About

My name is Arjan Goindi, and I’m a 16-year-old junior at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose. I named this organization Sahibzaade Smiles to honor the Chaar Sahibzaade, four young Sikh martyrs who gave their lives to protect Sikhism and its values. The Sahibzaade—Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, and Baba Fateh Singh—were the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru. Their courage, resilience, and faith are the foundation of Sikhism today.

The idea for this initiative came to me on a Sunday afternoon in December 2022. It was a typical Bay Area winter day: sunny, around 60 degrees, with a light breeze. My dad and I were on the way home after our weekly visit to the San Jose Gurdwara. During the long drive, we started discussing the Sahibzaade and how December is an important month in Sikh history, marking their martyrdom in the early 1700s. As we talked, I found myself reflecting on how much their sacrifice still impacts us today.

For as long as I can remember, my family has participated in the Family Giving Tree holiday drives, donating toys to kids in need. Since I was around five years old, I’ve helped pick out toys and imagined the smiles they would bring to other kids. In the last few years, I’ve also volunteered with Family Giving Tree, helping sort and distribute donations. It’s always been a small but meaningful way to give back during the holidays.

That December afternoon, it hit me. What better way to honor the Sahibzaade than by spreading smiles and joy to kids who need it most? Their story is largely about sacrifice and courage, but love and generosity are also important. That’s when I decided to create Sahibzaade Smiles. The name represents the legacy of the Sahibzaade and the happiness their story inspires. While it took me a couple years to the start the initiative, its creation lets me combine two things I care about deeply: my Sikh heritage and giving back to the community. Supporting kids through Family Giving Tree feels like the right thing to do because I've been involved with them almost my entire life. Through Sahibzaade Smiles, I hope to honor the Sahibzaade by sharing their message of kindness and bringing joy to local underprivileged kids during the holiday season.