Jasvir Kaur recently created history when she was elected as the first female President of the most prominent Sikh Body in New Zealand, the Supreme Sikh Society of NZ (SSSNZ). The prestigious role of leading an organisation established in 1978 did bring a lot of responsibility.
The Indian Weekender caught up with Jasvir Kaur, who has been associated with SSSNZ for almost 25 years, to learn how she looks forward to her role, her journey and much more.
What was your first reaction when you got to know about being elected as the President of SSSNZ?
I was shocked because I had never heard of any woman becoming the president. I was also surprised. I had many questions, including who will be the vice-secretary and secretary and will 81 trustees and 550 financial members agree with the decision. I was then told that the society’s leadership is planning to empower women in SSSNZ and at Sikh Heritage Punjabi School (which has 700 enrolled kids), New Zealand Sikh Sports Complex and Childz Choice Trust by giving all top management positions to women.
As a woman, how do you see this change in SSSNZ to have all leadership posts for ladies?
I was sure one day it would happen because in our history, women played a vital role, and our Holy Guru Granth Sahib ji gave equal rights to women. It was only a matter of who will take this initiative. I credit our Guru, who gave this vision to the leadership of SSSNZ. Our leadership fully respect women's role in Sikhism. Daljit Singh took the initiative and had many meetings with senior leadership, other gurdwara managements, senior members, trustees and financial members, and all agreed to support the move.
What is your vision for SSSNZ?
Our AGM recently approved buying a property for elder care and Punjabi school at 50 Takanini School Road. Fortunately, we secured the deal with 1.6 million to buy that property within days of our leadership. Four classes of Punjabi school will be held on this property, and there is a plan to build an Ashram for the elders. We will continue with previous decisions, including getting more youth and ladies involved and providing full support to our team in helping the wider community in every possible way.
Do you feel your election as the SSSNZ President will pave the way for other women to take up important leadership roles?
Absolutely. This news has gone global, and we have received messages from other countries that NZ became the first country to make this real. That's primarily because all four entities are given to women. We will work together to get more involved.
Your message to those who supported you
Thanks for their trust in us, and we will make sure we do our best to prove the same. My team is very excited to work for the community; all men are supporting us and helping us as usual.
Since when have you been associated with SSSNZ?
I have been involved with SSSNZ since 1998. In 2005, when the country's largest Gurdwara was built in Takanini, I was the kitchen-in-charge. I have been working in the Gurdwara's kitchen for 17 years, where we prepare food seven days for 5000 people every week.