National Sikh Conference At the US Library Of Congress Draws Record Crowds

June 30, 2009

Author: Inni K. Dhingra

Source: SikhNet

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/national-sikh-conference-us-library-congress-draws-record-crowds

The Sikh National Conference: “Taking Heritage into the 21st Century,” a two-day series of lectures, panel discussions, film screenings and photo exhibits, all celebrating the addition of more than 80 Sikh volumes to the library's collection, drew huge crowds last week. Peter Young, chief of the Asian division, said “the importance of the Sikh heritage and the amazing contributions that Sikhs have made to American culture, art and our collective history have become clear to me.” The event came on the heels of the DC Council's resolution declaring the week of June 15th to the 19th as ‘Sikh Heritage Week.’

The two-day National Sikh Conference, sponsored by The Kaur Foundation of Washington, D.C. in collaboration with The U.S. Library of Congress Asian Division and The Asian Division Friends Society was a symbol of the Sikh American community coming of age. This historic event took place at the magnificent and ornate Jefferson Building and James Madison Memorial Building near the U.S. Capitol. “The Conference, has taken a life of its own,” said Inni Kaur Dhingra, a board member of the Kaur Foundation, “There has been an overwhelming response from the Sikh community and the wider audience. The speakers read like a Who’s Who in Sikh art and history, and people have traveled from across the United States, England and India to be here for this event.”