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| Sikh Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan resisted demands to cut his hair (video below) |
November 5, 2015, NewCrunch
Harjit Singh Sajjan's swearing in as Canada's new Defence Minister is both a sign of the times and the success of Sikh community in Canada.
Sikhs, who number 20 million in Canada, are a highly visible minority. Punjabi was recognized as the third language of Canada just last week.
Harjit Singh Sajjan went to Canada when he was six. His parents held blue collar jobs and hoped that he would get education and find success in his life.
He did not disappoint them. Harjit Singh Sajjan made a name for himself in Vancouver Police Department and then joined the Canadian Army where he served with distinction in Bosnia and Kandahar.
Lt.-Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan was also the first Sikh commanding officer in Canadian Army.
He then joined Liberal party and was elected as Member of Parliament from Vancouver South in October 2015. He is married to Dr. Kuljit Kaur Sajjan and has two children.
The video below gives brief snapshot of his life. As it points out Harjit Singh Sajjan's journey was was far from smooth - he had to battle discrimination, demands to cut his hair, which he successfully resisted.