The Jakara Movement at Sikhlens’ SAFF

This weekend Sikhlens will be presenting its annual Sikh Art and Film Festival 2009.  The film festival showcases the best in Sikh movie-making talents from around the globe.  It also presents a forum for aspiring Sikh artists to also come and display their burgeoning talents.

he inaugural Sikh Art and Film Festival will be held at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA on November 13-15th.

The weekend features a number of different clusters, highlighting issues on the youth, creative Sikhs, short films, feature films, and even Remembering 1984.  The Remembering 1984 cluster on Sunday afternoon will be co-hosted with the Jakara Movement in conjunction with it’s Visions of Truth film series.

So whether you come for the entire weekend, make it out to just one cluster (at $15 pre-sale, you won’t find a better price), or at least to Sunday’s mela, check the schedule, check out the films, and make sure you come out and support Sikh arts!  Come join us in Southern California this weekend!

Remembrance Marches in November

Through Sukhmani Sahibs, conferences, film festivals, and even ongoing camps, the Jakara Movement adds the next event to its on-going “Remember 1984″ campaign.  This November we begin our Remembrance Marches.

25 years ago there was a government-sponsored pogrom in Delhi and throughout many parts of India that left tens of thousands dead.  Orchestrated by the Indian Government, the perpetrators of these pogroms roam free today. Join us and connect in solemn remembrance with Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike as we commemorate the events of 1984 and call for justice and bear witness to the genocide.  We will not be silenced.

The Event will consist of a series of silent marches in the various regions, followed by video screenings, speeches, and a candlelight vigil.

Attend one at a city near you:

• BAKERSFIELD – Silver Creek Park – Saturday, November 7th, 2009, 5-7pm
• FREMONT – Albert Augustine Jr. Memorial Park in Milpitas, CA – Saturday, November 14th, 2009, 6-8pm
• FRESNO – Woodward Park – Monday, November 16th, 2009, 6-8pm
• RIVERSIDE – Glen Avon Heritage Park – Wednesday, November 18th, 2009, 6:30-8:30pm

The Jakara Movement at Yuba City Nagar Kirtan

This past weekend was the 30^th Annual Yuba City Nagar Kirtan (sometimes called the Sikh Parade).  Thousands from all over California and beyond gathered for the weekend, doubling the population of sleepy Yuba City.

An estimated 75,000 people filled Tierra Buena and Butte House roads before the beginning of the parade, one of the largest annual gatherings of Sikhs anywhere outside Asia.[link]

We had mentioned before the float built by the Sikh Students Collaborative.  The Appeal Democrat, Yuba City’s own newspaper, made special note of the float that seemed to have attracted plenty of conversation and provided fruits for conversation:

More floats followed, from businesses, school ethnic clubs and charities such as the American Red Cross’ local chapter. Some floats had a political message, such as one from a group of Sikh college students that warned of oppression against Sikhs in their native India.

Two men stood on the float with their heads positioned inside nooses, while words read, “A community will never forget.”[link]

Along with the float, the first annual Yuba City Youth Lecture and Discussion was conducted.  Overall the weekend was a great success and too many of us are still exhausted.  Special thanks to ALL those SSAs that lent their support and especially ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS that were out until 2am working on the float.  Another thanks has to go out to the Jakara Movement volunteers that came out and worked above and beyond the call of duty.  Truly when we work together, we are the movement.  Below the link, see some pictures from the float.

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Just Another Jakara Story – Kerman

I was first introduced to Jakara three years ago by Naindeep Singh and Simran Kaur. I live in the small town of Kerman and living in a small town has many disadvantages and you aren’t exposed to much of the events going on in other communities. I’d never even heard of Jakara until these two came to visit us. We recently had a Punjabi school open up in Kerman and these two had come to talk to us about Jakara and Jakara Kids’ Camps.

I was immediately interested in the movement and excited to become a part of it. I helped out at the Fresno Kid’s Camp a few times and recently we started our own regional camps in Kerman and I help coordinate those. We just had our third camp last week and it was a success. The kids love the camps and they learn a lot from them. It gets them interested in Sikhi and it motivates them to go out and learn more on their own.

The Jakara Movement has also helped me grow as a person. When I first became involved with the movement I was very shy but as I became more involved I learned to open up and in the process I also met many wonderful people. I’ve learned a lot in these past few years and I’ve really gotten in touch with my roots. I’m thankful for being introduced to Jakara and I’m even more thankful that a small town like Kerman has their own camps now because I feel that along with the big towns, we need to spread the camps to little towns as well. I’ve enjoyed being a part of Jakara for the past two years and I look forward to being a part of it in the future.

-Ramnit Kaur, Age 19, Kerman

Just Another Jakara Junior Story – Fresno

My ties with Jakara first started during my junior year in high school. I wanted to get involved with volunteering and I came across information about an upcoming Sikh camp. I participated in Jakara Juniors as a volunteer, and as I began to learn and get more in touch with my Sikh roots, my interest grew and soon I was a moderator. Being involved with youth and teaching them about our history has helped me tremendously in developing public speaking and social skills.

When I was initially introduced to Jakara I was your typical shy kid.  During the past three years, I have noticed a transformation in my confidence and comfort speaking with others.  Now I find myself to be more outgoing and most important, I’m in touch with my community and my Sikh roots.

This past summer I attended the summer Jakara conference where I met lots of other Sikh youth making change within their communities.  It’s pretty amazing that I started off as a volunteer and just last weekend I was in charge of organizing “Our Nation Never Forgets” Jakara Juniors camp in Fresno. Jakara has helped me grow both as an aspiring lawyer and as a Sikh.  Thank you Jakara!

Iqbal Singh, Age 18, Fresno

Upcoming Jakara Juniors Kids’ Camps

This year’s theme is “A Nation Never Forgets” and will focus on the most recent chapter in Sikh history.

We are looking for volunteers, advocates, and participants.

Volunteers – send us an email and help us put you in contact with your local region.

Advocates – encourage your friends and family members to attend and participate

Participants – we are looking for kids!  Make sure you children, nephew, nieces, brothers, and sisters come out and learn about their Sikh heritage, culture, and religion.

Click below to find out when and where it is happening in your community

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Thoughts on “Visions of Truth” – Fresno and San Jose

This past Saturday (September 19, 2009), the “Visions of Truth” film series came to San Jose and Fresno, California.  Both came to respective college campuses and drew audiences of 50+.  Families, the elderly, and the young joined together to reflect on the events of 1984, through the lens of film and visual media.

The attendance was larger than expected, for promoting independent small-scale productions, and drew accolades from the participants.  In Fresno, city councilpersons, including the president Cynthia Sterling, joined in the film discussions and marked that she enjoyed such community participatory events and hoped to come again in the future.  It was also discussed that they key for greater non-Sikh participation in our community events is through our own participation and presence in events by non-Sikh groups.  All enjoyed the “Visions of Truth” events and eagerly hoped that they would continue in the future.

The Visions of Truth series now shifts to Southern California.  We’ll keep you updated on future dates and times, in October.

The Jakara family also wants to extend special thanks to all its volunteers in Fresno, Kerman, and San Jose that continues to put on quality events and encourage youth participation.  Together, we are the movement.

Thoughts on “Visions of Truth” – Yuba City

The “Visions of Truth” film series was launched this past Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at Yuba College.  It was a success, with even some non-Sikhs joining the audience.  The following was a critique by one of the organizers.  We are publishing it online to help other groups and cities that will be participating, as well as for helping other future initiatives by young Sikh activists.

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j.Kommunity Kerman – Update September 7, 2009

Things are happening in one of the Jakara Movement’s newest regions – Kerman.  Here is a calendar of upcoming events.

• The Study Hall – Tutoring – will be offered for 2 hours on Thursdays from 4-6pm.  If there is a lot of interest, it will be increased to two days a week.
• J.Kollegiates – Application Help for those applying to universities in November – at Gurdwara on September 19th.
• Jakara Junior Kids Kamps – October 24th
• J.Kollegiates – College Fair – to be held January or February at the Kerman Gurdwara

For more information about the latest happenings in Kerman, send us an email or phone number and we will put you in touch with our regional coordinator – Ramnit Kaur.

j.Kommunity San Diego – Update July 19, 2009

Some tentative dates planned:

Film Screening- Sunday, October 4, 2009 @ UC San Diego Ballroom
located on campus. It is the week right after welcome week here at
UCSD and we just hope that it’ll give us a better turnout.

Jakara Kids Camp- Saturday, October 17th, 2009 @ Escondido Gurdwara

We’ve been to both gurdwaras here to make anouncements for the scholarship. And many parents
have come to us asking when we will be holding the kids camps which is a great sign.