Amar Singh established Turbans 4 Australia in 2015 to provide aid relief to people across Australia, and to promote multiculturalism and religious tolerance.
Since calling Australia home as a teenager, Amar has experienced racism, abuse and discrimination, and was once told by a co-worker that he looked like a terrorist because of his turban.
Amar is using this experience for good.
Turbans 4 Australia hosts an annual Sikh Community Sports Event which is attended by over 1500 people, and which includes a colourful array of traditional Indian dress by men, women and children, food, and the second most popular sport in India, kabaddi.
“It’s very important to me that my turban is not an article of fear for anyone,” says Amar in between events at the cultural sports day. “It’s a sign of help.”
Kapil Malhorta from the United Bhangra Dance Group shows how a turban is tied and explains that it’s not just an article of clothing.
“People can recognise from our turban that this person is a Sikh, and this person is from the Punjab community,” says Kapil.
To a Sikh, a turban is a spiritual crown that represents equality, honour, self-respect and courage. Through Turbans 4 Australia, Amar is using these virtues and addressing the racism, abuse and discrimination he once experienced.
Turbans 4 Australia also run food and aid relief programs in Melbourne and Sydney, and has operations around the country as well.
Every week, Turbans 4 Australia gives out over 300 food hampers to people doing it tough, they support smaller charities by providing food and transport services, and their impact is being recognised by corporate, state and federal bodies.
In 2023, Amar was recognised as Australia’s Local Hero. This is one of many accolades he and the work he founded has received over the years, which includes the NSW Local Hero, the Rotary Community Peace Award, and the NSW Parliament Community Leader Award.
Since it was founded, Turbans 4 Australia has resonated with the Sikh and non-Sikh communities across Australia, and has received support from the AMP Foundation, Campsie RSL Club, Audi Centre in Canberra, and hundreds of volunteers.
Amar has a vision to build community kitchens in Melbourne and Sydney, with the plan to run community and corporate volunteer programs that teach people how to cook, and then distribute meals throughout the community.
Gordon Brian from Campsie RSL and Richard Rolfe from the National Australia Day Council witnessed the Turbans 4 Australia Sunday food program first hand, and both were impressed by the scale, size and impact of the operation.
“(Amar) is working with the community, for the community and is uplifting the nation,” said Richard.
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