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HOLLYWOOD SIKH TEMPLE GURDWARA VERMONT....
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Kulbir Sumra

Karen Bass, candidate for Los Angeles Mayor
Visited Hollywood Sikh Gurudwara

Los Angeles, Nov.08, 2022
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh/ Mani Kang

On Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, current congresswoman and candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, Ms. Karen Bass, visited Hollywood Gurdwara for the first time. Accompanied by various staff (and congressional security), Karen Bass was ushered into the inner worship area and sat near the podium. 

As a final stop, Ms. Bass briefly went on to attend a small private reception at the nearby Anarbagh Indian restaurant located on Vermont Ave.  Different members of the Sikh community donated checks to her campaign and some businessmen had questions about concerns which she gladly answered.  And then she bid farewell as she traveled to next her engagement further south in Los Angeles. Overall, it was a great visit and the beginnings of a mutual engagement between Ms. Bass and the Sikh community.   This shall hopefully develop further into an ongoing and productive relationship in the long run.ren Ruth Bass is an American politician and social worker who has been serving as the U.S. representative for California's 37th congressional district since 2011.

The district, numbered as the 33rd district for her first term, covers several areas south and west of downtown Los Angeles.


Karen Bass with Kulbir Sumra, Dr Amarjit Marwa Hollywood Sikh Gurudwara at Vermont

The individual who formally introduced her to the sangat (congregation) was none other than Dr. Amarjit S. Marwah, himself a distinguished icon of the community.  Dr. Marwah began by recounting his own experience from decades ago of befriending and politically engaging with the first African-American L.A. city councilman, Tom Bradley, who later became mayor and served as such for 20 years (from 1973-1993).

   
   

Dr. Marwah also mentioned how public service entails commitment and how Karen Bass has full credentials with decades of experience in public office. Finally, Karen Bass herself addressed the congregation and began by greeting everyone with saying, “God is one".   She then told of witnessing the changes that Los Angeles has undergone and how the current crisis of homelessness has become a burgeoning priority to take on.

Ms. Bass also emphasized the city’s diversity and how as a leader she would like to see more inclusiveness as well as how to help keep vulnerable minority communities like Sikhs safe from hate crimes. She ended her address by urging everyone to stay active and fully involved as residents of Los Angeles and to connect with her further as she aims to bring healing to the city after so much turmoil has occurred in recent years (and esp recent weeks).

Before she left, the highlight of of the occasion was both the Granthi and Gurdwara Vice-President Kulvir S. Samra presenting Ms. Bass with a saropa (scarf of honor).  She next posed for a group photo with Dr. Marwah and all the board members of the temple, which is currently led by President Iqbal S. Samra. 

She finished by partaking in the Sikh Gurdwara tradition of having langar, the free meal from the community kitchen.   After eating and intermittently talking to curious members of the community who briefly stopped to chat, Karen Bass ended her visit to the Hollywood Sikh Temple on a note of warmth and optimism.

As a final stop, Ms. Bass briefly went on to attend a small private reception at the nearby Anarbagh Indian restaurant located on Vermont Ave.  Different members of the Sikh community donated checks to her campaign and some businessmen had questions about concerns which she gladly answered.  And then she bid farewell as she traveled to next her engagement further south in Los Angeles.
Overall, it was a great visit and the beginnings of a mutual engagement between Ms. Bass and the Sikh community.   This shall hopefully develop further into an ongoing and productive relationship in the long run.

Not only the Sikh community, but the city needs strong and diverse leadership in a time of need.  We wish Ms. Bass well and hope she succeeds in her quest to become mayor of Los Angeles.   And nevertheless, we hope to have her come back to visit the Hollywood Gurdwara.  The doors will always be open.