A day after Father’s Day, Obama announced the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to press the point that addressing fatherlessness has been a priority of the Obama administration. The President spent his day reflecting on fatherhood, how it shapes kids, and the responsibilities fathers face. He spoke in the morning at an event in Washington, DC before hosting Mentoring Barbeque on the South Lawn later.

“It is significant that the President of the United States touches this critical issue facing the American society and giving it so much importance,” said Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education and who coordinated Sikh youth presence at the White House. He added, “We look forward to working with President Obama in the coming days on behalf of children, families and communities around our great nation.”

All of the Sikh boys go to Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) gurdwara, a Sikh congregation, based in Rockville, Maryland. In addition to being focused on their education, they all are involved in youth activities at GGSF and many of them learn kirtan (sikh hymn singing), tabla and gatka - Sikh martial art.

Rajdeep Singh, 11th grader at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, who has kirtan and Neuro-science as his passion, said, "I Never would have thought..." is a motto that I repeated constantly throughout the visit at the White House, because it represents exactly what I was feeling.

It was an amazing, unforgettable day in my opinion. We entered and about 5 minutes later, President Obama, along with the mentors, came out. When President Obama came out, I was excited. I was about 5 feet from him, something I hadn't ever thought would happen. I looked to my right and saw celebrities, the likes of comedian Steve Harvey, NBA player Etan Thomas, physicist James Gates, Tracee Ross from "Girlfriends" and many more, something I never even thought of as a possibility, ignoring the fact that I had the opportunity to talk with them as well. I believe that the 2 highlights of the day for me were shaking President Obama's hand and meeting and talking with Steve Harvey. It took about 2 minutes for it to kick in that I had actually shook the President's hand. Another 2 minutes later, when I look down the lawn and saw the tourists taking pictures, I was immediately overtaken with humility. I could not believe that I was on the inside looking out instead of what it normally is. I had the opportunity to meet the President, come to the White House, and meet many celebrities, something people, including myself, wish for. I feel very lucky, even now, at the fact that I was allowed into this extraordinary event. Steve Harvey truly inspired me today. If I took away anything from Mr. Harvey, it was that the difference between the words "ordinary" and "extraordinary" is a much greater difference than that of their spellings. I learned that I must strive to be "extraordinary", and that I should, and I will, always think positive and big, for if I do, then I will surely succeed. One example that he gave really hit me. Mr. Harvey said "It doesn't take any more effort to say 'First Class' rather than 'Coach', so why do people say coach? I personally say 'private aircraft". Although the crowd that had started with 6 and had grew to about 20 plus started laughing, I grasped what he was trying to say. Success comes from attitude, and if you believe that you want something, then you can get it. Always think big and believe in yourself and believe in God. By doing these things, one will succeed. I learned alot from a comedian who I thought was just going to crack jokes, and I was truly motivated to strive for excellence and to broaden my horizon.

In conclusion, the event was again unforgettable and inspirational, not only because I got to meet so many celebrities and people who have succeeded, but because the students attending the event were just like me: aspiring students who just need some guidance and some motivation. As I looked around at the conclusion of the event, I felt really grateful and out of the many things going around in my mind, 4 things came up the most:

1) I am going to be successful and make a difference in this world.

2) I am going to be invited to White House events like these celebrities when I grow older.

3) I really want Steve Harvey to speak at my graduation and

4) Thank you, God, for giving me this wonderful, humbling opportunity.

I will never forget this day because it truly opened my eyes and motivated me to always think big and strive for excellence.”

After, shaking everyone’s hands, he introduced the celebrity guests and sent them to each group. The celebrity guest that was in my group was Allan Houston, a retired NBA player. We had a real heart-to-heart conversation. The first topic he asked our group was about Sikhism. He asked why we wore out turbans, the values Sikhism upholds and if we were made fun of when we were kids. The next topic we talked about was President Obama. We talked about his policies, his views and how he deals with political attacks such as the ones from the Tea Party movement. The last topic we talked about was who influenced our lives the most. After that, we went to the basketball court and played 21. We even saw the President Obama’s Ball and the White House basketball court.

This experience has been extremely memorable for me. I was able to go to the White House and meet Obama in person and it has taught me that I can accomplish anything if I work my hardest. I would give the same message to anyone who tries to accomplish something in life.”

Inderbir Singh, 11th grader from Quince Orchard High School, Maryland, and who has soccer as his passion and wants to be an engineer, said, “I thought that I was lucky just to be picked out of 10 kids from Gurudwara, but when I reached the White House I learned that there were only 100 kids from all of America to be there. I immediately realized that this was a very special occasion this was and that I was lucky at all to be there. I thought that there were probably people more deserving then me who should be here.

The event at the White House started with a speech from Obama. He explained that he had brought “mentors” from all over the country. These mentors were supposed to sit with us during lunch and share experiences and help guide us through the future. In my opinion I think they did more than that, they inspired us to change the world. The mentor that was sitting at my table was Allan Houston. Al Houston is a retired basketball player who now is the Assistant to the President for Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks. He advised on not only on life but on the problems of life. We talked about hate in the world and how to educate people about what is right and what is wrong.

This inspired me to believe that if one man can change a group of kids then each of us could change another group of kids which creates a domino effect that can change the world”

I personally had an inspirational discussion with American theoretical physicist, James Gates and comedian Steve Harvey. Mr. Gates and I had a discussion about the challenges that we will face in our futures and how to overcome those challenges and make them a learning experience. He persistently emphasized the importance of higher education and transferring the knowledge we acquire to be beneficial in our work environment. Mr. Gates was very sincere during his discussion, that it had a lasting expression on me personally.  After talking to Mr. Gates, I went to the famous comedian Steve Harvey. Mr. Harvey had a different approach then Mr. Gates, but equally as inspirational. We had a discussion about how to become successful. Mr. Harvey was very straight-forward with us about the difference of having a diploma and being successful. He strongly emphasized that having a diploma will not guarantee success. He said that the way to become successful is to by training your mind to “think positively” and “think big”. Mr. Harvey was very passionate during his discussion which also left a lasting expression on me personally.

Both of the guest speakers I had talked to have had an inspirational effect that I believe will have a positive impact for my future. Both speakers spoke from experience and both talked about the importance of what I do now, because it will affect my future. Just as President Obama said in his morning speech, these guest speakers are here to help us and mentor us.

This experience was a memorable experience that I wish I could share with all my friends, especially the ones in the Sikh community. When reflecting on this experience, I realize that I am fortunate to be in the position that I am in and it is my job to make every situation into a positive one. Being a Sikh, I only see the positives that come with keeping my identity and this experience made that more clear.  Difficulties do come but that is a part of growing up and we have to deal with them.”

Earlier in the morning before a crowd of faith leaders, fatherhood experts, women’s groups and everyday moms and dads, President Obama delivered a major address on fatherlessness in America.  He joined dads everywhere in a call to action on behalf of nation’s families and kicked off The President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, a nationwide push to address father absence and ensure that all kids have positive role models in their lives. Mr. Obama said, in a call to action with states, cities and non-government organizations to raise awareness about responsible fatherhood.

Striking a personal note the day after Father's Day, President Obama announced a set of new proposals to help fathers become more engaged in their children's lives.

Speaking at an arts and recreation campus in Washington, Mr. Obama also proposed a Fatherhood, Marriage and Families Innovation Fund, which would provide funding for community projects that assist fathers. Those programs could include job training, parenting skills classes and domestic violence prevention.

He also outlined a transitional jobs initiative for men leaving prison so they can meet their child support obligations, as well as a plan for special re-entry courts for fathers leaving prison.

Mr. Obama said there are "too many fathers missing from too many homes," and that "when fathers abandon their responsibilities, there's harm done."

He added, "I say this as someone who grew up without a father in my own life."

While government can't force fathers to be present in their children's lives, Mr. Obama said, it can send a message that there's no excuse for failing to meet parental obligations.

He spoke fondly of his own experiences of a father, saying, "The most challenging, most fulfilling, most important job I will have in my time on this earth is to be Sasha's and Malia's dad."

Over the past year, officials from the Obama administration held a six-city listening tour on responsible fatherhood to help develop programs that address fatherlessness. On Monday, Mr. Obama announced next steps via a President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, including:

"We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference."

"That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child, but the courage to raise one."