Dear Editor:

World Sikh Organization’s National Executive Council met in Richmond Hill Gurdwara in New York on December, 12, 13 and 14, 1986. A brief report of resolutions passed at this meeting appeared in the December 19, 1986, issue of this paper.

After one of the sessions, I came down for the langar and meta very committed and an esteemed Sikh gentleman from the restate area. After the customary exchange of greetings, the discussions boiled down to the usual question “What is W.S.O. doing?”. A question which is always addressed to members of the National Executive and leadership and a question which I always expect, hear and enjoy responding to sometimes to the liking of the questioner and sometimes not. After having been through this so many times, with so many people, at so many places, I am seeking the help of “Sikh News” so that I can reach many more on this issue.

 I do not feel the need to trace the history of W.S.O. as I know that most, if not all, of the Sikhs in North America know the circumstances that brought its existence.

I also feel it is not my designated responsibility within the organizational’ structure to inform your readers into the activities and accomplishments of W.S.O. This function is being very competently performed by the organizations current leadership, i.e. Dr. Manohar Singh Grewal and Dr. Naunihal Singh. However, I do feel the need to share with readers of Sikh News some information on this question.

World Sikh Organization’s National Executive holds its quarterly Meetings across the nation during the year. Every time before the meeting W.S.O. Secretariat releases its quarterly report and this Report is published in the Sikh News which is the United Voice of the Sikhs. W.S.O. National Executive by no means assumes to itself all the knowledge and resources in meeting the challenges facing the Sikh nation, today. Collectively speaking, it constitutes an excellent group of committed, dedicated, well-informed people from different professions and walks of life. This group, given its limitations, is doing an excellent job based upon messages we get from Sikhs all over North America. This can be established by many examples. Some of which cannot be discussed in public at this stage for obvious reasons. The latest accomplishment that I can mention is the publication of Sikh Memorial Calendar, 1987. A small section of Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike still do not believe the wrongs done to the Sikh nation in Punjab and outside, W:S.O. has produced this calendar which is illustrated with some rare pictures from the 1984 holocaust. This is one small yet solid step W.S.O. took in educating the public with facts which belie Indian government’s propaganda following the Operation Blue Star in June 1984.

The National Executive rather than being debating society likes the unity nations is project oriented. At its meetings, different members are allocated different projects which the Executive Council feels the need to be implemented in the interest of issues facing Sikh nation. The quarterly reports of W.S.O. published in Sikh News bear no names in this regard. At this point, I seek the active support of many of those equally perhaps more committed Sikhs out there to come and help W.S.O. National Executive in implementing many other projects for which we need talents and resources.

 

In closing, a famous quote from President John F. Kennedy,* Ask not what your country can do for you, say what you can do for your country”. To those who just have to criticize “because criticism is as inevitable as breathing”. I only say, “if you cannot become a part of the solution, please do not become a part of the problem”.

Amarjit S. Buttar

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 16, 1987