Harnessing the Sikh Youth

8/3/2019 Harnessing the Sikh Youth

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VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

The Khalsa belong to Vaheguru and Vaheguru is always victorious

TVEY PRASAAD

WITH YOUR GRACE

HARNESSING THE SIKH YOUTH

A humble attempt to disseminate the problem of attracting Sikh youth to theGurudwara

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH



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C O N T E N T S

T H E O R D E R P A G E 3

I N T R O D U C T I O N P A G E 4

T H E P R O B L E M S A N D T H E I R

S O L U T I O N S

P A G E 8

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E A C H I N G

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R E C C O M E N D A T I O N 3 :

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B A N I O N S C R E E N

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A P P E N D I X 2 : M O R E

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A P P E N D I X 3 : G U R U T E G H

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P A G E 2 8

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S P A G E 3 0



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SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI MAHARAJ LIMB: 636

THROUGH THE WORDS OF DHAN SRI GURU NANAK DEV JI MAHARAJ

SORAT'H, FIRST MEHL:

Those who serve the True Guru, O Beloved, their companions are saved as well. No

one blocks their way, O Beloved, and the Lord's Ambrosial Nectar is on their tongue.Without the Fear of God, they are so heavy that they sink and drown, O Beloved; but

the Lord, casting His Glance of Grace, carries them across. || 1 ||

I ever praise You, O Beloved, I ever sing Your Praises. Without the boat, one is

drowned in the sea of fear, O Beloved; how can I reach the distant shore? || 1 || Pause

||

I praise the Praiseworthy Lord, O Beloved; there is no other one to praise. Those whopraise my God are good, O Beloved; they are imbued with the Word of the Shabad,

and His Love. If I join them, O Beloved, I can churn the essence and so find joy. || 2 ||

The gateway to honour is Truth, O Beloved; it bears the Insignia of the True Name of the Lord. We come into the world, and we depart, with our destiny written and pre-

ordained, O Beloved; realize the Command of the Commander. Without the Guru,

this Command is not understood, O Beloved; True is the Power of the True Lord. || 3 ||

By His Command, we are conceived, O Beloved, and by His Command, we grow in

the womb. By His Command, we are born, O Beloved, headfirst, and upside-down.

The Gurmukh is honoured in the Court of the Lord, O Beloved; he departs after

resolving his affairs. || 4 ||

By His Command, one comes into the world, O Beloved, and by His Will, he goes.

By His Will, some are bound and gagged and driven away, O Beloved; the self-willed

manmukhs suffer their punishment. By His Command, the Word of the Shabad, is

realized, O Beloved, and one goes to the Court of the Lord robed in honor. || 5 ||

By His Command, some accounts are accounted for, O Beloved; by His Command,

some suffer in egotism and duality. By His Command, one wanders in reincarnation,O Beloved; deceived by sins and demerits, he cries out in his suffering. If he comes to

realize the Command of the Lord's Will, O Beloved, then he is blessed with Truth andHonor. || 6 ||

It is so difficult to speak it, O Beloved; how can we speak, and hear, the True Name? I

am a sacrifice to those who praise the Lord, O Beloved. I have obtained the Name,

and I am satisfied, O Beloved; by His Grace, I am united in His Union. || 7 ||

If my body were to become the paper, O Beloved, and my mind the inkpot; and if my

tongue became the pen, O Beloved, I would write, and contemplate, the Glorious

Praises of the True Lord. Blessed is that scribe, O Nanak, who writes the True Name,

and enshrines it within his heart. || 8 || 3 ||



4

INTRODUCTION

He who fashioned, adorned and decorated youIn the fire of the womb, He preserved you.In your infancy, He gave you milk to drink.

In the flower of your youth, He gave you food, pleasure and understanding.As you grow old, family and friends are there to feed you as you rest.This worthless person has not appreciated in the least, all the good deeds done for him.

If you bless him with forgiveness, O Nanak, only then will he be saved. ||1||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 267 Raag Gauree)

W i t h V a h e g u r u g r a c e , I w a s i n i t i a t e d i n t o t h e K h a l s a f a i t h , o n 1 7

t h

N o v e m b e r

2 0 0 0 a t t h e a g e o f 2 1 . N i n e m o n t h s o f p r a c t i s e i n t h e r e h i t ( d i s c i p l i n e ) o f a

G u r s i k h h a d e l e v a t e d m y t h i r s t f o r A m r i t t o b r e a k p o i n t l e v e l s . T h e d a y I

t o o k t h e a m b r o s i a l n e c t a r m y n e w l i f e b e g a n a n d n o w i n s t e a d o f w o r k i n g t o

m y p r e - o r d a i n e d d e s t i n y , I w a s a b l e t o g r a b h o l d t h e r e i n s o f m y o w n l i f e a n d

t r y t o m a k e m y j e e v a n ( l i f e ) w o r t h w h i l e . I f o r g e d t h o u g h t s o f m y ‘ c l e a n s l a t e ’

o n t h e p r i n c i p l e l a i d d o w n b y D h a n D h a n S r i G u r u A r j a n D e v J i M a h a r a j i n

R e h r a a s s a h i b ( E v e n i n g p r a y e r ) :

This human body has been given to you.This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.

Nothing else will work.Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy;

Vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean.

You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Maya. ||1||Pause||I have not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint or righteous living.

I have not served the Holy; I have not acknowledged the Lord, my King.Says Nanak, my actions are contemptible!

O Lord, I seek Your Sanctuary; please, preserve my honor! ||2||4||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 12 Raag Aasa)

M y l i f e p r i o r t o o b t a i n i n g t h e g u r u s b l e s s i n g w a s o n e t h a t p e r h a p s m o s t o f

t o d a y ’ s S i k h o r A s i a n y o u t h a r e e m b r o i l e d i n . I w a s e d u c a t e d i n t h e n o r m a l

w a y , o b t a i n e d m y G C S E ’ s , a n d t h e n w e n t o n t o c o l l e g e t o c o m p l e t e m y A -

L e v e l s . F o l l o w i n g t h a t I e x p e r i e n c e d t h r e e y e a r s o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y l i f e a t

N o t t i n g h a m T r e n t . H e r e I w e n t t h r o u g h t h e t y p i c a l u n i v e r s i t y e x p e r i e n c e o f

b e i n g a s t u d e n t . T h o s e w h o a r e t h e r e n o w o r h a v e b e e n t h r o u g h i t k n o w

w h a t i t i s l i k e a n d i t i s f u t i l e d w e l l i n g o n t h o s e y e a r s b e c a u s e t h e a i m o f t h i s

p r o j e c t i s v e r y d i f f e r e n t .

S u f f i c e t o s a y t h a t i t w a s d i f f i c u l t m a i n t a i n i n g a n y s o r t o f d i s c i p l i n e i n a

r e l i g i o u s s e n s e . T h e s t u d e n t i s a t t a c k e d , d e v o u r e d a n d d i g e s t e d b y t h e f i v e

p a s s i o n s K a m ( L u s t ) , K r o d h ( A n g e r ) , L o b h ( G r e e d ) , M o h ( A t t a c h m e n t ) a n d

H u n k a a r ( E g o ) . T h o s e w h o a r e a l u c k y f e w , e s c a p e t h e s e f i v e

b a n d i t s … u n f o r t u n a t e l y I c o u l d n ’ t .



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According to the karma of past actions, one’s destiny unfolds, even though everyone wants tobe so lucky. ||3||

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 157 Raag Gauree bairagan)

H o w e v e r o n c e I h a d r e t u r n e d h o m e a n d r e a l i s e d t h e e x t e n t o f t h e ‘ m i r a g e ’ o f

u n i v e r s i t y l i f e , I f e l t m a g n e t i s e d a n d p u l l e d t o w a r d s a d i s c i p l i n e d a n d m o r e

s p i r i t u a l w a y o f l i f e .

I w o u l d w i t h o u t a n y h e s i t a t i o n w h a t s o e v e r a p p e a l t o t h e S i k h y o u t h e v e n

t o d a y , t h a t i t i s n e v e r t o o l a t e t o a c h i e v e w h a t y o u a r e h e r e f o r i n t h i s l i f e ( S e e

a b o v e h u k a m f r o m M a h a r a j j i ) . M a h a r a j a n s w e r s a l l y o u r q u e s t i o n s .

B h a i G u r d a s J i u n c l e o f t h e F i f t h G u r u A r j a n D e v J i M a h a r a j , a n d s c r i b e o f t h e

f i r s t v e r s i o n o f t h e G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i w r o t e a s e r i e s o f v e r s e s c a l l e d B h a i

G u r d a s J i ’ s V a a r a . T h e v e r s e s w e r e w r i t t e n t o e x p l a i n a m o n g s t o t h e r c o n c e p t s

t h e r o l e o f a g u r s i k h . G u r u A r j a n D e v j i M a h a r a j g a v e t h e v e r s e s a h i g h

p a t r o n a g e a n d s t a t e d a n y o n e w h o r e a d s a n d u n d e r s t a n d s t h e v a r a a w i l l

d i s c o v e r t h e k e y t o G u r b a n i . B h a i G u r d a s j i s t a t e s :

When one, falling at the Guru's feet, becomes dust himself, i.e. totally deletes ego from hismind, the true Guru also then blesses and obliges him. (Vaar 4 Pauri 18)

A n y o n e w h o e n t e r s t h e d u r b a r o f D h a n D h a n S r i G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i

M a h a r a j a u t o m a t i c a l l y p l e a s e s t h e G u r u . W e m a y n o t k n o w i t ; t h e G u r u i s s o

e l a t e d t h a t h i s s o n o r d a u g h t e r h a s c o m e t o s e e h i m t h a t h e a s k s u s w h a t w e

w a n t ; h o w e v e r w e a r e t o o b l i n d t o s e e i t a n d f a i l t o t a k e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y . A n d

w e m u s t n o t w a s t e s u c h c h a n c e s .

People beg and pray, "Give to us, give to us", and the Great Giver gives His Gifts.So what offering can we place before Him, by which we might see the Darbaar of His Court?

What words can we speak to evoke His Love?

S o h o w d o w e a s k q u e s t i o n s ? P e r s o n a l l y I u s e d t o d o l i t t l e a r d a s a ( p r a y e r s ) t o

V a h e g u r u a s k i n g n o t f o r m a t e r i a l t h i n g s , b u t s i m p l y f o r V a h e g u r u t o s h o w

m e t h e w a y . G u r u j i a n s w e r e d m e i n t h e s a m e v e r s e o f J a p j i S a h i b :

In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplateHis Glorious Greatness. (Japji Sahib Pauri 4 Limb 2 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

A l l a t t e m p t s t o r e m e m b e r V a h e g u r u b y c h a n t i n g h i s n a m e a r e w o r t h t h e i r

w h i l e . S l o w l y t h e w i s h t o g e t u p i n t h e e a r l y m o r n i n g h o u r s a l s o i n c r e a s e s .

T h i s t i m e i s i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e t h e r e i s l i t t l e d i s t u r b a n c e a n d t h e ‘ c h a n n e l s ’ t o

m e e t V a h e g u r u a n d c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h h i m a r e o p e n .



6

T h u s m a n i s c o m p l e t i n g h i s p r i m a r y t a s k i n t h i s w o r l d , t o w o r s h i p t h e l o r d .

T h e r e a r e o t h e r p r i n c i p l e s D h a n S r i G u r u N a n a k D e v J i M a h a r a j h a s l a i d

d o w n f o r u s . T h e s e a r e K i r t k a r n i

( w o r k h a r d a n d h o n e s t l y ) a n d v a n d k e s h a k n a

( s h a r e y o u r e a r n i n g s ) . T h u s t h e e m p h a s i s o f S i k h i i s n o t t o s h o w y o u a r e

r e l i g i o u s a t c e r t a i n t i m e s o f t h e d a y , o r o n c e r t a i n d a y s o f t h e m o n t h , b u t t o

l i v e S i k h i . T o b r e a t h e S i k h i t h e n p l a c e i t i n y o u r m i n d 2 4 / 7 .

Hearing of You, I live.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 104 Raag Maajh)

I t i s w i t h t h e s e p r i n c i p l e s t h a t o u r e n t r a n c e i n t o t h i s w o r l d i s w o r t h w h i l e , o u r

l i f e s t y l e i s i m p r o v e d b y o u r g u i d a n c e f r o m G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i M a h a r a j ;

a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y o u r e x i t f r o m t h i s l i f e b e c o m e s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e . .

I t i s t h e s e p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s o f t h e G u r u ’ s p i y a r ( l o v e ) a n d h i s f o r g i v i n g

n a t u r e t h a t I f e e l t h a t w e s h o u l d a l l b e n e f i t f r o m i t . I f a l o w l y s i n f u l p e r s o n

l i k e m y s e l f i s c a p a b l e o f w a l k i n g t h e p a t h w i t h t h e G u r u s g u i d a n c e t h e n I

b e l i e v e t h a t t h e m e s s a g e o f M a h a r a j i s i m p o r t a n t f o r u s a l l . T h u s i s m y

r a t i o n a l e b e h i n d t h i s s t u d y . I l o n g t o s e e s o m e i m p r o v e m e n t i n t h e w a y w e a s

a S i k h c o m m u n i t y c a n s t a r t l a y i n g f o u n d a t i o n s f o r a f u t u r e .

Please forgive my past actions, God, and place me on Your path for the future. ||2||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 624 Raag Sorath)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I w a s s e a r c h i n g f o r s o m e i n s p i r a t i o n a n d g u i d a n c e f o r t h e d a y a h e a d f r o m

s o m e S i k h w e b s i t e s . C h e c k i n g t o s e e w h a t M a h a r a j r e q u i r e d m e t o d o f o r t h e

d a y h a d b e c o m e p a r t o f m y d a i l y r o u t i n e . W i t h t h e b l e s s i n g s o f M a h a r a j , I

r e c e i v e d a m e s s a g e f r o m D h a n D h a n S r i G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i M a h a r a j t o u s e

m y w r i t i n g s k i l l s f o r t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e S i k h c o m m u n i t y .

A t f i r s t r e a d i n g , t h e o r d e r o n p a g e 1 m a y j u s t s e e m l i k e a n y o t h e r m e s s a g e .

S o m e t i m e s i t ’ s a t u k ( l i n e ) o f b a n i t h a t a n s w e r s y o u r q u e s t i o n s , a n d a t o t h e r

t i m e s i t i s e v e n o n e S h a b a d ( w o r d ) t h a t s h e d s l i g h t o n y o u r m e n t a l d i l e m m a .

H o w e v e r t h e r e i s n o l i m i t t o M a h a r a j j i ’ s a l l s e e i n g a l l d o i n g e y e . F o r a c o u p l e

o f d a y s p r i o r t o t h e h u k a m m y m i n d h a d b e e n t o y i n g w i t h t h e t h o u g h t o f

w r i t i n g s o m e t h i n g t o i n s p i r e t h e S i k h y o u t h t o w a r d s S i k h i , b u t I w a s l o o k i n g

f o r s o m e i n d o c t r i n a t i o n , f r o m s o m e a v e n u e t o p r o v i d e m e a n a n g l e t o s t a r t

p u t t i n g m y o p i n i o n s d o w n . I a m i n c o n t i n u o u s a w e o f M a h a r a j j i ’ s g u i d a n c e .

T h u s M a h a r a j h a d g r a n t e d m e p e r m i s s i o n t o w r i t e s o m e t h i n g o f s o m e u s e .

By the Hukam of His Command, all are created. By His Command, actions are performed.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 55 Raag Siree Raag)



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A s a r e g u l a r v i s i t o r t o t h e l o c a l G u r u d w a r a s a h i b , I f e l t a t t i m e s s a d n e s s t h a t

t h e y o u t h o f t o d a y w e r e m i s s i n g o u t o n t h e t r e a s u r e c h e s t o f g u i d a n c e

p r o v i d e d t o u s b y D h a n D h a n S r i G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i M a h a r a j . D e v e l o p i n g

m y t h o u g h t s f u r t h e r o n t h e m a t t e r I t h o u g h t a b o u t w h a t m o r e c o u l d b e d o n e

t o a t t r a c t t h e y o u t h t o t h e G u r u d w a r a . A s a r e s u l t I t h o u g h t o f t e c h n i q u e s w e

c o u l d b r i n g t o a t t r a c t t h e y o u t h t o t h e l o v e o f M a h a r a j j i .

A l o t o f t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s i n t h i s r e p o r t a r e t h e i d e a s u s e d b y t h e S i k h

S a n g a t i n o t h e r G u r u d w a r a s a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y . A s t h e H u k a m o r d a i n e d b y

M a h a r a j j i s u g g e s t s I a m j u s t p u t t i n g t h e s e i d e a s o n p a p e r . I d o n o t w i s h f o r

a n y h e i g h t e n e d s t a t u s i n t h e S a n g a t , n o r d o I w a n t a n y p r a i s e f o r w h a t i s

b e i n g w r i t t e n . T h e s e i d e a s a r e b y t h e S a a d h S a n g a t f o r t h e S a a d h S a n g a t , a n d

t h e S a n g a t i s t h e G u r u ’ s i m a g e t h u s t h e c o g n i t i v e p r o c e s s e s g o n e i n t o

p r e p a r i n g t h i s r e p o r t , o n l y t h e g u r u d e s e r v e s p r a i s e f o r . I h o p e a s a s e r v a n t o f

t h e m a s t e r , m y e f f o r t s m a t c h u p t o t h e e x p e c t a n c y o f m y L o r d .

D a a s

K u l j i t S i n g h

1 5 J a n u a r y 2 0 0 2

With Pen in Hand, the Unfathomable Lord writes the mortal’s destiny upon his foreheadThe Incomparably Beautiful Lord is involved with al l.

I cannot utter Your Praises with my mouth.Nanak is fascinated, gazing upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. I am a sacrifice to You.

||1||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 1361 Raag Phunay)



8

T H E P R O B L E M S A N D T H E I R S O L U T I O N S

TVEY PRASAAD

WITH YOUR GRACE

O Destroyer of the pains and the suffering of the poor, O Master of each and every heart, OMasterless One:

I have come seeking Your Sanctuary. O God, please be with Nanak! ||1||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Slok limb 263 Raag Gauree)

Y o u h a v e r e a d i n t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n t h a t I h a v e b e e n e d u c a t e d a n d b r o u g h t u p

i n t h e B r i t i s h e d u c a t i o n s y s t e m . E d u c a t i o n i s t h e m a i n t h i n g d r i l l e d i n t o t h e

f l o u r i s h i n g m i n d s e t o f m o s t y o u n g S i k h i n d i v i d u a l s . I f w e a r e l u c k y a s

c h i l d r e n w e h a v e s p i r i t u a l e d u c a t i o n a l s o d i c t a t e d t o u s . A t t h a t a g e w e m i g h t

n o t r e a l i s e i t , b u t w e s h o u l d c o u n t o u r s e l v e s v e r y l u c k y t o h a v e s u c h

k n o w l e d g e . W e n e v e r k n o w w h e n w e w i l l f a l l b a c k o n t o i t .

Contemplate and reflect upon knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to others.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 356 Raag Aasa)

T h e m a i n p r o b l e m i n m y o p i n i o n i s t h a t t h e r e i s a m a s s i v e g u l f i n t h e s p i r i t u a l

e d u c a t i o n o f a y o u n g S i k h c h i l d . T h e c o r e o f o u r p r o b l e m t o d a y i n a t t r a c t i n g

y o u n g p e o p l e c o m e s f r o m t h e f a c t t h a t w e a s a S i k h c o m m u n i t y a r e s l a c k i n

e d u c a t i n g o u r c h i l d r e n e n o u g h t o m a k e s u r e t h e y h a v e a d e f i n e d a n d w e l l -

s t r u c t u r e d f o u n d a t i o n f o r S i k h i w h e n t h e y g e t o l d e r . A n d t h e r e s e e m s t o b e

p o c k e t s o f t i m e t h a t w e e d u c a t e t h e m a n d w h e n w e d o n o t . T h e n e e d i s f o r

c o n t i n u o u s e d u c a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e f o r m a t i o n y e a r s o f a c h i l d .

I n m o s t G u r u d w a r a s , t h e f o u n d a t i o n s o f a g o o d S i k h e d u c a t i o n a r e i n p l a c e .

P u n j a b i s c h o o l s h a v e b e e n s e t u p t o p r o v i d e G C S E a n d A l e v e l P u n j a b i

c o u r s e s t o s t u d e n t s . P u n j a b i i s s i m p l y r e f e r r i n g t o o u r e t h n i c i t y . G u r m u k h i i s

t h e c o r r e c t t e r m t o b e u s e d . L e a r n i n g o u r m o t h e r t o n g u e i s e s s e n t i a l , b e c a u s e

w i t h o u t k n o w l e d g e o f i t o u r a b i l i t y t o r e a d B a n i w i l l b e n o n - e x i s t e n t . T h u s

s i m p l y l i m i t i n g o u r c h i l d r e n t o l e a r n i n g G C S E o r A l e v e l P u n j a b i i s n o t

e n o u g h .



9

R E C C O M M E N D A T I O N 1 : T E A C H I N G O F G U R B A N I

“Oh brother the Gurmukhi language should be taught to a Sikh by another Sikh.”

B h a i D h e s a S i n g h J i m a k e s t h e a b o v e s t a t e m e n t i n h i s r e h i t n a m a ( o n e o f a

s e r i e s o f c o n s i d e r a t i o n s a b o u t t h e g u r s i k h d i s c i p l i n e a f t e r t a k i n g A m r i t ) . W e

c a n s e e t h a t j u s t i f i c a t i o n e x i s t s t h a t t h e S i k h c h i l d s h o u l d b e t a u g h t S a n t h i y a

( e x p r e s s i o n o f b a n i ) , b y a p e r s o n l e a r n e d i n t h e a r t o f r e a d i n g i t i n t h e p r o p e r

m a n n e r .

F u r t h e r m o r e i t i s a l s o i m p o r t a n t t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e G u r u s c o n s t r u e d t h e

G u r m u k h i a l p h a b e t

1

t h u s w e b e c o m e a u t o m a t i c a l l y o b l i g e d t o l e a r n t h e

l a n g u a g e o f t h e G u r u s .

S o m e G u r u d w a r a s a h i b s i n t h e U K d o h a v e G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a c l a s s e s . Y e t s t i l l

t h e p r o b l e m e x i s t s o f a t t r a c t i n g y o u n g s t e r s t o t h e c l a s s e s . P a r e n t s a l s o h a v e a

c r u c i a l r o l e h e r e . T h e y m u s t e n c o u r a g e t h e i r c h i l d r e n t o n o t j u s t g o t o P u n j a b i

c l a s s e s b u t a l s o t o G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a c l a s s e s . T h e w h o l e i m a g e o f l e a r n i n g i n a

G u r u d w a r a m u s t b e c h a n g e d . P e o p l e i n v o l v e d i n e d u c a t i n g t h e s e c h i l d r e n

s h o u l d h a v e a p o s i t i v e a t t i t u d e a n d b e o p t i m i s t i c i n t h e i r o b j e c t i v e s . S i m p l e

t e c h n i q u e s l i k e a n n o u n c i n g t h e c l a s s e s s h o u l d t a k e p l a c e i n e v e r y d i v a n a n d

v i s u a l e n c o u r a g e m e n t l i k e p o s t e r s s h o u l d b e u t i l i s e d .

P a r e n t s a r e a u n i q u e b r e e d . I p a y o b e i s a n c e t o t h e m f o r c o m i n g t o t h i s

c o u n t r y , w o r k i n g a n d e a r n i n g b y t h e s w e a t o f t h e i r b r o w w h i l s t a l s o t r y i n g t o

b a l a n c e o u t o u r c u l t u r a l a n d i f w e ’ v e b e e n l u c k y , o u r r e l i g i o u s e d u c a t i o n t o o .

O u r p a r e n t s a r e a t e s t a m e n t t o t h e p r i n c i p l e l a i d d o w n b y D h a n D h a n S r i

G u r u N a n a k D e v J i M a h a r a j : K i r t K a r o .

H o w e v e r i n c r e a s i n g l y , w h e r e I c o n g r a t u l a t e p a r e n t s o n t h e i r r o l e a s t e a c h e r s

t o t h e i r c h i l d r e n , I a l s o g r o w a g i t a t e d b y s o m e p a r e n t s w h o b l o c k t h e i r

c h i l d r e n f r o m t r e a d i n g t h e S i k h i p a t h . B e i n g S i k h i s a w a y o f l i f e . I h a v e

h e a r d o f m a n y i n s t a n c e s w h e r e a S i k h y o u t h h a s a p p r o a c h e d m e a n d

e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e y a r e t r y i n g t o k e e p t h e i r h a i r o r t r y i n g t o g e t i n t o S i k h i ,

h o w e v e r t h e i r p a r e n t s a r e t o t a l l y a g a i n s t i t .

P r e v e n t i n g s o m e o n e t o b e c o m e a G u r s i k h y o u c a n i m a g i n e i s a m a s s i v e

b l a s p h e m y . A n d I f i n d t h a t s o c i e t y d o e s n o t w a n t t o i n t e r v e n e i n t h e s e

s i t u a t i o n s . S o m e G u r m u k h m e m b e r s o f t h e S a n g a t s h o u l d g e t t o g e t h e r a n d

f o r m a d o m e s t i c p r o b l e m c o m m i t t e e t h a t h e l p s r e s o l v e t h e s e k i n d s o f f a m i l y

d i s p u t e s .

1 Pg 418 See Mahan Kosh (Encyclopaedia of Words related to Maharaj Ji/Sikhi) by Kan Singh Nabha.



10

G u r b a n i m a k e s r e f e r e n c e t o B h a g a t P r e h l a d w h o s e f a t h e r H a r n a k s h

p r e v e n t e d h i m f r o m m e d i t a t i n g o n t h e c r e a t o r V a h e g u r u . I n t h e e n d

H a r n a k s h m e t a n a w f u l f a t e . W e s h o u l d r e a l i s e t h a t t h e p o w e r o f b a n i i s g r e a t

a n d i t s r e p e r c u s s i o n s o n p e o p l e e v e n g r e a t e r . M a h a r a j j i s a y s :

By Guru’s Grace contemplate spiritual knowledge; read it study it, and you shall be honoured(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 1329 Raag Prabhatee)

B h a i S a h i b B h a i S a n t o k h S i n g h J i t h e f a m o u s S i k h P o e t a n d W r i t e r s t a t e s i n S r i

G u r u N a n a k P a r k a s h ( F i r s t h a l f , 6 , V o l . 2 p 1 7 2 ) :

Those parents who say ‘I have a lot of gun/gian (virtues/traits) and then do not educate theirchildren are great enemies of their children. Those parents don’t gain any splendour, their

children don’t gain any sense; this is the way of the world

T h u s i t i s m y a p p e a l t o t h o s e p a r e n t s , w h o a r e n o t p r a c t i s i n g S i k h s , t o

m a i n t a i n t h e G u r u ’ s i m a g e a n d g i v e u p p u r s u i t s o f i n t o x i c a n t s a n d w o r l d l y

p l e a s u r e s . L e t B a n i b e y o u r b r e a k f a s t , l u n c h , s u p p e r a n d s l e e p a n d l e t

a l t r u i s t i c d e e d s b e y o u r w o r k . W o r k i n g h a r d i s i m p o r t a n t b u t s o w i n g t h e

s e e d s o f S i k h i i n y o u r o w n p e r s o n a l f a r m o f S i k h i w i l l a l l o w y o u r c h i l d r e n t o

h a r v e s t t h e g o o d s i n t h e f u t u r e . T h i s i s a l s o a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t i n y o u r r o l e a s

a S i k h p a r e n t .

Night is the summer season, and day is the winter season; sexual desire and anger are thetwo fields planted. Greed prepares the soil, and the seed of falsehood is planted; attachmentand love are the farmer and hired hand. Contemplation is the plough, and corruption is the

harvest; this is what one earns and eats, according to the Hukam of the Lord's Command. ONanak, when one is called to give his account, he will be barren and infertile. ||1||

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 955 Raag Raamkalee Slok Mehela1)

T h e o t h e r p r o b l e m o f c o u r s e , i s o f p e e r p r e s s u r e o r s o c i e t a l p r e s s u r e s . A l o t o f

o u r S i k h y o u t h s o m e o b l i v i o u s t o o u r p a r e n t s ’ w i s h e s a r e h e a d i n g t o w a r d s

a l c o h o l , d r u g s a n d p l e a s u r e s o f t h e m a t e r i a l w o r l d , w h i c h i n d u c e t h e f i v e

p a s s i o n s t o r u n a m o k i n t h e i r m i n d s .

A t u n i v e r s i t y I s a w t h e o f f s p r i n g o f m a n y S i k h s t r y i n g t o a s s i m i l a t e i n t o t h e

w e s t e r n c u l t u r e w i t h o u t r e g a r d f o r t h e i r o w n . I a m n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t P u n j a b i

c u l t u r e I a m t a l k i n g a b o u t S i k h c u l t u r e . I t w a s h a r d l y s u r p r i s i n g b e c a u s e e v e n

I w a s f i n d i n g i t h a r d t o c o n t r o l m y m i n d . T h e G u r u ’ s a n s w e r t o t h i s i s t o s t a y

i n t h e c o m p a n y o f g o d w o r s h i p p e r s ( S a n g a t ) a n d k e e p u p r e c i t a l o f t h e g u r u ’ s

b a n i . W i t h o u t t h e s e g i f t s f r o m M a h a r a j j i s o u l s a r e l o s t . W i t h M a h a r a j ’ s

b l e s s i n g s t h e u n i v e r s i t y s c e n e w i l l a l s o i m p r o v e , o n c e w e h a v e l a i d e d u c a t i o n

f o u n d a t i o n s d o w n f o r o u r f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s .

Says Kabeer, listen, O Saints: in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, you shall besaved. ||3||1||



11

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 1106 Raag Maaroo)

T h e B r i t i s h O r g a n i s a t i o n o f S i k h S t u d e n t s i s h e l p i n g t o b e c o m e m o r e a n d

m o r e o r g a n i s e d , a n d S i k h i w e e k s a r e v e r y p r o m i n e n t i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y

c a l e n d a r . H o w e v e r t h e r e i s a c o n t i n u i n g c o n t e s t f o r t h e a t t e n t i o n s o f s t u d e n t

m i n d s b e t w e e n t h e o r g a n i s e r s o f S i k h e v e n t s a n d t h e B h a n g r a g i g o r g a n i s e r s .

U n f o r t u n a t e l y i t i s u s u a l l y t h e n i g h t c l u b s t h a t w i n o v e r t h e y o u n g m i n d s . T h e

p o s i t i v e i s t h a t a t l e a s t t h e r e i s s o m e a t t a c h m e n t t o t h e P u n j a b i c u l t u r e a n d

l a n g u a g e .

M o s t o f t h e s e y o u t h a r e l e f t u s u a l l y c o n f u s e d w h e n i t c o m e s t o r e l i g i o n o r

c u l t u r e . C o n f u s e d a b o u t w h a t b e i n g S i k h o r P u n j a b i i s . W o r r i e d a b o u t f i t t i n g

i n t o t h e n o r m . T h e c o m m o n e x c u s e g i v e n i s l a c k o f e d u c a t i o n . M o s t o f t h e

y o u t h a r e g o o d - n a t u r e d p e o p l e e a g e r t o l e a r n . Y e t t h e i r m a i n c r i t i c i s m o f S i k h i

a t t h e m o m e n t i s n a r r o w e d d o w n t o s e v e r a l i s s u e s :

i ) W h e n t h e y d o a t t e n d t h e G u r u d w a r a , t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e y o u t h d o

n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t i s b e i n g s a i d b y t h e g i a n i s , r a g i s , o r w h a t

M a h a r a j i s t r y i n g t o t e l l t h e m .

i i ) T h e y c a n n o t s t a n d t h e p o l i t i c s o f t h e G u r u d w a r a a n d t h e c o n s t a n t

r a m b l i n g s i n t h e p l a c e o f t h e G u r u , w h i c h u n d e r m i n e w o r s h i p .

i i i ) W h e n t h e y d o u n d e r s t a n d s o m e o n e , t h e y c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h y

t h e y a r e b e i n g t a l k e d d o w n t o .

I t b e c o m e s d i f f i c u l t t o e x p l a i n t o s t u d e n t s a t t h i s s t a g e t h e c o n c e p t o f M i r i a n d

P i r i ( S p i r i t u a l a n d p o l i t i c a l p o w e r ) . T h e r e a s o n i s b e c a u s e t h e i r s p i r i t u a l

g r o w t h h a s b e e n s t u n t e d t h u s t h e i r m o v e f o r w a r d t o t h e a s p e c t s o f d h a r m

( s t a n d i n g f o r r e l i g i o u s r i g h t s ) d o e s n o t e v e n c o m e i n t o e x i s t e n c e . W h e r e i t

d o e s e x i s t t h e r e u s u a l l y i s v e r y l i t t l e s p i r i t u a l b a c k u p . T h u s S i k h i b e c o m e s

m a l i g n e d b y t h e m a l p r a c t i c e o f t h e f a i t h .

I surrender my mind and body, and place everything before Him; following the Guru'sTeachings, spiritual wisdom is implanted within me. ||1||Pause||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 1325 Raag Kalyaan)

I t i s m y o p i n i o n t h a t o n e m u s t h a v e a r e l i g i o u s s t o c k o f b a n i i n t h e m b e f o r e

t r a n s c e n d i n g t o r i g h t e o u s n e s s . H o w c a n o n e b u i l d a w a l l b e f o r e t h e

f o u n d a t i o n s a r e l a i d d o w n ? T h u s e d u c a t i o n o f t h e y o u t h i s t h e k e y t o

e s t a b l i s h i n g S i k h l e a d e r s o f t h e f u t u r e , a f t e r a l l t h a t i s o u r p r i m a r y a i m . T h e

s o l u t i o n i s t o p r o v i d e S a n t h i y a t o t h e y o u t h a f t e r t h e y h a v e l e a r n t G u r m u k h i ,

t h e n t o e x p l a i n o r h a v e t h e y o u t h r e s e a r c h t h e m e a n i n g s o f t h e G u r u s w o r d .

E v e r y G u r u d w a r a s h o u l d i n v e s t i n a t e a c h e r o f G u r b a n i .



12

I c a n u n d e r s t a n d w h e r e m o s t o f t h e y o u t h f e e l u p s e t w h e n s o m e o n e t e l l s t h e m

s o m e t h i n g a n d t h e y f e e l a s i f t h e y a r e b e i n g c a s t i g a t e d . H o w w i l l a p e r s o n

k n o w a b o u t t h e s k y b e i n g b l u e i f h e h a s n e v e r s e e n t h e s k y ? I h a v e t r i e d t o

e x p l a i n t o m a n y y o u t h t h a t w e s h o u l d n o t p e r c e i v e s o m e o n e b e i n g a n g r y w i t h

u s a s t a l k i n g d o w n t o u s . H o w e v e r t h e r e i s a w a y o f e x p l a i n i n g s i t u a t i o n s .

U s u a l l y s o m e o n e t a l k i n g w i t h l o v e a n d p a t i e n c e c a n e x p l a i n t h i n g s b e t t e r

t h a n a p e r s o n w h o j u s t p o i n t s o u t t h e m i s t a k e i n a n a n g r y t o n e .

He who shows love, only he will realise god(Tvey Prasad Suvaiye Dasam Granth Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Limb 15)



13

R E C C O M M E N D A T I O N 2 : T O T R A N S L A T E G U R B A N I

Accepting Guru as God they by cultivating the words of the Guru, translate them into lifeThe Gurmukhs serve and attain the fruits of happiness. (Bhai Gurdas ji vaar 20 pauri 40)

T h e m a i n p r o b l e m f o r t h e y o u t h a n d g e n e r a l l y i n S i k h i i s t h e l a c k o f

u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f G u r b a n i . P e o p l e l i k e m y s e l f n e e d t o r e a d c o p i o u s a m o u n t s

o f t r a n s l a t i o n s , a s k m a n y a l e a r n e d p e o p l e a n d t h e n f i n a l l y u n d e r s t a n d w h a t

w e a r e b e i n g t o l d b y G u r u J i . T h e r e i s g e n e r a l l y a m a s s i v e l a c k o f S i k h

p r e a c h e r s w h o k n o w p e r f e c t E n g l i s h . T h u s t h e y o u t h m i s s o u t o n

u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e G u r u ’ s w o r d .

H o w c a n w e c h a n g e t h i s ?

R e c e n t l y w i t h t h e a m a z i n g w o r k c a r r i e d o u t b y s o m e b u d d i n g i n d i v i d u a l s

w h o h a v e b e e n b l e s s e d g r e a t l y b y M a h a r a j ; S i k h i - t o - t h e M a x . C o m a n I n t e r n e t

s e a r c h e n g i n e h a s a p p e a r e d . I t c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y p r o v i d e s t r a n s l a t i o n a n d

t r a n s l i t e r a t i o n o f t h e w h o l e o f t h e G u r u ’ w o r d . I h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f g o i n g t o

B O S S c a m p i n t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 0 1 , a n d t h e r e w a s u s e o f t h i s t e c h n o l o g y i n

p r o v i d i n g a s o l u t i o n t o t h e p r o b l e m s t a t e d a b o v e w i t h g r e a t s u c c e s s .

I t i s p o s s i b l e t o p r o j e c t t h e t r a n s l a t i o n o f G u r u M a h a r a j j i i n E n g l i s h . T h e

c o m p u t e r s o f t w a r e c o n t a i n i n g t h e t r a n s l a t i o n s ; i s p r o j e c t e d o n t o a s c r e e n v i a a

p r o j e c t o r a n d a l a p t o p c o m p u t e r . T h e r e s u l t i s i n s t a n t t r a n s l a t i o n s a s t h e b a n i

i s r e a d o r s u n g . T h i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y a l l o w s t h e y o u t h t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h e

b a n i i s b e i n g s a i d .

T h u s t h e r e w i l l b e a b r i d g e b u i l t i n c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e S i k h y o u t h

a n d G u r u J i . T h e b r i d g e w i l l a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y a l l o w s o m e o n e t o c r o s s o v e r t h e

r i v e r . E v e n i f o n e s o u l i s s a v e d , i t w i l l b e w o r t h t h e i n v e s t m e n t . A f t e r a l l o n e

i s e q u a l t o 1 2 5 , 0 0 0 i n t h e e y e s o f K a l g i d h a r p a a t s h a h S r i G u r u G o b i n d S i n g h J i

M a h a r a j . A t t h e c a m p , t h e f e e d b a c k a b o u t t h e p r o j e c t i o n s c r e e n a m o n g s t t h e

y o u t h w a s v e r y p o s i t i v e . M o s t o f t h e m f o u n d i t e x t r e m e l y u s e f u l i n h e a r i n g

t h e g u r u s w o r d a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g b a n i . I h a v e i n c l u d e d i n a p p e n d i x 1 o f

t h i s r e p o r t a n e s t i m a t e o f t h e p r o j e c t i o n c o s t s . I t i s i m p e r a t i v e e a c h a n d e v e r y

G u r u d w a r a c o m m i t t e e m a k e s t h i s i n v e s t m e n t f o r t h e y o u t h .

S e e i n g t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f G u r b a n i o n s c r e e n w i l l e n t i c e t h e y o u t h t o c o m e a n d

l e a r n m o r e a b o u t w h a t G u r b a n i h a s t o s a y . G u r b a n i h a s e n o u g h p o w e r t o

m a k e a p a u p e r i n t o a k i n g t h u s w e m u s t b e l i e v e i n i t s a b i l i t y t o m a g n e t i s e

p e o p l e .



14

Modesty and righteousness both, O Nanak, are qualities of those who are blessed with truewealth. Do not refer to that wealth as your friend, which leads you to get your head beaten.Those who possess only this worldly wealth are known as paupers. But those, within whose

hearts You dwell, O Lord - those people are oceans of virtue. ||1||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 1287 Slok Mehela 1 Raag Malaar)

R E C C O M E N D A T I O N 3 : Y O U T H D I V A N S

I am not afraid of losing my youth, as long as I do not lose the Love of my Husband LordFareed, so many youths, without His Love, have dried up and withered away. ||34||

(Guru Granth Sahib Ji limb 1379)

A w e e k l y y o u t h d i v a n m u s t t a k e u p o n e n i g h t o f t h e G u r u d w a r a w e e k .

E i t h e r h a v e t h e y o u t h d o k i r t a n f o r t h e e v e n i n g d i v a n , o r a l l o w t h e y o u t h t o

c o m m e n c e a n h o u r ’ s s i m r a n . T h e p r o g r a m m e s h o u l d b e a d v e r t i s e d o n t h e

r a d i o s , a n d a r o u n d t h e G u r u d w a r a s i n t h e c i t y . I t s h o u l d b e o p e n t o e v e r y o n e

r e g a r d l e s s o f a g e , b u t s h o u l d b e c o n d u c t e d b y t h e y o u t h . T h e G r a n t h i m u s t

r e a d o u t R e h r a a s s a h i b ( E v e n i n g p r a y e r ) , a n d t h e p r o j e c t i o n s c r e e n s h o u l d b e

d i s p l a y i n g t h e t r a n s l a t i o n s . T h e n s i m r a n o r k i r t a n s h o u l d c o m m e n c e . K i r t a n

i s u s u a l l y t a u g h t a t t h e G u r u d w a r a o r i n t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d t h e r e w i l l b e

w i t h M a h a r a j j i ’ s b l e s s i n g s n o s h o r t a g e o f k i r t a n e e s .

H u k a m n a m a a n d S e v a

A f t e r t h e G r a n t h i t a k e s t h e H u k a m n a m a f r o m S r i G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i

M a h a r a j , a v o l u n t e e r s h o u l d b e c a l l e d f o r w a r d f r o m t h e y o u t h , t o c o m e a n d

r e a d o u t a t r a n s l a t i o n o f t h e h u k a m f r o m a c o p y o f M a h a r a j j i t o t h e S a n g a t .

T h i s w i l l p r o m o t e a c c e s s t o t h e f r o n t f o r y o u n g p e o p l e , a n d a l s o h e l p t h e m

s h e d t h e i r a n x i e t i e s i n t a k i n g f r o n t l i n e r o l e s l a t e r i n l i f e . T h e k e y o b j e c t i s t h a t

t h e i n d i v i d u a l w i l l a l s o b u i l d u p a w e l l o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e G u r u ’ s w o r d

i n h i s / h e r m i n d , w h i l s t a l s o s e r v e a p u r p o s e t o t h e r e s t o f t h e S a n g a t w h o m a y

n o t u n d e r s t a n d G u r b a n i .

T h e y o u t h s h o u l d a l s o b e a l l o w e d t o d o o t h e r s e v a i n c l u d i n g d i s t r i b u t i n g

K a r a h P a r s h a a d . O f c o u r s e , t h e r e w i l l b e m i s t a k e s m a d e b y y o u t h , b u t i f

t a u g h t w i t h l o v e ( p i y a r ) a n d c o r r e c t e d w i t h l o v e , t h e n i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l l e a r n

f r o m t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s .

The Gurmukhs, who focus on serving the Guru, are saved; by great good fortune, they

perform service.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 800 Raag Bilaaval)



15

T h e r e i s a t i m e a n d p l a c e t o b e s t r i c t , b u t t h e s e i n s t a n c e s o f h a r s h n e s s s h o u l d

b e r e s t r i c t e d t o t i m e s o f r e a l n e e d . T h e r e i s a l w a y s a r i s k o f p u s h i n g s o m e o n e

a w a y f r o m S i k h i w h e n w e i n t i m i d a t e h i m o r h e r .

L a n g a r

T h e L a n g a r o n t h e d a y o f t h e Y o u t h D i v a n s h o u l d b e a l l u r i n g t o t h e t a s t e b u d s

o f a y o u n g S i k h p e r s o n ! I t m a y b e a n i d e a t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e u s u a l c h i p s a n d

b e a n s , p i z z a , a n d p a s t a . W i t h V a h e g u r u ‘ s b l e s s i n g s , t h e y o u t h w i l l

e v e n t u a l l y t a k e o n t h e r o l e o f p r e p a r i n g t h e l a n g a r t h e m s e l v e s a c c o r d i n g t o

t h e d i s c i p l i n e o f p r e p a r i n g f o o d i n t h e G u r u ’ s K i t c h e n . A g a i n t h e n e e d e x i s t s

f o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g , c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d p a t i e n c e f o r t h e r i g h t r e s u l t s t o b e

o b t a i n e d .

Fetching water for the holy congregation is equal to the kingdom of lacs of Indrapuris.Grinding of corn (for the holy congregation) is more than the pleasure of myriads of heavens.Arranging for and putting in woods into the hearth of langar (free kitchen) for the congregation

is equal to the riddhis, siddhis and the nine treasures (powers obtained from simran).The holy persons are the caretakers of the poor and in their company the humility resides in

the heart (of people).Singing of hymns of the Guru is the personification of the unstruck melody.

(Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaar 14 Pauri 17)

O T H E R R E C C O M M E N D A T I O N S

A k h a n d J a a p

A l l G u r u d w a r a s u n d e r t a k e c o n t i n u o u s r e a d i n g o f D h a n S r i G u r u G r a n t h

s a h i b J i M a h a r a j ( A k h a n d P a t h ) . I t i s a c o m m o n p r o b l e m t h a t t h e r e i s a l a c k o f

y o u t h w h o p a r t i c i p a t e i n r e a d i n g M a h a r a j j i . M a n y y o u t h f e e l t h a t t h e y a r e

n o t r e a d y f o r t h e t a s k o f r e a d i n g M a h a r a j , a s t h e y w a n t t o p e r f e c t t h e i r r e h i t o r

S i k h i d i s c i p l i n e .

H o w e v e r , I b e l i e v e i n o r d e r t o t r a i n t h e y o u t h a s r e a d e r s o f G u r u G r a n t h

S a h i b j i M a h a r a j ( P a a t h i ) , w e n e e d t o o r g a n i s e l i t t l e e v e n t s f o r c h i l d r e n . M o s t

c h i l d r e n c a n r e p e a t V a h e g u r u a n d t h e f i r s t P a u r i o f J a p j i S a h i b . I t m a y b e a

g o o d i d e a t o a r r a n g e a n A k h a n d J a a p ( c o n t i n u o u s r e p e t i t i o n ) w h e r e o n l y

c h i l d r e n o r t h e y o u t h p a r t i c i p a t e . F o l l o w i n g t h i s i t w i l l b e g o o d t o r e w a r d

t h e s e c h i l d r e n w i t h p r i z e s a n d S i r a p a o s ( H o n o r a r y c l o t h ) f r o m M a h a r a j J i .

T h u s y o u h a v e i n c r e a s e d t h e c o n f i d e n c e o f t h e s e c h i l d r e n t o c o m e f o r w a r d t o

r e p e a t V a h e g u r u a n d a l s o c o m m e n d e d t h e m f o r t h e i r p e r f o r m a n c e .

T h e s e t y p e s o f e v e n t s a r e e s s e n t i a l f o r t h e c o n t i n u i n g d e v e l o p m e n t o f S i k h i i n

t h e y o u t h .



16

S i k h i C a m p s

A r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y y o u t h c a m p s f o r c h i l d r e n o n h o l i d a y s a r e b e i n g

o r g a n i s e d w i t h a r e n e w e d v i g o u r . W e c a n l e a r n b y m e e t i n g w i t h p e o p l e w h o

o r g a n i s e t h e s e e v e n t s a n d i m p l e m e n t p l a n s f o r a n u m b e r o f S i k h i c a m p s

t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r . T h i s w i l l a l l o w t h e c o m m u n i t y t o s e e t h e i m p r o v e m e n t

o f S i k h i i n t h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n .

T e e n a g e y o u t h s s h o u l d b e e n c o u r a g e d t o g o t o S i k h i c a m p i n t h e s u m m e r

h e l d b y t h e B r i t i s h O r g a n i s a t i o n o f S i k h S t u d e n t s . I t i s a v a l u a b l e w e e k a w a y

w h e r e a c t i v i t i e s a r e o r g a n i s e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e B r i t i s h A r m y a l o n g

w i t h r e g u l a r m o r n i n g a n d e v e n i n g d u r b a r s . I t a l s o a l l o w s f r i e n d s h i p s a n d

n e t w o r k s t o b e m a d e a m o n g s t t h e S i k h y o u t h a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y .

O friend, association with the Holy is the perfect cleansing bath.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Limb 687 Raag Dhanaasree)

Y o u t h K i r t a n D u r b a r s

E v e r y G u r u d w a r a s h o u l d e n c o u r a g e a m o n t h l y y o u t h k i r t a n d u r b a r i n

a d d i t i o n t o t h e o n c e - a - w e e k d u r b a r f o r n a u j a w a n . I f t h e r e i s a l a c k o f

k i r t a n e e s i n t h e G u r u d w a r a , o f a y o u n g a g e , n e t w o r k s m u s t b e m a d e w i t h

y o u n g k i r t a n e e s f r o m a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y . W i t h m a h a r a j ’ s b l e s s i n g s , w h e r e a

g u r s i k h c o m p l e t e s a n a r d a s f o r a p r o g r a m m e t o g o a h e a d s u c c e s s f u l l y ,

M a h a r a j a l w a y s a n s w e r s t h o s e p r a y e r s .

S o m e g u r s i k h s t u d e n t s f r o m D e m o n t f o r t U n i v e r s i t y a n d L e i c e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y

a r r a n g e d a r e i n s b h a i ( d a y - n i g h t ) k i r t a n d u r b a r . T h e r e w a s i n o u r m i n d s

d o u b t a s t o w h e t h e r w e h a d e n o u g h k i r t a n e e s t o c o m p l e t e t h e p r o g r a m m e .

A f t e r d o i n g a r d a s t o V a h e g u r u a n d a s k i n g f o r h i s a s s i s t a n c e t h e p r o g r a m m e

w a s a m a s s i v e s u c c e s s . P e o p l e o n t h e p a t h o f S i k h i a n d l o v e f o r t h e t e a c h i n g s

o f D h a n D h a n G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i M a h a r a j , s t a y e d u n t i l t h e a m b r o s i a l h o u r s

o f t h e m o r n i n g t o c e l e b r a t e t h e a v t a r d i v a s ( c o m i n g i n t o t h i s w o r l d ) o f D h a n

S r i G u r u N a n a k D e v j i M a h a r a j .

A g u r u ’ s S i k h m u s t a l w a y s l i v e w i t h e v e r l a s t i n g o p t i m i s m ( c h a r d i k a l l a ) e v e n

i n t h e f a c e o f n e g a t i v i t y . T h e g u r u i s a l w a y s p l e a s e d w i t h s u c h o f f e r i n g s o f

o p t i m i s t s .

I offer my heart-felt prayer to the Guru, and it is answered. ||Pause||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 396 Raag Aasaa)



17

W e e k l y D i s c u s s i o n G r o u p s

T h e s e g r o u p s s h o u l d b e r a n a n d c o - o r d i n a t e d i n t h e G u r u d w a r a S a h i b . T h e r e

c a n b e t w o t y p e s , b u t b o t h c o n c e r n i n g S i k h i . T h e f i r s t c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n

i n t e r p r e t i n g B a n i a n d i t s i d e a l s i n t o E n g l i s h a n d p l a i n t h o u g h t ; t h e s e c o n d ,

f o c u s i n g o n s o c i a l i s s u e s w h i c h a f f e c t t h e t r u e g o v e r n a n c e o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l s

S i k h i i n t h i s c o u n t r y . T h i s w i l l a l l o w a s e n s e o f t o g e t h e r n e s s a n d o n e n e s s ; w i l l

e n c o u r a g e u n i t y a n d p r o v i d e f o r m o r e p e o p l e s l o w l y c o m i n g i n t o S i k h i .

S e v e r a l G u r u d w a r a s i n t h e c o u n t r y p r o v i d e f o r t h e s e g r o u p s a n d t h e y h a v e

b e e n f o u n d t o b e e x t r e m e l y u s e f u l i n b i n d i n g t h e S i k h y o u t h w h o a t t e n d .

Remain united with the Society of the Saints; chant the Name of the Lord, and find peace.||1||Pause||

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 31 Siree Raag)

G a t k a C l a s s e s

N o s t o n e s h o u l d b e l e f t u n t u r n e d i n t h e q u e s t f o r g a t k a t e a c h e r s w h o a r e

w i l l i n g t o c o m e a n d t e a c h g a t k a t o c h i l d r e n . A l t h o u g h m a r t i a l a r t s e x i s t i n

c e r t a i n G u r u d w a r a s i n t h e c o u n t r y , i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o p r o p a g a t e a n d

p r o l i f e r a t e o u r o w n m a r t i a l a r t . C o m b i n e d w i t h b a n i t h e r e i s n o r e a l s u b s t i t u t e

f o r t h i s m a r t i a l a r t . T h i s w i l l p u l l i n p e o p l e t o S i k h i a n d a l s o e n c o u r a g e

t h o u g h t p r o c e s s e s i n t h e y o u t h ’ s m i n d a b o u t j u s t h o w r i c h o u r w a y o f l i f e

r e a l l y i s .

No evildoer can withstand these weapons.(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 628 Raag Sorath)

K i r t a n C l a s s e s

M o s t G u r u d w a r a s p r o v i d e f o r k i r t a n c l a s s e s . T h e s e a r e u s u a l l y h a r m o n i u m

c l a s s e s . I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o e n c o u r a g e t h e t e a c h i n g o f c l a s s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t s l i k e

t h e r a b a b , s a r a n g i a n d t a b l a a n d t o g e t m o r e c h i l d r e n l e a r n i n g k i r t a n i n t h e

r a a g s t h e G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i s p e a k s i n . I t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t c h i l d r e n a r e

t a u g h t k i r t a n w i t h l o v e . J u s t a s y o u w o u l d w a s h a d i s h t h o r o u g h l y w i t h c a r e

i t i s m o r e t h o r o u g h l y c l e a n e d . I f y o u m a k e a h a s h o f i t w i t h o u t e f f o r t , c h a n c e s

a r e i t s t i l l r e m a i n s d i r t y . I t i s a p e r s o n a l o p i n i o n t h a t w h e n s o m e o n e r e c i t e s

t h e G u r u ’ s b a n i w i t h p i y a r a n d h e a r t , t h e l i s t e n e r f e e l s m o r e b l i s s t h a n

s o m e o n e w h o d o e s n o t h a v e h i s o r h e a r t i n i t . T h e k e y a s a l w a y s i s t h a t a l l

b a n i s h o u l d b e r e a d c o r r e c t l y .

The Messenger of Death cannot even touch that humble being who sings the Kirtan of theLord's Praises.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 866 Raag Gond)



18

T r a i n i n g f o r T o m o r r o w ’ s L e a d e r s

A s m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , t h e r e i s a r e a l l a c k o f y o u n g S i k h l e a d e r s t o d a y . W e a r e

i n n e e d o f c r e a t i n g p e o p l e w i t h a n a r s e n a l o f t h e g u r u ' s w o r d b e h i n d t h e m i n

o r d e r t o l e a d S i k h i i n t o t h e f u t u r e . T h e r e e x i s t s a n o r g a n i s a t i o n c a l l e d t h e

F e l l o w s h i p o f A c t i v i s t s T o E m b r a c e H u m a n i t y , F A T E H . F A T E H r u n s a

C h a n g e A c r o s s B o r d e r s ( C A B ) p r o g r a m m e , w h e r e t h e i n d i v i d u a l t r a v e l s t o

C h a n d i g a r h i n P u n j a b a n d u n d e r t a k e s a 9 m o n t h c o u r s e i n t h e d i f f e r e n t s k i l l s

o f h u m a n d e v e l o p m e n t i n s p i r e d b y t h e t e a c h i n g s o f t h e S i k h g u r u s . C l a s s i c a l

k i r t a n t u i t i o n , G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a , g u r m a t , f i e l d t r i p s t o p l a c e s o f h i s t o r i c a l a n d

c u l t u r a l i n t e r e s t s , g a t k a , S i k h H i s t o r y , t a l k s b y e m i n e n t S i k h s c h o l a r s a r e

a m o n g s t m a n y o t h e r p r i c e l e s s a c t i v i t i e s u n d e r t h e c u r r i c u l u m .

A f t e r 6 m o n t h s o f s t u d y , t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s s p e n d a f u r t h e r 3 m o n t h s o n a f i e l d

p r o j e c t . T h i s p r o j e c t c o u l d b e i n t h e v i l l a g e s o r a t t h e F A T E H o f f i c e . T h e C A B

p r o g r a m m e i s a i m e d a t c r e a t i n g ‘ a m b a s s a d o r s a n d c a t a l y s t s ’ w h o w i l l r e t u r n

t o t h e i r h o m e - c o u n t r y t o i n s p i r e o t h e r y o u t h s . A t a n i n d i v i d u a l l e v e l , C A B

a i m s a t h e l p i n g t h e p a r t i c i p a n t t o b e c o m e u s e f u l c i t i z e n s . F o r m o r e

i n f o r m a t i o n o n C A B s a n d o t h e r a v e n u e s f o r v o l u n t e e r i n g w i t h F A T E H p l e a s e

v i s i t t h e i r w e b s i t e a t h t t p : / / w w w . f a t e h w o r l d . o r g / . ( S e e A p p e n d i x 2 f o r m o r e

i n f o r m a t i o n o n F A T E H a n d t h e C A B p r o g r a m m e ) .

T h e r e a r e o t h e r c o u r s e s a v a i l a b l e . S i k h M i s s i o n a r y C o l l e g e p r o v i d e s a 2 - y e a r

M i s s i o n a r y C o r r e s p o n d e n c e c o u r s e . T h u s t h e y o u t h c a n s t u d y f r o m t h e i r o w n

h o m e . D a m d a m i T a k s a l i n M e h t a i n P u n j a b a l s o a c c e p t s s t u d e n t s t o l e a r n

G u r b a n i a n d t a k e l e s s o n s i n d i s c i p l i n e o f t h e G u r s i k h . D e g r e e g r a d u a t e s o r

y o u t h w i t h g e n u i n e p i y a r f o r S i k h i s h o u l d b e e n c o u r a g e d t o g o o n t h e s e

p r o g r a m m e s .

T h e s e c o u r s e s a r e i n v a l u a b l e p r o d u c t s t h a t s h o u l d b e s o l d t o t h e p u b l i c . T h e

G u r u d w a r a c o m m i t t e e i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r e n c o u r a g i n g a n d m o t i v a t i n g p a r e n t s

a n d y o u t h a l i k e t o c o n s i d e r t h e s e c o u r s e s .

F e e d i n g t h e h o m e l e s s

S t u d e n t s o f D e m o n t f o r t U n i v e r s i t y a n d L e i c e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y h a v e r e c e n t l y

b e e n i n v o l v e d i n t a k i n g l a n g a r a n d d i s t r i b u t i n g i t t o t h e h o m e l e s s o r r o u g h

s l e e p i n g p e o p l e i n t h e t o w n c e n t r e . I h a v e h a d p e r s o n a l p l e a s u r e i n b e i n g a b l e

t o f e e d t h e n e e d y i n t h i s w a y . I t i s a h i g h l y s a t i s f y i n g a n d p l e a s u r a b l e

e x p e r i e n c e . I t i n c r e a s e s t h e i m a g e o f t h e S i k h i n s o c i e t y a n d a l s o a l l o w s a n

i n d i v i d u a l t o p a r t a k e i n s e v a t h e r e b y d o i n g t h e s e v a o f V a h e g u r u h i m s e l f .

T h e s e a l t r u i s t i c l e a n i n g s w i l l a l s o l e a d p e o p l e t o w a r d s t h e g u r u a n d i m p r o v e



19

t h e s t a n d i n g o f t h e S i k h y o u t h i n g e n e r a l b o t h s p i r i t u a l l y a n d i n t h e m a t e r i a l

w o r l d .

In peace and poise, they give to the poor.(Raag Gauri 5 Limb 236 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj)

T h e G u r u d w a r a s h o u l d e n c o u r a g e s u c h s h o w s o f h u m a n i t y . O n l y w h e n a n

i n d i v i d u a l h a s c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r o t h e r s w i l l t h a t p e r s o n h a v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r

h i s o w n i d e n t i t y .

U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t s

U n i v e r s i t y s t u d e n t s l e a v e u n i v e r s i t y a t p r e s e n t t i m e s w i t h d e b t a v e r a g i n g

£ 8 0 0 0 . M a n y S i k h s t u d e n t s l i v e a w a y f r o m h o m e . T h e G u r u ’ s h o m e i s

m a n k i n d ’ s a b o d e . G u r u d w a r a c o m m i t t e e s s h o u l d c o n s i d e r s e t t i n g u p a w a r d s

f o r s t u d e n t s . F o r e x a m p l e , i f a s t u d e n t i s e n d u r i n g f i n a n c i a l p r o b l e m s , t h e

G u r u d w a r a m a y b e r u n n i n g a d i s c r e t i o n a r y a w a r d o f a f e w h u n d r e d p o u n d s

a n d m a k e i t a c o n d i t i o n t h a t t h e s t u d e n t i n v o l v e d , m u s t b e a b l e t o p e r f o r m

s o m e s e v a w h i l s t a t u n i v e r s i t y i n t h e i r s p a r e t i m e . T h i s s e v a c o u l d b e

a d m i n i s t r a t i v e t a s k s , s e v a f o r o l d e r p e o p l e e t c .

O n t h e o n e h a d t h i s m a y p u l l a p e r s o n t o b e c l o s e r t o M a h a r a j j i , a n d a l s o

p r o v i d e a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e s t u d e n t t o o . M a n y p e o p l e w i l l d i s a g r e e w i t h t h i s , a s

n o o n e s h o u l d d o s e v a f o r m o n e y h o w e v e r , I f e e l t h a t i f s o m e o n e i s i n d e b t

t h e y g e n e r a l l y f e e l t h a t n o o n e i s t h e r e f o r t h e m . A n d i f t h e y c a n c o m e t o

M a h a r a j ’ s d o o r a n d s a y I n e e d h e l p , I a m s u r e t h a t p e r s o n w i l l a l w a y s

r e m e m b e r V a h e g u r u h e l p e d t h e m i n t h e i r h o u r o f n e e d . T h i s i s j u s t a n i d e a .

I t i s f o r G u r u d w a r a s t o i m p l e m e n t i f t h e y w i s h .

P l a n o f a c t i o n

I t i s w i t h t h e s e s u g g e s t i o n s i n t o w , t h a t I w o u l d l i k e t o c l a r i f y , t h a t t o f a l l i n t o

t h e s e a c t i v i t i e s w i t h o u t p r i o r a n d s e n s i b l e p l a n n i n g w o u l d n o t b e s e n s i b l e . I t

m e a n s t h e s u g g e s t i o n s w i l l n o t w o r k t o t h e i r f u l l e f f e c t . T h e n e e d e x i s t s f o r a

p l a n o f a c t i o n a n d e a c h G u r u d w a r a n e e d s t o s i t d o w n a n d a d o p t t h e i r o w n

s t r a t e g i e s w i t h t h e y o u t h i n v o l v e d i n t h e i r s e t - u p . T h i s i s b e c a u s e e v e r y

G u r u d w a r a i s o n v a r i o u s s t a g e s o f d e v e l o p m e n t w h e n i t c o m e s d o w n t o

y o u t h i n v o l v e m e n t . S o m e p l a c e s w i l l h a v e G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a s o m e w o n t .

S o m e w i l l h a v e P r o j e c t o r s a n d s c r e e n s a n d o t h e r s w i l l f a l l s h o r t o f t h e s e

r e q u i r e m e n t s .



20

T h u s i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o a p p l y a p l a n o f a c t i o n a n d s l o w l y i n t r o d u c e t h e s e

p o l i c i e s . T h i s i s l o g i c a l t h o u g h t b e c a u s e w h e r e f o r e x a m p l e G u r b a n i c l a s s e s

h a v e b e e n a d v e r t i s e d , p e o p l e w i l l a t t e n d a n d a t l e a s t o n e i n d i v i d u a l f r o m

t h e s e c l a s s e s w i t h M a h a r a j ’ s b l e s s i n g s , w i l l a l s o i n t e n d c o m i n g t o t h e o t h e r

a c t i v i t i e s a n d p e r h a p s h e l p o r g a n i s e t h e m , ( A p p e n d i x 3 i s a n e x a m p l e o f a

p l a n o f a c t i o n f o r m y l o c a l G u r u d w a r a i n L e i c e s t e r . )



21

C O N C L U S I O N

Endless are His Praises, endless are those who speak them.Endless are His Actions, endless are His Gifts.Endless is His Vision, endless is His Hearing.

His limits cannot be perceived. What is the Mystery of His Mind?The limits of the created universe cannot be perceived.

Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived.Many struggle to know His limits,

but His limits cannot be found.No one can know these limits.

The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said.Great is the Master, High is His Heavenly Home

Highest of the High, above all is His Name.Only one as Great and as High as Godcan know His Lofty and Exalted State

Only He Himself is that Great. He Himself knows Himself.O Nanak, by His Glance of Grace, He bestows His Blessings. ||24||

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 5 Pauri 24)

T h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s m a d e a r e o f s h o r t c o n c i s e a n d d o w n t o e a r t h n a t u r e .

T h i s a p p r o a c h i n w r i t i n g w a s e m p l o y e d b e c a u s e o f t h e n e e d t o u n d e r s t a n d

t h e s o l u t i o n s , i m p l e m e n t t h e m a n d p r a y t o V a h e g u r u t h a t h e g i v e s u s a l l

a s s i s t a n c e i n w h a t w e a r e a i m i n g t o d o . A s a h u m b l e s e r v a n t o f t h e S a n g a t I

w i l l h a v e m a d e m a n y m i s t a k e s i n w r i t i n g t h e t h o u g h t s o n t o p a p e r a s t h e y

e n t e r e d m y h e a d .

I k n o w t h e r e w i l l b e p e o p l e w h o w i l l c r i t i c i s e t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a n d

t h e r e m a y b e p e o p l e w h o a g r e e w i t h t h e m . I a m u n d e r n o i l l u s i o n t h a t m y

t a s k i s c o m p l e t e . I f I h a v e m a d e t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s I c a n o n l y s e e i t f i t

t h a t i t i s m y d u t y t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e m i n s o m e s h a p e o r f o r m . I w i l l t r y t o d o

t h i s t o t h e b e s t o f m y a b i l i t y a n d o f c o u r s e i n l i n e w i t h t h e b l e s s i n g s a n d

p e r m i s s i o n o f V a h e g u r u .

T h e t a s k o f e n c o u r a g i n g , p r o m o t i n g a n d i n s t i g a t i n g S i k h i i n t h e y o u t h i s t h e

r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f e v e r y g u r s i k h w h o h a s t a k e n t h e n e c t a r o f i m m o r t a l i t y . I t i s

t h e t a s k o f e v e r y G u r u d w a r a t o p r o m o t e t h i s i n t h e w e s t e r n w o r l d . T h i s i s

b e c a u s e t h e G u r u d w a r a i s o u r h o m e . W e s h o u l d a l s o b e a w a r e t h a t a s

p a r e n t s , w e m u s t s t r i v e t o b e g o o d w o r k i n g r o l e m o d e l s f o r o u r c h i l d r e n .

T e a c h t h e m t h e i d e a l s o f S i k h i a n d s h o w t h e m h o w t o n o t j u s t p r a c t i s e

S i k h i … b u t t o l i v e i t .

T h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t h e m s e l v e s a r e b y t h e S a n g a t f o r t h e S a n g a t . P l e a s e

v i e w t h i s r e p o r t w i t h t h a t i n y o u r m i n d s . H o w e v e r w h e r e t h e r e i s o p t i m i s m , I

m u s t a l s o e m p l o y r e a l i s m . T h e D a r k A g e ( K a l y u g ) w e a r e c u r r e n t l y i n , m e a n s

w e h a v e a m a s s i v e f o r c e a c t i v a t i n g a g a i n s t o u r y o u t h i n t h e s h a p e o f t h e f i v e

p a s s i o n s a n d t h e p u l l o f w o r l d l y d e s i r e s ( M a y a ) . T h u s I c a n n o t p r e d i c t t h a t

t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s d i s c u s s e d a b o v e w i l l w o r k . H o w e v e r I d o b e l i e v e , t h a t



22

i f s o m e o n e e n t e r s t h e h o u s e o f t h e G u r u , a n d i f t h e y l i s t e n , d i g e s t a n d

c o n t e m p l a t e o n w h a t t h e y h e a r i n t h e h o u s e o f t h e g u r u ; a s m a l l l i g h t i n t h e m

w i l l b e i g n i t e d a n d a n o t h e r s o u l w i l l b e s a v e d i n t h e s e t r o u b l e d t i m e s . I w i l l

t a k e t h a t t o b e m y t a r g e t : T o h a v e j u s t o n e p e r s o n r e a l i s e t h a t w e a r e l i v i n g i n

a n i l l u s i o n a n d a r e g u e s t s o n b o r r o w e d t i m e i n t h i s c o u r t o f t h e a l m i g h t y .

I w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o s t a t e t h a t I a m n o t s e e k i n g t h e l u r e o f c h a i r m a n s h i p o r

l e a d i n g f i n a n c e d p r o j e c t s . N o r a m I t h e m o u t h p i e c e o f a n y p o l i t i c a l g r o u p . I

a m s i m p l y a g u r s i k h w i t h t h e w i s h t o s h a r e w h a t I h a v e l e a r n t w i t h t h e

S a n g a t . I f t h e f u t u r e b r i n g s a n y t e s t o f m y o w n a b i l i t y , I w i l l t r y t o d o m y b e s t

t o p a s s i t ; h o w e v e r I b e l i e v e I w i l l o n l y s u r p a s s s u c h a s s e s s m e n t s o f m y S i k h i

w i t h t h e S a n g a t a n d g u r u m a h a r a j ’ s h a n d o n m y h e a d . T h e S a n g a t a n d

V a h e g u r u w i l l a s s i s t i n t h i s h u g e t a s k o f h a r n e s s i n g t h e S i k h y o u t h .

Please forgive me, O God, O Searcher of hearts. ||4||76||145||(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj Limb 195 Raag Gauree)

Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:

Arising each day, you cherish your body, but you are idiotic, ignorant and withoutunderstanding.

You are not conscious of God, and your body shall be cast into the wilderness.Focus your consciousness on the True Guru; you shall enjoy bliss forever and ever. ||1||

O mortal, you came here to earn a profit.What useless activities are you attached to? Your life-night is coming to its end. ||1||Pause||

The animals and the birds frolic and play-they do not see death.Those who always remember the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are considered to be

liberated. ||2||

Mankind is also with them, trapped in the net of Maya.That dwelling, which you will have to abandon, and vacate-you are attached to it in your mind.

And that place where you must go to dwell-you have no regard for it at all .Those who fall at the Feet of the Guru are released from this bondage. ||3||

No one else can save you-don't look for anyone else.I have searched in all four directions; I have come to find His Sanctuary.

O Nanak, the True King has pulled me out and saved me from drowning! ||4||3||73||

Sri guru Granth Sahib Ji Limb 43 writer: Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj



23

A P P E N D I C E S

A P P E N D I X 1 : T r a n s l a t i o n o f B a n i o n S c r e e n

I c o n t a c t e d S . J u j h a r S i n g h f r o m W o l v e r h a m p t o n , w h o i s a n e x p e r t i n

t h i s t e c h n o l o g i c a l f i e l d . H e c u r r e n t l y i s d o i n g s e v a f o r t h e B r i t i s h

O r g a n i s a t i o n o f S i k h S t u d e n t s a n d i s a t t h e f o r e f r o n t w h e n i t c o m e s t o

w o r k i n g w i t h c o m p u t e r s a n d p r o j e c t i o n s . H e a s s i s t s i n s e t t i n g u p t h e s c r e e n s

f o r a n y y o u t h k i r t a n d u r b a r s o r g a n i s e d b y B O S S . T h e r e a r e o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l s

w h o a l s o c o n t r i b u t e s e l f l e s s l y t o i n i t i a t i v e s s e t b y B O S S , h o w e v e r I d o n o t

r e m e m b e r t h e i r n a m e s o f f t h e t o p o f m y h e a d . V a h e g u r u a n d t h e S a n g a t

k n o w w h o t h e s e p e o p l e a r e .

W e s p o k e a t l e n g t h a b o u t p r o p o s e d c o s t s a n d a g r e e t h a t e x p e n s e w i l l

v a r y a c c o r d i n g t o t h e s i z e o f t h e d i w a n h a l l . T h e e s t i m a t e d c o s t s a r e s p e l t o u t

b e l o w . T h e i n g r e d i e n t s f o r t h i s r e c i p e a r e a s f o l l o w s :

1 x P r o j e c t o r

1 x C o m p u t e r / L a p t o p

1 x S c r e e n

1 x S o f t w a r e ( G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i )

P r o j e c t o r s

P r o j e c t o r s a r e s o l d o n t h e b a s i s o f t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e i r o u t p u t i n t e r m s o f l i g h t

( c a l l e d l u m e n ) . A b e n c h m a r k i s b e t w e e n 1 0 0 0 a n d 1 5 0 0 l u m e n s . S o m e

p r o j e c t o r s h a v e t h e c a p a c i t y t o p r o d u c e i n t h e e x c e s s o f 2 0 0 0 l u m e n s . I f w e a r e

l o o k i n g f o r a p o r t a b l e m a c h i n e , i t w o u l d b e r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e m a c h i n e

p r o j e c t s 8 0 0 l u m e n s a n d m o r e . M a c h i n e s w i t h g r e a t e r l u m e n p r o j e c t i o n a d a p t

b e t t e r t o a r a n g e o f d i f f e r e n t e n v i r o n m e n t s .

T h e o t h e r f a c t o r , w h i c h d e t e r m i n e s a p r o j e c t o r s p r i c e , i s t h e s c r e e n r e s o l u t i o n .

T h i s r e l a t e s t o t h e n u m b e r o f p i x e l s , w h i c h m a k e u p t h e i m a g e f r o m t h e

p e r s o n a l c o m p u t e r o r l a p t o p . M o s t s t a n d a r d p e r s o n a l c o m p u t e r s r u n o n

e i t h e r S V G A ( 8 0 0 x 6 0 0 ) o r X G A ( 1 0 2 4 x 7 6 8 ) . T h e m a j o r i t y o f l a p t o p s o p e r a t e

a t X G A . T o g a i n o p t i m u m v i s u a l q u a l i t y , i t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t t h e p r o j e c t o r

c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h t h e c o m p u t e r o u t p u t .

I f e e l w e n e e d t o g o f o r t h e p r o j e c t o r w i t h t h e b e s t v i s u a l q u a l i t y ( X G A ) a n d

w i t h a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 5 0 0 l u m e n . T h e p r i c e r a n g e I f o u n d f o r t h o s e m o d e l s o n

h t t p : / / w w w . p r o j e c t o r s - o n l i n e . c o . u k / w a s a p p r o x i m a t e l y £ 2 4 0 0 t o £ 2 7 0 0 . J u j h a r

S i n g h r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t c h o o s i n g a p r o j e c t o r w a s d e p e n d e n t o n t h e d i v a n

h a l l . S o m e m a y r e q u i r e m o r e p o w e r f u l p r o j e c t o r s . H e a l s o s u g g e s t e d a



24

p r o j e c t o r p r i c e d a r o u n d £ 3 7 0 0 w o u l d b e s u f f i c i e n t f o r a n y G u r u d w a r a . T h e s e

p r o j e c t o r s h a v e a l u m e n o f a r o u n d 3 5 0 0 - 3 6 0 0 . W e a g r e e d t h a t i f t h e n e e d

a r i s e s h e c a n b e c o n t a c t e d t o a s s e s s w h i c h p r o j e c t o r w o u l d b e b e s t s u i t e d t o

t h e G u r u d w a r a .

C o m p u t e r s / L a p t o p s

T h e s e v a r y i n p r i c e d e p e n d i n g o n s p e e d a n d p e r f o r m a n c e . A g o o d p e r s o n a l

c o m p u t e r w i t h d e c e n t s p e e d a n d s t o r a g e w i l l c o s t a r o u n d £ 2 0 0 t o £ 3 0 0 . I t i s

g e n e r a l l y g o o d i d e a t o s h o p a r o u n d i n c o m p u t e r f a i r s f o r b a r g a i n s .

S c r e e n s

T h e s e a r e f a i r l y c h e a p , a n d t h e r a n g e v a r i e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e s i z e a n d t y p e

r e q u i r e d . I t w i l l b e b e t t e r t o u s e m a n u a l w a l l s c r e e n s . W e a r e l o o k i n g a t

a p p r o x i m a t e l y £ 1 0 0 f o r t h e s c r e e n . H o w e v e r t o s a v e c o s t s , i t m a y b e a n i d e a

t o u s e a w h i t e s h e e t i n m o s t c a s e s !

S o f t w a r e

G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b J i M a h a r a j c a n b e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e a u t h o r o f t h e w e b s i t e

S i k h i t o t h e m a x . c o m . J u j h a r S i n g h a s s u r e s m e t h e s o f t w a r e i s a m a z i n g . I a m

s u r e m a n y o f u s w i l l a g r e e .

G e n e r a l C o s t b r e a k d o w n

L o w e s t p o s s i b l e : £ 2 4 0 0 P r o j e c t o r D e c e n t S y s t e m : £ 3 7 0 0 p r o j e c t o r

£ 2 0 0 C o m p u t e r £ 3 0 0 C o m p u t e r

£ 0 W h i t e S h e e t £ 1 0 0 S c r e e n

£ S e v a S o f t w a r e £ S e v a S o f t w a r e

T o t a l A p p r o x : £ 2 6 0 0 T o t a l A p p r o x £ 4 1 0 0

I t i s e n t i r e l y u p t o t h e G u r u d w a r a c o m m i t t e e s t o d e c i d e h o w t h e y w a n t t o

p i c k a n d m i x t h e c o m p o n e n t s .



25

A P P E N D I X 2 : M o r e I n f o r m a t i o n o n F A T E H a n d C A B c o u r t e s y o f M e j i n d e r p a l

K a u r .

A Season for Development and Service

“Man is not emancipated as surrounded by all the knowledge that his sciences or religions can give him, but he is free when he embraces God as man and gathers

the miserable to his bosom and makes them happy with the joy of being. In sweet

humanity are the windows ajar for him to fly out to the infinite rapture of freedom

…”

- Prof. Puran Singh

Are you a young professional or a college student/graduate? Are you interested in

learning more about the culture of Panjab and/or volunteering time for humandevelopment projects? Are you motivated, looking for growth, interested in making

contributions to the community at large and have the desire to make a difference?

The Change Across Borders (CABs) program has room* for just such individuals.

WE are Fellowship of Activists To Embrace Humanity (FATEH). Our Mission is:

To inspire a proactive spirit within the community by fostering avenues for selfless

service and human resource development to combat social ills including illiteracy,

poverty, hunger, poor health and hygiene, inequality, and oppression. FATEH is a

volunteer-based, non-profit, non-governmental, human development organization

focused on educational, social, and psychological empowerment.. Presently we are

operating in North America, Asia and the European Union. We have contributed in

Kosovo and Bosnia. FATEH’s projects are:

Change Across Borders (CABs) – now in its third year, CABs is a program, which

runs from 9-12 months and includes two integrative semesters of coursework. Thecurriculum includes Journey of a Nation (pre Guru Nanak to present day history),

Guru Granth Sahib (structure, compositions, concepts, interpreters, and secondarysources), Kirtan Mariada (musical theory, rags, and tals; vocal and instrumental),

Gataka (the Martial Arts), Gurmukhi (language, grammar, and lexicon), and Santhia(proper pronunciation, in rhythm and with appropriate pauses, of Gurbani). Guest

lecturers have included Harinder Singh Mehboob (author and poet), Gurtej Singh



26

(National Professor of Sikhism and author), Dr. Gurcharan Singh (life fellow of

Panjabi University), Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon (author, historian, and professor),

Jagdish Singh (orator and professor) and Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon (author and

professor). To supplement instructions and discussions, several field trips are

undertaken to sites of historical and cultural significance. At the end of six months

(two semesters of coursework), each participant undertakes three months of full-time

engagement in a project. Past projects have included working in village schools(education), media, orphanages (hygiene and health), with Vanjaras and Siklighars,

etc. These projects are geared at utilizing the participant’s existing skills. At the end

of nine months, the participants may opt to continue with FATEH or one of our

projects for an additional three months.

Other projects include:

Manifesto 2000 in conjunction with UNESCO: campaign for the “International Yearfor the Culture of Peace and Non-violence”.

Camp FATEH includes ongoing children’s camps and workshops in North America

and Asia.

Outreach entails donating toys, books, stationary and clothes to other organizations

working with children.

KartáKare employs psychological and educational support; counseling, and therapy;

addresses issues of health and nutrition; initiated mentoring programs (Saath) and

creative education (Sajan).

CSP (Chithi Singhpura) After the massacre of Sikhs in Kashmir, FATEH raised

funds for construction of classrooms, hired unemployed but educated youth to

conduct tuition classes for students. FATEH also bears the tuition costs for those

children whose families cannot.

Prasár entails indexing, translation, transcription and publication of reference toolsand texts of Panjabi cultural significance. These include Rattan Singh Bhangu’s “Siri

Guru Panth Parkash”, Giani Gian Singh’s “Panth Parkash”, and Bhai Nand Lal’s“Qulliyat-e-Goya”.

We all talk much of Sikhi, Sevá, and Sarbat da Bhalá. When will we transform talk

into action? The time is NOW and talk is cheap. We owe it to ourselves to earnestly

acquire knowledge of our faith in an honest and integrative manner. It is then ourresponsibility to express this learned perspective through action in our everyday life.

A Sikh is one who ceaselessly yearns to grow and toils to serve His creation. Will

you?

For further information and details about joining CABs, please contact fateh- [email protected]. If you would like to volunteer in one of FATEH’s projects and want

more details, please visit our website at www.fatehworld.org or contact fateh- [email protected] or [email protected].



27

FATEH-North AmericaP.O. Box 1398Addision, IL [email protected] Ph: +1 (630) 933-0298

FATEH-EuropeP.O. Box 62London UB6 [email protected] Ph: +44 (0) 709 2170005

FATEH-AsiaP.O. Box 1409Chandigarh [email protected] Ph: +91 (0) 172 657104



28

A P P E N D I X 3 : G u r u T e g h B a h a d u r G u r u d w a r a , E a s t P a r k R o a d L e i c e s t e r

P l a n o f a c t i o n

T h e G u r u d w a r a i s q u i t e a v i b r a n t h o m e f o r t h e G u r u a n d t h e S a n g a t . I t

a l r e a d y h a s i n p l a c e t h e f o l l o w i n g f o u n d a t i o n s :

K h a l s a E d u c a t i o n C e n t r e ( T e a c h i n g P u n j a b i i n G C S E a n d A l e v e l )

K i r t a n C l a s s e s i n t h e S i k h C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e

G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a o n M o n d a y s , W e d n e s d a y s , F r i d a y s a n d S a t u r d a y s .

M a t a G u j r i J i L i b r a r y

I h a v e t a k e n a y e a r a s a t r a n s i t i o n a l p e r i o d . S o m e p r i o r i t i e s w i l l b e d e a l t w i t h

i n t h e f i r s t c o u p l e o f m o n t h s , s o l e l y b e c a u s e o f t h e e s t a b l i s h e d a c t i v i t i e s

a l r e a d y t a k i n g p l a c e i n t h e G u r u d w a r a .

M o n t h 1 :

A r r a n g e m e e t i n g w i t h G u r u d w a r a C o m m i t t e e

A g r e e o n A c t i o n p l a n

E s t a b l i s h m e n t o f y o u t h c o m m i t t e e o f l i k e - m i n d e d , S i k h y o u t h s .

A d v i s e S a n g a t o f c h a n g e s

A r r a n g e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f s c r e e n

M o n t h 2

A d v e r t i s e t h e G u r b a n i S a n t h i y a c l a s s e s t o a l l b u t e s p e c i a l l y t h e y o u t h

S t a r t o n c e a w e e k y o u t h d u r b a r s ( p o s s i b l y S u n d a y s )

D e v e l o p l i n k s w i t h o r g a n i s a t i o n s s u c h a s F A T E H a n d t h o s e m e n t i o n e d .

M o n t h 3

S t a r t y o u t h d i s c u s s i o n g r o u p o n e d a y a w e e k .

B e g i n i n i t i a t i v e s f o r c h i l d r e n a n d y o u t h r e l a t i n g t o A k h a n d j a a p s .

D e v e l o p l i n k s w i t h y o u t h s p e a k e r s f r o m a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y t o c o m e

a n d t a l k t o y o u t h . T h e s e e v e n t s m u s t a l s o b e a d v e r t i s e d .

M o n t h 4

B e g i n m o n t h l y y o u t h k i r t a n d u r b a r s , a d v e r t i s e d n a t i o n a l l y a n d

t h r o u g h B r i t i s h O r g a n i s a t i o n o f S i k h S t u d e n t s .

W o r k t o w a r d s o r g a n i s i n g g a t k a a n d c l a s s i c a l m u s i c c l a s s e s .

A r r a n g e t r i p s t o o t h e r G u r u d w a r a s a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y a n d m e e t w i t h

o t h e r y o u t h s .

M o n t h 5



29

B e g i n p l a n n i n g S i k h i C a m p f o r e n d o f t h e 6 m o n t h , o r i f t h e r e i s a c l a s h ,

t o b e g i n a d v e r t i s i n g t h e B O S S c a m p .

B e g i n r e a d i n g s e s s i o n s i n L i b r a r y

M o n t h 6

T o o r g a n i s e t h e S i k h i C a m p .

T o d e b r i e f t h e S a n g a t a c h i e v e m e n t s i n l a s t 6 m o n t h s a n d a l s o t o a w a r d

i n d i v i d u a l s w h o h a v e f o u n d t h e w a y t o S i k h i w i t h S i r a p a o s .

T h i s p l a n i t m u s t b e n o t e d i s o n e , w h i c h i s i n d i v i d u a l l y t a i l o r e d a n d s u b j e c t t o

c h a n g e . T h e r e w i l l b e g u r p u r b s ( G u r u ’ s b i r t h d a y s ) a n d o t h e r t i o h a a r s ( s p e c i a l

e v e n t s ) t h u s t h e p r o g r a m m e w i l l a l w a y s b e o f a f l e x i b l e n a t u r e . H o w e v e r

o n c e t h e a i m s a r e d e c l a r e d t h e y m u s t b e s e e n t h r o u g h t o c o m p l e t i o n . A y o u t h

c o m m i t t e e c o n s i s t i n g o f S i k h y o u t h w h o a r e w i l l i n g t o d o s e v a m u s t b e

o r g a n i s e d . T h u s i t c a n b e s e e n t h a t t h e y o u t h a r e a c t i v e l y e n c o u r a g i n g o t h e r

y o u t h . A l s o o n c e t h e e v e n t s a r e o r g a n i s e d t h e y a r e t h e n t o b e r u n e v e r y w e e k .

T h e e x c e p t i o n s a r e t h e m o n t h l y k i r t a n d u r b a r s a n d t h e S i k h i c a m p , w h i c h i s

e v e r y 6 m o n t h s . T h e y o u t h c o m m i t t e e c a n m a k e a n y o t h e r r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s

a n d e v e n t s c a n b e c h a n g e d o r a m e n d e d a s w i s h e d . T h i s i s a s s t a t e d b e f o r e a

t e m p l a t e a c t i o n p l a n .



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I need to thank the following people who helped me in some shape or form type the wordsonto paper.

Brother Jujhar Singh for his input into the Projector costs Sister Mejindarpal Kaur from FATEH

Brother Charanjit Singh (Chan) for his help in printing the report The East Park Road Gurudwara committee for hearing my proposals The Saadh Sangat for being the proof listener The translator of the Rehit Maryada from Taksal My family for being so patient with me

And most importantly

The most benevolent, the most forgiving, the most giving, the most beautiful all seeing alldoing eye…

VAHEGURU.

Documents

Harnessing the Sikh Youth