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University’s growing relationship with Sikh community celebrated
3 November 2009
Marking the growing partnerships between the University and Sikhs, Professor Martin Daunton (pictured), Master of Trinity Hall, and Professor of History, was invited to speak to the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Hounslow, West London.
He was guest at the annual celebration of the birthday of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, one of the most significant
dates in the calendar year for Sikhs.
Professor Daunton referred to the development of the Cambridge-India partnership and in particular the importance of the
relationship with the Sikh community. He spoke of the current Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, a Sikh who was a
student at St John's College, Cambridge and is now an Honorary Fellow of the College and of the University. There are now
scholarships available to Indian students at both undergraduate and graduate level in his name.
Professor Daunton cited the prominent Sikh economist at the University, Professor Ajit Singh, and the Director of Human
Resources, Inderjit Singh Seehra, and his involvement in bringing the Shiromani Gurdwara Pandbahak Committee (SGPC), the
Parliament of the Sikh nation, and the University together in a collaboration to fund scholarships for Sikh students.
On 21 July this year a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the SGPC and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust for five
Sikh postgraduate students a year to be funded to study for a Masters Degree or PhD at the University of Cambridge.
Mr Mohan Singh Nayyer, General Secretary of the Hounslow Gurdwara said in reply that they had been most honoured to have
been asked to bring the Sikh Holy Book (Guru Granth Sahib) to the University for the traditional prayers. (Sahej Path, Shabad
Kirtan and Bhog) on the day of the MoU signing. It is believed that this is the first time in the University's 800 years that
the Book has visited the University. It had not gone unnoticed that Inderjit Singh Seehra was from Hounslow, and had studied
in a local school in the borough.
The SGPC President, Avter Singh Makkar was also visiting the UK this weekend and addressed the congregation in Park Avenue,
Southhall and Slough Gurdwara. His speech included his hope to see closer ties between the University of Cambridge and the
SGPC, and he hoped in time the collaboration could be extended to support other initiatives.
In September 2009 Inderjit Singh Seehra was invited by the President to Punjab to address prospective students who would be
interested in applying for a Scholarship to the University of Cambridge.
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