Inspired by the Sikh Summit, Teen Entrepreneur Launches Apparel Brand to Support Panjab Relief Efforts and Empower Peers
As part of our UNITED SIKHS Alumni Spotlight Series, we are proud to feature Nivaaj Singh, a dynamic young changemaker whose journey from Sikh Summit participant to social entrepreneur is stitching new threads of impact into our community fabric.
Nivaaj Singh, ASAL Apparel CEO
At just 16, Nivaaj Singh and his cousin Ajitpal Singh have co-founded ASAL Apparel, a youth-led clothing brand rooted in identity, resilience, and representation. Their team is preparing for an October launch featuring a special line of UNITED SIKHS hoodies designed by Nivaaj himself. Ninety percent (90%) of proceeds will directly benefit UNITED SIKHS’ Seva and flood relief efforts across Panjab.
Ajitpal Singh, ASAL Apparel Co-Founder
Inspired by the Sikh Summit Experience
Nivaaj first connected with UNITED SIKHS through the Sikh Summit, where he joined other youth in exploring advocacy, leadership, and seva in action. “The Summit opened my eyes to how powerful our voices can be,” he shares. “It’s not just about learning the issues, it’s about understanding how we can shape it, together.”
That experience planted the seed for creating the “Save Panjab” collection – an initiative designed to strengthen UNITED SIKHS’ relief and rebuilding efforts in Panjab. “I wanted to create something that speaks to who we are,” Nivaaj says. “The Summit gave me the confidence to build something that uplifts our community and gives back, especially by supporting the work happening on the ground in Panjab.”
Asal Apparel Co founder Nivaaj Singh (right), Dilraj Singh (model, left)
A Vision Beyond Apparel
In a recent conversation with UNITED SIKHS, Nivaaj shared two heartfelt goals that reflect his growing sense of responsibility and empathy. First, he expressed a deep desire to support the farmers of Panjab–those whose struggles often go unseen but whose resilience fuels entire communities. “They’re the backbone of our community,” he said. “I want my work to help amplify their voices.”
Second, Nivaaj spoke about starting a cultural organization at his high school to support students who feel isolated or overwhelmed, especially those who struggle with English. “Too many kids are having a hard time,” he noted. “I want to create a space where they feel seen, where they can connect to their roots and feel proud of who they are.”
UNITED SIKHS x ASAL Apparel: Launching October 2025
The upcoming UNITED SIKHS hoodie collection will feature bold, mission-driven designs that reflect the spirit of unity and love for Panjab. Every purchase will support disaster relief, legal aid, and grassroots empowerment efforts led by UNITED SIKHS.
ASAL Apparel’s next drop titled “Save Panjab” will include a hoodie in three distinct colorways, apart from other items. This collection is more than a fashion statement; it’s a direct response to one of the most urgent humanitarian crises affecting the region. Panjab is currently experiencing the worst floods in its history, with thousands of villages destroyed and millions displaced. The team at ASAL Apparel understands the countless challenges facing the world today, but they’ve chosen to focus their efforts on this critical moment.
Ninety percent of the profits from the “Save Panjab” drop will go directly to UNITED SIKHS’ flood relief programs, which provide aid across Punjab, India; Punjab, Pakistan; Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Through this collaboration, ASAL Apparel hopes to help as many people as possible, channeling youth creativity into tangible impact.
For Nivaaj, “Resilience isn’t loud – it’s the silence which refuses to shatter. Stay ASAL. Stay TRUE.”
Why It Matters
UNITED SIKHS continues to invest in the next generation of Sikh leaders through initiatives like the Sikh Summit, where youth like Nivaaj and Ajitpal find the tools, mentorship, and inspiration to lead with purpose. This collaboration is a testament to what happens when we nurture vision and give young people the space to act on it.
Stay tuned for the October launch – and join us in supporting Nivaaj’s journey as he threads advocacy into every stitch.
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About UNITED SIKHS
UNITED SIKHS is a United Nations-affiliated international nonprofit organization dedicated to humanitarian relief, civil rights advocacy, and community empowerment. Guided by the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service), the organization provides advocacy, disaster response, and social justice support to underserved communities across the globe. Through strategic partnerships, grassroots mobilization, and policy engagement, UNITED SIKHS works to protect human dignity, promote religious freedom, and advance equity for all.
For media inquiries or to support UNITED SIKHS’ legal advocacy efforts, please contact:
Gurleen Kaur
Director of Media and Public Relations
📧 gurleen.kaur@unitedsikhs.org | media@unitedsikhs.org
To contribute to our legal advocacy and humanitarian work, please visit: 🌐 www.unitedsikhs.org/donate
