The ancient Chinese wisdom of Lao-Tzu in the sixth century BC speaks of leader ship qualities thus;
“If the Sage would guide the people he must serve them with humility; if he would lead them he must follow behind”. Guru Nanak in the 15th century AD was more forthright in the peoples idiom he warmed: “Apna bujha lok bujhai aisaa aguhowa!” And “Nanak andha hoi ke dase rahe -Sabhs (u) muhae sathe”.
(SGGS 13940)
Which in work a day translation means: one who is himself ignorant guides the people and assumes leadership. Being blind.
He wants to show the way taking all to disaster!
Lead Kindly Light: Most of the decade of 1980s has witnessed divisions and dis sessions among Sikh leadership whether at the political religious or cultural level. The rifts and rivalries have been fully ex-piloted by those to whom Sikh unity is anathema. However lately there have been some small but significant indications of a rapprochement at Anandpur Sahib since a couple of months based perhaps on a growing awareness of the SGPC the intelligentsia and various Akali factions that without a modicum of unity and enlightened consensus the basic interests of Punjab in general and Sikhs in particular will be in grave jeopardy at the hands of a relentless regime that has made short shrift of the human rights and the rule of law. We commend the SGPC and other concerned organizations for their constructive approach to Panthic unity and shall maintain firm optimism tempered with caution that the conclave will in the next few weeks evolve a common agenda and strategy for a durable and dignified resolution of the crisis.
A Long Term Strategy: There is never the less an imperative need for general awareness among the masses and classes of people as to how the long term interests of the Sikh people can be served. We must now our internal contradictions and try to resolve them individually and collectively. Let us deliberate on the paradox why an emancipatory and revolutionary religion has lately tended to assume a parochial Path; Sikhs are sometimes accused of being prisoners the past unwilling to come to terms with the present. A section of us seems blinded with materialism and acquisitive proclivities under the spell of a burgeoning consumer society.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 1, 1991
