The Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), and Washington Adventist University (WAU) conferred the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (in absentia) on November 22, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland.
AIAM Founder and Chairman Jesse Singh, WAU Provost Cheryl Kisunzu, and other Indian American community leaders, presented the award to India’s Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Indian Minorities Federation Convener, Satnam Singh Sandhu, who accepted it on behalf of PM Modi.
The event marked the official launch of AIAM, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the interests and welfare of minority communities in the United States. AIAM announced that it will have seven Board of Directors, comprising of prominent Indian American leaders representing diverse faiths: Baljinder Singh and Sukhpal Dhanoa (Sikh), Pawan Bezwada and Elisha Pulivarti (Christian), Dipak Thakker (Hindu), Juned Qazi (Muslim), and Nissim Reuben (Indian Jewish).
According to Sandhu, PM Modi, with his mantra of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” has sent a “strong message of an inclusive India where everyone is given an equal opportunity to progress by ending the culture of appeasement.” According to him, PM Modi has implemented schemes and initiatives for the welfare of minority communities in India without any discrimination.
Singh, a prominent Sikh philanthropist and businessman in the United States, emphasized that AIAM will prioritize advancing the interests and well-being of Indian Americans, especially those from minority communities. He highlighted that the Indian Minority Diaspora will play a pivotal role in achieving PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat, a developed India, by 2047.
“In the past 10 years, PM Modi has emerged as strong leader at the global level. In New India under PM Modi’s leadership, it is not about a particular religion, sect or caste, it is about Indians who are getting equal opportunities,” he added.
“All minorities from India and America were inspired by the vision of our leader, PM Modi,” said Singh praising the “diversity and the secular environment in India.” He pointed out that both India and the United States have many things in common when it comes to minority upliftment.
“Especially, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision on minority upliftment, minority Development inspired us to form this organization today. And this organization is not going to be limited to the United States. This is going to expand. We’re going to expand PM Modi’s vision of minority upliftment, minority security throughout the world,” he said, adding, “This is a very special and happy day for all minorities from India, because we have Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Jains, and Jews in our group today. And when we unite, we become a very strong force. And this was the need of the hour.”
Pulivarti stated that he has been following PM Modi’s leadership for over three decades, highlighting Modi’s impressive efforts in strengthening India’s economy and fostering unity among diverse communities while empowering minorities.
Pakistani-American businessman, Sajid Tarar praised PM Modi’s “nationalist,” agenda, crediting it for India’s rapid development. He noted that India, currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, is on track to secure third rank. Tarar further commended Modi’s determination to elevate India from a regional power to a global force, emphasizing that Pakistan needs a “nationalist,” leader like PM Modi.
During the event, members of Indian minority diaspora referred to PM Modi “as the icon of India’s constitutional commitment to secularism,” noting that he has put an end to the “culture of appeasement to ensure all-inclusive development in the past 10 years.”
They went on to state that India has gained global stature under PM Modi’s leadership, elevating the pride felt making the diaspora to feel proud of its Indian heritage now. “PM Modi has nurtured an atmosphere for peaceful co-existence for all communities to live in communal harmony and country is united like never before,” they added.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between WAH and the Chandigarh University. The MoU executed by Provost of WAH Kisunzu, and Chancellor Sandhu will create collaborative programs that benefit both institutions, enabling student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, and cultural immersion experiences.
Dhanoa, a Board of Director of AIAM, also a former Assistant Director of Academic Staff College of Guru Nanak Dev University and a senior journalist, noted the academic agreement will be “extremely beneficial in the field of skill development,” for students and teachers of both institutions.
Noting that the AIAM is the “great need of our times,” Dhanoa expressed dedicated efforts are being made to actively engage youth in this initiative.
