A B O U T U S
p u r p o s e
SikhTeens began in 2020 in an effort to encourage the youth to learn and further themselves on the Sikh journey. We strive to answer uncomfortable questions and discuss taboo topics through different forms of media in order to provide a resource for younger teenagers to learn about their Sikhi. In light of the large Sikh diaspora, teenagers can be left with a language barrier and can have a tough time understanding complicated concepts that are included within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In order to provide opportunities to get closer to the Guru, our educational and research based articles are centered around Gurmat. SikhTeens is a community based project, meaning that the articles we provide are submitted and written by the SikhTeens sangat in order to provide authentic content.
As SikhTeens grows, we try to maintain ideologies that are centered around Gurmat. We value and encourage the growth and development of our Sangat, and hold them to a standard that helps their journey to the Guru. We highlight accomplishments on the Sikh path, while inspiring others to take the next step. We do our best to erase personal haumai (the “I” ideology) in our environment, and eradicate bias in our articles. We respect diversity in opinions, while staying rooted to Gurbani and its lessons. We hope to travel through the world-ocean together by demolishing the vices.
ਹੋਇ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ।।
“Come join together, oh my siblings; dispel your sense of duality and let yourselves be lovingly absorbed in Waheguru.”
v a l u e s
s e v a d a a r s
b o a r d
Tavleen Kaur is a freshman at The University of Texas at Dallas as a Pre-Medical Student studying Neuroscience. As a teacher in her Sikhya School at the Sikh Dharamsal Gurudwara, and as an avid camp counselor at Camp Sikh Virsa, she joined SikhTeens in order to relate Sikhi to other teenagers, just as she has experienced. Along with her passion to discuss various topics with her sangat, she enjoys reading, drawing, and improving her wardrobe. She aspires to be a doctor in the near future while inspiring others to improve themselves in their Sikhi.
Tavleen Kaur, 17, TX
CEO
Amanpreet Kaur is a current high school student at Franklin High School in Wisconsin. As a junior counselor at Camp Sikh Virsa, she enjoys learning more about Sikhi and having discussions about different aspects of it. Her goal in joining SikhTeens was to have a chance to start conversations about Sikhi through the teenage lens. It was a way for her to help start the necessary conversations about what it means to be a Sikh in the modern age. She is passionate about social issues facing the world today and aspires to be a business leader, hoping to make an impact on the world around her. Her interests include sewing, running, playing lacrosse, and learning with her Sangat.
Amanpreet Kaur, 17, WI
CEO
Avneet Singh is a current college student at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Neuroscience and Economics. He is heavily involved at the Pittsburgh Gurudwara, teaching tabla and helping organize camps for the youth. Avneet joined Sikhteens in an effort to shed light on seldom discussed topics within the Sikh communites. Along with his passions to help out in the community, he enjoys reading, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and trying out new cuisines of food. He plans to pursue medicine in the future, while simultaneously helping Sikh youth have voices in their communities.
Avneet Singh, 18, PA
CFO
Darshleen Kaur is a college student and is currently studying Business and Political Science in college. Darshleen has been involved with keertan and paath at the local Gurudwaras in Georgia from a young age. She has always found peace while listening to keertan and reading Maharaj’s Hukam. Darshleen has used her experiences to grow and create a stronger connection with Waheguru. Darshleen has used writing, specifically poetry, to work on her soul, comprehend Bani, and grow through life’s ups and downs on her poetry Instagram account, @kaurrzeye, and her blog. Darshleen believes that history and wisdom are passed down in two forms: literature and word of mouth. With anything she works on, her greatest hope is to help someone’s heartache feel less isolating, their pain feel understood, and may their joy and growth be met with respect and compassion.
Gursajan Singh is a freshman at the University of Maryland studying Aerospace Engineering. As a native Bay Area resident, he looks forward to the connections he’ll make with Sangat from all over the country through Sikhteens. He has a passion for creative and analytical writing and hopes that he can use this skill to amplify the voices of Sikh youth as an editor.
Darshleen Kaur, 19, GA
COO
Gursajan Singh, 18, CA
CSO
d i r e c t o r s
Dani Kaur is an upcoming freshman in Pleasanton, CA. As a prior camper at CSV, she has learned to embrace Sikhi and take it with her on her journey in life. She hopes to share her opinions on Sikhi and learn more about the different aspects of it. It is a way for her to help guide others, as well as herself, on their path in Sikhi. Along with Sikhi, Dani is interested in psychology, business, and personal development. Her hobbies include playing tennis, working out, and writing. With SikhTeens, Dani aspires to make a difference in the Sikh community and walk with her sisters and brothers on the right path.
Dani Kaur, 14, CA
Legal/Finance Director
Himani Vaid is a college student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Mathematics. She gives back to her local Sikh community and is passionate about helping other Sikh teens understand, learn, and grow in an environment that is both empowering and safe. She develops her understanding and educates the people around her about the beautiful Sikh faith through conversation. She is the founder of @_punjabigirlsdraw_ ,an art page aiming to raise awareness about societal issues, promoting the Sikh faith, and educating today’s society about the beautiful Punjabi culture. With anything she works on, her hope is to remind everyone that they should stand up for what you believe, strive for the best, and never stop learning. Joining SikhTeens, she hopes to make a lasting impact on young Sikhs and hopes to create a safe space for everyone to learn and discuss. She is excited to inspire young Sikhs in their journey!
Himani Kaur, 19, NJ
Outreach/Communications Director
Mohkm Singh is currently an undergraduate student at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Being an avid tabla player, Mohkm loves doing and listening to keertan as well as by contributing to fixing social injustices and world problems however he can to feel a sense of oneness. Mohkm believes that the fundamental concepts of Sikhi are oneness and love, and especially in today’s world with everything from social media to politics trying to divide us, we should use open mindsets and respectful discussion to come together and inspire love. He also loves learning about the role Sikhi plays in people’s careers, and how different people use Sikhi to inspire them in their daily pursuits. Besides playing tabla, you’ll always find Mohkm either on the basketball court or outdoors hiking and embarking on adventures, and you’ll be hard pressed to find him without a crazy laugh dancing on his face.
Mokhm Singh, 18,
IN
Events Director
Manvir is a current high school student at Kildonan East collegiate in Winnipeg. She started her sikh journey only a few years ago after learning sikh martial arts (gatka) and joining Khalsa school, motivating her in keeping a sikh attire and exploring Sikhism more deeply. She started taking santheya class, and has helped organize gurmat camps at her local gurdawara as well as taught children gatka and basic kirtan. Manvir is a very social and cheerful person who is always curious about learning new aspects of the sikh religion. Manvir identifies with the importance of discussion in Sikhism as she noticies so many of her peers being unaware of their roots and later getting judged when they pose questions for further understanding. Taking this in account, Through SikhTeens she wants to help create a platform for everyone to learn and discuss and make inspiring friends. Aside from Manvir’s religious interests she loves to paint, explore new places, appreciate nature and make new friends.
Manvir Kaur, 17, Winnipeg Canada
Content Director
m a n a g e r s / a g e n t s
Mayher Kaur is a current undergrad student at the University of Chicago and is planning on majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Computer Science. She plans to study medicine in the future. Mayher’s goal in joining Sikhteens is to help reach a wider audience and give those who feel isolated a platform to speak out. Mayher is an avid artist and loves to curl up with a good book and some unhealthy food. She is definitely a family girl and spends hours fawning over her giant goldendoodle. With Sikhteens, she hopes to make an impact in at least one person who was previously struggling with an aspect of their Sikhi, and she is really excited to see what comes next!
Neelam is a current college student studying Business and Maths at Trafford College in Manchester (UK). Neelam is truly a self care fanatic, as there is nothing better than unwinding after an eventful and tiresome day and taking time for yourself. Neelam is constantly trying to improve herself and learn new things by being more open minded. Neelam loves to develop her understanding of Sikhi and understand the true beauty of the religion as it is the main consistency in her life, which brings an abundance of happiness. Neelam enjoys reading the transliterations of Gurbani as it nourishes her relationship with Waheguru and teaches her how you can implement happiness into your daily life. Aside from Neelam’s religious interests she loves to bake, make new friends and experience new things. Since joining SikhTeens I hope to learn about other people’s journeys whilst giving my own perspectives.
Mayher Kaur, 19, IL
Website Manager
Neelam Kaur, 18, Manchester, UK
Podcast Manager