Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/news/newsdetail.asp?newsid=459

On July 14, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported that "there was a memorial service at the El Sobrante Sikh temple for Gurpreet Singh, 23, of Hercules, who was shot to death in Richmond July 2 at the wheel of his taxi, and for his wife-to-be, Amandeep Kaur, who shot herself the following day in the Punjab state of India... Several West County officials came to the temple...

Source: India Abroad

On July 11, 2003 India Abroad reported that "The Punjabi farmers of California have not been left behind in the Sikh race for prosperity... Didar Singh Bains... the king of peaches in California, cultivates peaches, prunes, almonds and grapes on his vast farms,... leads Sikh festivities in Northern California and donates liberally to charities... A devout Sikh, Didar Singh leads the yearly Guru Maniyo Granth celebration parade in Yuba City in Northern California that has a population of 20,000 Sikhs."

Source: India Abroad

On July 11, 2003 India Abroad reported that Sikh scholars held a symposium in Espanola, New Mexico which discussed the "integration of community members" from the East and West Coasts. "Leaders from the world of academics, community, business and government shared their vision for the future of Sikhism, and the faith's potential in serving humanity."

Source: India Abroad

On July 11, 2003 India Abroad reported that Jagdeep Singh, a Sikh entrepreneur, "was the first entrepreneur to hire people above 65 to work for his BJS Electronics. For this the Santa Clara County bestowed the Edna McGhee community Award on him."

Source: India Abroad

On July 11, 2003 India Abroad reported that Kavelle Bajaj, a Sikh entrepreneur, was listed in the "top 15 women entrepreneurs in America" by Liane Enkiels and Karen Olsen in their book, Portrait of Women Business Leaders. Bajaj created the company I-NET, and recently sold it to WANG labs. Bajaj "is involved in several organization in the United States, such as the Smithsonian Institute to promote Indian and Sikh art, history and culture. She also participates as a motivational speaker at conferences, and acts as a mentor to...

Source: India Abroad

On July 11, 2003 India Abroad reported that "by 2002, there were more than a million Sikhs in North America." The article cited scholar EJB Rose in calling the Sikh community "perhaps the most mobile and versatile people in the whole of India," and went on to detail the achievements of many Sikh immigrants to North America. "Didar Singh Bains of northern California is one of the world's largest producers of peaches. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal is one of the biggest gas station owners in America... the Diaspora is full of rags-to-riches...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/counties/west_county/6263731.htm

On July 9, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported that "with nocturnal taxi service virtually nil following two recent shootings of drivers, including one fatal, top city officials on Tuesday proposed several security measures... Officers will begin making random vehicle stops of cabs to check on the well-...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/6248733.htm

On July 7, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported that "Sikh taxi drivers are so upset over two shootings in four days, one of them fatal, that they no longer want to work at night... On Sunday a group of drivers and Harpreet S. Sandhu, president of the Gurdwara Sahib Sikh temple in El Sobrante, met with Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia to bring attention to their plight and complain about...

Source: India Abroad

On July 4, 2003 India Abroad reported that "A top Chicago police department official was honored by the local Sikh American community last month for his efforts to counter hate crimes and intolerance against minorities post-September 11th... 'Superintendent Hillard has worked tirelessly to foster understanding between the police and Chicago's diverse communities, including Muslim, Arab and Sikh residents,' said Rajinder Singh Mago of the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago."

Source: KCBS

http://beta.kpix.com/news/local/2003/07/04/Fremont_Residents_Take_Fourth_of_July_Celebration_into_Their_Own_Hands.html

On July 4, 2003 KCBS reported that "Fremont [CA] residents took it upon themselves to make sure their annual Fourth of July celebration actually took place this year... the city of Fremont originally decided to cancel the event in the Warm Springs district, because of budget...

Source: Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/news/newsdetail.asp?newsid=440

On June 29, 2003 the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force reported that "many of the participants and fans attending the [outdoor sporting festival] worship at the Punjab Religious Society, the largest Sikh temple in Illinois, located in Palatine. Church officials estimate at least 8,000 residents in the Chicago area have Punjabi roots... Festival...

Source: The Arizona Republic

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0629hatetrial-sikh29.html

On June 29, 2003 The Arizona Republic reported that "if Sikhs are under attack, taking off the turban would be the last thing they would do. Turbans symbolize courage and empowerment of the Sikh man and help him remember the persecution the Sikh religion has seen in its almost 500-year history. Likewise, the name Singh, or Lion, is taken by all men, and Kaur, or...

Source: No source given.

On June 29, 2003 Vina Sarkar, producer and directory of the documentary, "Mistaken Identity" issued a press release reporting that the digital TV program won first prize Golden Lion Award for Best Documentary at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, Florence, AL... "This film 'celebrating cultural diversity in America', spotlight[ed] the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and victimization of Sikh Americans who were mistaken for Arab terrorists, because of their beards and turbans, worn for religious reasons.  The story is told through the...

Source: The Arizona Republic

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0629hatetrial29.html

On June 29, 2003 The Arizona Republic reported that "four days after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, a gunman retaliated by shooting Balbir, 49, to death outside his Mesa gas station... Valley Sikhs are hoping for justice, along with more understanding of their religion and culture, when jury selection begins July 21 in the death...

Source: No source given.

On June 29, 2003 Vina Sarkar, producer and director of "Mistaken Identity: Sikhs in America," issued a press release reporting that the film won its second 'GOLD' award at the WorldFest 2003 in Houston, TX... in the category of Political / International Issues."