By Sameep Singh Gumtala
Cincinnati, Ohio, May 29, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
The Regional edition of annual Sikh Youth Symposium 2023, a public speaking competition organized by Sikh Youth Alliance of North America (SYANA) was held at Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati Gurdwara Sahib in Cincinnati, Ohio. A total of 26 youth from Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh participated.
While sharing this information, local convener for the Cincinnati region Sameep Singh Gumtala said that the winning children of the symposium held at the local level in the 3 cities in the month of April qualified for the regional level competition.
Gumtala said that the participants are divided into five different groups according to their age. Each group is given a book in January and the participants have to answer the 3 questions given to them in the form of a speech for 5-7 minutes. This year first group was given the book, “Basic knowledge of Sikhism”, second “Sikh Sakhis for the Youth”, third “The Turban”, and the fourth “Guru Granth Sahib – A Supreme Treasure” and the fifth group was given the theme “Sikh Way of Life / Sikh Rehat Maryada and Gurbani”.
This year, 11 participants from Cincinnati, 10 from Cincinnati and 6 from Pittsburgh qualified for the regional symposium. The program started with the recital of Ardas and Hukumnama. All the participants put in a tremendous amount of effort to prepare speeches. Each question carried 20 points and rest of 40 marks out of 100 total were allotted for style, eye contact, voice, pronunciation, effectiveness and delivery. All participants were awarded trophies and a separate special cash award was also given to participants who gave speeches in Punjabi.
The winners Jasdeep Singh (Group 1), Trisha Kaur (Group 2), Barnat Kaur (Group 3), Maanit Singh Group 4) and Harjot Kaur (Group 5) will now participate in the International Sikh Youth Symposium to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina from August 3-6, 2023.
According to Kuldeep Singh, national convener of SYANA, these competitions are first held in various cities of USA and Canada, then at the regional level followed by the winners from regional level participating in International Symposium in the first week of August. The US & Canada are divided into 13 different regions including the Ohio – Pennsylvania region.
He further added, the objective of this annual public speaking and debate competition is to provide an environment where Sikh youth can develop public speaking, oral and written communication skills. Sikh youth can learn the skills of public speaking along with delving into Sikh history and philosophy. The Symposium provides youth with a platform to learn and reflect on many topics, starting from the basics of Sikhi to an in-depth study of Gurbani. It encourages youth to reconnect with the foundations and roots of Sikh faith.
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