First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversitySikh Ohio captures the evolving narrative of Ohio's Sikh diaspora, highlighting their successes and challenges as they preserve cultural roots while assimilating into American society. With the Ohio Senate designating April as Sikh Awareness Month, the initiative seeks to honor Sikh-Americans' contributions to civic life and ensure their role in American history is cherished. By providing insights into Sikh cultural practices, addressing prejudices, and exploring assimilation struggles, the project fosters understanding and appreciation between the Sikh community and wider Ohioan society. It celebrates the resilience and triumphs of Sikhs as they navigate identity, heritage, and belonging in a diverse cultural landscape. Harshdeep Singh Brar, 27, ties his turban at his residence before heading to class at Wright State University. Brar, an international student from Punjab, India, moved to the United States in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityThe five members represent as the "Panj Pyare," prepare their swords before heading to lead the procession for the Sikh new year parade in Hamilton, Ohio on April 13, 2024. The "Panj Pyare," or "Five Beloved Ones," lead the procession, carrying the sacred Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book and 11th guru, on a palanquin. They symbolize the foundation of the Sikh faith and hold historical significance as the first five Sikhs baptized by their 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityVisitors leave their footwear outside the main hall of the gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. Before entering, they wash their hands and cover their heads as a sign of respect.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityMembers The langar, a free community kitchen in a Sikh gurdwara, serves vegetarian food to all, regardless of background. A central part of Sikh worship, the tradition dates back to the time of the faith’s founder, Guru Nanak.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityMembers of the Sikh community gather for a Sunday religious service at the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Foundation in Richfield, Ohio, on Oct. 8, 2023. This gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, is the first established in the state.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityGurfateh Singh, 9, with the the "Chand Tora” on his turban during the Sikh parade at the Dayton Gurdwara in Dayton, Ohio on April 14, 2024. Chand Tora is a metal symbol featuring a crescent and a double-edged sword, is secured at the front of the turban with a woven chainmail cord intricately tied within the fabric. This warrior-style turban was traditionally designed to protect the head from slashing weapons in battle.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityThe kirpan, a small, curved blade, is a mandatory article of faith for baptized Sikhs, worn as part of their religious uniform with a cloth strap called a “gatra.” It symbolizes the Sikh ideals of generosity, compassion, and service to humanity while reminding the bearer of their duty to protect the weak and uphold justice. Though occasionally mistaken for a weapon, the kirpan is recognized as a religious article, and charges brought under anti-weapons statutes are consistently dismissed due to its spiritual significance and Sikhs’ peaceful intent.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityJasleen Kaur Mann, 23, demonstrates a Gatka move while teaching children at the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society of Cleveland gurdwara in Bedford, Ohio, on Sept. 22, 2023. Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityTwo women sit on the steps of the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society of Cleveland gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, enjoying the evening sunset in Bedford, Ohio.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityThe Cincinnati Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, with a vibrant parade organized by the Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati each April. The event aims to share Sikh culture and traditions with the wider Cincinnati community in Hamilton, Ohio, on April 13, 2024.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityOfficer E.M. Griffith speaks with Sukhvir Singh Grewal during their regular patrol in Alliance, Ohio, on Feb. 10, 2024. Grewal is the first and only turbaned police officer in Ohio.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityContestants prepare backstage before the Speaker Jo Ann Davidson portrait at the Ohio State University Buckeye Mela dance competition, where Bhangra teams from across the United States compete, at the Jo Ann Davidson Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2024. Bhangra is a traditional Sikh folk dance.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityThe Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, with a Nagar Kirtan, a parade featuring hymns, organized by the Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati to share their culture with the wider Cincinnati community in Hamilton, Ohio, on April 13, 2024.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityAgam Singh Brar, 7, cuts his birthday cake as his cousins and family cheer during his 7th birthday celebration at his residence in Twinsburg, Ohio, on Feb. 24, 2024.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityA woman dances in heels on dollar bills during a wedding party, where guests throw cash into the air. This celebratory gesture is meant to shower the newlyweds with good fortune and prosperity, adding a lively and exuberant element to the celebration.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityPalvir Kaur Bandh, center, the bride, dances during the Jaggo ceremony, a lively celebration held two days before a Sikh wedding. The word "Jaggo," meaning "wake up" in Punjabi, marks a gathering of the bride and groom's maternal families to sing, dance, and celebrate. Women take turns carrying decorated pots, called gaggars, filled with lit candles while singing folk songs. Traditionally, the Jaggo ceremony was a way to invite people to the wedding, with participants carrying the pots around the village, singing and dancing.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityRupinder Gill, center, the groom, prepares to ride a decorated horse to the wedding venue at the Twinsberg Gurdwara in Twinsburg, Ohio. The Baraat, a traditional procession in Sikh weddings, features the groom riding a horse adorned by his family and friends to match his wedding attire, while they follow him in a celebration of music, singing, and dancing. The horse symbolizes the groom's regal entry into a new chapter of his life, representing his readiness to take on new responsibilities.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityWomen prepare roti, a staple food in Sikh culture, often served at langar, a communal meal shared at Sikh gurdwaras, at the Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati in Hamilton, Ohio.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityJasleen Kaur’s family sits in the audience during her Physician Assistant Transition to Practice ceremony hosted by Ursuline College at the Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts in Gates Mills, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 2024.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityKatherine Roegner discusses campaign strategy with Richfield fiscal officer contender Vik Sandhu as they go door-to-door in the neighborhood during his campaign on Oct. 14, 2023, in Richfield, Ohio.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityMembers of the Sikh community in the area have purchased the Solon Community Church and are renovating it into a gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, to serve the growing Sikh population in Ohio.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityKhushwanth Randhawa catches the ball as Janet Singh attempts to block Gurleen Nagra during a game at the Twinsburg High School football field on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2024.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityJagbir Singh Dhillon, 81, enjoys watching a football game at his residence on Christmas evening. He said he loves sports and appreciates that America encourages athletic participation.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Akash Pamarthy / Ohio UniversityAgam Singh, 7, plays with Kermit the Frog alongside his cousins while his grandfather rests on the couch at their residence in Twinsburg, Ohio. Agam’s father moved to the United States a few years ago for a better lifestyle and raised him here. His father says it’s important for him to connect with his grandparents, understand his family’s roots, and take pride in his identity and culture.
