Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Sikh Youth Symposium 2025: Young voices shine with Gurmat insights at Cincinnati Gurdwara
By Sameep Singh Gumtala
Cincinnati, Ohio, May 12, 2025: The Sikh Youth Symposium 2025, organized by the Sikh Youth Alliance of North America (SYANA), took place at the Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati Gurdwara Sahib, where Sikh youth from across the region presented spiritually enriching speeches centered on Gurmat (Sikh teachings).
Sameep Singh Gumtala, local convener for the Cincinnati-Dayton area, emphasized that the symposium is a unique platform aimed at helping young Sikh boys and girls think critically, understand Sikh principles, and develop public speaking skills. This year, 28 children and youth aged 6 to 22 participated in the local-level competition.
Participants were divided into five age-based groups, each assigned a book and three questions back in January. On the day of the event, each participant delivered a 5–7 minute speech in response to the questions based on their assigned text.
This year’s topics included:
- “Saka Chamkaur” (Group I)
- “Sikh Sakhis” (Group II)
- “Selected Stories from Sikh History” (Group III)
- “The Message of Gurbani” (Group IV)
As in previous years, the event began and concluded with Ardas (prayer) and Hukamnama (scriptural guidance).
Senior community member and long-time judge Tarlochan Singh Sandhawalia commended the efforts of the children, parents, teachers, volunteers, and organizers. “The younger children delivered powerful messages today. Every participant is a winner,” he said.
Sevadaar Asees Kaur noted that special preparatory classes were held at the Gurdwara Sahib, where participants learned about Gurmat and improved their writing and speaking skills. “Each speech reflected the hard work and dedication of the children,” she added.
All participants were honored with awards and books. The eight winners from Cincinnati will now advance to the state-level competition in Cleveland, where they will compete with winners from other cities in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The event also paid tribute to the late Jaipal Singh, a dedicated mentor who guided Sikh youth selflessly for many years. Additionally, special recognition was given to past participants who recently graduated from high school, college, or university.
The Sikh Youth Symposium 2025 stood as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of Sikh values in the next generation and the importance of nurturing spiritual and intellectual growth among youth.