(Courtesy: The Sikh Review, by Inderjit Singh Narula)
The key words in our theme are; Firstly, the role of the Sikhs as distinct from anybody else, I will explain later why 1 feel we Sikhs have a distinct role to play, Second, I/propose to speak about their role pertaining specifically to the changing economic scenario, end not about the Political, social or the religious scene unless, of course, they are indirectly connected, It must be noted that the topic docs not refer to the role of Sikh is in the change economic scenario in India today, Therefore I propose to focus on the global economic scene and not the Indian scene alone, as also a role model which would be valid for some time to come.
One can have a distinct role only if one has different set of objectives, or different means of achieving those objectives It is my conviction that the Sikhs individually and collectively do have both a different set of objectives as well as a unique preferred means of achieving them. Some of our unique objectives appear to be as follows: To be able to protect our religion in its true spirit so that it now only survives but thrives and grows; To promote prosperity and protect interests of the members of the community; In spite of being caught up in this whirlpool! of economic endeavor, not to lose sight of the basic individual objective Gobind milan kieh teri baria; In this very life time, you shall realize the Lord As far as means are concerned, it has been clearly ordained to us that we are expected to follow the path of: Truth and honesty; Not to covet paraya dhan;” To earn ones livelihood by dint of honest effort ‘kirat kamayce karnaand Sharing ones gains.
This list is by no means exhaustive but illustrative of the fact that our goals and methods are truly unique.
To a Sikh the means are as important as the goals; hence our role has got to be distinct. Now let us have a look at the changing economic scenario. In the evolution of human history the process of change, and the pace of change, have been increasing at an eve accelerating rate. Scientists say that the development in the last ten thousand years was small compared to that in the last hundred years. Indeed the change in this century has been more than in the entire history of human civilization. If we look around us, most of the devices and services that we use did not exist a hundred years ago. The pace of change is becoming even more rapid, The success of individuals, races, ‘communities, nations and organizations would consist in their ability to (1) perceive the change, (ii) adapting oneself, and preparing for, the change, (iii) manage the change by giving it direction, Let us consider how we should prepare ourselves for the rapidly changing economic scene. Some of the changes in the last five years have transformed the face of the earth beyond recognition, the important changes and the emerging trends which have had a great impact on the macroeconomic scene, in my view, are:
1) The breaking down of Soviet Union, ‘which has resulted in a The end of the communist socialist economic experiment, and emergence of market economics as the successful surviving would for development, b) End of cold war and the international arms race,
2) The emphasis has shifted from strategic to economic alliances, NATO, Warsaw Pact, CENTO have all virally ceased to exist.
Countries in search for larger markets for their goods and services are bringing down their national frontiers to form economic alliances, the formation of EEC, ASEAN, NAFTA are all pointers in this direction.
What Napoleon and Hitler could not accomplish, with all their armament and martial skill, European Unity, has been achieved by forces of economic evolutions, France, U.K., Greece and Germany sit in one European Parliament in Brussels something beyond our imagination 50 years ago.
It is of great significance that each county while lowering its tariff barriers, to gain access to larger markets, has had to sacrifice some of the old concept of sovereignty.
Emergences of a frontier-less world is a distinct possibility in the not too distant future; Goods, services, capital and manpower will cross national frontiers without impediments. End of the Nicaraguan round of GATT negotiations have given the signal. This phenomenon is already happening in some parts of the world
Rapid evolution of technology, especially in the field of communications and information technology has made the world a smaller place. The entire lifestyle and methods of transacting business are the fast transforming. We have stated seeing the beginnings of this massive change which is going to sweep the globe in the next decade.
The emergence of Transnational organizations International bodies will have an increasing say in the governance of countries. The United Nations is more forceful today than ever before. Bodies like IMF and World Bank are able to give direction to national policies all over the world, be it Brazil, Australia, India or China,
The epitome of the transnationals is the much maligned ‘multinational.’ Unfortunately, most of us do not understand their true nature, Today’s multinational is not the East India Company which was taking ‘wealth to the country of its origin. Very ‘often the ‘country of origin’ has ceased to have meaning. Tetra pack which started its operations in Sweden has its statutory headquarters in Switzerland. chairman’s office in London; it employs the maximum work: force in the U.S. and sells its products all over the world! flow of its earnings and capital depends ‘on where it can get the best returns, The direction of cash flow is not determined by any so-called patriotic considerations This will certainly be the end in the future, Multinationals of yesterday furthered the interest of their countries. Today however countries change their poll cites to attract the multinationals.
In a world of such sweeping changes and rapidly evolving economic scenario those individuals or organizations will survive who can develop their human capital, Those who can manage this change, will have the competitive advantage to succeed. The much talked about economic liberalization in India during the last three years is merely a belated and halfhearted response to the historic global changes. This process of liberalization will have to be compulsorily completed by winds of ‘evolution; no government or individual ‘can reverse this trend, at the most they can slow the pace to their own and nation’s peril.
Having spelt out our objectives and preferred means of achieving them and then my perception of the changing economic scenario, let us examine what role the Sikhs should play. How should we shape ‘our future. Although the question is complex, the solution I offer is rather simplistic, perhaps overly so:
Let us build our human capital. Let us prepare ourselves to face this changing world, In my opinion this can be done only in one way by Education, Let us put all our efforts towards development of our human resource, This is what will give us the competitive advantage. Instead of spending ‘disband’ on gold canopies or changing marble of structures, let us give it for educational purposes.
Let no deserving Sikh child be deprived of education because of lack of means. Let our young men not have to go from door to door to seek professional education, Let SGPC and Foundations institute liberal scholarship for the deserving to get the best education in the world. They should get not merely because they are Sikhs otherwise it would be like the “Mandal reservation,” They should get the aid because they are most deserving,
Let us set up institutions of learning especially for technical education’ and Jat set technology for our youth.
This must be an all-out effort for the next two decades Every Sikh child must have ‘access to the best of education.
Let us think postures let of look for where and why we are being persecuted, or worry too much about injustices being done to us. Let us see what we should do to reverse the situation. Let us build the 10 ran capital to derive economic power and, assurance, protect the interest at the community. The Jewish commute, which is small in unity in the United Stay pers, has shown a fine example of this variety. We must ourselves take the business initiatives and not took t0 governments for help.
In the changing world scene let us not restrict ourselves 1o any geographic area these are outdated ideas. All the world is four stage and our market place. We must develop our businesses, and organizations, as transnationals; at Yeast one ‘Sikh organization is already doing it. As individuals or professionals we should emerge as leaders in our field of endeavor.
Let us develop the Sikh business ‘stereotype.’ Each community has a certain set image of stereotype. When we think of a Marwari or a Parsi or a Palghat Brahmin businessman certain characteristics come to our mind, We must make a conscious effort, by setting personal example, establish a positive image of the Sikh economic person, as being intelligent, hardworking enterprising, humane, dependable and, ‘above all, trustworthy.
Being blessed with the Sikh identity we tend to get more than ordinary share of responsibility and attention for our aces of commission or omission. Even a few examples can make or mar our image.
Dr. Manmohan Singh has singlehandedly changed the Sikh stereotype his service is greater in this regard than all our so-called political leaders, Today we are regarded as intelligent, capable and honest; the example set by Dr. Singh has been a great service to the community. On the negative side, the father and son feuds have tarnished that image. Such examples need to be scrupulously avoided.
Those of us who are blessed with success as individuals, or as organizations, must aspire to become role models for our next ‘generations by: maintaining highest standard of education; by humility, forgiveness, charity and a true belief in the brotherhood of all mankind; by being faithful to the Sikh form bestowed upon as by Sri Dasmesh Gura Gobind Singhji; by never forgetting Guru Nanak Devji’s three basic tenets: Nam Japo, Kirat Kamao and Wand Chako. Tam reminded of a story of a lions” cub who got lost in the jungle. Soon, he was adopted by a flock of sheep and he started to live with them. Mistaking himself to be one of the flock he started to eat grass and to bleat. ‘One day while wandering alone in the jungle he came upon a pond, He peered into the water and saw his own image, Then, a mighty roar went up in the jungle which could be heard miles away. He had realized who he was! Let us therefore realize our full potential as Singhs of Sri Guru Gobind Singhji.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 26, 1995
