New York state assembly honours Sikh outfit for its aid efforts

The New York state assembly and the city council have honoured a Sikh NGO for its humanitarian aid efforts in quake-hit Haiti and Chile and civil rights advocacy work.

The NGO United Sikhs was honoured before the New York state assembly by its speaker for civil and human rights advocacy and humanitarian relief efforts undertaken by it with support from the members of the New York and national, a media release said.

"It was my pleasure to introduce United Sikhs to my colleagues in the state legislature. United Sikhs performs a valuable service by providing a unified voice for the Sikh community.

"I look forward to continuing our work together in making sure that voice remains strong in state government," said Assemblyman Rory Lancman.

The NGO had carried out humanitarian aid efforts in quake-hit Haiti and Chile. 

Community board member Jagir Singh Bains, who accompanied the United Sikhs Team to Albany, said: "While a lot has been done, as a community and as a society, we have a long road ahead in alleviating the suffering of people affected by natural disasters and in the fight to secure Sikh civil rights."

On May 13, at the 311th Vaisakhi Day celebration organised by three New York City Council members, the NGO was honoured as a Sikh organisation dedicated to Humanitarian Relief and Civil Rights Advocacy.

Jaspreet Singh, staff attorney, accepted the award on behalf of the organisation.