PRESS RELEASE
For further information:
Westcoast: Dr. Jsabir S. Kang, Tel: 530-300-3735 / sikhsangat@yahoo.com
Eastcoast: Dir/Prod V Sarkar, Tel 212-859-4568 /
vsarkar@aol.com
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FIRST TV PROGRAM ON SIKH AMERICANS AFTER 9/11
CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN AMERICA
TITLE: "MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sikhs in America"
WLWD 2000 Inc. announced the US and worldwide release of the TV program:
"MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sikhs in America" which took nine months to complete,
involving extensive travel and filming on locations across the country from
NY/NJ/CT to Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, to California (San
Francisco, Yuba City, Palo Alto to Los Angeles, etc). Negotiations are underway
with PBS, BBC, STAR-TV and SONY, etc. to broadcast the program during the month
of November, when Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak - founder of
Sikhism over 500 years ago.
The objective is to inform and educate mainstream Americans and non-Sikhs in
the USA and worldwide -- Who are Sikhs, What is Sikhism and the
economic contribution of Sikh Americans since 1889, when the first
immigrants arrived in California - over 100 years ago.
The documentary TV program goes beyond the shock and common wrath that consumed
us all in the immediate aftermath of September 11. In the face of such
adversity, the cherished ideals (liberty and freedom of speech,
etc.) that guard the cornerstones of American society became
wounded by victimization of fellow Americans - demonizing those who
simply looked like the terrorists who had perpetrated the heinous crimes.
It tells the visual story of Sikhs in America in a post September 11 America,
through the eyes of 23-year old Amanda Gesine, host and
investigative journalist, who coincidentally, discovers her Sikh American
neighbors, for the first time. A college student at George Washington
University in DC, she conceived the idea at a candlelight vigilance, as WLWD
2000's R & D pitched for a Asian American WTC story.
Talking with young Sikhs her own age, she learns about the sudden racial
profiling, verbal abuse and physical assaults, simply because they
wore turbans and beards. Together, they discussed that this was
due to sheer ignorance and fear of fellow Americans. She concluded
that it was the demonization of the turban and the beard that created the huge
backlash against Sikh Americans. She learned that it was young America
- men who rushed around waving baseball bats and throwing beer cans at Sikh taxi
drivers and old turbaned Sikh men. Her role was crucial in reaching out for
more understanding among her own younger generation.
With Amanda's initiation, the TV program spotlights and discusses the
experiences of Sikhs in America - one ethnic group that makes up a small
fragment of the American population. "MISTAKEN IDENTITY" charts her personal
journey - demystifying the enigma of Sikh Americans and shares the hopes and
desires of Americans from all ethnic backgrounds who seek to close ranks against
bigotry and hatred and make a united stand against terrorism.
The important ethos of this TV program does not pertain to an exclusive American
audience. In fact, it speaks to global TV viewers who appreciate the impact of
East and West cultures (both in socio-economic terms and in life style/material
terms) - the key demographic that TV advertisers and corporate sponsors seek to
target.
Produced and directed by Vinanti Sarkar, President of WLWD 2000 Inc. (a
boutique digital TV production company) headquartered in midtown New York.
Philip Marshall, 4-time Emmy Award winning editor was hired to
take over 36-40 hours of content footage with a strong script, targeting
mainstream America and non-Sikhs.
WLWD 2000 Inc. received support from the Sikhs of Yuba City who understood the
importance of the TV program, President, Dr. Narinder Singh Bajwa and
members of the Punjabi American Heritage Society and the Yuba City Gurdwara.
Executive Producer, Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang, M.D. believed the program as a
"wake up call", with support from Teji "Tony" Singh, Parry
Singh and K.P. Singh, Sikh Educational & Cultural Society of
Indianapolis/Avtar Singh, Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis. The final edit was made
possible by Vikram Chatwal, Producer and Executive Producers: Shining
Sung (Taiwanese American), Shahid Hussain (Pakistani), with Ava
Chien (Chinese American) sending the TV program for review to CCTV in
mainland China.
* * * * * * *
Photographs and phone intereviews can be made available on request
Westcoast: Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang, Tel: 530-300-3735 / sikhsangat@yahoo.com
Eastcoast: Dir/Prod V Sarkar, Tel 212-859-4568 / vsarkar@aol.com