THE Sikhs living in the North American Continent have made commendable progress in their personal lives and also have made their presence felt by their contributions in the social, economic and political life of the community in which they live. But largely there is an ignorance about their religion, culture and traditions among the American people except that the American know that the Sikh people are distinct in their outward appearance, as they support beard and wear turbans. In the states like California, where the Sikhs live in large numbers, the native Americans have lately been taking keen interest in their lifestyles and their traditions, but the knowledge about their religion and culture mainly remains an academic interest.
Of late, some efforts have been made to combat this ignorance about the Sikhs. The Sikhs in Canada have been able to get a Sikh Studies Chair established at the University of British Columbia with their contribution and a matching grant of $350,000 from the Canadian government. An appointment to the position of a professor has been made and regular teaching and research work is expected to start soon. The establishment of a Sikh Chair at the U.B.C. will go a long way in promoting the study of Sikh tradition, philosophy, history and literature. It will not only be a subject of interest for the native Canadians but also the Sikh children and youth born and brought up in Canada,
A similar effort was made last year by the Sikh Studies Association of Michigan, which executed an agreement with the University of Michigan, An Arbor, for the establishment of a Sikh Studies Program. Under the terms of the agreement, the Association is to solicit contributions from the members of the Sikh Community and outside to the amount of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the endowment fund. The University of Michigan shall utilize income from these funds to pay the current salary of the holder of the position of the Sikh Studies Program and related scholarly activities and projects. The agreement envisages that when the Endowment Fund created by the association with the University grows to one million dollars, the Sikh Studies Program shall be converted into a regular Sikh Studies Chair, The University will offer graduate and undergraduate courses in the Sikh Studies Program and shall contribute to the maintenance of the Sikh Studies Chair.
The University of Michigan already has a program in South Asian Studies and with the establishment of Sikh Studies Program, the children of Sikh parents will not only be able to take courses in Sikh religion and culture, but they would also be able to complement these courses with others dealing with Indian history, Indian languages, literature, politics, culture and art etc. Besides, they will have an opportunity to make. A comparative study of the Sikh religion in relation to Hinduism, Islam, Budhism, and Christianity.
The response to the Sikh Studies Program from the community has been enthusiastic. So far, there are a little over two hundred thousand dollars in the form of redeemable pledges and close to eighty thousands in cash. The association wants to collect the needed funds at the earliest so that a Sikh Studies Program can be started as early as possible.
The association has started a unique program for the collection of funds. Bhai Mohinder Singh, S.D.O. has associated himself with the association in its fund raising drive. Under this program Bhai Mohinder Singh shall perform Kirtan in the homes of the Sikhs. The contribution and collections at the Kirtan shall be handed over to the University for the Sikh Studies Program. Based in Detroit, Bhai Mohinder Singh has travelled extensively. “No place is far for this cause”, says Bhai Mohinder Singh and “I can go as far as California to further this cause”.
Nevertheless, the association is requesting the Sikh community to adopt this program as its own and invite Bhai Mohinder Singh for Kirtan in their homes. In this way, they will not only have an opportunity to listen to the enchanting Kirtan in the voice of Bhai Mohinder Singh, but would also be contributing to a cause so dear to the community. The Sikhs interested in this program can contact: Dr. Satnam Singh Bhugra (Ph: 5174831136 or 5173325506) or Dr. Virinder Singh Grewal (Ph: 5176554507) in Lansing, S. Kuldip Singh (Ph: 3136417561) in Detroit and Satinderpal Singh Kapur (Ph: 2166631059) in Cleveland.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 31, 1987
