First Sikh elected to city council in Connecticut (USA)

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https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/first-sikh-elected-to-city-council-in-connecticut-336154

First Sikh elected to city council in Connecticut (USA)

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa (36) runs small businesses in Norwich

• Updated At: Nov 10, 2021 08:26 AM (IST)

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Swaranjit Singh Khalsa

 

 

Bathinda, November 9

Punjab-origin Swaranjit Singh (in pic) made history by becoming the first Sikh to get elected to a city council in Connecticut (USA).

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa (36), who runs small businesses in Norwich where he lives with his wife and daughter, said the election speaks volumes about the fact that voters were acknowledging all the work he had been doing on the Board of Education and for equity and cultural awareness.

In Norwich, Swaranjit estimates that there are around 10 Sikh families in total, but his candidacy spoke to the diversity. He found support from Indian families and the Haitian community, and yet others who found a sense of trust in his bid for the municipal body, he said. While talking to the media in the US, Swaranjit said for Sikhs, who were “underrepresented” in India and in Punjab, their homeland, it's a very big deal that they are making their way into the American political system. — TNS

 

 

https://eu.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/2021/11/04/norwich-elects-connecticut-first-sikh-city-councilor-swaranjit-singh-local-government-diversity/6267211001/

 

Norwich's Singh becomes first Sikh to be elected to a City Council in Connecticut

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TREVOR BALLANTYNE   | The Bulletin

 

NORWICH — Democrat Swaranjit Singh made history this week when he became the first Sikh ever elected to a City Council in the State of Connecticut.

Sikhism, the fifth most-followed religion in the world, originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan in the 15th century, and counts more than 25 million followers across the globe today. An estimated 500,000 Sikhs live in the U.S., according to the Sikh Coalition advocacy group.

In Norwich, Singh estimates there are around 10 Sikh families in total, but he recognized his candidacy spoke to the diversity of the entire city. He found support from Indian families and the Haitian community, and others who found a sense of trust in his bid for the municipal body, he said.

“... one guy from Tibet told me he was a citizen but not a registered voter – so I helped him register and he voted for me too," he said, "so I think when people see some different faces … a lot of folks then are urged to get involved in this Democratic process also, otherwise they won’t care to go for voting."

Before speaking to The Bulletin Wednesday, the newly elected City Council member received a congratulatory call from Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz.

"I congratulate Swaranjit for his achievement," Bysiewicz told The Bulletin later that day. "He is a person who loves his community and loves public service and we are very lucky to have him."

Ruben Cruz and his wife Chistina Rivadeneira, owners of MiGente Express, talk with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz as Bysiewicz and other area politicians toured Hispanic-owned … Show more   

[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]

The Lieutenant Governor noted the state's legislative body is failing to fully represent the diversity of the state, where one in 10 citizens are immigrants from another country.

"It's important for people who are new to this country to see people who look like them succeeding in elected office," she said.

When it comes to the state's legislative body and local governments across Connecticut, she acknowledged diversity is lacking on multiple fronts.

"I think that we have diversity in our ranks, do we need more? Absolutely. We need more people of color, we need more women," said Bysiewicz.

One-third of the Legislature is women, she said, short of the 52% present in the state.

"We are not there yet, and we are not there yet in terms of having a [legislative] population that reflects the ethnic and racial composition of our state," she said, "but every election we make progress."

While excited about his history-making win, Singh was quick to note his approach to working on the City Council is not about personal achievement.

“It’s for the people of Norwich and for how to make our city a better place – simple as that.”

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, creative director of Sikh Art Gallery, at his Norwich gallery.  

[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIIN.COM]

The city needs economic development, he said, and it needs to be a more attractive place to live, including creating opportunities for young people.

“That is more important to me and a lot of people are scared because the city council can get too political," he said, "but my approach will be very simple. If it makes business sense, if it is good for our city, we should definitely move forward with it."

Mayor Peter Nystrom commented on Singh’s work ethic and ability to connect with different communities – a strategy he knows is increasingly important given shifting demographics in Norwich.

U.S. Census data released in August showed the Norwich population shrank by about 1% between 2010 and 2020 but followed national trends in becoming more diverse.

U.S. Census data released in August 2021 shows how the population in the City of Norwich shifted between 2010 and 2020.  

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU VIA USA TODAY

According to the Census data, the city’s white population continues to represent the majority but decreased 17.7% over the last decade. Asian and American Indian populations also decreased.

At the same time, the Census data showed growth in other communities -- the city’s Black population grew 19.4% and those living in Norwich and identifying as Hispanic or Latino increased 52%.