‘Patka Kits’: An initiative to help young Sikhs wear their faith with confidence in Australian schools

To support young Sikh children in in feeling proud and confident about wearing this important article of faith, 'Patka', a Melbourne-based community group 'Melbourne Singhs', is running an initiative called 'Patka Kits'. As part of the program, Sikh families receive these kits, which include a children’s story book explaining the significance of the patka and simple, easy-to-follow guides on how to tie it.

‘ਮੈਲਬਰਨ ਸਿੰਘਜ਼’ ਵਲੋਂ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ ‘ਪਟਕਾ ਕਿੱਟਸ’ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਸਮੱਗਰੀ । Credit: Supplied by Udaybir Singh (Melbourne Singhs)

Speaking to SBS Punjabi, founder Udaibir Singh said the initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage confidence among Sikh children in schools, where they are often in the minority.

The patka, a type of Sikh head covering, worn by Sikh children until they are ready to wear a full turban (dastar/pagri), is an important article of faith.

"Thanks to these kits, at least three families whose kids did not wear a Patka in Australia have embraced their 'Sikhi' roots and adopted their article of faith again," he said.

Recently, the group also gifted Patka Kits to principals of 20–25 schools under the Manningham Council to help staff and students from diverse cultural backgrounds understand and support Sikh children in wearing the patka.

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'ਪਟਕਾ ਕਿਡ' ਲਈ 'ਪਟਕਾ ਕਿੱਟ': ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਵੀ ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਅਨ ਸਕੂਲ ਵਿੱਚ ‘ਪਟਕਾ’ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ?

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