I was honoured to attend the YSPN Conference/Dinner in Melbourne on Saturday 22nd February. After seeing the professionalism and calibre of the youth who put the event together, it was heartwarming to note that our community’s future is in safe hands. You all should be very proud of yourselves. I certainly am.

I have had certain passions in this lifetime, one of which is to inspire Sikh youth to find general Sikh philosophy relevant in their lives especially as a tool for self-improvement, in addition to our visual identity and other more mainstream features. In this passion of mine, SYA has played a great part over the last 20 years, as a vehicle to promote a progressive brand of Sikh religious ideology that I represent. Now, YSPN has also begun to play a similar role, as a guide for the Sikh community globally, in promoting what is sometimes less well-recognised, the other parts of our identity, one of vibrant economic, professional and social contribution.

I have not had much—in fact any part—in the growth and development of YSPN, until yesterday (I was invited to attend as speaker for Elevate 2019, but was unable to attend). I was totally flabbergasted at the professionalism and quality of the YSPN Team that was involved, whether it was on stage, or in the production of the event. The team was extremely talented, and professional right through from the emceeing, by Malika Singh Kanwar; the speeches by Preet Toki, and Ramneek Singh; to the moderation and interviewing by Jaibeer Singh, Preety Bains, and Manisha Pannu; and finally the facilitation by the workshop captains! We certainly have a group of young professionals we can be proud of.

It’s not only in the sphere of delivering events that this team excels. Last year’s Economic Impact Report of Sikhs on Australia, is another indication of the professionalism, capability and clear direction of the organisation.