AASRA MAGAZINE: Connecting Communities Since 2006

Among the many contemporary Sikhs who have spent their lives in doing selfless service, Bhagat Puran Singh stands out like a star. He cared tremendously for the poor and the infirm, both people and animals. He is mostly known for Pingalwara, an institution where all living things, be it animals or people can stay and heal – all free of charge. Bhagat Puran Singh devoted his life to helping and healing people and worked all his life to help others. He was so devoted to helping others that he did not even invest in a pair of shoes for himself.

I was glad to read the wonderful cover story, "Healthcare" in your April issue. I just thought to share some of the information on the over-the-counter medicines that I came across.
When we buy medicines over-the-counter (OTC), we sometimes forget that they are drugs without a prescription. But they are, and the misuse of OTC drugs causes 178,000 hospitalizations a year.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the best way to take your OTC medicine is seriously.

Here are some tips:

• Read and follow directions on the OTC drug facts label.

In today's world parents have very little time for their children. A child spends a lot of time at school. Education must, and should teach about diversity. Kudos to the Kent School District Panther Lake which successfully celebrated the 5th year of the "Heritage Festival". Suzie Newberry and Amy Abrams said, "We feel children will be better able to see where they’re going by knowing where they’ve been (come from). It’s a time to celebrate diversity and grow to understand that even though we’ve come from very different places, we are all the same."

"If I have been given a choice of choosing between my Kirpan and my job, I choose my Kirpan."
- Kawaljeet Kaur, IRS employee

The Sikh Coalition is currently litigating a case on behalf of a Sikh woman who was ordered to remove her Kirpan by her employer, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Sikh employee was ultimately terminated from her job because of her refusal to remove or modify her Kirpan. This article provides an overview of that case and information for Sikhs who may have questions about their rights regarding wearing a Kirpan in the workplace.