means the party is set to lose its official party status in the House of Commons. The NDP's support dropped by 12 percentage points, down to just 6% in this federal election. Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party had been on track to win the vote but US President Donald Trump's attacks, combined with the departure of unpopular former prime minister Justin Trudeau, transformed the race. Carney, who replaced Trudeau as Canadian PM just last month, convinced voters that his experience managing economic crises made him the ideal candidate to defy Trump. Carney's Liberals secured control of Canada's parliament but may fall just short of a majority. That will require making deals with smaller parties but still marks an extraordinary comeback for the Liberals, who earlier this year looked headed for a wipeout. Carney led the Bank of Canada through the 2008-09 financial crisis and headed the Bank of England through the turmoil surrounding the 2016 Brexit vote. Trudeau's departure was crucial to the Liberal win, which capped one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history. On January 6, the day Trudeau announced he would resign, the Conservatives led the Liberals by more than 20 points in most polls, as public anger over soaring costs mounted after Trudeau's decade in power. Carney distanced himself from Trudeau throughout the campaign. (With AFP inputs)
