NETHERLANDS
Sikhs form a significant portion of Indian immigrant population (excluding PIOs from Surinam). There were odd Sikh immigrants beginning 1950s and 1960s, but the majority of Sikhs came from 1970s and 1980s onwards. There are eight gurdwaras. The Sikh connection with Surinamese Hindustanis is an interesting feature. An episode relating to Sikhs in Netherlands was the voyage in 1987 of a small freighter from Rotterdam to Halifax in Canada repeat of sorts of the famous failed voyage of Komagata Maru. 3HO Sikhs (Followers of Yogi Bhajan) established the Guru Ramdas Ashram Gurdwara in Amsterdam in 1973, a first in Continental Europe.

NORWAY
Some Sikhs came as agricultural labourers beginning 1970s, but the migration picked up in 1980s and 1990s. Originally the immigrants worked in agriculture but now they have diversified into other fields. The second generation are well educated and have entered various professions. They have also organized themselves under the Unge Sikher (Young Sikhs) who besides other activities, organize Turban Day and participate in the Nagar kirtan on Baisakhi. Harinder Singh Khalsa, first Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Oslo had resigned post Blue Star Operation and sought asylum in the country.We had the privilege of staying with and being escorted by Lill Vramo, a scholar of Sikhs Studies in Norway.

POLAND
Amongst the East European countries, Poland is the only country where there is some significant Sikh presence and a gurdwara. Sikh migration to Poland is a more recent phenomenon. Before the collapse of Communism in 1989, some Sikhs had come as a part of exchange programme some of whom stayed back and started small businesses. Until 1990s Poland was used as a transit point for going to Europe but thereafter some asylum seekers started coming in who got naturalized through marriage or business. The new immigrants are mostly from middle-class or well-to-do families, educated and business oriented. The setting up of a gurdwara is an added attraction for Sikhs to settle in Poland. We enjoyed home hospitality of Prof. Anna Sieklukia for 3 nights.