Parminder 'Parm' Bains

Honoree: Karm Singh Bains

Donor: Parminder 'Parm' Bains

Sardar Karm Singh Bains was born in 1902 in the village of Nangal Kalan, District Hoshiarpur in Punjab. In 1923, Karm came to the United States, leaving behind his wife Kartar Kaur and two sons. He followed the path of previous Punjabi pioneers in his family. His uncle, Baba 'Fahla' Dalip Singh, was among the first wave of Punjabis to North America, arriving in 1899, and was also a founding member of the Ghadar Party. After Karm arrived in Yuba City nearly twenty-five years later, he found work on various farms and began saving money to one day purchase his own land. Because of strict immigration laws, Karm was unable to reunited with his family until the late-1940s when new legislation was passed. Karm purchased land and a house on what is now Bridge Street in Yuba City. There he and his wife Kartar, who came in 1949, made a life for themselves. As one of the few men in Yuba City with a Punjabi wife, their home on Bridge St (then known as Whyler Rd) was a central meeting place where newcomers were greeted and men often left belongings for safekeeping while they returned to visit India. Karm's two sons made sure to earn a good education. After they arrived in America, Joginder earned his PhD in political science and Resham got a degree in agriculture. Karm was known as an honest and religious man. He did not like debt and therefore bought everything outright. He passed away in 1971. Three year later his wife, Kartar Kaur passed away. The family continues their legacy in part through Resham who immigrated in 1963 with his wife Gurjit Kaur. Together they had five children: Nakshatar Kaur, Tejwant Kaur, Parminder Singh, Ravinder Kaur, and Gurpreet Singh. They will always remember and admire the sacrifice their grandfather made for the family. May his life be lovingly remembered.