Union City's First Punjabi Graduation and New Gurdwara Signal Growing Sikh Community

Union City's South Asian community is marking milestones on multiple fronts: a local high school held its first-ever Punjabi language graduation ceremony, the region's newest gurdwara is set to be built in the city, and tens of thousands gathered at the nearby Alameda County Fairgrounds for a landmark Diwali celebration that drew families from across the Bay Area — including many from Union City itself.

🎓 Union City High School Holds Historic First Punjabi Graduation

A Union City high school has marked a historic milestone by holding its first-ever Punjabi language graduation ceremony — an occasion that signals both the size of the Punjabi-speaking community in the area and the school's commitment to honoring its students' linguistic heritage. Punjabi is widely spoken among South Asian communities in the East Bay, reflecting the large Sikh and Punjabi-origin population that has made the region home across multiple generations. For students who studied Punjabi as part of their coursework, a dedicated graduation acknowledges that academic achievement in their heritage language carries the same recognition as achievement in any other subject. Such ceremonies also send a message to younger students and their families that the school genuinely values cultural identity as part of a well-rounded education. The decision to hold the graduation appears to reflect both student and community advocacy, and the inaugural ceremony is likely to inspire similar traditions in future years. Union City has a proud history as home to diverse South and Southeast Asian communities, and events like this Punjabi graduation reinforce the sense that local public institutions are responsive to the communities they serve. It is a moment of pride for Punjabi families across the area and a step toward greater cultural recognition within the public school system. [1]

🪔 Region's Newest Gurdwara to Be Built in Union City

Union City is set to gain a new gurdwara — a Sikh place of worship — with the announcement that the region's newest such facility would be constructed in the city. The development reflects the strength and continued growth of Union City's Sikh community, which has been a significant presence in the East Bay for decades. Gurdwaras function as far more than religious centers: they serve as community gathering spaces, offer langar — free communal meals available to all visitors regardless of faith or background — and play an important role in maintaining cultural continuity for Sikh families living far from Punjab. The establishment of a new gurdwara in Union City speaks to the community's expanding population and its intention to put down deeper institutional roots in the region. For younger generations growing up in the Bay Area, a local gurdwara provides a space to learn Sikh traditions, Gurmukhi script, kirtan (devotional music), and the values of seva — selfless service — that are central to Sikh practice. The new facility will serve residents from Union City and the wider East Bay community. Its construction marks a meaningful moment for the Sikh diaspora in the region, and is expected to be welcomed by families who have historically relied on more distant gurdwaras to meet their religious and cultural needs. [5]

🎉 25,000-Plus Gather at Fairgrounds Diwali, Including Union City Families

Fireworks lit up the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton on a Saturday night as more than 25,000 people gathered to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in an event that drew South Asian families from across the Bay Area, including many from Union City. The celebration was organized by the Association of Indo Americans with the help of over 150 dedicated volunteers, and featured food, music, dance, fashion, and cultural performances. A Union City resident who attended with her young children spoke of the deep personal significance of the event, describing it as a connection to the festival gatherings of her childhood in India and an opportunity to pass that cultural memory on to the next generation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta attended and spoke about Diwali's values — light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance — calling them especially meaningful at a time when immigrant communities face challenges at the federal level. Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, who grew up in the East Bay and is of Indian descent, reflected on how the festival has transformed from private family celebrations into a major public event, and said its growth reflects the South Asian diaspora's expanding presence and legitimacy in the region. The event took on added resonance as California moves toward making Diwali an official state holiday. [2]

Sources: [1] Tri City Voice · [5] East Bay Times · [2] ABC7 Bay Area