Editor's Note: Turning 24 with Seva on My Mind

I wanna thank me for never quitting, for loving myself harder, and for making it to another chapter. And I wanna thank Waheguru Ji for making it all possible. Forever grateful.

They say time moves fast when you're aligned with your purpose, and this past year has flown by.

Today, as I turn 24, I’m not just celebrating a birthday. I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect, and give my thanks to this universe.

From covering stories rooted in community to building platforms for others to rise, this journey has only deepened my understanding that journalism, at its best, is seva. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

Two years ago, I graduated with a journalism degree and an instinct that our stories—as Sikhs, as diasporic communities, as people often pushed to the margins—deserved more space.

Since then, that instinct has shaped every decision I’ve made as a journalist. And this past year, it’s taken form in ways I never imagined.

Finding a Voice — and a Platform

This year, Sikh Journalist evolved from a personal blog into something recognized on national and international stages. What started as an independent outlet to reflect on culture, faith, and equity is now being cited in rooms where media strategy and policy are shaped. Being invited into those spaces is a milestone I don’t take lightly, because every invitation for me is an invitation for the sangat I represent.

For example, I have been invited to multiple speaking engagements, including the opportunity to speak at the very first Mental Health in Journalism Summit organized by Self-Investigation and the Fred Foundation.

But it’s never just about access. It’s about accountability. My role as a Sikh journalist isn’t simply to “be in the room” — it’s to bring the weight of our history, our community’s needs, and our spirit of Chardi Kalaa - Rising spirits into every conversation.

Doing the Work Behind the Scenes

This year, I continued my involvement with the BIPOC Journalists’ Mental Health Association (BJMHA), working to ensure that equity, care, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords — they’re built into the systems we move through.

Through BJMHA, I’ve supported efforts to improve access to mental health resources for BIPOC journalists who often face burnout, underrepresentation, and trauma exposure. It’s a slower kind of work — not always visible, but deeply necessary. Creating safer spaces for us in newsrooms is part of the larger seva as well.

Sharing Stories that Uplift Sangat

One of the stories that stayed with me most this year was covering the plans for a Sikh long-term care centre in Brampton.

In a society that often treats our elders as afterthoughts, this centre represents dignity, language access, and cultural familiarity — things that truly matter at every stage of life. To be entrusted with that story, to speak with organizers and community members, reminded me of the sacred responsibility journalism can hold.

It’s in moments like these that I return to the teachings that guide me, not just as a journalist, but as a Sikh.

None of this is self-made. It’s grace. It’s sangat. Its destiny is shaped by the Guru’s hand. If I’ve been able to serve, it’s because I was meant to — and because I was supported every step of the way.

Creating Space for Sikh Research

Another major highlight of this past year was supporting the 3rd Annual International Sikh Research Summit: “Global Impact and Contributions of Sikhs” — hosted by GNI on September 28 & 29, 2024.

Witnessing two full days of rigorous, passionate dialogue across topics such as food insecurity, education, mental health, and political engagement — all through the lens of Sikh research — was truly inspiring. I was humbled to contribute to a space that amplifies Sikh academic voices and lays the foundation for a distinctive, globally engaged Sikh research community.

This summit reminded me of the power of not just storytelling, but intellectual sovereignty. That our stories and research, when owned by us and told on our terms, can shape real-world progress. It was an honour to play a small role in such a transformative gathering, and I hope to see even more of you there in 2025.

Opening New Doors

This year, I was part of the Canadian Association of Journalists conference subcommittee — a platform that allowed us to invite Punjabi-Sikh diaspora media, like Baaz News, into mainstream national dialogue.

For the first time, Punjabi media wasn’t an afterthought — it was part of the program, in front of a national audience. That shift matters, and I’m proud to have played a role in creating that space.

I’m also excited to be working with an incredible group of volunteers on a new initiative: Seva Spark Tank.

Inspired by Dragon’s Den, this project will allow Sikh-led ventures to pitch their ideas and receive mentorship, funding, and community support. But this isn’t about chasing profit. It’s about building a future where business is driven by purpose, where entrepreneurship is a form of seva, and where Sikh values shape the next generation of innovation.

A Note of Gratitude

So here I am — a 24-year-old today — grateful to still be walking this path.
Grateful for the support, the birthday wishes, the encouragement, and the sangat that sustains this work.

To all the critics out there, I want you to know that I won't be stopping anytime soon, and I'm also praying for your well-being. Despite the attempts at impersonation and the spread of misinformation, there will come a day when the truth prevails.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for trusting me with your stories. And thank you for believing in the power of Sikh voices in journalism.

With love,
Kuwarjeet Singh
Sikh Journalist