NORWICH – Swaranjit Singh Khalsa is hoping a new memorial – a first in the U.S. – will enlighten the community about one of India’s darkest years.

Khalsa, the Norwich Sikh community leader, said America’s first 1984 Sikh Genocide Memorial, set to be unveiled in Otis Library on Saturday will provide a chance for healing and education.

The memorial also remembers the thousands of innocent victims of the 1984 Sikh genocide in India.

"It’s a symbol that says we recognize you guys," Khalsa said, "and we stand with you."

It was June 1984 when the government suspected weapons were being stockpiled at the Sikh faith's most holy shrine, the Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Punjab, Swaranjit said. Hundreds of Sikh worshippers at the shrine were murdered and the structure was desecrated and burned.

June marks the 35th anniversary of the invasion – this year also marks the 35th Commemoration of the November 1984 Sikh Genocide.

"Five years ago was the first time Connecticut observed this in Norwich City Hall," Khalsa said. "That just made more ties to Norwich to have this memorial made and placed here. Everyone in this city is proactive in recognizing diversity. Everybody really appreciates the Norwich community."

Bob Farwell, executive director of Otis Library, said members of the Norwich City Council approached library officials about placement of the memorial. Otis Library has sponsored some displays in its atrium cases on the Sikh community.

Farwell said the state’s recognition of the Sikh genocide – Gov. Ned Lamont declared June "Sikh Memorial Month" and the General Assembly passed a resolution to declare June 1 "Sikh Memorial Day" – also played into the decision to have the memorial housed at Otis.

"As a community space, we welcomed the opportunity and encourage the public to view the memorial and learn more about the Sikh community and its history," Farwell said. "We are a venue that attracts a diverse body of patrons, which certainly helps broaden public awareness."

According to the Sikh Coalition, about 500,000 Sikhs live in the U.S., with much of that population settled in California and New York.

"I have seen growth in Connecticut," Khalsa said. "A lot of business owners are looking right here in Norwich."

"Norwich is home to so many residents who have histories to share," he said. "Outside of an academic environment, a public library like Otis, which also serves as Norwich’s de facto community center, offers an opportunity to explore cultures and become acquainted with the lives and antecedents of other residents."

Khalsa said the memorial is a great step.

"Our motive is to bring in light the right narrative, which has been suppressed for many, many years and also to educate fellow Americans on what happened to Sikh in 1984 and why Sikhs decided to choose America as their home," Khalsa said. "It will make (the) community feel safer living here and makes a statement that Connecticut understands the pain of the Sikh Nation and stands in solidarity with the Sikh community."