By Jasdeep Kaur Gill

On July 16, 1989 Guru Nanak Darbar at Augusta Georgia had Special opportunity to enhance its pride in the Sikh Culture through a program entitled “Aisa Gur Wadbhagi Paiva,”

The program was designed to conclude the celebration of the birth of Pavan Singh Khera, which had started with the Thanksgiving, Akhandpath at the home of Sardar Manjit Singh Khera, To add a new feature to the celebration of the birth of a Sikh child, a group of children presented a carefully designed program focusing upon the good luck of being born in a Sikh family. Through short speeches and a few shabads, the children highlighted the unique features of Sikhism that enable a believer to lead a moral, intellectual, compassionate life,

Pavan highlighted the sociopolitical circumstance of Guru Nanak’s time and emphasized how Guru Nanak’s prakash dissipated the fog of ignorance, hatred, and. superstitions by showing the path of love for and equality of all mankind. He ended the speech with the quotation:

“Satguru Nanak Paratya, Miti Thund Jag Chanan Hoya.”

 

Gobind’s and Harpreet’s speeches emphasized the preparation of saint soldiers through the Sikh faith;| David’s speech reinforced the Sikh faith’s discouraging of meaningless rituals that had trapped men and women in the practices of tilak, janju, sati, bindi, sandhur, etc.

Gurinder’s speech highlighted! the simple and yet very superior base of the Sikh culture on the tripartite guide of Nam Japna, Wand Chakna and Kirat Karni.

Immediately following this statement was the elaboration of the program’s theme through the shabad.

Rupinder presented the shabad in sweet melody and then continued the program by presenting a speech about the Sikh scripture Gum Granth Sahib. She stated that the Guru Granth is a collection of the bani of Sikh Gurus and bhagats of many castes. Taking the program to its conclusion, Preetinder reminded the Sangat of the Sikhs compassion for all mankind by stating that the Sikh ardas requests Sarbat Da Bhala, and he eloquently stated that the Sikh national anthem inspires Sikhs to dedicate themselves to the most noble causes.

Then the Group immediately followed his statement with a melodious recitation the national anthem,

The shabad concluded the program, leaving the sangat proud of their heritage. The Sangat appreciated getting a brief but proud overview of their rich heritage. They especially appreciated the fact that children were well rehearsed’ for their parts, Proudly dressed in their traditional Sikh attire, the children sang and spoke with much confidence—although some had never participated in any program before. As a special appreciation, sangat presented a Saropa to Dr. Diljit Kaur Chatha for designing, writing, directing and then presented such a fine program inspite of the very limited time she had in getting the children ready.

Dr. Chatha acknowledged the Sangat’s blessings and reminded the Sangat to realize their responsibility of studying Sikh history and encouraging their children to study Panjabi, Gurbani, and the ‘Sikh history. She concluded her remarks by saying that study of Sikh history is every Sikh’s DUTY, teaching Punjabi and Sikh history is every Sikh’s KARAM. and enhancing the glory of Sikh Panth through gurdwara programs and lecturers is every Sikh’s DHARAM.

The names of the participants are: Kaurs, Amita, Harpreet, Jessi, Jugnoo, Manpreet, Ranu, Sanpreet, Singhs, David (American GurSikh), Gobind, Gurinder, Pavan, Preetinder.

Sangat from Augusta’ and the neighboring communities gratefully acknowledged Honorable Wally Herger and all other congressmen for supporting the Sikh cause.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 4, 1989