News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (June 6, 2026 - June 12, 2026) June 12, 2026 18 Community India Sikhs In Illinois Participate In 2026 Memorial Day Parades And Ceremonies In Chicago, Naperville, And Schaumburg M embers of the Sikh community from Chicago and its surround- ing suburbs participated in Memorial Day parades and cer- emonies in Chicago, Naperville, and Schaumburg, honoring the service and sacrifice of Sikh soldiers inWorldWars I and II. Their floats featured pictorial displays commemorating Sikh soldiers who gave their lives in defense of freedom and in support of Allied forces. Along the parade routes, spectators responded with warm applause and visible appreciation for the tribute. The Indian American Sikh community in Chicago has participated in Memorial Day ceremonies and parades since 2012. In 2026, members from across the region came together for three separate obser- vances in downtown Chicago, Schaum- burg, and Naperville. The Naperville float was sponsored by the Illinois Sikh Com- munity Center, Wheaton Gurdwara Sahib, which also served langar at the parade’s end point. Before the procession began, Bhai Mohinder Singh led Sikh Ardaas (prayers). The Chicago parade began at Lake and Dearborn Streets, continued south along State Street, and concluded at Van Buren Street. Sikh participants, dressed in red turbans and matching shirts, were greeted with thunderous applause from specta- tors lining the route. The Chicago float was sponsored by Safeway Transportation Services Corp., Pan Oceanic Engineer- ing Co., and Indian Harvest Restaurant of Naperville. The Sikh contingent was led by two large U.S. flags and the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag. As the group approached the main review stand, community members were welcomed and saluted by senior armed forces officers. The float also paid tribute to two local Sikh community members who had previously served in the Indian Army. One of those honored was Colonel Nirmal Singh Singha, born in 1938 in the village of Kathe in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He entered the Indian Military Academy in 1957 and was commissioned as an officer in 1959. During his 30-year military career, he served in the Indian Army and fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars. After retiring in 1987, he immigrated to the United States with his family and settled in the Chi- cago area, where he later operated a cab company, an insurance agency, and a gas station. Chicago has hosted one of the na- tion’s largest Memorial Day parades since 1870. This year’s event featured marching bands, ROTC cadets, uniformed soldiers, veterans’ groups, military jeeps, and Humvees. Among the many entries was a prominently decorated Sikh American float honoring Sikh soldiers who lost their lives inWorldWars I and II. The Naperville Memorial Day parade was also well attended, and the Sikh contingent was met with enthusiastic ap- plause, salutations, and standing ovations. In Schaumburg, the Sikh community of Chicago has participated in Memorial Day ceremonies at Saint Peter’s Church since 2011, where posters honoring Sikh soldiers have been displayed and free food has been served to attendees. As the Sikh contingent approached the review stand, the master of ceremonies noted that Sikhs have lived in the United States for more than 120 years. During the 20th century, thousands of Sikhs worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern Railroad. Today, Sikhs are the world’s fifth-largest religious community, with an estimated 30 million Sikhs globally and more than 500,000 living in the United States. (From information sent by Rajinder Singh Mago). By a StaffWriter Memorial Day Parade 2026 Chicago Sikh Contingent. Memorial Day Parade 2026 Naperville IL_Sikh Contingent. Memorial Day Parade 2026 Chicago Sikh Contingent. PHOTOS:ORGANIZERS Veteran Producer, Former CBFC Chief Pahlaj Nihalani Dead At 76 V eteran film producer and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on Thursday, June 4, at the age of 76. Nihalani was a well-known name in the Hindi film industry and was associated with several successful com- mercial films over the years. He was known for producing movies such as ‘Ilzaam’, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’, ‘Aankhen’, and ‘Andaz’. He also shared a long working relationship with filmmaker David Dhawan and actor Govinda. The family confirmed the news in a statement and an- nounced that his last rites would be held on Thursday. “With profound grief, we inform you of the passing of our beloved Pahlaj Nihalani on 4th June 2026. The cremation ceremony will be held today, 04.06.2026 at 3 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers as we bid a final farewell,” the statement read. Nihalani began his journey as a film producer in the early 1980s. His first production, ‘Haathkadi’, was re- leased in 1982, followed by ‘Aandhi-Toofan’ in 1985. Over the years, he backed several popular films includ- ing ‘Gunahon Ka Faisla’, ‘Paap Ki Duniya’, ‘Mitti Aur Sona’, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ and ‘Aankhen’. Among his productions, ‘Aankhen’ emerged as one of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of the 1990s and played a key role in establishing him as a successful pro- ducer in the industry. Apart from film production, Nihalani also served as the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In later years, he produced the 2017 film ‘Julie 2’.. -ANI Palhaj Nihalani. PHOTO:ANI