2024 Women's day: Honouring the forgotten heiress of Khalsa Raj

Media release:

On March 9th, 2024, Our Global Village Charitable Foundation (OGV) celebrated the Women’s day by honouring the forgotten heiress of Sikh Raj.

Wanjara Nomad Collections proudly supported the event by hosting its guests to guided tours of the Lahore to London: Journey of Chardikala exhibition at the Surrey Museum.

This program was keenly focused on spreading awareness and raising pride of the ethics and virtues practiced in Sikh Empire.

Presentation group shared with the guests that Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the granddaughter of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh and goddaughter of the Queen Victoria. It was further highlighted that the Princess was a fine pianist, photographer, an award winner dog breeder, experienced horse rider, a fashion icon, compassionate nurse and also one of the first few women to ride a bicycle in Uk.

This warrior Princess led the suffragette movement to get voting right for the British women. She lived life with grace, bravery and compassion. Our Princess stood and sacrificed for equality, justice and fairness just as her Grandfather; Sher e Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

In the second part of the event, first time in the history, an award was named after Princess Sophia. Three winners of the -Princess Sophia Duleep Singh Legacy Awards- were:

1. Category: Trailblazer legacy award was given to Dr. Amandeep Kaur for being the first women to become a veterinary surgeon, first women to complete PhD in veterinary surgery and also opening first vet clinic in Pitt Meadows that is owned and led by a woman.

 2. Category: Community service legacy award was given to Devinder Kaur Johal, for providing over 35 years of community service, with a special focus on the seniors

 3. Category: Community guidance legacy award was given to Jas Kular for providing financial guidance to the community for over 35 years, especially assisting families with getting their first mortgage.

MP Randeep Sarai, attended the event and was asked to take a message of the OGV Foundation to the Prime minister office, that girls and women demand a few paid sick days to manage pain/ suffering/ ill health during menstrual periods as well as menopause.

Rachna Singh, Minister of education and child care BC, could not attend due to unforeseeable reasons and sent an encouraging message for the attendees.

On behalf of the foundation, Meera Gill thanked the media with a special mention of Channel Punjabi, Red Fm, Sanjha Tv, Radio Punjab 1600, Sher e Punjab radio as well as Connect Fm for spreading the message far and beyond about this event and awareness about the Princess.

Furthermore appreciation was given to Kultarjit S. Thiara for providing accommodation for the event, along with tea/ snacks for the guests. Hardev S. Grewal arranged a bus service to and from the Surrey museum for the guests. Special thanks to Jarnail Singh Painter or letting us display his painting on the main stage.

Concluding message from the foundation is:

Together we can, together we will

Meera Gill

On behalf of the OGV family