We congratulate the Sikh community in the United States for having built in the last two decades over 50 gurdwaras at an estimated cost of $5060 million, more power to the Panth! Gurdwaras are a gathering place where the Sikhs get together spiritually, socially, and in these troubled times politically also.
No one will refute that Sikh nation is passing through very troubled times indeed. The very faith of the Khalsa in the land of his birth has been challenged. ‘We must move forward and move quickly. The time now is to put every bit of our strength in resolving the problem of throwing of the much hated yoke of oppression.
For this we need to support the freedom fighters with everything we have. We also need to use the powerful tool of electronic and print media to not only share our experience and hope but more importantly to make the world aware of the indescribable horror of Punjab today. We need a media network of short wave radio to beam our message to the subcontinent, a TV channel here in North America and a strong newspaper which can be the meeting place for minds of diverse opinions much as a Gurdwara.
Like in a Gurdwara after the prayers are over, Sikhs meet to discuss the current situation so also in the World Sikh News. We get every shade of opinion, positive and negative. We get convinced or convince someone to our point of view. This forum needs to be strengthened as it is also a small window from which the world can look at us and our valiant struggle to be free.
In the little over five years the World Sikh News has faced innumerable problems. Some it could surmount easily and some were tougher and some are with us still. The feeling that this is the newspaper of the Sikhs and for the Sikhs with no axes to grind did not find universal acceptance. This was no deterrent as it is common knowledge that among our ranks is many anti-national elements out to subvert our cause. Strengthen our hands so that we may not fall afoul of them but more importantly to carry on encouraging the noble youth in Punjab who have placed the Panth above themselves.
A community newspaper is an institution which has a crucial role to play for Sikhs who are spread all over the world. How many people do you meet in your home or Gurdwara? How many can you reach through the paper? We live in highly competitive electronic age where no one or no place is further than your fingertip. The role of the media cannot be over emphasized especially in the developed west.
Our priorities have to be outlined yet again.
First is our very survival. That we will succeed and live with dignity and honor no matter how long it takes, let there be no doubt. ‘Then come communications and for that we have made a humble beginning but we have a long way to go. Let your voice be heard not only in your local Gurdwara but in a thousand gurdwaras and beyond.
We need to grow. It is essential we protect what we have been given by our glorious forbears and add something to that for those to come.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 6, 1990
