CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF AASRA MAGAZINE

SUBMITTED BY: AASRA MAGAZINE
PHONE: 206-550-3154
EMAIL: AASRA@Q.COM

(Article by: Jennifer Simon Halai and Sarab Singh) For five years we have been publishing Punjabi English Magazine titled "Aasra." Our readership is the adult, professional group of people from Indian origin. However, due to the literary contents, including English Poetry we are achieving our goal of “Connecting Communities.” This is distributed free. We distribute it at the Indian business outlets and other community gathering areas. This magazine is available through King County Library System and WA State Library and others.

Our goal has always been to reach out to the communities. Sikhs have faced “hate crimes.” We feel that the media and literature can “Connect Communities.” We encourage poetry and contributions. We are all facing tough economy times. The only way is to reach out to the communities and work together.

In that spirit Aasra Magazine and King County Library System coordinated “Introduction to the Sikh Community” at the Covington Library. More than 60 people gathered to learn about the Sikh community, one of the fastest growing communities in King County. The program began with a sung welcome blessing and harmonium accompaniment by Sarab Singh, editor of Aasra Magazine. Mr. Sarab Singh then introduced Mr. Jasmit Singh of the Sikh Coalition, an organization formed after September 11, 2001 when Sikhs were increasingly stereotyped and targeted with hate speech and violence. The Sikh Coalition is a nationwide organization that promotes civil and human rights for all people, and serves as the primary source of advocacy and assistance for Sikhs facing discrimination and hate crimes. Mr. Jasmit Singh held the audience’s rapt attention as he shared details about Sikhism and the hundred year history of Sikhs in North America. Following the presentation, a question and answer period offered the audience an opportunity to find out anything additional they wondered about Sikhism and Sikh traditions. The audience was then invited to enjoy refreshments and peruse the photo and related reading displays.

Free copies of Aasra Magazine were provided for attendees. Thanks go out to Carla J. Hopkins, Jennifer Simon Halai, Jo Anderson Cavinta, Jasmit Singh, Sarab Singh as well as to the staff and the Friends of the Covington Library for their support of this important program. Thanks to Mandeep Kaur for making Pakoras and Satinder Kaur Jaggi for bringing Pethe-di-Mithai.

Aasra Magazine will like to thank all the community who have supported us for the past 5 years. We could not have done it for 5 years without your help. While we have reached a milestone we still have a long way to go. With your support and guidance we will be able to live up to the hope that you have trusted in us. We promise to upkeep your trust. Thank you.

Aasra Magazine is published bimonthly and distributed free in the Seattle area through Indian stores and other community gathering areas. Features current events mainly Indian, but have featured others, too, of interest. Also features interviews, yoga, and other articles, and poetry. They have introduced pick up racks points at Kent Post Office, Kent Station and Bellevue Overlake Plaza. It is also available through subscription to cover postage and handling. Aasra Magazine encourages community involvement and poetry and articles. They may also be repeating this program at other Libraries, etc. If anyone want to attend such a program in future you can email aasra@q.com For more information you can contact Sarab Singh at aasra@q.com or 206-550-3154