"You have to be the change you want to see in the world," Sara says. "We came to Canada to improve ourselves. What's wrong with modifying tradition?"
(quote from Amy Ghuman Sara in January 25th interview with The Leader)

Amy Ghuman Sara is the epitome of a young passionate activist, who sometimes put her personal interests on hold, in order to pursue and drive change in the South Asian mentality on boys and girls.

Through her Trinjan organization, she arranges a lohri party every year and the traditional cultural relevance behind this event is to celebrate the birth of young boys into the family. Well, Amy decided to take it one step further and involve the birth of girls in the celebration and "celebrate a life". This move originally caused fierce criticism in the community, but that didn't stop Amy from continuing on and making the Trinjan event a bigger success as years go by. Amy has found a way to address the culture's gender issues in a positive way and her method is proving to be successful.

Sparked by a recent tragedy in the South Asian community, Amy spoke to the mainstream media about the on-going problem of favoritism and preferential treatment of boys. Amy's comments were in response to the recent death of toddler Rajvinder Kahlon, 2 year old girl who was strangled by her own father. Unfortunately, this incident occurred 5 days after Amy's Lohri party.

Excerpts from National Post (Saturday, January 26th)

"It's so unfortunate. Especially for the last couple of days I just sit back and I wonder how long these South Asian women and girls will have to suffer from the hands of men. It needs drastic change," she said.

And while she acknowledges children are killed by parents of all backgrounds, it is her community that worries her the most. Amy is one of few people in the community who takes on a strong position on this matter and actually encourages a change in behaviour through Trinjan events.

Background on the Trinjan Organization
Trinjan is about educating and empowering Punjabi girls and youth with their culture and roots - but it's not just about young Punjabi girls. The entire Punjabi community has embraced Trinjan. So have non-Punjabis who want to make a difference and make the community a better place for all Canadians. We've managed to slowly shift some of the perceptions in the community and encourage girls and boys to be treated as equals.

Upcoming Trinjan Events:

• Our 2nd Annual Holi Festival in March
• 4th Annual Mela Mawan Dhyian Da (Festival of Mothers and Daughters) in May