The Widow Colony
    Canada Premiere

20 May 2006 | Toronto

The Sikh Education and Welfare Association at the University of Toronto hosted the Canadian premier of “The Widow Colony: India’s Unsettled Settlement. After the film screening, a panel organized by the Sikh Research Institute discussed current issues related to the Sikh struggle for justice in India.

Author and genocide expert Dr. Frank Chalk of Concordia University educated the audience on genocides & crimes against humanity. He recommended pursuing the event as ‘genocidal- massacre’ under Crimes against Humanity.

Dr. Satpal Singh– a community activist, survivor of the 1984 massacre, and professor at State University – emotionally recounted his close encounter with death and testified to the observation of the killing of 35 uniformed Sikhs in a train; the state machinery announced there was no harm the following day.

Over 550 audience members attended the premiere and Harinder Singh, executive director for the Sikh Research Institute, implored each one of them to become relevant to the needs of the survivors and build alliances with the victims of state repression worldwide, from Armenia to Darfur.

Widow Colony director Harpreet Kaur and producer Manmeet Singh of Sach Productions shared their reflections on the tragedy of 1984 and urged the audience to take part in the documentation, rehabilitation, and means for their livelihood.

Ms. Colleen Beumier, MP attended the screening and pledged to show it in the Canadian parliament. She intends to solicit help from the Government of Canada by promoting the cause though CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency).

Gurpreet Kaur of San Antonio, USA presided over the event as the Master of Ceremonies, and Raman Kaur of Toronto, Canada served as the lead coordinator and liaison for the Sikh Research Institute the Sikh Education and Welfare Association.