It is my distinct pleasure to submit this brief report on the Sikh Youth Seminar held at the University of Windsor from June 28 to July 4, 1986. A detailed report along with the transcripts of the proceedings shall be mailed to the participants at a later date. We had arrangements for fifty, because of nine no-shows, the total number was 41.
It has been a unique experience for me to arrange such a function for our youth. We had conducted ‘one-day seminars and workshops in the past several years and the need for a longer seminar was advanced by our local youth group which has been operating for the last seven years under the name of Young Sikh Persons Inter- national (YSPI). The participants to this seminar ranged from Chicago, New York, Toledo, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto, Guelph, London, and Chatham, along with the local members of YSPI. These young people had an opportunity to be together to discuss their mutual problems as well as the serious subjects relating to the Sikh religion.
The program was a mixed blend of everything from the religious services at the local
Gurdwara, where the youth conducted the Kirtan and speeches by the ‘eminent persons, For lack of interest, unfortunately, the Punjabi classes had to be cancelled.
The regular daily class-room sessions were held at the Assumption Lounge at the University Cent- re from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, where learned guest speakers like Dr. J.W. Spellman, Dr. GS. Gill, Dr. Pritam Singh, S. Ralph Singh, S. Kuldeep Singh and S. Kuldip Singh Chhatwal, captivated the audience; unfortunately, the three hours went so fast, we hardly had any time for discussions.
We had a very brief break for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the University’s cafeteria staff served us a lovely buffet style lunch every day. We assembled at the International Centre at 1:00 p.m. for a two hour informal open discussion. Wide variety of topics concerning our everyday life were discussed in a frank and free atmosphere, the youth expressed their ‘opinion in a candid manner.
From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. was allotted for recreation, where some of the people enjoyed the cool indoor Olympic size pool at the St. Dennis Hall, while others played volleyball, basketball and soccer, a select group chose to learn the traditional marshal art and self-defense like Gatka and sword fencing. Our instructor Subedar S. Sardara Singh Bal was immensely impressed with their progress. After the evening meals we assembled again at the Inter- national Centre for group actives, which included learning Gilda for girls and Bhangra for boys and viewing skits presented by the talented youth. Tuesday was de- voted to a walk to the Detroit River to watch a spectacular: dis- play of the Freedom Festival Fire- ‘works and they presented a marvelous show on the Punjabi Cultural Night on Wednesday.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 29, 1986
