The rapid growth of the Sikh community stretching from Punjab to overseas in many countries has posed many challenges for the community. The rediscovery of our culture has become a central issue for all of us. We must handle this with care as we face these challenges It is imperative that we:
- Educational Research: Encourage support and control the educational research affecting us both in Punjab and overseas so that the knowledge grows in defining the warps and woofs of Sikh culture.
- Scholarly Disputes: Ought to be well-defined examined challenged and handled in the form appropriate for the task. Tolerance (a Sikh virtue) ought to be practiced at all costs; otherwise we will drive the best minds away. Whose loss would that be? The scholars coming from our fold are well equipped to explore our culture. Currently Pashaura Singh’s research has raised issue of importance that need to be discussed and analyzed.
- Growth of Knowledge: must recognize that nothing grows in a barren and unsuitable climate therefore it is imperative that we provide the most suitable educational environment so that we may enjoy the results. This is good for all of us Reason must prevail over emotions before they slide into fanaticism destroying everything. The best results are produced by rational discourses as it has always been.
Efforts along these lines can produce new energy in our community which can handle the perplexing problems that we face. For scholarly work we need scholars and the universities on our team.
Sulakhan S.Dhillon Ph.D
Berkeley CA
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1992
