“… the opportunity to be part of this project was a dream come true. I admit I knew nothing about Sikhs and Sikhism. But for me personally, it has been an amazing journey of discovery. If you grew up in a sheltered town like I did, you were not exposed to different cultures.

“We need to educate all members of society about Sikhs and other cultural heritages and look beyond physical appearances. We need to come together as a country and the world – to celebrate the values that we took for granted: national security, our safety, our homes, our morals, our very ways of life, which are being threatened.

“This project took off on 19th of September with the senseless killing of Balbir Singh Sodhi in Meza, Arizona which I read on the internet. He was shot because he was wearing a turban.  I am very angry at the media, as they had flashed pictures of terrorists and equated a style of dress: the turban and beard with mass murderers.

“Imagine growing up in a country where you were born and all of a sudden, you are scared of your neighbors, catcalls and murderers. You can’t judge a book by its cover – there are too many tragedies because people just assume and take out their hatred on innocent bystanders. Imagine all of a sudden, you are looked at differently and accused of things you’ve never done.

“I know prejudices and bigotry are results of ignorance and fear. And I don’t mean that in a negative way – Ignorance is all over the place. I hope people will view my personal discovery with the same joy and, move beyond intolerance and hostility. We know nothing about the rest of the world and I set out, not to be the typical American. This has been a fascinating educational experience.

“Family values are very important to me. I feel very lucky to be very close to my own family. It is where I get a lot of my strength and confidence. My mother and grandmother, who I am very proud to say, were teachers. I don’t know where I would be without the support of my family. I feel a lot of American youth miss out on that nowadays.

“Children are our future – I would like to see children grow up as confident leaders and to be scared of the place where they were born. I mean, being scared of your homeland is unfathomable, just a huge tragedy. They should not have to hide in their homes and gurdwaras, temples, synagogues, mosques… Not go to school, because they are afraid of teachers, fellow students and even friends. We need to address their voices. I think doing this TV series, will help people to understand their next door neighbors, and hopefully make a change for the better.

“Come on my film journey and learn about Sikhs. I hope to make a difference because I believe in this project. If I can help one person understand more about the Sikhs, I hope it will create a domino effect… to affect tolerance and love…”

A cherished colleague and friend, “Mistake identity” is Amanda’s legacy to America and the world, due to her tragic accident on 14 June 2002. A talented host and investigative journalist, this was her first major film documentary, during the springtime of her youth, Her presence is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, leaving her family, friends and business associates….devastated.

"MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sikhs in America" is a six-part TV series "celebrating cultural diversity in       today's religiously pluralistic world."

It goes beyond the shock and common wrath that consumed America in the immediate aftermath of September 11.

Terrorism of another sort - racism took hold of the American character and for a time corrupted its morality.

In the face of such adversity the cherished American ideals that guard the cornerstone of society became wounded by the victimization and racial profiling of fellow Americans - demonizing those -who simply resembled the terrorists.

This docu-drama is produced exclusively for mainstream North Americans and non-Sikhs worldwide to understand their Sikhs neighbors, Sikhism and what Sikh Americans have contributed to the USA since the 1880s.

Purpose
The objective of this first TV program is to inform and educate mainstream America and Non-Sikhs worldwide about Sikhs and Sikhism. Host & Investigative journalist Amanda Gesine represents the voice of Young American after 9/11, by demystifying the enigma of Sikh Americans, while discussing their historical experiences.

She shares the hopes and desires of the American population, especially the more idealistic younger generation, from all walks of life and backgrounds, who seek to close ranks against bigotry and hatred, taking a united stand against terrorism.

The Sikh Americans
Sikhs in America are living all over the United States, with strong work ethics inherited as spiritual believers of Sikhism - the 5th largest and newest religion in the world. (22 million Sikhs are settled in India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, etc. .

Accomplishment
This film-made-for TV, triumphs in breaking down misconceptions and cultural barriers due to ignorance and fear. It is a fine example of bridging the gap and informing mainstream American media with the presence of Host Amanda Gesine, director/producer Vinanti Sarkar and Philip Marshall (4-time Emmy award winning editor). It won two first prizes: The Golden Lion Award and the Remi Gold Statuette for "creative excellence".

Core Feelings
The film spotlights the experience of Sikh Americans (as one example of America's religiously pluralistic population), using the post 9/11 climate as a backdrop. It charts Amanda's personal journey of discovering her Sikh neighbors.

She stated: "September 11 changed us all; the question is whether it changed us for better or for worse?

It was NOT only a wake up call - but also a sense of innocence lost and the coming of age of my generation.

The Sikh story - is a small fragment of America's multicultural diversified population that - not only needs to be told, but celebrated.

Worldwide, populations of new immigrants share this reality."

The Cause
After 9/11, Amanda Gesine saw the light at the end of the tunnel and sought to break new ground in a unique TV series - the Sikh American story is one example - demanding greater understanding for knowledge on the six major religiously pluralistic world populations in the new millennium.

She saw the demonization of the turban and beard had created a huge backlash against Sikh Americans.

She concluded: “if making this TV program will save one life then we will have made a difference.

I believe in this project and if I can help one American understand about the Sikhs, I hope it will have a domino affect"