Why are our turbans gendered as superficial, fashionable, or decorative just because we wear makeup or dance—while men’s turbans are perpetual symbols of honor, pride, their dedication to their faith? We are harshly policed for how we look, how we dress, how we act, while we practice our Sikhi. Yet, regardless of what harm or violence they inflict, cis men do not seem to be.
The God and Man inter-relationship as Father, Mother and Bridegroom makes its correspondence with Christian concept of God as a viable option. As a consequence, the Sikh Scripture qualifies as a Universal Scripture for all mankind.
The Sikh Missionary Society U.K. has always been active to produce literature and organise seminars. It is to their credit that the first edition of the popular book “Guru Tegh Bahadur The True Story” was released in 2017. This year, Sikh Youth Australia have released a revised second edition.
This is the work of countless others that we have inherited. Their work has improved life on Mother Earth. This is a debt on our heads. How do we plan to pay for this largesse is the question.
Sikh Asian Indians have high rates of diabetes. Community health workers can effectively address health disparities via adapted programs that take into account Sikh traditions and culture. Programs should cover aspects such as stigma surrounding mental health problems, healthy traditional recipes, and activities embraced in Sikhism.
Langgar in many Gurdwaras today feeds the well-fed, is sometimes catered by an outside group and we see different foods being served to different groups. The needy are often those outside the Gurdwara location and they may like a different type of food than the ones we prefer.
By spending more and more time alone and in silence, it is possible to bring about awareness of ourselves, starting with 'What am I?' and arriving at 'Who am I?'
ਹੈ ਇਹ ਨੂਰ ਦਾ ਜਾਦੂ, ਹੈ ਇਹ ਨੂਰੀ ਸਾਧੂ। ਹੈ ਇਹ ਜੋਤ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਹੈ ਇਹ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਆਗਾਜ਼।
There is no functioning lending library in Bangla Sahib, Rakabganj or any other gurduara anywhere in this wide world that I know of. Dear readers, before you take umbrage at my angst keep in mind that the operative idea here is “functioning lending library.”
All of these lessons I have come to embrace and recognise in my 26 years of existence as an evolving Kaur. Like little notes to Self, I hope they serve you too.