Ladoos Pink and Blue Inauguration

The idea was born in 2005.  At the Kaur Voices conference, groups came together on Saturday five years ago to begin thinking of real solution to address needs in the community.  Ladoos Pink and Blue was born.

This initiative by the Jakara Movement advocates gender-equality and promote health education within the Sikh community. Despite the Sikh Gurus’ clarion call and repudiation of ‘kurimaars’, male preference in the Sikh community is a deep-rooted and thriving practice. Recent reports from NGO organizations in East Punjab appallingly show the steep decline in the female to male ratio. The problem is not confined to Punjab. Numerous medical entrepreneurs in North America, understanding the Punjabi niche-market, actively promote gender testing and advertise in the Punjabi vernacular press.

Although the problem is multi-faceted, one solution is for the community to place value and celebrate the birth all children. To encourage the celebration of both boys and girls Ladoos: Pink and Blue sends ladoos to the family of the newborn, a Gurbani-based Sikh keepsake, the baby’s first kara, health information that highlights gender equality within the lens of Sikhi, and host and promote events celebrating Sikh women. Infused with the message of the Gurus, this project hopes to serve as a stepping stone for change within our community. Beginning the pilot project in California’s Central Valley, the project hopes to grow larger in the coming years.

The following are scenes from our inaugural workshop held on October 2, 2010 in Fresno, CA. Workshops by pediatricians, psychiatrists, baby masseuses, and baby yoga trainers were offered. If you are interested in this project, please visit www.sikhbaby.org for more details.

We are hoping to begin this project throughout North America. Start your own city’s chapter today!