London, October 21, 2024: Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, a distinguished member of the House of Lords and a key figure in British Sikh representation, has been awarded the Global Sikh Council’s (GSC) Lifetime Achievement Award.
The honor was presented at the GSC’s annual general meeting held in the committee room at the House of Lords, Westminster. Lord Singh’s contributions to British society, the Sikh community, and interfaith dialogue were widely recognized during the event.
“We are proud to honor Lord Singh for his invaluable contributions,” said GSC General Secretary Harsaran Singh, noting that a portrait of Lord Singh now hangs in the gallery of the House of Lords—a milestone for the global Sikh community.
Harsaran Singh mentioned Lord Singh’s trailblazing role as the first turban-wearing Sikh in the UK Parliament and acknowledged his accolades, which include the Templeton Award and the Interfaith Medallion.
Lord Singh, also known as Baron Singh of Wimbledon, has long been a leader in promoting interfaith harmony. Jagir Singh, a Malaysian delegate, praised his work as Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (UK) and his participation in major national events such as the Commonwealth Service and Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph.
International recognition for Lord Singh’s interfaith efforts extends beyond the UK. He serves as a patron of the World Congress of Faiths and is a key member of the Inter Faith Network UK’s executive committee.
Also, his influence was noted by his participation in high-profile royal events, including the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, as well as the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
During the ceremony, GSC President Lady Kanwaljit Kaur Singh also honored Tony Matharu, a well-known London businessman, for his philanthropy.
Both Lord Singh and Matharu expressed their commitment to supporting the GSC’s mission to serve the global Sikh community.
“Lord Singh’s editorial leadership in the Sikh Messenger and his work on BBC Radio’s Thought for the Day have elevated Sikh issues on prominent platforms,” added Vice President Parmjit Singh Bedi from the USA.
Other notable speakers at the event included Dr. Karminder Singh Dhillon from Indonesia, Dr. Jasbir Singh Puri from Ireland, and representatives from India, Nepal, Belgium, Uganda, and Thailand. Several UK-based council members, including Treasurer Satnam Singh Poonia from Birmingham, also addressed the council.
