BHAI SAHIBA BIBIJI INDERJIT KAUR KHALSA
CHIEF RELIGIOUS MINISTER, SIKH DHARMA INTERNATIONAL

We are pleased to announce that Panth Rattan Bhai Sahiba Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa has been appointed to the International Sikh Advisory Board (ISAB) formed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parpandhak Committee’s (SGPC’s) Executive Committee. The SGPC president, Harjinder Singh Dhami, reached out to Bibiji to congratulate her on this appointment and to say that he looks forward to her insight on issues of import for Sikhs internationally.

Last October, the SGPC decided to establish the ISAB, with representation from different countries and appointments were made last week. This board will make efforts to resolve issues and grievances of Sikhs living in foreign countries and support the local Gurdwara management committees in activities of Dharam Prachar (teaching Sikh faith).  This decision was taken in the SGPC’s Executive Committee meeting held in Amritsar under the leadership of SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. During the meeting, an approval was also given to establish sub-offices of SGPC in different countries. SGPC President Dhami said Sikhs are living across the world and this trend is accelerating. In view of this, the SGPC had decided to establish an International Sikh Advisory Board for better follow-up of Sikh issues worldwide.

In her new capacity, the Bhai Sahiba will continue working to build and cultivate our relations with the Punjabi Sikh community worldwide and the Indian Government, to maintain and continue these efforts that were fostered by and considered crucially important by the Siri Singh Sahib.

Also, in January this year, the Bhai Sahiba received a prestigious award of recognition from Jewels of India for her many years of visionary guidance, exceptional leadership and achievement in monumental efforts to strengthen the Indo American relationship.

OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Bibiji has received countless awards and recognition since arriving in the US in 1971, following her husband, the Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, a few of them shown below.

Prominent Sikhs of the USA
In January 2020, Bibiji was named for inclusion in Prominent Sikhs of the USA for diligently spreading the teachings of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Ellis Island Medal of Honor
In March of 2018 Bibiji was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Bibiji was recognized among those individuals who have immigrated to the U.S. shared with indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.

Sikhs In Education Award
In October 2017, Bibiji was honored with the Sikhs In Education Award at the eighth annual Sikh Awards held in Toronto, Canada by the Sikh Awards Group based in London, England.

Jewels of Punjab – Leading Global Punjabi Personalities
In August 2017, Bibiji was named for inclusion in Jewels of Punjab – Leading Global Punjabi Personalities, released on the eve of India’s 71st Independence Day, in New Delhi, India.

Panth Rattan
In 2005, Bibiji was given the honorific Panth Rattan or Jewel of the Nation from the Jethadar of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib, Singh Sahib Iqbal Singh.

Bhai Sahiba
In 2004 Bibiji was bestowed with the title of Bhai Sahiba by the Siri Akal Takht Sahib, a title she had held since 1983 as given by the Khalsa Council of Sikh Dharma International.

Bibiji’s family lineage has carried the title of Bhai Sahib since the days of Bhai Sahib Abnasha Singh, the Sikh saint known for healing Maharaja Ranjit Singh of smallpox when he was a child. Today, even after the partition and occupancy of her ancestral home by the Muslim community in Pakistan, the street on which they lived is still known as Bhai Sahib’s Mohalla. Bibiji’s family heritage, her education and training prepared her for a life of service. She well understood the sacred responsibilities of the position of Bhai Sahiba that she was given.

“It was a great honor, and I knew it was my responsibility and destiny to serve.”