Opinderjit Takhar

Opinderjit Kaur Takhar
MBE
ਓਪਿੰਦਰਜੀਤ ਕੌਰ ਤੱਖਰ
Born
UK
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Researcher
Academic
Years active2001–present
EmployerWolverhampton University
Board member ofCentre for Sikh and Punjabi Studies
HonoursMember 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

  1. ^ "June 2018 - Academic honoured for contribution to Sikh community research - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  2. ^ ABPL. "Lecturer delivers keynote speech at Parliament to mark Guru Nanak birth annivers..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  3. ^ Bagdi, Annabal. "Wolverhampton academic delivers Parliament's first Sikh lecture". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  4. ^ "BBC Local Radio - Keeping Faith, Sikh reflection: Opinderjit". BBC. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  5. ^ Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE on BBC Radio Wolverhampton, retrieved 2022-04-17
  6. ^ "March 2021 - Academic offers Sikh faith expertise for BBC documentary - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  7. ^ Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar Director of Centre for Sikh and Panjabi in India, retrieved 2022-04-17
  8. ^ "Sikh Groups in Britain and Their Implications for Criteria Related to Sikh Identity". University of South Wales. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  9. ^ ABPL. "Academic receives royal award for her contribution to Sikh community research..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  10. ^ "Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE receives the British Indian Award for 'Influencer of the Year'". Asian World News. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  11. ^ "December 2021 - Academic scoops gem of an award for contribution to Sikh Studies - University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-04-17.