Take one look at Rajvir Ghotra’s inviting hazel eyes and one can tell he isn’t the average teenager. He is deeper, more intelligent in the ways of social acceptance.

Ghotra is a Sikh, which means he is a part of a monotheistic religion originating from the Indian region of Punjab. This is a fresh way to see things living in a mostly white Christian town.

“It is open to everything,” Ghotra said. “Some religions have it where you have to believe in a certain thing, to go to a heaven or paradise and it’s nothing like that, it’s just that you believe in God.”

Ghotra was raised in a religious home but was never forced into his religion. Unlike many households, if he decided Sikh just wasn’t for him, his family wouldn’t disown him.

“When I was one I couldn’t say if I wanted to be a Sikh or not,” Ghotra said. “But as I grew up in it, I liked the environment of people.”

Sikhs are very accepting and don’t judge others on celebrating something outside the Sikh religion. Although they don’t celebrate Christmas, Ghotra says he still enjoys the holiday spirit.

“I like Christmas,” Ghotra said. “I think it’s awesome, the whole atmosphere this time of year, and how people get a little bit nicer. The snow looks all awesome, so I can enjoy it a little even though I don’t celebrate it myself.”

Sikhism has its own holidays.Their holidays occur on the birth and death dates of the ten creators of the Sikh religion. It all started with one man and a couple of ideas, he then passed those down unto nine other people and the tenth person wrote the book and created the religion. The biggest celebration, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is in April and celebrates the first person. They celebrate the holidays at their temple.

“The temple I used to go to was in Grand Rapids,” Ghotra said. “Thats kind of a ways away, so
my dad, with other community members, made a committee and made a new temple, Guru Nanak Nialas, in the Fruitport area.”

One belief of Sikhism is that God gave you your hair as a gift and cutting it is disrespectful to him. They often wear patkas or dastars to cover their hair. Since Ghotra is still young he wears a patka. They are often called turbans in slang.

“When my dad moved here he had to make sacrifices,” Ghotra said. “He moved from Northern India, and back then people weren’t as accepting so he had to cut his hair.”

Ghotra’s family is very close, but it wasn’t always that way. In 2011 something happened that tightened that bond.

“My mom got diagnosed with breast cancer,” Ghotra said, breaking eye contact.

This made everyone value each minute they had with each other. They stuck together to help get through this event.

“My mom survived it, with flying colors,” Ghotra said. “I’m so proud to be her son.”

Although this was a traumatic event, Ghotra saw the good in it.

“Sometimes I think ‘Wow if my mom didn’t go through this terrible thing we, wouldn’t be as close as we are today,’” Ghotra said.

This mad Ghotra more sensitive to other people’s situations because one never knows what someone’s going through.

“Raj is adaptable,” Ghotra’s teacher of two years, Dacia Albaugh said. “You can put him with anyone and he just goes with the flow.”

Most students stick to who they know, but Ghotra is not afraid to branch out.

“With Trump being elected, I am kind of scared of another KKK group starting,” Ghotra said. “Because when bad leaders are elected, bad things start to happen.”

Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women.

“I wish other religions were more accepting,” Ghotra said. “Other religions go out and shun people of different religions. Like if you’re not Christian, you’re wrong. With my religion, you believe in a God, good job. If you don’t, that’s okay.”