Celebrating Sikh Guru’s message of ‘Strengthening Families’, New York non-profits, volunteers join hands to organize community Health Fair at Queens Sikh Gurudwara

Contact: Dr. Varinder Singh Rathore

Richmond Hill , New York ( January 20, 2005) – The “Strengthening Families Khalsa Health Fair” is being held on January 22 as a result of the efforts of several non-profits, doctors and social workers. The Makhan Shah Lobana Gurudwara in Queens is one of the largest Sikh Gurudwaras in the country, in the heartland of New York’s Sikh immigrant population. The Khalsa Health Fair on Sunday will be the first of its magnitude and scope at this Gurudwara (Sikh place of congregation). The Fair is held shortly after the birthday of the tenth and last living Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh and is based on the Sikh principle of building healthy and strong families.

“The Sikh immigrant community in Richmond Hill comprises of hard-working and dedicated citizens of our city, who none-the-less do not receive many social services due to language and cultural barriers. The Queens Hospital has taken a commendable step in helping us provide services at the Khalsa Health Fair which include Flu Shots, screenings and referral services. We hope this Health Fair will serve as a model for future activities both within this immigrant neighborhood as well as others,” explained Dr. Varinder Singh Rathore, an organizer of the Khalsa Health Fair. An Addiction Psychiatrist by profession, Rathore is excited at the prospect of giving back to his community.

Besides the Queens Hospital, several non-profit groups are supporting and contributing towards this initiative. These include but are not limited to: South Asian Youth Action, The Sikh Coalition, Sakhi for South Asian Women, CONNECT and New York Taxi Workers Alliance. Each organization provides services in Queens and hopes to extend their services to previously lesser served communities, such as this one.

This effort reflects a holistic approach towards health and the fair includes workshops on depression, alcoholism, hypertension, domestic violence as well as health insurance. “It is heartbreaking to see people completely unaware of their insurance options and thus foregoing basic healthcare provisions”, remarked Arvind Kaur Kohli, a Queens resident and Coordinator of the Khalsa Health Fair.

The fair will be held at 113-10 101 Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY-11419 from 10 AM to 3 PM. For additional information please go to KhalsaHealthFair.com To volunteer at this fair please email harmehar@yahoo.com.