WASHINGTON: Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (G.G.S.F.) has 8 tradition of inviting Sikh scholars and thinkers to Washington for the benefit of the Sikh community.
This time it hosted Dr Jaswant Singh Neki a world-famous Psychiatrist and author of many books on Sikh religion. He is one of founder members of All Indian Sikh Student’s Federation along with S. Sarup Singhs. Bhan Singh and S. Amar Singh Ambalwi In his early years as a student he had played a key role in organizing the Sikh youth and worked with Sikh political leadership of the time. Recently he was written a popular book ‘Ardas in Punjabi in which he beautifully analyzes history and philosophy of every phrase incorporated in our collective Ardas according to Rehat Maryada (code of conduct). It is inspirational as well as educative material.
Dr Neki’s trip to Washington consisted of a meeting with some prominent Sikhs of the area and addressing the congregation at G.G.S.F. During his informal meeting with Sikhs at the residence of Dr.Surjit Kaur secretary of GGSF several issues facing the Sikhs presently in this country and worldwide were discussed. The whole session turned out to be a full brain storming session on Sikh issues.
Dr. Neki expressed his grave concern over lack of credible political leadership in Punjab presently. There is chaos and confusion and consequently nothing of significance can be achieved.
A wide spectrum of views were shared along the following lines Points were made about the young Sikh immigrants to U.S.A. who do not aspire to go for higher studies but settle down for lower strata jobs. There is a need for organizations to stimulate counsel and inspire and even finance young Sikh men and women to exploit their full potential and help them to excel in their chosen fields. Gurdwaras in the West have even failed to become a place of refuge for someone in need as they are in India.
Opinions were also expressed at political internal environments of Gurdwaras in the West. The inside bickering and intrigues against one another are turning away the younger generation for they find no coherence and consistency in what is being preached and practiced. The functions of Gurdwara however do not end with Kirtan and Langar. While discussing the solutions to the problems there was a general consensus on focusing on the younger generation. Dr. Neki suggested that Sikh community must develop an education program for the young Sikhs which can be segregated from the existing Gurdwara organizations until the environment over there changes. He pointed out that we can learn a great deal in this respect from the Jewish community which almost made it mandatory for every Jewish child to learn Hebrew which was a dead language and revived it through this process He said Punjabi is the 13th spoken language in the world and we must teach it vigorously. On other problems Dr Neki suggested that opposing groups in the Gurdwaras can chose to perform an alternative activity like doing some humanitarian work like Emergency squads Homeless clinics providing food to homeless and rush to help people all over the world. This would enlarge the horizon of Sewa’ which has already shrunk in our organizations.
On improving the environment of Gurdwara general feeling among the participants was that the election system should be abolished because disruptions people become the office-bearers of the institutions. Religious elite should run the religious institutions who have a base in Sikh principles Grant his should be qualified and they should be given opportunity to lea while serving Gurdwaras should be careful to hire grant his with formal training and who can communicate with the younger generation and who have a missionary zeal. Grant his should be courageous and stand against the committees who do not follow the Sikh principles. There was also general feeling that there is a lack of inspirational literature in the Sikh community in the west which can cater to the needs of the young people. The translations produced in India do not have a western Idiom and most of the literature produced here up to now has the same difficulty. We must produce writers historians and poets in the west who can understand Gurbani and do further work on it. Gurdwaras should have libraries and a librarian who can organize the bibliography on the Sikh related material.
Another distinguished guest among the discussants was S Jodh Singh who has been an active social & Religious worker from last 4 decades in Punjab and has been a director at All India Radio Station Jalandhar. He has recently started project to distribute literature on Sikh religion with the help of Sikh scholars in Punjab. This package is available in this country through G.G.S.F.
At the end of discussions everybody was of the opinion that these brainstorming sessions are necessary for the progress of the community. Dr Kaur secretary of GGSF said that we will continue to invite and consult these thinkers because it helps in planning future programs of G.G.S.F. Some of the suggestions are already being implemented but we need to do more.
By Dr Rajwant Singh
Article extracted from this publication >> June 21, 1991
