Let me tell you upfront that, as a Sikh, I come from a tradition that does not approve of icons, paintings or statuettes of the founders of the faith – The Gurus of Sikhi.
Has the model of a Sikh changed since the Gurus or have I regressed to a prehistoric place in my head? I remind you that in the post-Guru period the Sikhs (through its 12 misls) knew how to disagree without undermining the nation.
Goings-on in cyberspace can keep one awfully occupied. On Sikh sites, the topic of meditation periodically claims its rightful place; sometimes, the discussion gets counterbalanced by Vichaar and Simran -- two defining practices of Sikhi.
That woman is the lesser gender even today is beyond debate. And that’s not the question. Today I merely offer plausible hypotheses of how such practices very likely took birth.
But these matters - Faith, economy & politics inform us all. They won't leave us alone, nor should we leave them alone. They impact us every day - throughout history and today as well.
The Indian government can’t possibly accept that a mob of people have stayed its hand. That way is loss of face and loss of power both. There is fear of becoming a laughing stock. Without respect a government may as well resign and retire to the wilderness.
At times, Sikh friends have lashed back in anger. And I admit, at times I, too, have wondered if I am being unnecessarily cheeky and provocative. Believe me; I understand my critics' point of view.
To my mind this the finest example of a coffee table book but my heart rebels at such a moniker for it. It is much, much more than that; it is indeed a labor of love, with a lot more to teach us than simply being delightful eye-candy.
