An award-winning University research academic has been named as one of 75 inspirational women by the British Deputy High Commission in India recently.
Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, MBE, Associate Professor of Sikh Studies, Director of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, and President of Theology and Religious Studies UK, was included in the book for her contribution to raising the profile of Sikh women across the UK and internationally through her research and knowledge exchange activities.
“The British Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh has commemorated the 75th year of Indian Independence by launching the book titled “75 years, 75 women, 75 words”. The book highlights the exceptional contribution of women towards strengthening the “living bridge” between India and the UK.
The launch event, held at the residence of British Deputy High Commissioner, Caroline Rowett, in Chandigarh, India, brought together many remarkable women featured in the book. Rowett expressed her admiration for these women and their achievements. She found it fascinating how these inspirational women shaped their lives and career.
Dr Takhar said: “As a woman of Indian heritage I am delighted to receive this recognition for the global impact of my work. My parents left India to settle in the UK in the 1960s. Like so many of my generation, we were the first generation to be born to Indian parents in the UK, which had both its challenges as well as strengths.
“The ‘living bridge’ initiative reminds us that, despite being born in Britian, our cultural roots will always be linked to India.” Dr Takhar received the British Indian Award for ‘Influencer of the Year’ at a high-profile ceremony held at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre in July 2019.
She is also Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange (Interim) in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing and is an internationally recognised researcher in Sikh Studies who has published extensively on the Sikh and Panjabi community. The Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies, which is the first of its kind in the UK, offers PhDs, as well as continuing professional development (CPD) courses for teachers and managers of diverse workforces such as national and local government, the NHS and the emergency services.
