INDO-CANADIAN COMMUNITY WORKS TO END VIOLENCE

As a result of a number of tragedies and other developments in the
Indo-Canadian community, youth violence has become front-page news again.

Unfortunately, it has brought the whole Indo-Canadian community under a
sharp focus one more time. The impact of these tragedies can't be
emphasized enough: Even one life lost in this manner is too many. Sadly,
the image of the whole community is tarnished by the actions of a few
misguided individuals.

In this context, the broader community needs to recognize that youth
violence transcends all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries. No
community is immune to it. There is no doubt that the Indo-Canadian
community has had more than its fair share of tragedies among its youth. We
have lost more than 70 young men, mostly in their 20s, to drugs and
violence during the past 10 years. Each one of these tragedies has sent
very disturbing and painful shockwaves throughout the community.

These tragic developments have prompted a number of pro-active initiatives
to stop and reverse this vicious cycle of drugs and violence. In this
context, a number of community organizations have emerged to help our youth.

Similarly, our places of worship have taken on a very active role in
helping our youth stay out of trouble. At this time, nearly every Sikh
Gurdwara in the Lower Mainland is actively involved in keeping our young
people on the right track. To their credit, a lot of young people have been
spearheading most of these initiatives.

One needs to recognize that the issues of drugs and violence are very
complex ones. There are no easy solutions. The whole community, including
its youth, parents, Sikh temples, various organizations, professionals and
ordinary citizens are making every effort to meet this challenge head on.

Rather than finger-pointing and criticism, we would appreciate support from
different levels of government and from the community at large.

Balwant Sanghera Via e-mail