Opinderjit Takhar
Opinderjit Kaur Takhar | |
|---|---|
ਓਪਿੰਦਰਜੀਤ ਕੌਰ ਤੱਖਰ | |
| Born | UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Researcher Academic |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Employer | Wolverhampton University |
| Board member of | Centre for Sikh and Punjabi Studies |
| Honours | Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire MBE (2018) |
Opinderjit Takhar MBE (Punjabi: ਓਪਿੰਦਰਜੀਤ ਤੱਖਰ) is a researcher and director of the centre for Sikh and Punjabi studies at the University of Wolverhampton.[1]
Career and work
Opinderjit regularly talks about Sikh religion and culture and has provided a keynote speech to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in 2017 in Parliament talking about his egalitarian and feminist teachings.[2] She has also delivered the first Sikh lecture in Parliament within the Speaker's State Rooms as part of Sikh Heritage Month in 2019. [3]
She talks about Sikhism in the media and has shared her own story of being inspired by her religion on BBC local radio[4] in addition to speaking on BBC Wolverhampton[5] on her role in the BBC documentary Being Sikh. [6]
In 2019 she visited India to look into building links between British and Indian Universities and developing exchange programmes for students studying Sikh and Punjabi studies.[7]
She published her Ph.D. thesis on 'Sikh Groups in Britain' in 2001.[8]
Awards and recognitions
- In 2018, she received an MBE for her services to Sikh community research.[9]
- In 2019, she received the British Indian award for influencer of the year.[10]
- In 2021, she was awarded the Sikh Jewel Award by The Right Honourable Ben Wallace MP.[11]
References
- ^ "June 2018 - Academic honoured for contribution to Sikh community research - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ ABPL. "Lecturer delivers keynote speech at Parliament to mark Guru Nanak birth annivers..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ Bagdi, Annabal. "Wolverhampton academic delivers Parliament's first Sikh lecture". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ "BBC Local Radio - Keeping Faith, Sikh reflection: Opinderjit". BBC. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE on BBC Radio Wolverhampton, retrieved 2022-04-17
- ^ "March 2021 - Academic offers Sikh faith expertise for BBC documentary - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar Director of Centre for Sikh and Panjabi in India, retrieved 2022-04-17
- ^ "Sikh Groups in Britain and Their Implications for Criteria Related to Sikh Identity". University of South Wales. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ ABPL. "Academic receives royal award for her contribution to Sikh community research..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ "Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE receives the British Indian Award for 'Influencer of the Year'". Asian World News. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ "December 2021 - Academic scoops gem of an award for contribution to Sikh Studies - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.