LONDON – Sikh-Canadian televisionbroadcastjournalist, Prabjot KaurRandhawa, aka PJ, whose journalisticwork in the American media to highlightissues of crime, poverty, and justice, tookthe top prize at the World Sikh awards inLondon.The prestigious ceremony for the Sikhawards 2013 were held at Hilton ParkLane, London on Saturday 9thNovember 2013 and recognized the pivotalachievements and contributions ofthe global Sikh community in a variety offields ranging from business, media, andentertainment, to sport, charity, and educationand received nominations fromaround the world. The World SikhAwards also presented British PrimeMinister David Cameron a SpecialRecognition Award from the world Sikhcommunity for his work with the Sikhcommunity in India.Acknowledging the award, PJ dedicated itto her late father, Sukhdev SinghRandhawa, and spoke passionately of hislife and legacy, saying that “my fathercame to Canada more than forty yearsago to start a life built on sacrifice, andhard work. His main goal was to educatehis children- and in that he’s been successful.Although my father is not here tosee how his hard work has paid off, Idedicate this award to his memory, andalso thank my brother, sister and motherfor their tireless support”. In speaking of her passion forjournalism, PJ stated: I am ajournalist because my faith hasgiven me the strength, courage,and purpose to pursue the truthbetween the headlines. On adaily basis, I have a chance to tellstories of hardship, adversity,and injustice…but also storieshope, accountability and justice.But with every story I tell, Inever fail to remember the Sikhprincipals which have alwaysguided me to keep an open heartand open ears to the people andissues I report on. It lends itselfwell to being objective and isinvaluable when you’re tellingsensitive stories about murder,crime, poverty and justice. I seekto bring out subtle and impactfultruths on the subjects Ireport, and Sikhism has taughtme no one should turn a blindeye to injustice. The media has agreat power to cause harm, butmy beliefs as a Sikh and as atrained journalist always lead meto put people first, instead ofheadlines”.Randhawa, who wasborn in Winnipeg,relocated to TheUnited States for herpost-secondary education,which includes aBachelors degree incommunications andmedia as well as aMasters degree inJournalism from toptierDePaul Universityin 2011 where she wasthe recipient of numerous excellencein Journalism scholarships.During her
time in Chicago, sheworked in some of the top newsrooms, including The ChicagoTribune, FOX Chicago, WGN,and PBS as an associate producerwhich has enhanced herunique journalistic style and heraptitude for capturing theessence of a story.Randhawa began her career inSouth Dakota where she was amorning news anchor and generalassignment reporter forKOTA TV, an ABC affiliate televisionstation based in RapidCity. During her time in SouthDakota, Randhawa was able tofocus on crime and courtreporting – covering severaldeath penalty trials and evenreporting live from the middle acourthouse riot. In 2012, shemade history in the by becomingthe first Sikh morning newsanchor in the AmericanMidwest with her morning newsprogram being broadcast in fivestates, including North Dakota,South Dakota, Montana,Nebraska, Wyoming, and partsof Colorado during Goodmorning America.Randhawa is currently the chiefpolitical correspondent at WISTV, an NBC television stationbased in Columbia, SouthCarolina. Her primary area ofconcentration includes coveringissues that have a political orstatewide relevance with a specialemphasis on issues of crime,social justice, religious freedom,and state politics. Her reportsare shared among five RaycomMedia television stationsthroughout the SoutheasternUnited States, including NorthCarolina, South Carolina, andGeorgia with a total viewershipin the millions.The judges said: “they wereimpressed with the range ofachievements by Randhawaafter having thoroughlyreviewed her work and beingimpressed by her commitmentto the journalistic domain”.In response to the World Sikhawards being held in London,London Mayor Boris Johnsonsaid, “I consider London to bethe most multicultural city in theworld, and have seen first-handthe hard work, dedication andreligious strength that sits at theheart of everything the Sikhcommunity do. Sikhs are a creditto this city and bring pride andrespect where ever they go inthe world through their actions,deeds and unique identity”.Acknowledging his award,British Prime Minister DavidCameron stated: “It is a tremendoushonour to receive thisaward and I’d like to say a bigthank you for the privilege.” Headded: “These awards are allabout highlighting the very bestof the Sikh faith both here inBritain and abroad, and I wantto congratulate all those who arebeing recognised for their contribution.”This year, the galaceremony was hosted by formerMayoral advisor Kulveer Rangerand FM radio DJ Neev withover 800 guests including internationaldignitaries, politicians,public figures, Olympians, andcelebrities.Other winners at The SikhAwards included worldrenowned Ophthalmologist Dr.Harminder Singh Dua, who isthe chair and professor of ophthalmologyat the UniversityHospital Nottingham as well aspresident of the Royal Collegeof Ophthalmologists and editor-in-chief of the BritishJournal of Ophthalmology.Harpal Singh Saggu received theSikh Business Award. Sagguoperates ‘Synergy Group’ whichhas an annual turnover of USD200 million and over 4,000employees.Jatinder Singh Durhailay, 25,from Ilford, who won thePeople’s Choice Award. Theartist’s work has been exhibitedaround the world, including atthe Tate Modern at the NationalArmy Museum.Harpreet Kaur won the SikhBusinesswoman Award. She wasonly 11-year-old when shebegan investing in the stockmarket. Kaur is the founder ofGICF Group, which consists ofGICF Education, Finance,Productions and Soch Trust.
