Photos by Greg Mitchell. Image below, first from bottom - K.P. Singh with State Representatives Cindy Noe and Mike Murphy.
Current Events
Sikh Invocation Opens Indiana State Assembly
by Kanwal Prakash Singh
INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Indiana State House, Indianapolis
March 1, 2010
Invocation: Kanwal Prakash (KP) Singh
Inspiration: Sikh Faith Tradition
Representing: The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis; Central Indiana Sikh-Americans
Honorable Governor, Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, distinguished Members of Indiana House of Representatives, and special guests:
It is an honor to be with you this morning in this magnificent and historic Chamber. I feel the presence of Indiana's outstanding leaders and lawmakers, some of whom I have had the great honor of meeting and learning about over the last four decades. Thank you for your thoughtful invitation to share a few words of inspiration before this august body that has been engaged in people's business for nearly two centuries. Let us together reflect for a few moments on that which, above all, speaks to our humanity:
Ik Oan Kaar; Waheguru ji ki Fateh:
One Supreme God; all victories belong to the Amazing Immaculate Lord:
O Wonderful Lord, we come to you in deep humility and thanksgiving.
Guide our spirit to celebrate and honour the fundamental Truths:
"IN GOD WE TRUST"
"ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL"
Each Living Being is a "Repository of the same Divine Light,"
All Creation threaded-in, moving forward under One Mighty Canopy of Universal Benevolence;
Anchored in this understanding, personally committing and rightly trusting
That our leaders, lawmakers, educators, ordinary citizens,
Other major contributors to life, liberty, happiness, and opportunities:
Fully recognizing our many dreams, our unique and shared interests;
Passionately exploring promising ideas, visiting every imaginative vision;
Wise stewardship of resources, knowing our changing landscapes and environment;
Tirelessly striving in building prosperous communities across our State that
Assure safety and well-being, rights and freedoms, peaceful pursuits of all Americans
Within the framework of just laws, creative and sound initiatives, our honored traditions.
As lawmakers, civic and faith leaders, professionals, people in every walk-of-life, may we enter into faith with one another; direct our minds and mandates to the service of our State and our Nation; safeguard and celebrate universal humanitarian and cherished traditions as a sacred anchor and as our highest prayer.Unified in our commitment to serve, may we uphold our laws; wisely mainstream our many strengths, unique assets, and diverse experiences. We must harness the new pioneering spirit and daring visions to shape a bright future for Indiana: where every fellow citizen sees himself or herself as a welcome and proud partner; engaged, prepared, and encouraged to excel, and confidently compete in the brave new world of tomorrow, today. We know that in time unimagined rewards will follow. May the Light from above, bless our lawmakers, leaders, and citizens to fairly enforce our laws; bless all who daily carry great burdens on our behalf, guide us forward in the uncertain and momentous times on our horizons.
March 13, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), March 13, 2010, 11:35 AM.
It is nice to see Sikhs with turbans in one of the State Assemblies of the U.S. We need this more outside the walls the gurdwaras.
2: Basant Kaur (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.), March 13, 2010, 2:01 PM.
Beautifully rendered, KP ji! Maybe it's time to upgrade the name of the State to ... say ... Sardariana! But then, what would we call the Indy? The Sardari, of course!
3: Surendra Singh (India), July 15, 2010, 3:02 AM.
Sat Sri Akal, Kanwal Prakash ji!