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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Sikh Community Celebrates Vaisakhi in Cincinnati, Ohio K halsa Sajna Divas or Vaisakhi as it is popularly called, was celebrated recently at the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincin- nati inWest Chester, Ohio. The three-day programs featured religious gatherings, a Nagar Kirtan, Gatka demonstrations, a free medical camp, children’s educational activities, and various initiatives high- lighting Sikh heritage and community outreach. According to a press release, the Sri Akhand Path Sahib jump-started the event. Following the seva of the Nishan Sahib, a Nagar Kirtan was held under the guidance of the Panj Pyare. Children and youth engaged in displaying their Gatka skills. During the Vaisakhi Jorh Mela, educa- tional exhibitions were set up, to inform attendees about Sikh history, the core philosophy of Sarbat da Bhala (well-being of all), the contribution of Sikh women, and the significance of Vaisakhi. Dedicated children’s booths encour- aged engagement with Sikh values through arts, crafts, and interactive his- tory quizzes. Additionally, a turban-tying booth served as a bridge for cultural ex- change, where local community members and non-Sikh guests learned about the significance of the dastaar. A notable highlight of this year’s pro- gram was the presence of Gurmeet Kaur, an author and educator known for her works, including “Fascinating Folktales of Punjab” and “The Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra’. She emphasized the importance of connecting the younger generation with the Punjabi language. She also shared reflections on the lives and mar- tyrdoms of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra. The event was attended by the Chair ofWest Chester Township Trustees, Ann Becker, who commended the Sikh com- munity for their hospitality and their com- mitment to fostering greater understand- ing of the Sikh faith. The religious programs featured kirtan, katha, and kavishri by various jathas, including Bhai Gopal Singh Ji from Anandpur Sahib, Bhai Jagbir Singh Ji, Bhai Jeet Singh Ji and Bhai Mehal Singh Ji. A free medical camp dedicated to Khalsa Sajna Divas was also held. Throughout the programs, Guru ka Langar was served continuously. As in previous years, participation saw a significant increase, organizers said, with attendees from across the local Cin- cinnati and Dayton areas, as well as from neighboring states such as Indiana and Kentucky.” I ndian Americans may well be witness- ing the emergence of a Gen Z politi- cian in Michigan with the growing vis- ibility of Krish Mathrani, Youth Chair of the Michigan Republican Party. He may well be the youngest in the community to be elected to a Republican statewide political position in the United States, according to a profile provided by him. Mathrani founded the political con- sulting firm Electify while still a teenager (17), to as he says it, ‘modernize how campaigns operate.” Electify has since then, worked on races across more than 20 states working with leaders including members of Congress, governors, and senators, his profile notes. But Mathrani says the goal was never just business. “I didn’t get into this to play the same game better,” he says. “I got into it because the system isn’t working for people the way it should.” He entered politics asking why so many people feel ignored by both parties and why the same problems never seem to get solved, he says. While still in high school, Mathrani became actively involved in political advocacy, and concluded that politics too often rewards messaging over results. In his role as Michigan GOP Youth Chair he operates on that principle, posi- tioning himself “as a voice for a generation that feels overlooked, overpromised, and underdelivered for.” During his run for the statewide posi- tion, Mathrani recalls being told that his name and his Hindu faith could be liabili- ties. He leaned into that instead of backing away from it. He often referenced a line from the Bhagavad Gita: “If you fall upholding dharma, you will attain heaven. If you are victorious, the world is yours.” For Math- rani, it reinforced a simple idea: stand on principle, regardless of the outcome. Mathrani describes himself as a bridge builder, “but one who refuses to ignore hard truths.” He says he calls out both Republicans and Democrats, arguing that too many leaders benefit from problems staying unsolved. “I think both parties have failed young people,” he says. “Too often, the incen- tive isn’t to fix problems, it’s to keep them around as talking points and fundraising tools.” His political identity, he explains, is rooted in personal experience. As the son of legal immigrants, he watched his fam- ily follow the rules, wait their turn, and trust the system. “My parents did everything the right way,” he says. “When that process gets ignored, it sends a message that the rules only apply to some people.” He adds that his views on immigration are rooted in both principle and fairness, arguing that it is possible to oppose illegal immigration policies while still respect- ing the people involved. “You can believe in enforcing the law without losing your humanity,” he says. “Compassion and ac- countability aren’t opposites; they have to go together.” That experience, he says, shaped his alignment with conservative principles, particularly around rule of law, economic opportunity, and personal responsibility. But Mathrani is equally clear that those values require consistency, not conve- nience. “I’m a Republican because I believe in those principles,” Mathrani says. “But if we’re serious about them, we have to ap- ply them across the board, not just when it’s politically easy.” For Mathrani, the goal isn’t simply to win elections, it’s to restore credibility to leadership. “I’m not in this for a title,” he says. “I’m here to give a voice to young Michiganders who’ve been told to accept the status quo. We don’t have to accept it.” Alongside his public role, Mathrani continues to lead Electify as a full-service campaign operation, helping candidates build and execute campaigns from the ground up. The firm integrates com- munications, fundraising, field strategy, and campaign planning into one unified structure designed for speed and account- ability, he says. Its in-house print operation eliminates middlemen, lowers costs, and allows cam- paigns to deploy materials in real time, a practical advantage in competitive races where timing can be decisive, he points out. Looking ahead, Mathrani believes the political landscape is shifting. Voters, especially younger ones, are no longer willing to accept scripted messaging or recycled promises. “People can tell when something isn’t real,” he says. “They’re looking for leaders who actually mean what they say and fol- low through.” Krish Mathrani : Rising Indian American GOP Youth Leader In Michigan Youth Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Krish Mathrani. PHOTO:COURTESY KRISH MATHRANI By a StaffWriter By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:COURTESY SAMEEP SINGH GUMTALA Youth display their gatka skills at the Vaisakhi celebrations held recently in Cincinnati, Ohio. West Chester, Ohio Trustee Anne Becker, addressing the Vaisakhi gathering. Community News India Times (May 2, 2026 - May 8, 2026) May 8, 2026 7