WASHINGTON DC While celebrating the birth anniversary, of Guru Nanakji, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation G.G.S.F, in Washington honored two young Sikh boys who have recently become SabatSurat, who were previously clean shaven, Sandeep Singh, 7, son of Devinder Singh Gill and S . Amardeep Singh Saini, 13, son of S. Chattar S.S. Saini has recently showed their willingness to be identified as Sikh children. Initially, they were having some difficulty at school, but after their parents talked to school authorities, they did not have any problem. On behalf of G.G.S.F, Sandeep Singh was given a plaque by S. Didar Singh Bains, who in his comments praised G.G.SF. for this initiative and said “we must continue to encourage Our coming generations to take pride in their heritage”. Amardeep Singh was given a plaque by Granthi of G.G.S.F., Bhai Gurdarshan Singh Who said.” “it is heartening to see our young children are becoming Sikhs by choice and not by birth only, It is the parents who must provide conducive government at homes for this wans for Guru Gobind Singh Foundation had also invited Panthic Leader ship on this occasion, Speaker after speaker reiterated the demand for Khalistan, Members exclusive of WSO, who were here for their own national meeting, were all present in the diwan Bhai Satinderpal Singh members of Panthic Committee from Vancouver said, “we must make a united cffort to liberate Khalistan from the slavery of Indian Govt. and we should also bring our younger generation in this country closer to the Sikh cause because they can be tremendous resource in this struggle”.

Dr. Amarjit Singh, spokesperson of Panthic Committee, from California said, “it was Guru Nanak, whose birthday we are celebrating today, who started the struggle of liberating humanity from the tyrannical Brahmanical system which has suppressed people from centuries”, He quoted gurbani extensively to show how Guru Nanak had condemned the system, Guru Nanaks refusal to wear Janeo a Hindu sacred thread and the incident of falling wall at marriage of Guru Nanak, are the prime examples of how Guru ji had come in conflict with the system of his time. The followers of Guru Nanak are once again have decided to free themselves from this system and have a vision to create a society which is based on ideals of Guru Nanak, which are of equality and justice”, Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, editor of World Sikh News, appealed to the sangat to work to educate common masses about the Sikh struggle and he pointed out, “we need an effective media and we all must support W.S.N. for which it is the only English paper Sikhs have outside India and it belongs to the whole community”. Dr. Ahmed Shaikh, a Kashmiri from Chicago also reiterated that if Sikhs want to achieve Independence, they must have their own media to counter the tremendous propaganda of Govt of India against the Sikhs, He said, 1 have followed W.S.N. very closely from last 23 years. It is doing the great service to the Sikh cause and of bringing the whole community together”.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, President PHRO, also said, “It is only through WSN, we Sikhs know the activities of Sikhs all around the world. It strengthens our bonds and brings self-awareness and it gives direction on many crucial occasions. PHRO is especially thankful to W.S.N. for publishing the human rights reports of our organization and educating the masses. And it is part of the Sikh struggle”.

On behalf of G.G.S.F., Dr. Surjit Kaur, secretary of GGSF thanked all the speakers and said, “our organization will continue to play a role of bringing persons and organizations together for the cause of the panth. We also feel that it is the Gurdwaras where Sikhs are motivated for the Panth and young children find their role models. So the atmosphere there was to be very encouraging”, this is the fifth time that GGSF has honored young children for be coming Sabat Surat.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 20, 1991