San Antonio, TX — Over the course of 12 days spanning the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) was in Australia, the organization’s first visit to the continent. With the assistance of several local planners and organizations, SikhRI managed to facilitate a whirlwind tour of 23 events, presentations, divans and community dialogues.
Swaran Singh served as the local coordinator and extended the initial invitation to SikhRI to visit Australia. He said that the idea of reaching out to the organization was a result of positive feedback the sangat had heard from contacts in Malaysia, after SikhRI conducted a tour there in October 2010. Of the time spent in Australia, Swaran said that the events resonated strongly with all attendees and that the sangat expects SikhRI's programming will play an important role in inspiring active Sikh communities globally.
On 29 December, Harinder Singh kicked off the events in Melbourne with the talk, “What is Gurmat?” which he gave at the Black Burn Gurduara to an audience of 300. The next evening, 200 people attended a reprisal of the same talk at Werribee Gurduara.
On 31 December, the eve of the New Year, 400 people gathered for a talk at Keysborough Gurduara, themed “What Have I Done This Year?” It was a fitting way to ring out 2010 and one that encouraged attendees to use the New Year to invite Guru into their lives.
From 2 through 5 January, he was presenting two sessions a day to audiences of about 100 people, at the Annual Sikh Youth Samelan, hosted by Sikh Naujawan Melbourne. There was a four-part series on “Nam”, which was well received by those who could make the commitment to attend the entire series. There were also individual sessions that SikhRI facilitated at the camp on topics like “Sabad: Infinite Wisdom,” “Khalsa: Realized Sovereign” and “Guru Granth-Panth.”
Surinder Singh Kanwar commented on his appreciation for the level of information and accuracy of the SikhRI talk he attended: “This was educative and provided detailed information about facts of the religion and Sikhi,” he said. “It was interesting and needs to be circulated, as many wrong notions and concepts have been cleared up.”
SikhRI then headed out to spend two days at another camp, Sydney Annual Youth Camp, hosted by Sikh Youth Australia. The seven workshops SikhRI presented there were designed for different audiences according to age group. The topics covered ranged from, “Are you a Sikh?” to "Who Is Your Guru?", "How Do I Become Guru-Oriented?" and “Contextualizing 1984” and "Sikh Sovereignty." No matter which session they made it to, attendees gave quite positive feedback after each presentation. “[This was] a comprehensive, systematic and intelligent approach to conveying a difficult concept,” said Saranpaal Calais. “I liked the in depth analysis and deep knowledge of the presenter and the angle he took—offering information without forcing imposing views.”
The final days were rounded out with, first, a seminar on 8 January, “Live Your Dream,” designed especially for couples. The seminar was sponsored by Art for Activism. Many of the 16 people who attended spoke positively of the effect the afternoon together had had on their approach to marriage. “It is ironic that we spend so much time learning and [gaining skills] for our careers through study and attending conference and seminars… Why shouldn’t we also do this to achieve success in our marriage? Perhaps our biggest investment and return in life,” said Hayley Efendic, of Sydney.
Harinder Singh then iterated three versions of the talk, “Guru Gobind Singh,” delivered at three different gurduaras in Sydney: Gurdwara Sahib Revesby, Gurdwara Sahib Austral and Gurdwara Sahib Parkle. The talk focused on ways that the life of the "Rider of the Blue Steed" is beyond cognitive comprehension-- transcending the established norms of literary, historical and psychological paradigms. The Tenth King’s promise to Sikhs remains so long as the Sikh lifestyle is adhered to. Finally, on 9 January, 70 people came out to Sikh Khalsa Mission Glendenning for the final event of the tour, “Sikhi & Family Values.”
SikhRI is grateful to all of the organizers and coordinators of the many events for their patience and support over these busy and productive weeks.
Contact Person: Shraddha Nembang
[email protected] | 210-757-4555