The Stevens Sikh Association (SSA) recently hosted U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Kamal Singh Kalsi, better known as Colonel Kalsi, for a viewing of his namesake documentary. The event attracted audience members from Rutgers, Fordham, and NJIT, and even drew Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. To learn more about the event as well as the Stevens Sikh Association’s other activities, The Stute spoke with SSA President Ravinder Chopra and Vice President Rai Singh Bindra.
The scope of the event may hide the fact that the SSA is still a new organization on campus. Chopra says that the founding of the nascent club was inspired by the desire to create a supportive community for Sikh students on campus. She noted that Sikh students may “feel misunderstood due to their religious and cultural practices, so having a space where they can connect with others who share their experiences and values can be incredibly empowering.”
Sikhism, a religion that originated in the Punjab region of India, is the fifth-largest religion in the world. Sikhs are considered a distinct ethnic group in the United States.
SSA joins a host of other religious and identity organizations on campus, which have become some of the largest and most popular student groups. As a new effort, though, Chopra says that building up the SSA has been an ongoing but rewarding process, indicating the administrative hurdles and the need to find supporters among both the student body and faculty members. “We’ve been actively recruiting members, organizing events, and establishing partnerships with other student organizations to raise awareness about Sikh culture and issues,” she said. On the Association’s agenda to achieve further expansion are regular meetings, event planning sessions, and continuous outreach efforts. “We’re optimistic about the future and excited to continue growing and serving the Sikh community on campus.”
The documentary viewing, which preceded Sikh Heritage Month of April, is part of a series of efforts that SSA hopes will spark discussions relating to Sikh culture, history, and social issues. “One of our [alumni], Jagnoor Gandhok, has family connections with Colonel Kalsi which allowed us to initiate this viewing of the documentary,” and invite him to campus, said Chopra. Gandhok also played a large part in the SSA’s founding.
After graduating from Stevens with a degree in biomedical engineering, Colonel Kalsi distinguished himself by fighting to become the first turbaned and bearded officer to serve in the U.S. Army. His story was recounted in last year’s documentary Colonel Kalsi: Beyond The Call, which showcased his struggle to serve his country while remaining consistent with his Sikh values and practices. The documentary viewing in the UCC Gallery was followed by a question and answer session with Colonel Kalsi himself.
Chopra recounted Kalsi’s story, saying that while he was allowed to retain his religious attire during training, the Army later pulled back when it was time for his deployment to Afghanistan. He was ordered to cut his hair and shave his beard under “esprit de corps,” which refers to the cohesion of the military unit. This was a justification also used to keep other religious and racial minorities and women out of the military, she says.
Ultimately, Kalsi successfully petitioned the Army to allow him to maintain his appearance and religious obligations. “Colonel Kalsi’s journey, progress, and constant battle to acclaim religious accommodations is inspiring for the youth to open doors, but also revolutionize the United States inclusivity system.”
Viewers also had the privilege to speak with the other distinguished attendee, Mayor Bhalla, who is the first Sikh mayor in New Jersey.
However, this event is only the start for SSA, which plans more documentary viewings in addition to cultural celebrations, educational workshops, interfaith dialogues, and community service projects. Chopra says that SSA wants to highlight not just the religious aspect of Sikhism but also “the Punjabi cultural impact on our rich backgrounds.” She invited other student organizations to reach out to SSA for collaborative events that can help raise awareness of Sikh culture and values.
For the latest updates, reach out to SSA officers directly or check @stevens_ssa on Instagram or DuckLink for upcoming events. “The Sikh community at Stevens is small,” said Chopra, but “we are definitely recognized on campus. […] We are an inclusive community and would love to share our experiences, religion, rich culture, and food.”
