Regional Sikh Youth Symposium held in Cincinnati

Eight finalists were selected to advance to the state-level symposium in Cleveland.

Cincinnati Symposium participants, volunteers / Courtesy Photo- Sameep Singh Gumtala

The Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati Gurdwara Sahib recently hosted the regional level of the 2025 Sikh Youth Symposium.

Organized under the umbrella of the Sikh Youth Alliance of North America (SYANA), the annual event serves as a platform for Sikh youth aged 6 to 22 to engage in critical thinking, public speaking, and deeper understanding of Sikh values.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, local convener for the Cincinnati-Dayton region, shared that approximately 30 participants competed this year. Divided into five age-based groups, each participant received a book four months in advance and prepared speeches of 5–7 minutes in response to assigned questions based on their group’s reading.

Cincinnati Symposium group participants / Courtesy Photo- Sameep Singh Gumtala

This year’s texts included The Illustrated Story of Chamkaur Sahib, Sikh Sakhis, Selected Episodes from Sikh History, and The Message of Gurbani. The day commenced with Ardas and Hukamnama, creating a spiritually grounded atmosphere. All participants were honored with trophies and books, and eight finalists were selected to advance to the state-level symposium in Cleveland.

Weekly preparatory workshops at the Gurdwara focused on developing public speaking skills and enhancing understanding of Gurmat principles. Volunteer Aasees Kaur praised the students’ dedication, noting the clear impact of their preparation.

Tarlochan Singh, the judge of the event, commended the participants, saying, “Every speaker shared meaningful messages. In my eyes they are all winners.”

The community also paid tribute to the late Jaipal Singh, a cherished mentor, who guided numerous Sikh youth. Addtionally, past participants who recently completed high school or graduated with degrees were also recognized for their continued commitment to Sikh values.

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login