Watch the recording here: Sikhs in Action: From Gurdwara to Governance
As part of the Sikhs in Action series, the Sikh Foundation and the UC Santa Cruz Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies welcomed participants to an online conversation featuring Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur in discussion with Dr. Amrit Dhillon. The conversation explored how Sikh values continue to shape public leadership, community organizing, and civic engagement, while reflecting on the responsibilities that come with representation in public life.
Starting the talk, Dr. Dhillon framed the series around a central question, what does it mean to practice seva and Sarbat da Bhala in today’s political and social landscape? Together, the webinar examined leadership not as a title, but as a lifelong commitment to serving others through community, public institutions, and meaningful action.
Speaking on her own journey from community organizing to elected office, Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur described how Sikh values have remained the foundation of her work. She spoke about growing up in the Central Valley, finding community through the gurdwara, and returning home after college to organize around education, health, and economic justice before entering public service. “Sikhi stayed and has always been that north star for me,” she shared, adding that her goal has been to encourage Sikh youth “to be a part of these systems where decisions are being made.”
The webinar also explored the significance of representation, particularly for Sikh women and young people. Kaur reflected on what it means to be among the first Sikh women elected to local office, emphasizing that representation creates possibilities for those who follow. “I always reply and say, no, I want to see them go further,” she said when parents tell her they hope their daughters will one day be in her position. She also noted, “When you’re the first, you want to make sure you’re never the last.”
Throughout the talk, Kaur returned to the idea of seva as something that extends beyond traditional forms of service. She encouraged young people to first discover their own strengths and then use those talents in service of others. “Pick what resonates with you as a specialty and then turn it towards seva,” she said. “You’ll never be without some sort of seva to do.”
The discussion also addressed the responsibilities of public leadership during challenging times, including discrimination, economic hardship, and the importance of coalition building across communities. Kaur emphasized that Sikh principles continue to guide her decisions in public office, explaining that “my encouragement to youth is always make sure you’re answering to something bigger than even that system,” reminding participants that Sikh values provide a lasting foundation beyond political ideologies.
The conversation ended with reflections on the importance of documenting Sikh American history, strengthening community institutions, and creating pathways for future generations to serve with integrity and purpose.
The Sikh Foundation extends its gratitude to Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur, Dr. Amrit Dhillon, and everyone who joined this conversation. As the Sikhs in Action series continues, we look forward to more conversations exploring how Sikh values continue to inspire leadership, service, and community across generations.