**THIS ARTICLE IS ALSO OF CONCERN...PLS SPARE SOME TIME TO READ IT*
Gurdwaras and Youth
Is it End of a Civilization?
Are we witnessing the end of a Civilization? Is our own Sikh civilization
slowly self-destructing? Thirty years ago, eminent Sikh Historian Khushwant
Singh had predicted that Sikh civilization is in decline and there may be
no Sikh left by the year 2000.
Was He Right? Sikhs not only survived but celebrated the 300 Years of
Khalsa with pride in the year 1999. Today Sikhs thrive in Punjab, Rest of
India, South Asia, UK, and here in North America. Thirty years later, while
receiving Nishaan-E-Khalsa award at the Tri-Centenary Celebration at Anandpur
Sahib, Khushwant Singh admitted that he was wrong.
Reality Check
But was he far from truth in his earlier prediction? Sikhism today stands
at the same crossroads as Buddhism did in year 500 AD. The Sikh
civilization is facing challenges coming from several directions:
Rising Hindu Fascism in India
Western Influence among the Youth
Slow decline in Punjabi language
Slow but steady degradation of moral values
Lack of effective Leadership
Will Sikhism survive in India? Sikh civilization has undergone dramatic
transformation after the Sikh Genocide of 1984 where thousands of Sikh Youth
perished. There is widespread Apostasy in Punjab. In most of the villages,
it is disheartening to see that 60-80% of youth have shorn their hair and
no longer wear turbans. Alcohol and drug abuse is common practice. In
several villages you rarely spot a young Sikh boy with Patka.
There are several other examples of the decline:
Rise of Caste-ism among the followers of Gurus
Damage done by self-proclaimed Sants & Baba’s
Sorry state of religious, cultural, and political leadership
Emergence of Punjabi Pop Music
How are we doing in the western world? Are we doing Better? I encourage
you to just look around yourself; in your families, your friend circles, and
in your communities.
Ask yourself these questions:
How much of a Sikh are you?
Do you maintain the appearance?
Do you perform Nitnem regularly?
How much Gurbani do you understand?
How much do you know of Sikh History?
Can you speak Punjabi and read/ write in Gurmukhi?
Our Ancestors...
We all are proud of our ancestors and their achievements. We are proud of
our spiritual and moral mentors, our Gurus and the path shown by them. We
are proud that they had the courage to take on the invincible Mughals and
finally seal the Indian border from centuries of invasions and plunders.
Recalling their sacrifices and their resistance against evil heartens us. We
are proud of our culture the green revolution our forefathers brought to the
state of Punjab. We are proud to recall the struggles of early immigrants
to the USA and how they have established as one of the most prosperous
immigrant community in US.
How did they achieve so much? Was it just luck? or mere coincidence? If
they were the high achievers then why decline in that situation now? Today we
are concerned about our lost glory and anxious that our lost glory is
restored. Today we all pray that our weaknesses are eradicated. Did we ever
analyze why this is happening to us?
What was the strength of our ancestors? In my understanding our Glory,
Honor, and prominence comes from the teachings of the Gurus. Our ancestor’s
strength stemmed from their beliefs. It came from their total faith in Guru
Granth Sahib and power of Saadh Sangat.
The Power of Sangat
Sangat = Community Worship
Do we realize that it was Gurbani that enriched the souls of our ancestors
and it was Amrit Ceremony that electrified the Sikh warriors to display
amazing courage?
Our heritage is based on deeds and not mere words. Today you hear older
generation lament about the lack of culture and religious knowledge among the
youth. When we deplore our degeneration, why don’t we realize that our
separation from Gurbani and Sangat is the main cause of our downfall?
There is only one place where we can get both Gurbani and Saadh Sangat. It
is the Gurdwara!
Sikh Gurdwara
Is this the place where old people go in the weekend?
Gurdwaras have nothing for the Youth!
I don’t understand anything, as I don’t know Punjabi!
I heard so many negative things about Gurdwaras!
How will the Gurdwaras of Future be like? Will it be large marble
buildings with gold-plated domes but empty from inside as the next generation shy
away from the Gurdwaras?
Will it become the place for first generation immigrants only?
Will this be a REALITY?
Gurdwara: A Place for All
It doesn’t have to be like this! You do not need to sit on the fence and
watch the history unfold itself in front of you. You alone can prevent it
from happening. Come and join your own community and take charge of your
community’s destiny. You are the future of our civilization. You bring fresh
ideas and improvise the benefits of the Gurdwaras to all.
Gurdwara: NERVE CENTER of Our Community
Gurdara is the place of our Guru: Sri Guru Granth Sahib. We get the
opportunity to meet and listen to our Guru in Gurdwaras. It is also an example of
Community Worship. Guru Nanak preached the benefits of community worship.
In Gurdwaras we get:
Divine Gurbani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Heavenly Kirtan sung by trained Raagis
Invigorating Discourses or Katha by learned theologists
Example of Community Service
Langar
Sewa
Charity
Gurdwara: What happens there
The Gurdwaras have regular scheduled programs. Regular Morning Prayer
service or Nitnem is held in the early mornings daily. Additionally, recitation
of Asa Di Vaar is performed on weekends. In the evenings recitation of
Rehraas Sahib is performed.
Gurdwara: What can you do!
There is plenty opportunity for the youth to participate and contribute in
the Gurdwaras. You could participate in regular services held in the
Gurdwaras and join the group of volunteers who provide valuable SEWA in various
ways
Langar Sewa:
Ever thought how food is prepared and served to almost two thousand people
on Wednesdays and Sundays?
General Sewa and Clean-up:
How do they clean up afterwords? Who provides maintenance to the property?
Learn Punjabi and Gurbani at Khalsa School or at SJSU:
You too can benefit from the Khalsa School if you are total beginner to
Punjabi and Gurbani. Students learn how to read and write Punjabi and read
Gurabani and train to read Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Advanced Punjabi language
classes are run at San Jose State University by Prof. Atamjit Singh where
you learn about the rich Punjabi literature.
Start a Youth oriented program ! You can also take initiative and start a
youth-oriented program that suits the needs of the young generation.
Signs of Hope...
Recently the events after 9/11 tragedy has shown a very positive outcome
for the Sikh Community. The Gurdwara managements felt helpless at the turn
of events and looked up to the youth for help. A number of young Sikhs took
initiative and took control of the situation. Their hard work brought
benefits to the entire community.
Their achievements are highly commendable!
Learn from Past Mistakes
Lets get back to basics, understand the message of Gurbani. Unite by not
politicking like your parents generation. There is an example of what the
Jews did in 1945. In a Meeting in Paris they decided that to strengthen the
community,
They will not waste their effort in criticizing the actions of fellow jews
(Another example of being non reactive as indicviduals)
Learning their language and the scriptures (Back to basics, active role)
Challenge every Jew to strive for excellence in his/her field of endeavor.
(Gaining strength, active role)
There is a lesson for us to learn from this story. Learn your own language
and scriptures and then you will benefit from the teachings of the Gurus.
Indulge in speaking Punjabi with each other. Be proud of your own culture,
your language, and your people.
Study Gurbani and listen to Shabads, You will enjoy it.
Read Punjabi Literature by various acclaimed writers and poets. There is
so much depth in our literature. Go to library and borrow Punjabi literature
from there. If your library doesn’t have Punjabi books, ask for it to be
added. Learn about Waris Shah, Bhai Veer Singh, Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam,
Nanak Singh, and many other famous Punjabi writers and poets. If you don’t
understand Punjabi, you may want to study the English translations
available from various sources.
Where do we go from here…..
Cultivate respect for your fellow Sikhs. Make a commitment that whenever
you see a fellow Sikh, you will take the initiative to greet him with “
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh”. You could also wish them “Sat Sri
Akal”. A little effort from you might make the day for the fellow Sikh.
Remember that a Gursikh is the image of our Guru. As Guru Gobind Singh ji
said, “Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas..”. This also means that if you are
preserving the Sikh appearance, then you need to also take the responsibility
that comes with it.
Discourage criticism of fellow Sikhs and Sikh institutions. Support them
in any way that you can. Don’t criticize or tell them how to do it right.
Instead join in and make the difference you would like to see. Appreciate and
reap the benefits from the established institution of Gurdwara.
Visit your Gurdwara Regularly!
Aaye Mil Gursikh Aye mil, too mere Guru ke pyareya.
Regards and have a nice day.
Col(Retd) TS ANAND
It's God's responsibility to forgive the terrorist organizations,
It's our responsibility to arrange the meeting between them and god.'
- Indian Armed Forces -
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