HARISH RAO
CHICAGO: Palatine, a suburb of Chicago, has made a turbaned Sikh, Preet Singh, a Library Trustee. Palatine has the oldest and largest Sikh Gurdwara in Midwest, yet has no Sikh as an elected official. Now Singh will be the first nominated Sikh board member.
Singh will officially join as board member October 15. He studied in Palatine High School, and lives in Palatine with his wife, daughter and his parents. His father retired as a teacher.
Singh is a science teacher since 2003. He got his masters degree from Depaul University and also masters in educational leadership.
Singh also volunteers at Sunday school and Sikh camps. He was guided by Thakar S. Basati, a long time community activist involved in local politics. He has organized many functions in the library. The Palatine Library was the only library that got its tax increase referendum approved during last election and Basati played role in it
There are about 50 Punjabi books available in the library. Basati’s two daughters are also involved in local politics. The elder one is a board member in School district 45 and the younger one is Environment Commissioner in her home town.
Basati can be reached by email at Basatit@aol.com.
