NEW YORK.NY: A one day conference on “Sikh Studies: The American Agenda” was held under the suspices of the Southern Asia Institute, Columbia University, New York on Saturday Mateh 25, 1989.
The morning session was chaired by Professor Anslie T. Embree, Director, Southern Asia Institute and the afternoon session by Professor John S. Hawley, Chairperson, Department of Religion, Barnard College, and Columbia University New York.
This was the first such conference on the East Coast of the United States. Eminent scholars of Sikhism from Northern American Universities presented their papers on the status of Sikh Studies in North America. The presentations ‘were rich in contents, insightful and Stimulating.
Professors Mark Juergensmayar (University of California, Berkeley), N.G. Barrier (University of Missouri), Arthur W. Helweg (Westem Michigan University, KaJamazoo), Joseph O’Connell (University of Toronto) and Gurinder Singh Mann (Columbia University), were the principal speakers. ‘They not only exaimed the status: of Sikh Studies but also exchanged) views about the new possibilities in this area. They complimented the Sikh immigrants for their moral and financial support and suggested the ways and means of further mobilization of the community’s resources to expand and strengthen the Sikh Studies in various universities.
The speakers provided a positive projection for the future of the Sikh Studies in North America, Professor Alwig particularly noted the close linkage between the Sikh community abroad and the Sikhs in their native homeland of the Punjab.
The participation in the conference reflected a great deal of diversity. The participants included the students and faculty from Columbia University and other institutions in the metropolitan area, representatives of the Sikh institutions like Jagjit Singh Mangat, President, Rabinder Singh Bhamya, Vice President and Baldev Singh Trustee of it the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, New York. Dr. Gurcharan Singh, President of the Sikh Heritage Institute, Dr, Satwant Kaur Dhamoon President and Dr. Ranjit K. Grover, Vice President of the Sikh Women’s International Organization and others.
Also present were Arjit Singh Mahal, Tej Rajinder Singh Aujla, Dr, Virinder Singh and Dr. Birinder Kaur from New Jersey. Dr. Darshan Singh Mani of New York University and Raja Margindra Singh also attended the conference; the conference is a part of a joint effort by the Columbia University and the Sikh Community.
A three credit course on “Sikhism”, focusing on the religious beliefs, literature and the history of the Sikhs, tracing the development of Sikhism from its inception as a part of a large Bhakti movement to its modern manifestation as a powerful religious minority in contemporary India,” is being taught by Dr. Gurinder Singh Mann.
Talking to the WSN, Mann said “the far sightedness of the community especially the Sikh Cultural Society and the goodwill of the Columbia University is responsible for the course.”
The conference was a landmark gathering on the East Coast. It brought a greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities for the Sikh Studies and the role of the Sikh immigrants. It also articulated the increasing interest of the students, the academic and the Sikh community in this field. The conference ended with a very warm reception at the Morning side residence of Professor Embree.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 31, 1989
