Harjinder

Sikhism is the faith of the modern age. How long would it take to be that from what it is now? If our religion is so great, then why do people ask me, “What is your religion?” and say, “ I have never heard of that religion before.” (i) The Sikh religion has already been recognized to be a faith for the modern age. If some persons ask you about your religion it is because of their simple ignorance. There is so much in this world to keep the minds of the people occupied that they do not even know where London is or who Budha was. We should do whatever we can to remove their ignorance of the people (we may be equally ignorant about others); rather, we should do whatever we can to remove their ignorance. The World Conference of Religions for Peace, in 1979, was actually endorsing the basic principles of the Sikh faith when they, in their meeting at New Jersey, concluded. Too often the names and practices of our religions have been associated with warfare and strife. Now we must reverse this by: (a) Breaking down barriers of prejudice and hostility between religious communities and institutions. ( Confronting the powers of the world with the teachings of our religions rather than conforming to them when they act contrary to the well-being of humanity. © Building inter-religious understanding in our local communities particularly where prejudices run strong. The above statements are the basic principles of the Sikh faith reworded in modern language. The Gurus preached these principles of religious tolerance and brotherhood of humanity five hundred years ago when they said: The whole humanity is one brotherhood and God is the only Father for us all. (Page 611 Guru Granth Sahib) The Gurus remembered God by many names, e.g., Ram, Gobind, Hari, Allah, Rahim, Karim, etc., then used by the followers of different religions. The Guru Granth Sahib is the only Holy Scripture which mentions with respect all such names and which includes the writings of holy people born in different religions. Kabir is a so-called low caste weaver, Farid is a Muslim, Ravidas is a shoe-maker and considered an untouchable by Hindus, Nam Dev is a calico printer, a low caste, and Dhanna is a simple farmer. The hymns of more than 2 dozen such holy men are included in the Adi Guru Granth Sahib in addition to the hymns of the Gurus. Guru Nanak preached that there is one God, one humanity and one faith. His founding of the institution of Sangat (praying together as equals) and Pangat (eating together as equals without any discrimination or favor to anyone, whatever one’s faith, caste, color, etc.) to educate people regarding the brotherhood of man, makes the Sikh faith the religion for the modern age. Five hundred years earlier the followers of different religions were quarreling (some are doing so even today) to prove their religion to be better than that of the others. Guru Nanak preached that not hollow rituals but sincere actions benefit a person here and after his death. He declared that it is futile to argue which religion or which name of god is better than the other. All names, whether God, Ram, or Allah, are equally good. What matters is one’s love for Him and His children. In the same way, a child can address his father as dad, papa, or daddy, but it is the love and respect for the father which matters and not the name the child uses to address him. The opinion of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, quoted above, shows a U-turn from the old stand of the religious leaders. Earlier the leaders believed (some even believe now) that their religion is the only true religion and unless a person accepts that religion, he will not be saved. Now, they have come to realize that their old beliefs do not fit with the modern thinking and will not be accepted in the future. Human equality and non-insistence on a particular way of worshiping God were preached by Guru Nanak to release the masses from the clutches of pseudo-religious people. These Sikh principles have now been accepted by religious leaders and scholars as a faith for the modern age and a hope for peace. (ii) Here are some of the comments of modern scholars regarding the Sikh philosophy. The opinions of Professor Toynbee, Pearl S. Buck, a Nobel Laureate, and H.L. Bradshaw have already been given. (see introduction) According to another scholar, John C. Archer, “ The religion of the Adi Granth is a universal and practical religion.......Due to ancient prejudices of the Sikhs it could not spread in the world. The world needs today its message of peace and love.” Dorothy Field in her book, The religion of the Sikhs, writes: Pure Sikhism is far above dependence on Hindu rituals and is capable of a distinct position as a world religion so long as the Sikhs maintain their distinctiveness. The relig- ion is also one which should appeal to the occidental mind. It is essentially a practical religion. If judged from the pra- gmatic stand point which is a favorite point of view in some quarters, it would rank almost first in the world. It will not be out of place to mention the comments of a Hindu mystic. Swami Nitya Nand (expired at the age of 135 years) writes in his book, Gur Gian: I, in the company of my guru, Brahma Nand Ji went to Mathra while on a pilgrimage tour..., we reached Punjab and there we met Swami Stya Nand Udasi. He explained the philosophy and religious practices of Nanak in such a way that Swami Brahma Nand Hi enjoyed a mystic lore. During the visit to the Golden Temple, Amritsar his soul was affected so much that he became a devotee of the Guru. After spending some time in Punjab he went to Hardwar. Though he was hale and hearty, one day I saw sifted sand for the whole of my life. The truth was in the House of Nanak. I will have to take one more birth in that House, only then will I attain Kalyan.” After saying that the soul left his body. I also constantly meditate on Waheguru revealed by Nanak. First, I practiced Yoga Asnas under the guid- ance of Yogis and did that for many years. The bliss and peace which I enjoy now, were never obtained earlier. When the world religions are named today, Sikhism is named among the top six; they are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. Sikhs do not form even 2% of the population of the country of their origin - India. The basic principles of the Sikh philosophy and contributions of the Sikhs to society have raised the status of their faith to that of a unique universal world religion. Unparalleled sacrifices were made by them to fight against state terrorism for protecting human rights and religious freedom of common people. Having mentioned the opinions of some world scholars and mystics, the reader is left to decide himself/herself regarding the ranking of Sikhism among the world faiths. He/she also has to decide what his/her part is in educating society about these basic principles of the faith and the history of the Sikhs. (iii) If a person asks you “ What is your religion?” it reveals his ignorance about the Sikh faith while it shows indifference on the part of the Sikhs themselves towards their faith. Many Sikhs themselves are not clear about the basic principles of their faith, its philosophy and its contributions to human rights. If the Sikhs themselves know this and explain it to their friends by living according to the Sikh principles, (not just knowing and talking about them) the world will know within a short period of time about Sikhism and its greatness. All humans are born illiterate and ignorant. We have schools to teach people languages, art, science, etc. Parents also spend a lot of time at home to educate their children. Even then, (there should be no surprise) many American youth don't know where the headquarters of the United Nations are. People do not know about Sikhs because there is too much to be known and they are too busy in other pursuits of life. It is we who have to tell them about Sikhism, they are going to learn about it themselves, but very slowly. A few have already found it as mentioned above. Their writings are going to influence many more to know about the Sikh faith and guide their lives accordingly. Think of the Christians who are all around us. Not just millions or billions, but trillions of dollars are being spend to preach Christianity. Christians are the rulers holding political power in their hands. They were once virtual rulers of the whole world. National holidays and social events are chosen according to Christian holy days. BUT STILL many youth are not accepting and are not attracted towards it. In his recently published book, For Christ’s Sake, Tom Harper of the Toronto Star has the following to say. Christianity may well be thriving in parts of Africa and Asia today, but in the West Christian faith is eroding at an alarming rate. Secular humanism is fast becoming the prevailing “religion” of the Western world. For instance, it is no longer true to describe either Canada or England as a Christian country, since the vast majority of their respective populations have no traditional ties with any religious body (the Church of England has closed nine hundred churches since 1974). Added to this the fact that only a small fraction of children and young people now receive any religious inst- ruction whatever, and the prognosis for the year 2000 looks very bleak indeed. The so-called mainline churches have much to learn about the use of mass media in communicating their message, but no amount of technical sophistication will avail unless the message itself is one that makes sense. The last sentence is very significant. The above reference has been given here to tell the readers that the correct message is very important for the new generation. Along with this, the method of education is also very important. Sikhs have the correct message but they have not developed the correct educational system. This is the responsibility which falls on the shoulders of the Sikh youth. It is they who have to learn the basic principles of Sikhism, practice them in their life, and be a model for the rest of the youth. They have to adopt the modern methods to explain Sikhism to the youth of the modern age.

If a Sikh took Amrit and lied later, is he a Khalsa or not? :!: :!: It is like asking whether a person is an American or not if he/she did something which is against the constitution. We know he remains an American but as a criminal or a guilty person depending upon the actions he did. Lying is a kind of cheating through words, which is an un-Sikh like act. A Sikh is not expected to tell a lie. Lying is a sinful for every person, whether a Sikh is or not. Life involves many aspects of our activities. Think of a student who has to learn many subjects and practice sports. One student may be good in studies and poor in sports, while the other may be good in sports but poor in studies. We recognize students by their total achievements. Similarly, a Sikh may be good in one aspect of life, but not in the others. Gurmat says. Instead of finding faults with others and requiring them to live a pious life, let us look for virtues in the people and try to live a virtuous life ourselves.[Guru Granth Page 766 ] 3. How are Amritdharis different from those Sikhs who live by Guru Granth Sahib, but do not wear the 5 symbols? How are they different from those people who serve humanity as a Khalsa is supposed to do? Who is a better Sikh: he who is an Amritdhari, keeps 5 symbols and reads all Paath regularly, but does not live honestly; OR he who is not Amritshak, not wearing the 5 symbols, but lives a truthful life as a Sikh is supposed to live? Why do people become Amritshak even though they know they are not going on the right path? I see people doing wrong things while they are Amritdhari Sikhs.

If one wants to accepted and recognized as a Sikh, keeping uncut hair is a requirement for that. When Guru Gobind Singh gave Amrit to the Sikhs, he also required them to wear the 5-symbol uniform. The Sikhs were living a very good life at that time in villages and cities. They were not living in forests. The Guru was living at Anandpur Sahib and was accepted as a true king. It is wrong to assume that Sikhs had to grow long hair because they could not cut it while living in jungles.

Why did Guru Gobind Singh have more than one wife? How many marriages did Guru Gobind Singh have? The wrong impression that the Guru had more than one wife was created by those writers who were ignorant of Punjabi culture. Later authors accepted those writings indicating more than one marriage of the Guru and presented it as a royal act. During those days kings, chiefs, and other important people usually had more than one wife as a symbol of their being great and superior to the common man. Guru Gobind Singh, being a true king, was justified in their eyes to have had more than one wife. This is actually incorrect. In Punjab, there are two and sometimes three big functions connected with marriage, i.e., engagement, wedding, and Muklawa. Big gatherings and singings are held at all these three functions. In many cases, the engagement was held as soon as the person had passed the infant stage. Even today engagements at 8 to 12 years of age are not uncommon in some interior parts of India. The wedding is performed a couple of years after the engagement. After the wedding, it takes another couple of years for the bride to move in with her in laws and live there. This is called Muklawa. A dowry and other gifts to the bride are usually given at this time of this ceremony to help her to establish a new home. Now, the wedding and Muklawa are performed on the same day and only when the partners are adults. A big befitting function and other joyful activities were held at Anand Pur, according to custom, at the time of the engagement of the Guru. The bride, Mata Jeeto Ji, resided at Lahore, which was the capital of the Mughal rulers who were not on good terms with the Gurus. When the time for the marriage ceremony came, it was not considered desirable for the Guru to go to Lahore, along with the armed Sikhs in large numbers. Furthermore, it would involve a lot of traveling and huge expenses, in addition to the inconvenience to the Sangat, younger and old, who wished to witness the marriage of the Guru. Therefore, as mentioned in the Sikh chronicles, Lahore was ‘brought’ to Anand Pur Sahib for the marriage instead of the Guru going to Lahore. A scenic place a couple of miles to the north of Anand Pur was developed into a nice camp for the marriage. This place was named Guru Ka Lahore. Today, people are going to Anand Pur visit this place as well. The bride was brought to this place by her parents and the marriage was celebrated with a very huge gathering attending the ceremony. The two elaborate functions, one at the time of engagement and the other at the time of the marriage of the Guru, gave the outside observers the impression of two marriages. They had reason to assume this because a second name was also there, i.e., Mata Sundari Ji. After the marriage, there is a custom in the Panjab of giving a new affectionate name to the bride by her inlaws. Mata Jeeto Ji, because of her fine features and good looks, was named Sundari (beautiful) by the Guru’s mother. The two names and two functions gave a basis for outsiders to believe that the Guru had two wives. In fact, the Guru had one wife with two names as explained above. Some historians even say that Guru Gobind Singh had a third wife, Mata Sahib Kaur. In 1699, the Guru asked her to put patasas (puffed sugar) in the water for preparing Amrit when he founded the Khalsa Panth. Whereas Guru Gobind Singh is recognized as the spiritual father of the Khalsa, Mata Sahib Kaur is recognized as the spiritual mother of the Khalsa. People not conversant with the Amrit ceremony mistakenly assume that Mata Sahib Kaur was the wife of Guru Gobind Singh. As Guru Gobind Singh is the spiritual but not the biological father of the Khalsa, Mata Sahib Devan is the spiritual mother of the Khalsa, Mata Sahib Devan is the spiritual mother of the Khalsa but not the wife of Guru Gobind Singh. From ignorance of Punjabi culture and the Amrit ceremony, some writers mistook these three names of the women in the life of Guru Gobind Singh as the names of his three wives. Another reason for this misunderstanding is that the parents of Mata Sahib Devan, as some Sikh chronicles have mentioned, had decided to marry her to Guru Gobind Singh. When the proposal was brought for discussion to Anandpur, the Guru had already been married. Therefore, the Guru said that he could not have another wife since he was already married. The dilemma before the parents of the girl was that, the proposal having become public, no Sikh would be willing to marry her. The Guru agreed for her to stay at Anand Pur but without accepting her as his wife. The question arose, as most women desire to have children, how could she have one without being married. The Guru told, “She will be the “mother” of a great son who will live forever and be known all over the world.” The people understood the hidden meaning of his statement only after the Guru associated Mata Sahib Devan with preparing Amrit by bringing patasas. It is, therefore, out of ignorance that some writers consider Mata Sahib Devan as the worldly wife of Guru Gobind Singh.

Bowing before Guru Granth Sahib is not idol worship. The answer has been discussed earlier. It is to make us feel humble and reduce our ego, the cause of our all problems. To explain it further, culture plays a very important role in the rituals of a religion. We can find such examples all over the world. There are different methods of greeting your friend in different cultures. i) Folding hands in front of your chest and bending head slightly, ii) Bending your body at the waist with your head bending downwards and hands going backwards, as with the Japanese iii) Shaking right hands, the most common international custom iv) Embracing each other, particularly Panjabi women. v) Exchange of kisses, as among the people of the middle East. In India, bending down so as to touch the feet of an elderly holy person, is an age old custom to express respects to him/her. It is practiced even today as good manners. When the children in the Punjab go to or come from their school, they bend to touch the feet of their parents, particularly their grandparents. In the same way children in the West wish good night to their parents before going to bed. Respecting your parents by bending your parents by bending before them is not human worship. It is a ritual to pay respect. In the West, people take off their hats to respect a woman or a senior person. Similarly, Sikhs, instead of taking off their hat (with a turban they cannot do it, even if they wanted to do it just like their Western friends), do math tek before the Guru to pay their respect and regards. Bending before Guru Granth Sahib is to show one’s respect and regards for the Guru; it is not idol worship. Philosophically, this means that the person who bows before Guru Granth makes a promise to himself to follow the path suggested by the Gurbani. It is something similar to taking an oath to the constitution by raising a hand. In this case, we bow the head instead of raising the hand. The act of bowing reminds a person of his or her being a Sikh and a believer in the teachings of Gurbani. It strengthens the faith in Gurbani which is essential to help us to walk on the path of the Guru. Plzzz Post Ur opinions ....fateh ji

Sat Sri Akal Truth Treasure Timeless Sikhs greet by saying Sat Sri Akal. This remembers one and others to live with truth, achieve all treasures and merge in Eternity.Sat Sri AKAL means : God and Truth are Timeless and Immortal . Do not only say it as a habit. Do not remember it as slogan. This is a key to open the door, the veil between you and Him. You need not to seek anybody to meet and say Sat Sri Akal. Greet your mind with the truth who is loud and does not listen. Get straight with yourself first. Then bow down and live truth. This leads to all the treasures also to Him who is beyond time. Harjinder Singh

This is about the life of a Sikh Girl which was ruined. Her life was ruined whed she was allured by the love of a muslim boy who pretended to love her so that he can convert her.The Muslim boy, Farooq succeeded and shattered is the Sikh Girl.May Baba Ji Bless her and be with her. Lets hear from her what her life is like and what message does she want to convey to our Sikh Sisters !! Regrets.... I Have Many Life in leafy Edgbaston was cosy, routine and without much bother, Mummy and daddy where professional middle class, I was at college study for my A levels, I was shy and obedient but I wasn't content, I longed for excitement, I wanted to live the world, I wanted to be as bold as brass and that was my intent. At college one day, a lad approached me, as he towards me, I could see from afar around his neck, he wore the moon and stars around his neck. He was very persistent and sweet, Told me I was beautiful from my head down to my feet. In my innocence by this tender words I was fooled, This Muslim boy loved me. And the love for my own family cooled. My stupidity lead me to follow western trends, I allowed him to become my boyfriend, He had me under his hypnotic spell, What I was going to do next nobody could tell, I moved from Edgbaston to Sparkbrook. I longed to be with my one and only Farooq. My life was to change completely, Long gone where the afternoon tea parties with the ladies, Long gone where my Mummy's BMW and Daddy's Mercedes, I was soon getting on and off buses and trams, As I struggled with a variety of prams, I was his sweetheart no more, Instead I had become his common whore. From Edgbaston to Sparkbrook and then to living hell That is Pakistan, A distant memory now, but please believe me, I had once stood shoulder to shoulder with my dear dad and demanded khalistan. Oh God What have I done? What has happened to me? What have I become? As I lay awake at night There is nobody to even hear me cry, My thoughts are unanswered, questions are my only escape, Somebody, anybody! Please tell me? Will I ever stand in the warmth of my kitchen again? Will I ever feel the hug of dear Daddy's strong arms? Will my brothers ever fight and play and argue with me again? Will I be there when my Mummy and Daddy grow old? When my brother gets married will I be there to put the kalgi on his pagh? Will I ever again experience the sweet nectar that is Gurbani? Will I ever share langar again? Now there are no answers, only questions. I have sown the seed of my own despair, My life is in ruins, which nobody can repair, My innocence, foolishness, kismet on me all have cheated, I desperately want my previous boring life, But I fear I am living in false hope, In my heart of hearts I know that can never be repeated. As I write these word in the unforgiving Pakistani heat, Streams of sweat and tears run down my face, I realise for me it is now too late, Life has dealt me a cruel fate, My living hell on my own I have to endure, But I plead with my Sikh sisters that you make sure Don't be fooled by his looks and false allure. Stay in the warmth of Sikh religion, Maintain your family values, Enjoy its rich culture, but unlike me don't abuse its social freedom, Ignore my advice at your peril, But I beg you to take, a good long hard look at me, A pitiful shambles I'm sure you will agree, Happiness or even hope, I haven't any, But regrets............. I have many Harjyot kaur (Rawalpindi, Pakistan)

KHALSA-THE ARMY OF AKAL PURAKH ----Harjinder Singh Kukreja Laid on the blood of martyrs cladded in splendid turbans The Sikh faith,immensely logical,proved historical. Popularily known as Sardar ji's Have borne pain with magical ease "As is God,so is the Guru and as is the Guru so must be a Sikh" Iron bangles in our wrists Wooden combs under our turbans Owning unshorn hair Even in unimaginable conditions did dare. Guru Gobind's brave hearts,honourable men Experienced warriors,drilled in valour Bathed in Vaaheguru's grace Cladded in Sikhly robes Against tyranny,the only hopes. His Excellency Guru Gobind Singh Humble he was;humility he preached Against casteism he was;equality he preached Apostle of Equality,Justice,he was Incarnation of freedom,revolution he was Life according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada he pleaded of course. Ever Nishan sahib will keep flying high Even in the world wars Sikhs did die. Ample callow Sikhs massacred Panjpyare,Sahibzade Many others of Sikh mothers Gorgeous Dastaars,perfect outlook,full beards. Members of the Guru's Fauja,His Sangat,Gurudwara,His presence Sikh's have Guru's loves essence. Bhagat Singh,the apostle of revolution Father of this nation he ought to be Though independent India he did not see. Shahbeg singh,the unsurmountable,ultimate Against Pakistan 1971 war he did lead Attaining matyrdom he did succeed Deep Singh,immemorable,evergreen His valour the world has seen Gur.Arjan,burnt alive Tegh Bahadar,beheaded Gobind Singh,stabbed Deep Singh,decapitated Mani Singh,cut limb by limb Innumerable Sikhs,inhumanly slain Inflicted with immense pain. May the entire world be blessed In turbans Sikhs are dressed Emperors who imparted justice Harbingers of peace,harmony,revolution Sikhs gifted India rejuvenation. Death they feared not Victory is what they sought. Bole So Nihal-Sat Sri Akal,our battle cry In eradicating tyranny innumerable Sikhs did die. Their deeds emmited dazzling radiance As intangible rocks the stood in defiance Sikhism is courage,honour and truth Where we are taught how to seek the right Struggle,conquer in life's great fight. Forcible conversion to Islam was the trend Death Sikhs did award to injust to curb and end Indian belief Sikhs did reform,mend. Darbar Sahib,Amritsar,extremely magnificient Oceans of Dastaars,beards and Gurbani The celestial golden radiance,immemorable Enchanted by it's beauty Hypnotized by the sight Thou shall be compelled to say"This place is right" Gurfateh!Victory to the Guru Khalsa the Guru organized His army's feats of strength against tyranny he exercised. Since they've evolved,300 times the Earth has revolved With extensive caliber Unaccountable feats of strength Born gutsy,utmost valiant. Deeds enthusiastic,utterly jubliant. Unjustly sever were the days Death was noticed even in the dazzling Sun's rays Mughals Khalsa did brave,India's dignity did they save Independence Sikhs did crave. Patna Sahib,Gobind Singh was born Whom the world does adorn Born a king,Even he did Vaaheguru's hymns sing India they energised Exceptionally on the villians clout they exercised Revolted against wickedness With peace this nation did they harness Overcome did they ample stumbling blocks Injustice confront like unshakable rocks. Descendants of Tegh Bahadar Known as 'Hind Ki Chadar' Of the Panth-Gobind is the father Their valour knew no bounds Patriotism was limitless Even the hostile,injured soldiers did they caress,redress Standing out for their distinctive appearence,marvellous humour Unaccountable valour,Their assertiveness,energy undiminished Savage persecutions Khalsa extinguished. Experienced Khalsa faced all Invasions and Inquisitions Triumphs accompanied by tragidies Piety along with sense of divine purpose Devotion,also depravities Loyalties and betrayals Courage,convictions,confronted eliminations. Sikhism,basic compassion of Hinduism Essential brotherhood of Islam Incurred absurdities,encouraged equality Enforced peace,Insisted reformation,caused amendation. -- -----------------------------------------------------------------

FOOTPRINTS !! One night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with Wahe Guru and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,One belonged to me,the other to Wahe Guru. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed,that many times along the path of life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of my life. This really bothered me and I questioned Wahe Guru about it. "Baba Ji,you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way,but I noticed that during the troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times I need you most,you would leave me." Wahe Guru replied,"My precious child,I love you and would never ever leave you during your times of trials and sufferings. When you see one set of footprints,It was then that I carried you. Harjinder Singh Kukreja

Sikhism,the future for mankind is not brought into broad daylight and it is the fault of us very Sikhs. We are the world's best faith and need to be exposed.Nations like Russia,Iran,China and even many parts of the U.S.A. have not been blessed by the settlement of Sikhs,saint-soldiers.We need quantity and excessive quality.Please make the world accept Sikhism by organizing tours for the propogation of Sikhi throughout the globe,send e-mails to tons of unknown people telling them about Sikhism and that Sikhism is synonymous with Humanism,Post messages on Discussion Forums like voy.com apu32.com,etc., pay websites like yahoo.com,aol.com,excite.com,etc. to propogate Sikhism's compassion,advertise Sikh websites like proudtobesikh.com,sikhnet.com,allaboutsikhs.com,etc.,urge Sikhs through Sikhnet.com to mail all their contacts and non-contacts by searching their ids,Sikhism message and let that message be the same evrywhere. Prepare it with extraordinary care.Launch a Sikh TV Channel free of cost and a Channel which covers the entire world. IF YOU FULFIL THESE EXPECTATIONS OF MINE WE SHALL CREATE AWRENESS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,BE SAFE FROM HATE CRIMES,GET MORE CONVERTS, PREVENT OUR YOUTH FROM LOSING THEIR IDENTITY WHICH IS INDISPENSIBLE, GAIN UNIMAGINABLE RESPECT AND RECOGNITION. SAT SRI AKAL HARJINDER SINGH KUKREJA

Taken from The Akali Movement by Mohinder Singh M.K.Gandhi was immensely impressed by the couargeous and gutsy deeds of the Akalis(1920-1925).Hypnotized by the selfless and patriotic Akalis and after hearing about their triumph over the aliens,Britishers,Mahatma Gandhi was compelled by his innerself to telagraph Baba Kharak Singh.The telegram read,"First decisive victory of the forces of nationalism". Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru wrote the following letter to the eminent Sikh leader, Baba Kharak Singh after the triumph of the Sikhs over the Imperial Government(Britishers)in the Akali movement.Approx.40,000 Sikhs were jailed and 7,000 were slain. THE LETTER WAS: Central Jail, Nabha. I rejoice that I am being tried for a purpose the Sikhs have made their own.I was in the jail when the Guru Ka Bagh struggle was gallantly fought and won by the Sikhs. I marvelled at the courage and sacrifice of the Akalis and wished that I could be given an oppurtunity of showing my deep admiration of them by some form of service.The Sikhs are the finest soldiers of the nation. I earnestly hope that I shall prove worthy of their high tradition and fine courage blended with compassion. Sat Sri Akal Jawaharlal Nehru 25 September,1923 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE DO NOT FORGET SIKH MARTYRS !! www.proudtobesikh.com harjindersingh_king@rediffmail.com Yours affectionately, Harjinder Singh Kukreja.

Have Faith (True Story) At the time of Indira Gandhi's assassination... My story begins here about one Sikh gentleman, a friend of a friend, who was captured at night by a gang of angry ruffians determined to do some serious damage. They abused him sufficiently, beat him up, made him nice and soft and then took him to a deserted lumber mill. There, they tied him up and lifted him onto a chopping block where an immense electric saw would, if used correctly, cut logs into long even planks of wood, or in this case, cleave this poor Sikh in two. The inflamed men started up the machinery and the saw began to whirl away. The Sikh realised his time had almost come. He gave up his struggling and began to sing the 'MOOL MANTR', "EK OANKAR, SAT NAM, KARTA PURAKH, NIR BHO..." His courage welled up within him and he began to shout the sacred chant at the top of his lungs. Suddenly, which is not uncommon in India, the power failed. All the electricity shut down and the men were surrounded in immediate darkness. Being sensitive to superstition, these men were spooked. This Sikh had started chanting and obviously something answered his call. They were freaked out. They grabbed for one another and with frightened voices. It took them a moment to gather their senses whereupon they turned and high tailed it out of there. They left like lightening and dared not even look behind them as they ran away. The Sikh claims he need never doubt again. So, Have A Little Faith !! Harjinder S Kukreja

The Future Lies Within the Youth-2 His Eminence, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of our faith, gave us a simple formula for a successful and fulfilling life. Naam Japna (the constant remembrance of god), Vand Kai Chakna (sharing ones earnings with the needy) and Dharm di Kirt Karni (living an honest and god centered life). A closer analysis of these fundamentals of Sikhi reveals 3 very important principles that should be enshrined in the heart of every Sikh. Humility, Peace and Love. As devout Sikhs of the Guru, it is our duty to abide by these simple principles so that we may serve as role models for the rest of society. However, before we can serve as effective role models, we must look at ourselves and question whether our actions are in accordance with what our Gurus intended. Unfortunately, I have to say that the answer is NO. We have become so self-centered that our personal image has taken precedent over the image of our Guru. We have become so sidetracked that petty politics and minor issues rather than the name of God, constantly occupy our thoughts. It is unfortunate that we have become emblems of ideology that defies the very fundamentals of Sikhi. We are controlled by ego and blinded by anger. We are controlled by ego and blinded by anger. Our ego is the main obstacle that prevents us from being united. Our anger, which functions solely to breed hatred, not only draws us further apart from each other but also further apart from our Guru. Let us contemplate on the state of the Sikh Youth today. Do you feel we are united? Can we say that we speak with one unified voice? I think not. Instead we have become diseased with the same problems that have been plaguing our parents generation. Greed, obsession with power, ego, hatred. It is a common complaint of Sikh youth today that we are excluded from community affairs and that we are not shown enough respect. How can we demand respect when we are not unified? With unity, respect would be given to us, we would not need to demand it. Unfortunately, the unity I speak of, is nothing but a farfetched ideal. Like our parents, we have divided ourselves into different factions, each claiming superiority over the others. We now affiliate ourselves with a particular faction, not with the ideals of Sikhi. Furthermore, we have become quite elitist in nature. "If you do not belong to my group, you are not a true Sikh." This is the type of mentality that is prevailing amongst us today. The Gurus welcomed everyone with open arms, we approach each other with closed minds. The great Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for another faith. We can not sacrifice our egos for the success of our own. Are we in such a sad state that we actually feel that belonging to the supreme body of the Khalsa is no longer good enough? If the Khalsa is the embodiment of purity and ultimate truth, how can divisions between us exist? Since such divisions do exist, it is clear that we are not living lives of truth, lives of purity. Do you realize the magnitude of the insult our atrocious behavior is to the ideals of the great Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji who sacrificed thousands of his Sikhs to ensure the survival of the Khalsa?

"No other race is as brave as the Sikhs are..." By Macauliffe (Dy. Commissioner) From Sikh religion, history and character, I am overwhelmingly influenced to resign from my high job, so as to make a deeper research. No other race is as brave as the Sikhs are. No other religion is as Humane, on Principles, as the Sikh religion is. Sikh sense of living is the purest of all. Gurbani is a source of Comforting Peace and unity of all. Unlike the scriptures of other creeds, Sikh scriptures do not contain love stories or accounts of wars waged for selfish considerations. They contain sublime truths, the study of which cannot but Elevate the Reader spiritually, morally, and socially. There are least things of sectarianism in them. They teach and inspire the believer with an ambition to Serve his fellow men, to sacrifice all and die for their sake. Macauliff further observes: Many of the great teachers of the world have known, have not left a line of their own composition, and we only knew what they taught through tradition or second hand information. If Pythagorean wrote any of tenets, his writings have not descended to us. We knew the teachings of Socrates only through the writings of Plato and Xenophone. Buddha has left no written memorials of his teaching. Kung fu-tze, known to Europeans as Confucius, left no documents in which he detailed the principles of his moral and social system. The Founder of Christianity did not reduce his doctrines to writing, and from them we are obliged to trust the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Arabian Prophet did not himself reduce to writing the chapters of the Quran. They were written or completed by his adherents and followers. But the compositions of the Sikh Gurus are preserved and we know first hand what they taught. They employed the vehicle of verse, which is generally unalterable by copyist, and we even become in time, familiar with their different styles. No spurious compositions or extraneous dogmas, can therefore be represented as theirs. Based on the Unity of God, it rejected Hindu formulations and adopted an independent -ethical system. It would be difficult to point to a religion of Greater Originality or to a more comprehensive ethical system. Harjinder Singh Kukreja

A Commendable Response to a Shocking Experience Sartaj Singh While studying for final exams, a girl that I know from one of my classes sat with my friend and I. All three of us had the same exam the next morning. She asked if she could join us and we both agreed with no hesitation.She and I are acquaintances, since we had this one class together. She happens to be Pakistani and was born here in the states as I am a Sardar and am too born here in the states. While studying, she stopped and looked to me and stated that in my culture hair is kept as a sign of showing that all the Muslims in the world are not dead. She continued to state that in my culture that the hair would not be cut until all Muslims in the world are dead. My friend and I looked at each other in shock and then I looked at her and asked where did she hear this information from. She then stated that another Pakistani girl from campus told her this. That other girl too is born here in the states as well. In shock, I quickly tried to explain to her That these statements are totally false. I quickly explained the importance of keeping hair In Sikhi, as a identity of our religion. But the damage has been done. It shocks me that she and this other girl believe this and the fact that thoughts from 500 years ago today still remain and are being taught to the first generation of children from the indo-pak area born here In America. That ignorance still continues out of fear of not understanding. I discussed what happened to me with several of My friends, both Sikh and non Sikh. All of them were in shock as well, and could not believe these statement were made. Many reacted out of anger and stated very heated feelings. And at first, I was angered as well. I did not know what to do or what to say, let alone if I should retaliate or not. But after some thinking, I believe That the only thing I can do is just to show love to these two girls, not hate. I happen to know who That other girl is who stated these assumptions to the Pakistani girl in my class. That other Pakistani girl happens to be good friends with My roommate, who is a Sikh as well, but clean shaven. I quickly joked to change the mood when I was there and said "well, you know my roommate is a Sikh and he's clean shaven, so maybe you should talk to him because he cuts his hair so he must think all the Muslims In the world are dead, not me." But then I spoke to my father, And he reminded me that even though Guru Ram Das (I believe) planned and started the building of the golden temple, it was a Muslim who laid down the first stone. And also that In the Guru Granth Sahib there are Muslim priests who have there scriptures written in there, such as Kabir. But it ultimately comes down to love. Not all Hindus or Muslims are bad, just like unfortunately not all Sikhs are good. Just because these two girls believe this viewpoint should not mean that I and everyone else should show hate towards them or there culture, regardless of the bitter history between Sikhs and Muslims from yesterday and today. I must show love to both of these women and educate them on why Sikhs do keep there hair and retain there identity, so that they too can realize there thoughts are incorrect. Hopefully they will soon realize the truth to the issue and how there beliefs are false. I will be approaching both of these women again once the semester starts and show nothing but love as I discuss this matter with them. So, basically all I am saying is that hate will get you no where. Love will triumph over all. So as we live in this world, love all people and be nice to all - regardless of race or religion. Because once you part from people and those people move onto different parts of this world and when they see another sardar or a sardarni, they will have positive feelings toward them. Because if you do something good or bad to one, they will tell others. Many will try to combat them and say- for example- that Sikhs are bad. But if they have received kindness And love from one Sikh, they will quickly stop them and state that this is false. I hope my thoughts I have shared spark some thoughts In your own minds as well. It is something definitely to think about. As told to Harjinder Singh by Sartaj Singh

Do not quit !! When things go wrong,as they sometimes will, When the road Khalsa trudges seems all uphill When the funds are low and debts are high and Sardar ji, you want to smile but you have to sigh When care is pressing you down a bit Rest if you must , but recall Khalsa don't quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow, Singh ji,thou may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out the silver tints of the clouds of doubt and you never can tell how close you are It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit It's when things seem worst that Khalsa does not quit !! Dedicated to all Sikh Martyrs and gr88 Gursikhs !! May Baba ji bless the world....... Please post a reply

Extracted in part from 'The Book of The Ten Masters' by Prof Puran Singh From the first gurudwara made by Guru Nanak, in one common place, Langar was made free to Man. 'Let none be hungry where the spirit of God prevails'!! The Guru's people and the Guru were one home and one family ; but it was no Utopian idea, as of the democracy of labour ; it was the democracy of Soul, so gloriously invoked in the temple of human hearts by the genius of the Guru. The sacrifice of selfishness was made for the gladness of the soul. And the soul was so fully nourished and satisfied that they could not entertain feelings of difference and duality. We are not selfish when we are in deep repose of a dewy slumber. We are never selfish when we are in love. Here the people came and laid their selfishness at his feet...Here was a religion that made love and labour the common property of Man. To date no Sikh with a grain of that faith in him can possibly think that he owns the Langar - " Bread and water belong to the Guru." No Man who is initiated into the Path of the Guru can own a home without being ready to share it with the Guru's people. Such was the Master's foreshadowing of the future; and in this lay the difference between Him and the centuries of pure Brahminical culture before him. "The people are more than myself," says the Guru "Religion is the inspiration of love. The Beloved is in His people and the service of God. And it is through service that love is realised. The spark of love is found by some fortunate ones in the company of His Sangat and it is the reward of those who surrender themselves, heart and heart, to the Divine." So, the Master says that the opportunity to serve God in humanity is His gift. It is remembered that the entrance of this spiritual humanity lay through a small lowly door where selfishness could not pass...If the people could not drop their selfishness of their own accord, then the Guru's personality softly stole into theirs and helped them from within to drop it, without their knowledge. Here we find the Guru's inspiration of love achieving all that we still dream of but cannot accomplish. Our desease is not wars and crimes and sins, but the selfishness of man, a disease more of the soul than the flesh. Its cure lies in the direction of service - seva and in naam and not in any material readjustment. We need more men with their sensual nature cast out by the Grace of God, through His Favour. It is remarkable that all the Nine Followers of Nanak kept his central idea of spiritual humanity - it's formation, it's love and it's service as thechief passion of their daily life till this idea is seen emerging in perfect clearness in the time of Guru Gobind Singh as Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

If Guru Gobind Singh Ji came to my Room... Harjinder S Kukreja If Guru came to my room to spend a day or two If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what will I do? I know, I'll give my nicest spot to such an honored guest, All the food I'd serve Him would be the very best. I'd keep assuring Him I'm glad to have Him there That serving Him in my room is joy beyond compare. When I see Him coming, would I meet him at the door? With arms out stretched and welcome from the core. Would I have to change my clothes before I let Him in? Or hide some magazines and put the Gutka where it should have been? Would I then switch off the radio and hope he hadn't heard? And wish, hadn't uttered the last loud hasty word? Would I hide my worldly music and put some Amrit Kirtan out? Could I let Guru walk right in, or would I rush about? I wonder - if Guru spent a day or two with me, Would I go right on doing the things I always do? And saying the things I always say? Would life for me continue as it does from day to day? Would my daily conversation keep its usual pace? Would I find it hard, each meal to say a table grace? Would I sing the songs I always sing, and read the books I always read? And let Him know the things on which my mind and spirit feed? Would I take Guru with me everywhere I plan to go? Or would I maybe change my plans for just a day or so? Would I be glad to have Him meet my very closest friends? Or Would I hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? Would I sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? Or Would I be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?

Published by: The Sikh Cultural Center !! 116, Karnani Mansion 25A. Park Street Calcutta-16 Ph: 229-9656 Email: ksingh_india@sikhreview.org Each and every religion has certain fundamental commandments. The Sikhism is no exception, too. A Sikh should always wear five Ka'Kars (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kirpan and Kachhera). There are many historical reasons to wear five Ka'kar by a Sikh. A considerable number of scholars have devoted their attention to the historical fact. It should be mentioned that the five Ka'Kars are beyond the scope of the present volume. Among them only one, i.e., "Kesh" is being taken here into consideration. Sardar Sarup Singh Alag, the author of the book "Hair Power" tried to highlight the natural and scientific causes for the upkeeping and preservation of hair. He did not take the problem from the viewpoint of a common believer. Contrarily, he tried to present the matter to his readers by logically and simple, understandable language. The Sikh Cultural Center, Calcutta with a view to aware the common people for hair preservation is publishing certain important and relevant part of the said book in the present form of pamphlet with the permission of the author (Extracted by Sardar Kulwant Singh). During this year 1999, the Sikhs in India and abroad have taken various programs in commemoration with ter-centenary birthday of Khalsa Panth. The present publication is a humble attempt of the Sikh Cultural Center on the auspicious occasion of the great and holy ceremony. Its Bengali version translated by Dr. Deepak Chattaraj is also available from the office of the Center. Calcutta, Dated April 1999 Honorary GEN SEC. The Sikh Cultural Center Consider Hair, as Special of all In the religious literature of the world there are many evidences which suggest that God has created humans with great interest. The earthly material used for this purpose was kept kneaded for two centuries. (It is just an assumption and has no relevance with modern calendar system) and then another hypothetical period of 280 years was spent on giving shape to this creation so that the humans thus created should look the most lovable in all respects. Everything was done with many enthusiasm and conscious efforts. The jewish and Christian churches also contain evidences to the effect that God created man in His own image and put His own particle as soul within him. On the basis of all this, it can be easily presumed that God did not add anything, including hair, to human body which could be termed as superfluous. Thus, trimming the hair amounts not only declining the gift given by God but also disfiguring the shape given to man by Akalpurkh i.e. Lord God. In other words, it can also be taken to mean that by so doing man takes pleasure in finding faults in the blue print prepared by God and thus showing off himself as better qualified and more competent than the creator Lord. In sum, this amount to endeavor equaling Him and even excelling Him by trying to improve upon His work. Ironically, the creation is getting zealous to override the Creator, thereby allowing ungratefulness to predominate. The only point of consolation in this behalf is that this blunder of cutting and disowning hair has not been made by man since the times of Adam, but the same is in practice only since few centuries. Scientific Research on the Hair The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in the West provided increased avenues of employment, but at the same time lack of security measures in the factories led to several fatal accidents caused by long hair. To avoid such accidents, the workers started, though unwillingly and with a heavy heart trimming their long hair. Consequently, the number of people with long hair like that of Shakespeare decreased and with the passage of time such a breed became almost extinct. But inspire of all this one positive development that had taken place there, was a lot of good and deep research on the hair. They wanted to ascertain the benefits of keeping hair and also to find out the changes they effect in human body and temperament. The research carried out with this end in view has highlighted the fact that the hair serves as a factory providing Vitamin D for the body. Vitamin D protects a person against the fatal disease like Tuberculosis and is an essential element for bones, teeth and the nervous system. This is an item that is becoming scarce today. The reason behind its scarcity is that Vitamin D in vegetables is missing to a great extent as a result of the insecticides being sprayed for the protection of vegetable crops from certain diseases. Consequently, the lackness of Vitamin D is being felt throughout the world. The developed countries have realized this and keeping in view the grave scarcity of Vitamin D, have started producing synthetic Vitamin D. They add this vitamin to the food of the children so that they must not grow up physically weak and mentally tense persons. As against these developed and affluent nations, the poor countries can easily get precious Vitamin D for their children free from the open Sun through their long hair. The significant research has also revealed that longer the hair the more will be the production of Vitamin D through the interaction of Sun heat with the oil in the hair. Thus all this shows that keeping hair is very important for one's physical as well as mental well-being. It has also been proved on the basis of experiments that the hair tied in the form of a knot on the top of the head are capable of attracting the maximum heat energy of Sun just as the television antenna has the capacity to hold photo waves from the atmosphere. (According to Tessitas, the ancient Germans also used to tie their long hair into a knot on the top of their heads. May be, they did so with a view to obtaining the above mentioned benefits). If the rare of Vitamin D can be obtained free from Nature only by keeping long hair, healthwise also it becomes imperative for human beings to keep long hair. Harms of Trimming Hair If the hair are not trimmed, their length, growth stops automatically after reaching a certain length. In this situation, hardly 0.5% of the protein that we take in with our daily diet, is spent on their upkeep. On the other hand, the trimmed hair consumes much more protein because this has to be spent on the re-growth of the hair. Had the hair stopped re-growing after having been trimmed once, there would have been no extra expense of protein. However, keeping in view the multidimensional usefulness of the hair for human body, Nature has created within the human body an interesting mechanism to help continuous growth of the hair. This mechanism continues being operational till one breaths one's last. Thus, this mechanism goes on spending more protein on the re-growth of the hair after a person shaves them off or trims them. Nature does this so as not to deny a person the varied benefits of hair. It seems modern man is busy in shaving off the hair under a sort of atheistic culture whereas God is ever involved in their growth. God is quite serious about the hair, whereas man is equally careless. Let us wait and watch the final outcome. Meanwhile, we can only say there is a sort of deadlock as under: He won't change His habits, Why should we change ours? Unfortunately, God's Will shall prevail on the long run because He knows the mystery and significance of the hair, whereas modern fashionable man on the other hand knowing the importance of hair tends to be careless, But we must at least think in the light of this fact that hand, foot or any other organ of the body if once get chopped off, does not sprout again, but on the contrary if we trim or shave off the hair, they grow up again soon except in very old age. It must be presumed from this fact that importance of the hair can be more, and certainly not less than hands, feet or other organs of human body. It is generally observed that the Hindus perform the first mundan (shaving off hair of the head) of their children at the age of 2 or 3 years. On this occasion, the head is completely shaved off. On this shaven head, the hair grows up to half centimeter within one month. The hair grows more rapidly in the case of youth vis-Ã -vis the small children. In the case of the former, the hair grows 1/8th of an inch in just three days. Nevertheless let us make the case of 2-3 year old child the basis of our contention: his hair grows half centimeter in one month. On average, every person has 85,000 to 1,25,000 hairs on his head. If we take the child to have one lac (hundred thousand) hair on his head, we shall find that such a child spends energy from his body to grow one hair up to the length of 50,000 centimeters or 500 meters if his total growth is computed on a one single hair. If he is in the habit of getting his hair regularly trimmed throughout his life, we can well imagine the amount of energy he might use to grow up the hair again and again. Thus valuable energy and minerals are wasted just for nothing. There should be limit to one's ignorance, but as Ghalib has said 'Who can instruct the already learned.' Man by trimming his hair, is harming himself in many ways. Another harm that trimming of hair causes is, that the hair have been the means of receiving energy for brain from the sun, but by trimming then we distroy to great extent that system and there by render the mechanism almost inert. It does not imply that social classes prone to trimming hair, lack intellectual level even without keeping full hair, they could have accomplished much better had they kept hair intact. Thus we do feel sad that they unwittingly make those means inoperative, which has to supply large quantity of energy to human organism. If we take into account the cumulative loss suffered generations after generations, it seems certain that trimming of hair is certainly an impediment in the way of realizing the aim of perfect human intellect. It thus is certainly a grat disadvantage for the entire mankind. Who will consider it wise to continue the trade causing continuous loss? Think and be watchful. This is the need and the expectation of time. Nature of the Hair After their compehansive research, the scientists have reached the conclusion that the hair stop growing having achieved the level of optimum growth. They remain alive for two to six years. They play their active role during this period and then getting weak, fall off as we comb them. This is called the death of the hair. There is no use keeping the dead hair. However, keeping in view the utmost importance of hair for human being, Nature is ever ready to replenish these dead hair by sprouting new ones in their place. The importance of the hair can also be gauged from the fact that the operation of replacing the dead hair with the new ones gets started immediately and forcefully so that body does not suffer because of their lack. This also shows that new and healthy hair on the head is needed throughout life. That is why God has created such a wonderful mechanism as a result of which person continues to be bestowed with healthy hair for long years of his/her life. The fact that the hair grows rapidly even after their regular trimming, also implies that God does not approve of the human action of shaving off or trimming their hair. Inspite of that, God has not yet got annoyed with him. As a proof of this, we find that the new born baby in any family or tradition in the world is blessed with beautiful hair. These hairs are the gift, which God bestows upon him while sending him on to this earth. It is another matter that except Sikhs nobody else endeavours to learn and abide by this will of Almighty. They also do not seem to be in a mood to value this precious Divine gift as much as they ought to. Man considers himself highly cultured. A follower of the Sikh faith does realize that God has blessed him with the sacred hair from his very birth, and these remain with him till his death. Thus, a true Sikh of the Guru neither comes nor goes naked from this world as all parts of this body are covered with the precious gift of hair. Thus, belief in the sanctity of hair saves him from the sense of duality. If we look from the point of view of the naturalists we see that they believe the existence of two ways to live life. One is to live in conformity with nature and the other is to live in conflict with it. The first is the way of harmony and the second is the way of a conqueror who wishes to subjugate and dominate leading to personal and public nuisances. The Gurmet or the Sikh way is one which accepts no dichotomy between man and nature as is enjoined upon Sikhs by Guru Nanak in Bara Maha and Guru Gobind Singh in Akal Ustat and both these Banis serve as the foundation of the Sikh oral and orational practices. 'Hair Power' is the out come of the first attitude and as such is ever charged energising battery for the human machine. Unani System of Medical Science and Hair Most of ancient indigenous science of medicine reveal that one of the causes of chronic bad cold is trimming of hair. This has been found in many chronicles during the past century or so that long untrimmed hair provide much relief to one suffering from this kind of disease. Moreover people with hair are less prone to this malady. Modern scientific research can easily throw light on this point. Research in medical science has proved that the relationship between healthy hair and thyroid glands is rather intimate and if we protect our throat from getting sore, our hair will remain black, strong and healthy for a long time. Thus they will also be able to perform their duties more actively and effectively. There are several such references in the Yajur Veda and the Atherva Veda. These references suggests that maintenance of untrimmed hair is absolutely necessary for a healthy body, physical strength and hair glow. We do not sow the hair; thus plucking or trimming of them is not natural. They are an integral part of human body, a manifestation of strength and chivalry, symbolic of social respect and reflection of mental equipoise. They are also an example of India's cultural richness. A religion, which aims at providing Saint-Soldiers, knows the true worth of hair. Their true worth has been realized By Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa Panth, created by him. Having received the gift of Amrit (Sikh Baptism) and of hair, the name Khalsa Panth became synonymous with the protectors of not only the country but the entire mankind. These hair became a symbol of their recognition. For the Sikhs hair became their flying masts. A true Sikh a Khalsa could be easily recognized even among the multitude. He became to be called an inheritor of India and fought against the invading hordes-one equalling one-and-a-quarter lacs. After wearing the hair, he gave evidence of the power of his bhakti and shakti far and wide. The entire world felt amazed at his achievements and also chroniclers - willingly or unwillingly - eulogized the Khalsa. Hai became the symbol of respect and dignity for the Sikhs. Now everybody has learned that the strength of the Sikhs as a community is merged in the hair. So long as hair are intact, community is strong and respected. By bestowing upon them the gift of hair, the Guru have made the Sikhs firm from within and dauntlessly determined from without. Hair and the Solar and Lunar Energy It is assumed that the central point of the solar energy is considered the top of head and the central point of lunar energy is the chin. As the hair on the head receive energy from sun and transfer it to human body, the hair on the chin (beard) receive lunar energy for onward transfer to human body. Another peculiar characteristic of the hair is that they hinder the harmful waves prevalent in the atmosphere from affecting the brain and mind as a result of which mind does not suffer from despondency, excessive emotionalism, pessimism and mental confusion and instead virtues like courage, warmth of heart, optimism and enthusiasm are infused. Since the hair on the head, on chin and above the upper lip have different functions to perform, their constitution is also different. Everybody can easily differentiate between the hair of the head, and those of the beard and moustaches. Mr. Malgarini, a professor of psycology of the Sanjose State university in America has done a commendable research on the effects of beard. He concludes that beard on a man's face makes his personal look more manly and impressive. Another Western thinker, Calimash, even goes to the extent of saying that beard forbids man from committing sin and thus saves him. It attracts him towards the path of righteousness. Thus to maintain beard is symbolic of one's good fortune. Beard is also the manifestation of one's good, ethical life. As against men, women do not have beard. So the question arises the equipoise and righteousness which beard amasses in men is why denied to women because women do not have beards. Is it not an injustice unto them? No, may be God did so keeping in view their softness and beau ideal. If female beauty comprises in her chin being devoid of hair, male beauty and bravery depend on the hair (beard) on his chin. To compensate women for denying her beard which is an important source of bringing energy to body, the Divine One strengthened her nervous system sixteen times more than that of man. It is possible that because of this very reason qualities of softness, tolerance, humility and sweetness in temper are much stronger in women than in men: In fact, these are some of the most attractive qualities in women. In sum, it can be said that man must make the maximum possible use of the hair given by God because they are capable of taking the solar energy, after purifying it, direct to human body. This energy helps keep body healthy as it is a very fine antibiotic capable of destroying germs of many diseases. It is nearly true that the more we keep our hair in contact with solar energy the more useful they would be for the human body. No doubt, pores of shaven hair also keep performing the same function, but untrimmed hair can do so in amuch more effective and powerful manner. Keeping in view the fast polluting atmosphere, we must seriously consider maintaining long, untrimmed hair, otherwise it will be too late for us. Formative Material of the Hair People doing research on hair have accepted the fact that the hair are made of such substances, which protect body from cold as well as heat. That is why they are called good conductors of heat and cold to the body. When the weather is cold, that substance in the hair gets activated which has to provide heat to body and especially to mind. Interestingly, this mechanism works the other way round during the hot summers. We generally find that as we walk in the sun in extreme hot season a kind of sweaty condition is created in the hair. This sweat mixes with the hair, thereby the latter do not get much hot up. This also saves a person from direct heat and sunstroke. That is why people maintaining long hair are much less susceptible to sunstroke or exposure to the sun. On the contrary, where it is very cold the hair keep the temperature in the zone of head warm by preserving the heat received from Sun. Consequently, one does not feel much cold. When we put ourselves in shivering conditions, our hair stand on end. At that time each hair of our body tries to take-in maximum energy from the atmosphere. This mechanism also enables us to face situations of danger more corageously. This entire automatic activity should be considered as the wondrous miracle of Nature.We can also say that by providing hair, Nature has put humanity under its heavy debt. The hair which perform astonishing but precious job are made up of the following substances: 1.Oxygen 28% 2. Carbon 50% 3. Hydrogen 06% 4. Nytrogen 11% 5. Sulphur 05% Besides the above given substances, the hair also contain heat and oil, and the grey hair contain a small amount of lime also. These three elements also cause a little change in the above proportion. As a result of trimming the hair, we not only deny ourselves the use of certain minerals, but also waste these elements. According to an American doctor, Robert Del Girni, the loss suffered in consequence of trimming hair is manifested as lack of bravery, self-confidence, determination and labour in such people as compared with those who maintain the sanctity of hair. If the above statement is applied to European or Western people everybody will vouchsafe for bravery and hard working nature even though they trim their heads and shave off there beards. In answer to this, it can only be said that if these people are so brave and intelligent even after trimming and shaving off their hair they could certianly have added immensely to their present bravery and intelligence level by keeping the hair. Even today many great philosophers, scientists, researchers and litterateurs have long hair and beards. Recently some of the Western doctors and scientists have after deep researches, brought out important facts about the hair. A brief appraisal of that research can easily inform us of the great valuable service being rendered to our body by the hair on different parts of body. According to a laboratory estimate, if we trim away or shave off 50 grams of human hair, we loose one gram of trace metal, which has immense potency to ward off the dangerous disease of diabetes and also to soothen the most severe burning sensation. Those who trim their hair waste much of these valuable metals and elements in the re-growth of their hair and thus weaken themselves and become susceptible to various diseases. Prof. Prasad's reports (1966) in this behalf are highly informative, educative and eye-opener for those who trim hair mindlessly under the fun and fury of fashion. Sikhs are the luckiest lot who are directed by their Gurus to shun the harmful practice of sacrificing an important organ of their body (hair) at the alter of fashion. A Sikh looks smart, masculine with unshorn hair which are part and parcel of his stout personality. According to another Indian scientist Dr. A.S. Prasher, during the summer zinc value increases in the body because of the hair. As a result of this, one remains protected against maladies such as infection of fingers. dr. R.O. Phil also agrees that the hair function as natural banks as regards the trace metals. It is, therefore, in the interest of mankind to properly look after the hair because they perform rare service to humans. Besides the above mentioned importance of trace metals, it has also been proved that lack of these metals not only results in human body falling victim to the disease already referred to but also adversely affects the digestive system of children resulting in loss of appetite and taste. Consequently they do not get full nourishment and therefore remain short statured. In this way, hair are also useful for a child to help him get tall statured and healthy body, The diminutive midget person lacks zinc which one gets through his body through the medium of hair. A sufficiently deep research has also taken place to prove that the presence of an adequate quantity of the trace metals inthe body of a woman favourably affect the body of the new born baby. Nature has gifted the hair with the quality of collecting these rare minerals in human body so that these could be used whenever the need be. Because a woman has to give birth to a child, the Lord has made her hair, stronger, thicker and longer than those of man so that such minerals could be collected and preserved in the body. It has also been observed that during pregnancy the hair of a woman gets thicker. May be, Nature does so to help woman to get additional quantity of minerals required for the development of the embryo. This is how nature takes care of mankind and alas, human beings turn a blind eye to such gestures. It seems they will they will realize their folly only after having suffred the maximum. An Electric Aspect of Hair Engineer Nirmal Singh is the Chief Engineer (Retd) of Punjab State Electricity Board. His engineering enterprise is still acknowledged by everybody in the Board. Along with this, he has a wonderful capacity to use his knowledge of electrical engineering in the ordinary affais of life. He compared in several of his lectures the spiritual pleasure of kirtan with electric current. These lectures have been very well received and they reveal the great intellectual genius of S. Nirmal Singh. He can also make almost exact predication about rain with his scientific acumenship. He had predicted well in advance about the continuous heavy rain on 3 September 1988 which lashed Punjab in the last week of Sep. 1988 and everybody knows that Punjab witnessed the most severe floods of the century those days. This known personage has also expressed his views about the hair from the perspective of electric theory and scientific knowledge. His views on the subject are summed up as under for the use and the perusal of the readers. 1. The knot that the hair produce on the head has been a question mark for mankind the world over. Most of the people consider the hair unworthy and thus ignore them. That is why 90% of the male population of the world shave off their heads/moustaches and trim their hair. They follow this as a fashion and suffer. 2. On the basis of science, the importance of hair has been rather great and infinite. Everybody knows the importance of long and thickly hair for women because they are considered the precious wealth of womenfolk. Of course the importance of hair is equal to both man and woman, but man in his ignorance and owing to some unknown reasons looks at the hair differently. In fact, the hair perform an important role in establishing man's unique invisible and constant relationship with the universe. Besides, they also keep us united with our Creator-Lord. Had there been no hair, man would have remained cut off from everything. In that case, he would have looked like a withered or dried up tree and there would have been no obvious relation between man and his creator. It is to maintain this relationship and connection that the Lord had produced roughly one to one and a half hair on each human head. 3. Our knowledge of the hair is rather meager because we have declared them superfluous and unnecessary without ever reflecting over and analysing their role. Just as a transistor starts broadcasting exactly the same programmes of the radio stations if we put the former on the same frequency with the radio station similarly, we constantly receive from universe electronic and other subtle energy through hair and get benifit from it. Just as there are numerous towers nearby the transmitting station, there are hair on the human head. If the tower near the aerodrome does not function or is knowingly disconnected or dismantled, none of the planes would be in a position to land safely and accidents would occur one after the other. This is what is continuously happening to us. The ill-treatment and harshness we inflict on the hair resuld in numerous bodily disorders and diseases, heart attacks and other fatal ailments. Therefore, the cluster of hair on our head is in fact, our security ring. 4. It requires a full book-length dilate in detail on the importance of hair. In fact, the hair posses magnetic and electric energy. The scientist who invented electricity got his idea from rubbing a stick with the hairn of a cat's body. Human hair are much longer than those of a cat. These hair have the capacity to catch the shortest, medium and largest electronic frequency. They gather together the most subtle messages from the Divine and transmit them direct to mind. That is why sometimes some very strange and alien thoughts come to our mind which ordinarily has no relation to our life. Had it not been so, our life would have been just like a machine and in this vast universe our positiion would have been like those of the deaf and the dumb. The saints, scientists and philosophers all over the world preserve their hair and beards as a precious. This comes to them naturally whereas in other worldly affairs such as their personal appearance (dresses, etc), constructing houses and acquiring household effects they are rather careless. Everybody can understand the reasons behind this: these personages know that it is because of the hair that they are what they are. No power or pelf can provide them this status, this spiritual position. 5. As we have said above, some people will all around get interested in the theme of hair power. It will soon develop into a subject of serious and deep study because the connection of hair is with everything from heavenly energy to physical energy, intellectual wisdom to the martial element and powers of body. The female charm and sex appeal is also because of the hair. It has generally been observed that woman who does not have long and thickly hair does not look charming and attractive inspite of all other physical charms. 6. The hair are of various kinds - plain, curly, heavy, thin, black, brown, etc. A mere look at the hair can reveal to us several of the hidden qualities of the wearer - male or female. The shape of the hair can reveal 15-20% of man's habits and temerament. Just as reading the lines of palm and shape of nose and eyes can help make predictions about the persons, we can learn of the hidden qualities of aperson if we make a serious study of his hair. Thus, the hair are the most important - scientifically and technologically. In the Sikh code of conduct, hair get the primary position, although the Sikh Gurus have ordained to maintain them in their natural unshorn state for various other reasons as well. 7. The brain, preserved in the safety of the skull of our head, is the most impotant organ of our body. God has employed one to one-and-a-half lac of additional security guards in the form of hair for the protection of this brain. They resist the blow of any stick, sword,etc because the hair besides being very velvety and slippery are also rather sturdy like the edge of a shaft. (This is how runs the views of Sardar Nirmal Singh). Knowing all this it is now up to us whether we consider the hair a superfluous cluster on the head or useful guards gifted to us by God. Arguments of Psychologists The scientists through their research on different aspects of hair have proved that they are necessary for man's mental and emotional equilibrium. Working on the tendency to trim hair, the researchers in the field of psychology have opined that in the hearts of heart of man there goes on struggle which aims at discarding the male form in favour of female form. On the contrary, a woman finds pleasure in gwining male form. Psychologists say that due to the effect of the two-sided struggle man has started discarding beard, the symbol of his manliness so that he appears like a woman. The famous psychoanalyst Gustaw Jung (1875-1961) has analysed this psychological reason after doing deep study of unconscious mind. He mentioned that a sort of unending war is going on in human minds (both male & female) for the change of sex or to experience the whims of other sex. This urge is operative under two systems or dispositions i.e. anima and animus struggling against each other in the unconscious mind. Anima is suppressed urge which investigates a man to become a female and animus on the other hand works strongly in opposite direction as it wants woman to become a man. Perhaps under the stress of this tendency the Ainu of Japan used to tatoo moustaches on girls. The process would start when the girl was about two years old: small knife cuts would be made above the upper lip and soot or black lead would be rubbed into them. This would go on till the girl reached marriageable age by which time she would have a tattoo resembling a long thick moustache (Ref. Saturday plus. The Tribune dated 26, 1997.) These forces continue laying their influence on a person in hidden but bit mild way and that is why he does not become fully aware of them. Under the impact of the impulse of anima activity man unconsciously wants to do away with his beard and moustaches. Other features to adopt feminity are beyond his approach for which he is helpless. Perhaps reacting under anima activity youth of today has started imitating women in wearing jewellery and ornaments. Many Indian young boys including players have got their ears pierced and have worn ear rings which is otherwise a feminish ornament meant exclusively for ladies. Some young men do sport bangles on their wrist simply to satisfy the said instinct. Similarly the young girls feel pleased in wearing men's dresses including using neckties. They have got their long hair converted to the boy-cut for fashion to make their look as much masculine as possible. In the light of such a war going in deep in the human minds at unconscious level, we the Sikhs are immensely greatful to our great Gurus and especially to Guru Gobind Singh who directed us to maintain our image and form as given us by Akalpurkh. In this way the sex changing struggle going on in human minds will at least not effect Sikhs and we shall experience peace and stability in mind. We can realize only after accepting the hair because it is only by maintaining them that we can retain our divine image. Can we expect this from the community that it will make endeavours with which this concept of divine image of man or complete form of man spreads all over the world and makes man realize that he should not go in for fashions, rather he should go near the reality provided by Nature. Hair as Cables of Information The accounts of chivalry of Napolean Bonaparte who rose from an army general to be the Emperor of France, are still remembered even by children. He was a brave warrior who had maintained unshorn hair. He hated the word 'impossible' and according to him this word occurs only in the dictionary of fools. He might have reached this conclusion only because of his intellectual genius and competence. He fought several battles against England and was finally defeated at Waterloo in1815 by England. He was confined in saint Helina Island where he died a mysterious death on 5 May 1821. Nobody was able to tell for 100 years the real cause of Napolean's death. After his death, along with other precious things Napolean's hair were also preserved. The latest experiments of chemistry have revealed that there are found in human hair 30 kinds of trace metals which are available in blood as well, but their presence in the hair is much more than in blood. Consequently experiments began to be made on hair which provided us immensely valuable information which was not available earlier. This new research unveiled in 1962 the mystery of Napolean's death when researches on his hair revealed that his death was due to arsenic. Inspite of this the matter did not end there. Many more questions have arisen thereafter. For example, did those hair really belong to Napolean? Making these points the basis of their investigation, the US Fedral Bureau of Investigation is trying to find out the real cause of the French warrior’s death about 175 years ago. This agency will also will also make its experiments on nine hair of Napolean. Two of these hair will get destroyed during the experiment and the remaining seven will be preserved in a sealed cover for record. So far as the question of carrying experiments on Napolean’s hair is concerned, evidence has come to light that these are in fact Napolean’s hair. After an intensive research, the researchers have found a note written by Madam Navraj who used wash Napolean’s clothes during his last confinement. She writes in her note that when Napolean died on 5 May 1821, she somehow managed to cut off alock of his hair. He was dead by six hours at that time. Some of these hair are also being put to test and the remaining about 220 hair are being sold in about 6.2 million rupees or even more. The admirers of Napolean take pride in preserving with great respect and love this precious memento. Experiments made on his hair confirm that Napolean died after consuming arsenic. How strange but important it is that hair do keep noticeable and reliable rapport with their origin i.e. the keeper even segregated from it for such a long time spacing into centuries. It is not surprising that hair are being used to test the use of drugs even. Hair analysis for the use of cocaine has also occupied the most dependable place for tests. It is possible now even to determine the blood group by analysing the hair. The matterdoes not end here. The scientists and researchers have proved that the proportion of the trace metals, found in the body could be more minutely measured with the help of the hair. Similarly, Bradfield proved in 1974 that the hair can help us to gather complete information about protein level in the body. On the basis of tests conducted on hair, the patient can be given proper treatment and restored to normal health. The evidence given above throw valuable light on the chemical and scientific significance of hair which is increasing day by day. Hair and Health Information The fourth international conference on health and diseases concluded on 10 February 1993. The conference reflected on the various ways of maintaining health and diagnosis of diseases. Scientists from all over the world participitated. The scientists from Uzbekistan, a state recently separated from USSR, presented a paper in which they tried to prove with the help of evidences that the hair can be used with increased trust and faith, for diagnosing different diseases in childrren as well as in grown-up persons. The hair are useful indicators of the health standards of a particular locality. They can also throw light on the healthwise ‘dangerous groups’. The scientists argued that the level of trace metals in the hair can be used to get valuable information about diseases such as diabetes, cardiac disorder. Insomnia and lack of iron. To reach this conclusiiion, many more scientists from Uzbekistan, have also declared the hair as very useful for diagnosing many diseases. The chinese scientists have their own experiences which they shared with others. They said that the copper level in the hair of the children must be used to determine the kind and extent of ailments they can suffer from in future. In this way, the future mankind on this earth can be made disease free. Mr. Mehdi Hasan, a professor in the Inter-Disciplinary Brain Research Center of Aligarh Muslim University declared in the conference that the hair can also be used to determine the potentially toxic elements in body. Thus, we can get free of cost so valuable information through the use of hair in various laboratory tests. Almost all important newspapers carried news during the conference days of the research work being done by scientists. The report adopted by the conference makes it absolutely clear that the hair can give us very valuable information about the health and/or ailments of our body. We know that if we learn before hand about a disease, we can remedy it more easily and almost certainly. And, this is not all. This is one dimensional scientific experiment on hair which the scientists have shared with us. But the hair play a very effective role in bringing equilibrium in life and if research is done on this aspect, the result will be rather astounding. Research on DNA (Di-oxy Nucleic Acid) has brought into limelight that the DNA which is about 250 grams in one developed body, has far reaching effects. If all the quantity of DNA which is activated in body the person concerned becomes enlightened par excellence. Hair have direct bearing with DNA. As we all know that the pollution of the environment is to increase day by day from many sides and then people would realize the importance of all types of body hair. The day is not far off when the doctors would write on the prescription slip of the patients that they would have to keep long unshorn body hair if they want to resist the otherwise fatal attack of space pollution. Hair therefore would occupy an impotant place in the life style of a person living in 21st century. It is no exaggeration that future era would be the ear of HAIR POWER..Without proper hair on body the existence of person would also be in danger. He may opt for any religion but he must keep full hair and look like a Sikh if he wants himself able to combat the onslaught of multifaceted dreadful pollution.

Wake up Khalsa!! ---Harjinder Singh Teeming with valour,Gallant Khalsa Awake,arise and realise Recall,the weak thou did energise. On tyranny death you did bestow Oars of humanity,bravely row Set Sikh clock in order!! Regain the splendid crown Disseminate the message,Sikhism has in store. Instill in people of all nations, sikhisms compassion. Turbans,Unshorn Hair, The bedrock of Khalsa beliefs The Sikh trend,Identity Indispensible Martyrdoms remarkable. Regain pride of being a Sikh Revitalise the Panth! Being growing hair today Keep our end away!! Yours affectionately, Harjinder Singh. Sat Sri Akal http://www.proudtobesikh.com/

Guru Nanak is in the Stars and Skies, Guru Nanak's love light never dies. Guru Nanak's in the Rivers and Seas, Guru Nanak's in the Grass and Trees. Guru Nanak hears each being's cries, Guru Nanak's love light never dies. Guru Nanak's in the desert and dune, Guru Nanak's the Gurbani tune. Guru Nanak's in the Sun and Moon, Guru Nanak's with me night and noon. Guru Nanak's in my heart and soul, Guru Nanak's vision is my greatest goal. Guru Nanak's Naam is in every breath, Guru Nanak's Amrit destroys death. Guru Nanak's hand is above my hair, Guru Nanak protects me everywhere. Guru Nanak's in each beating heart, Guru Nanak's the dawn after dark. Guru Nanak's the light of my life, Guru Nanak's my Father higher than high. Guru Nanak is Guru Granth Sahib jee, Guru Nanak's in our lives eternally. Guru Nanak is my very best friend, I bow to Guru Nanak again and again !!

To All The Beautiful Sikh Women... "Why are you crying?" a young naujawan asked his mom. "Because I'm a woman" she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will".......... Later the little boy asked his daddy, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason" was all his dad could say........ The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to WAHEGURU JI; when He got on the phone, the man asked "O WAHEGURU JI, why do women cry so easily?" WAHEGURU said....... "When I made women she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world; yet, gentle enough to give comfort.... I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children...... I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone gives up and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining...... I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt them very badly....... This same sensitivity helps her make a child's boo-boo feel better and shares in their teenagers anxieties and fears....... I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. I also gave her a tear to shed, It's hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed. It's not her weakness, it is her strength.... It's a tear for mankind........." The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman, with passing years, only grows! Womanhood is the strength of the Panth. She bears our future generations. She nurtures them because she spends more time with the young. She can help Sikhi to flourish or she can bring about its demise. Sikhi is the future for mankind and 'she' is its most important tool for the future. Nanak said so over 500 years ago. Let us now practice giving women their rightful place in Sikhi. Power to Sikh Womanhood into the next millenium. By Dya Singh (Australia) Harjinder Singh da love!! Panth ki Jeet!!

KEEP YOUR TUBAN INTACT !! "So Long as the Khalsa maintains his Identity, He shall remain imbued with my vitality." ----Guru Gobind Singh Ji "The Sikh and his hair are one,these are the eternal gift of love,immeasurable beauty to the Khalsa by our Guru.They cannot be seperated from a Singh's head without seperating his head." ------Bhai Taru Singh Ji Unshorn Hair,the seal of our faith.The Sikhs had themselves hacked joint by joint,iron pegs were struck into the heads of Sikhs,their scalps were opened, innumerable Sikhs were beheaded,their limbs wer broken on toothed wheels. SIKHS HAVE STILL REMAINED FIRM IN THEIR FAITH,TO THEIR LAST BREATH,TO THE LAST HAIR ON THEIR HEADS. Khalsa is the breath of my body. Khalsa is the very soul of my life. Khalsa is my real pride and glory. Khalsa is my own personal self. Khalsa is life's sustainer. Khalsa mero roop hau khas Khalsa me hau karun niwas Khalsa mero pind pran Khalsa mero jaan ki jaan SIKHS MUST MAKE THEIR PRESENCE BE FELT !! 1 Sikh = 1.25 lac people (Let's prove Guru Gobind Singh Ji Right) Harjinder S Kukreja

Women in Sikhism command equal respect The Sikh faith was born to set the clock of humanity in order. The Sikhs have disseminated themselves throughout the globe and have scattered the message the Sikh faith has in store but a lot more has to be accomplished. It is a matter of utmost disgust that the Sikh faith, the future for mankind has violated the plan of the Guru in many ways. The worst thing is that we do not consider our women worthy to emulate us. For seva in the Golden Gurudwara and innumerable other aspects we consider our women unworthy to emulate men. Let us unshackle the faith by empowering our women. “Of woman are we born, of woman concieved, to woman engaged, to women married. Woman we befriend, by woman civilization continued. When woman dies, woman sought for. It is by woman that order maintained. Then why call her evil from whom great men are born ? From woman is woman born, And without woman no one would exist. The eternal Lord is the only one, O Nanak, Who depends not on woman. Guru Granth Sahib Asa, p.473 www.sikhwomen.com

Bring out the Sikh faith in broad daylight Are we proud to be Sikhs ? If yes then why don’t we consider our rich heritage a part of our monotonous life ? Why do we not greet our beloved ones by Sat Sri Akal, Gurfateh , Guru ang Sang ,Wahe Guru Ji da Khalsa ; Wahe Guru Ji di Fateh, or Bole So Nihal – Sat Sri Akal . Why do we influenced so deeply by other people ? Our conviction should be unimaginably deep. We should follow the Sikh way of life to the best of our capability and always work on enhancing our caliber to be true Saint-Soldiers. None can emulate the Sikh way of life. Why can’t we be the trend-setters ? We the followers of Nanak, the descendants of Gobind are worthy of to set the fashion prevailing globally. We Sikhs can build castles in the air by disseminating the message the Sikh faith has in store. It is a matter of utmost disgust that we have not been able to prove worthy of being the true sons of Guru Gobind .The mighty Guru considered his every Sikh as 125000 (Sava Lakh). We have not been able to make our presence be felt on a large scale. Even today in many parts of the U.S people are not aware of Sikhism and the brotherhood it has in store. Are 26000000 of us unworthy of creating awareness about the Sikh faith? The foremost thing is that we must unite for this purpose. We cannot create awareness among people by giving speeches or by distributing free literature. The need of the hour is that we should become sportsmen or actors , Chief Election Commisioners or Chief of Army Staffs, Judges or Body Builders, Software Engineers or Pilots and scatter ourselves around the world. When people will see us at high posts with turbans on our heads and unshorn beards they shall at first be stunned and their desire to know more about us shall know no bounds. We need be in the Headlines for good purposes with our turban intact to create awareness amongst people of all nations in the world. Let us revitalise the Panth and gear up for 2004 – 400 yrs. of the first Prakash of the Adi Granth Sahib !! Guru ang Sang Harjinder S Kukreja