New York State Assemblywoman, Jenifer Rajkumar, expressed her happiness at the unanimous passing of a recent resolution that will co-name 114th Street and 101st Avenue for Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus of Sikhism. The resolution was unanimously passed by Community Board 9, which championed the cause.
The Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Centre marks the street intersection. The Centre is the bedrock of South Richmond Hill’s Sikh Community in the district. The Assemblywoman who currently serves as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 38th district, of which the Community Board 9 is a part of, is the first South Asian American woman elected to the New York State Office.
Rajkumar, who traces her roots to Punjab, the birthplace of Sikhism, in a statement said, “I am proud that our community is receiving proper recognition,” adding, “This street co-naming continues our work to elevate New York’s Sikh American Community.”
She highlighted the lasting contributions of Sikh Americans to New York City and the United States, appreciating the Sikh tenets of seva or selfless service and protection of people of all faiths as belonging to a single community. She also praised the practice of langar, a Sikh practice of offering free food to people from all walks of life, every faith, every day. Reflecting on her upbringing, she said, “…my family always taught me that the Sikhs are the protectors of society.”
According to the statement, Rajkumar spearheaded passing of the historical resolution proclaiming Punjabi Heritage Month in Albany. The resolution was passed on Vaisakhi, a prominent Sikh holiday. She also helped pass a legislation that designated a school holiday for Diwali, otherwise celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas in Sikhism.
The Assemblywoman welcomed the co-naming as a symbol of the “dearness held by Guru Tegh Bahadur in the hearts of thousands of New Yorkers,” and emphasized, “With this co-naming, we say to our Sikh family, we see you, we recognize you, and we honor your contributions to our City.”
