Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with including your hobbies, interests, your school and memberships?

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh! I am very fond of anything spiritual, artistic and thought provoking. I enjoy immersing myself in painting, song-writing; singing and classical guitar, creative writing, poetry… spiritual concepts such as Naam, Amrit, IK, Shabad, and Merging fascinate me, and the occasional mind-blowing spiritual conversations are very dear to me. I love learning and I’m never done learning… During my time at Acadia, I started off in philosophy, then music technology. I transferred to Concordia and now I will complete my BA after all, in psychology.

Were you brought up in a Gursikh family? How do you feel your family, friends, and sangat have impacted you looking at yourself now?

No, I was not brought up in a Gursikh family. My father is Catholic, and my mother who was a determined atheist only recently became a new-born Christian. My parents were never married, and did not live together. In my earlier childhood, I stayed with my mother. It was a very frightening time in my life, and a hard time in hers. I was surrounded by alcohol, drugs, bars, poverty and abuse. Because of these circumstances, I was handed over to and brought up by a lot of different people, all of whom have shaped me in some way. These include but are not limited to: strangers in homeless shelters, foster homes, relatives, my grandmother, and family friends.

All these experiences taught me so many things. Firstly, I developed a strong distaste for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, bars and the like. To me, they are the symbol of pain, broken homes and hearts. This saved me from bad company and situations many a times.

Secondly, because I was changing schools and moving all the time, living out of a suitcase, I came to realize that NO ONE and NO PLACE is ever permanent. I will always have to pack my bags, and go. This is a lesson in Sikhi too:  Don’t attach to your family, friends, spouse, not even your own body as you will have to leave it too. I didn’t belong anywhere, I never stayed long enough in one place to build close friendships, I was bullied or laughed at more than liked. The French call me English, and the English call me French, I have Native blood, but I am not Native, and neither am I Punjabi. I am a cultural mutt. Spending so many years like this, belonging nowhere, alone as an outsider and stranger, I was – without a place to call home… I had made my body my temporary walking home and my mind, my companion, and music a soothing ointment – but even these will not stay with me. I was drenched in pain, and on this search for “Home”, I came to the shelter of Sikhi, empty handed and thirsty.

In my later childhood, I went under the custody of my father. This changed my life completely. He taught me respect by respecting me. He taught me gentleness, by never yelling or calling me names. He taught me acceptance by laughing with me when I made a mistake, and saying “no one is perfect”… Today he is not only my father, but a dear friend. I used to ask him questions about God, and why we are on the Earth, why do we suffer, and what’s the purpose of life… very patiently, he would try to answer them the best he could. This became the seed of my spiritual life, and I continue to ask questions, learn and try to understand.

As for Sangat … Without sangat, I would never have heard about and learned about Sikhism. I would never have made it to that first and special samagam. I would not have had the courage to walk the path. I would not have met, and been able to look up to the role models before me, in awe and wonder, and secret jealousy which made me all the more thirsty, seeing their radiant faces… I would not have found my real kindred family, and I would not have been able to join them… singing the songs of Gurbani… Without them, I would not be where I am now… and to them, I am indebted a thousand times over. May Waheguru Ji bless them with His grace and Name.

What inspired you to get on the path of Sikhi? What interested you? Was there any one thing that kept your motivation and faith sky high?

The profound experience of pain, made me question why we are on Earth and why do we suffer. Pain brought me on the journey of seeking out the Truth of human existence. For over 10 years, I searched and searched in all directions. I looked at so many religions, and tried many things and ways of life. Nothing stuck, nothing felt right, nothing belonged to me. I didn’t know anything about Sikhism, and perhaps I would have never heard of Sikhism if it wasn’t for God’s grace that one day 3 years ago a Sikh lent me a copy of Jap Ji Sahib Ji.

“One Universal Creator God” —– long pause —– my mind was enraptured, yet trying to grasp the meaning. The words took life and mesmerized me. Only ONE God? God is All there is? Permeating everywhere and everything? —– “THE NAME IS TRUTH” —– I stared at the words in shock, surprise, stung by its purity and truth. It did not say God’s name is Allah, Ram, Jehovah, Yahweh… It said God’s name is (the essence of) TRUTH. About 10 minutes passed in this way. I read the rest of the Mool Mantr. I can not describe how I felt… but it was like suddenly finding that ‘thing’ that was inside you all along, this truth that didn’t have a voice, was so bluntly, and simply infront of me in written word. And it was at that moment that I met and fell in love with Gurbani.

From there, I learned more about Sikhism and started reading more Gurbani. Some road blocks appeared here and there; doubts, questions, and misunderstandings…  But with time, education, discussions, help from sangat, and Gurbani, I started to grasp what Sikhism is all about, and how it is practiced in daily life. If ever any doubts remained, then Gurbani washed it all clean. Slowly, with Guru Ji’s kirpa, I decided that I will live the life of a Sikh.

Many things keep me on the path, with faith, and hunger. The stories of the lovers of God, saints and bhagats who’ve thirsted for and have been blessed with the jewel of Naam. The lives of our Gurus and of Gursikhs. Sangat in it’s various forms; inspires and uplifts me, reminding me of the way. And above all, my ultimate companion, sangat and inspiration; Gurbani. Bani is so mystical and deep. It is the poetry of the lover who yearns to merge with the Lord…it is a vast and endless ocean of Truth and peace. Infront of the embodiment of Truth, my small problems become quite insignificant. Infront of the embodiment of Truth, I become even more thirsty for merging… in that thirst, there’s no more questions, no more doubts, only LOVE and Melting.

In your opinion, what’s the best way for youth to learn about Sikhi and to encourage them to take amrit and follow the path of Guru jee?

The best way to learn about Sikhi, is to take the dive. Even if you don’t know anything at all about Sikhism (as I started off), ask questions, and find answers. Read as much Gurbani as you can, and find the Guru-ward sangat.

As for Amrit… the only prerequisite is love and thirst. Don’t think about if it is convenient for you or not. Don’t think about “what others will think”. Don’t think “later”. Remember Vaisakhi – when Guru Ji asked the thousands present “Who will give their head to me”?… Guru Ji asks this very same question on every occasion where there is an Amrit Sanchar. What will you say to Him? “No Guru Ji, not now… maybe later… I’m not ready yet”. What kind of love and devotion? Become His now… and He will make you ready, and He will arrange everything for you, He will find ways to teach you what you have to know.

There are no bounds to the joy, bliss and peace that comes from taking the Sacred Amrit, and being soaked in the Lord’s love. Pray that Waheguru Ji may give you this rare opportunity in this life, and don’t turn back if given the chance.

When did you get blessed with Amrit and what was the reason you wanted to give your head to Guroo Maharaaj? How did being blessed with Amrit change your lifestyle? How were your family with this?

Sunday, September 4th, 2005. It was about my fourth visit to a Gurdwara, and my first samagam. By the miracle of Guru Ji’s grace, I was blessed with Amrit, and was named Amrit Kaur. Remembering that day brings me back to that time and place, and all the emotions… it still feels like yesterday.

The reason? Logic is useless, when Love prevails. I was sitting in sangat since the very early morning, listening to simran and kirtan, and something happened inside of me. Memories of all the wrongs I’ve committed, things I regretted, were flashing in my mind. I was acutely aware of my demerits, my faults, my blunders and sins, my filth and foulness. My stench of a being. But, at the same time… I was also very conscious of the miracle and mercy Waheguru Ji was bestowing upon me, having that chance of sitting among the sangat and listening to His Praises. My soul melted. How could God, be so forgiving, so merciful, so loving… to a dirty blackened sinner like me?! I felt Him calling me, and asking me… if I will give myself to Him. If I would die for Him. I could not say “no” to Guru Ji and I drank the Amrit… I can’t tell you my emotions…  it is by far the most beautiful day of my whole life…

After Amrit, my life changed. I was living on clouds for many weeks! And I had to get used to the 5k, and other rehit. Keeping my hair wasn’t too big of a change for me. I never liked cutting my hair, and shaving seemed pointless. I was already vegetarian since some months because of ethical and ecological reasons, but after Amrit it became set in stone. Just being strict vegetarian is a huge challenge in this society and in my family. It generated a lot of discussion, and my father often got frustrated that I would not eat the same thing as him. Most French Canadians can not even imagine that a vegetarian diet could keep you alive… But now after 2 years, even my father occasionally eats vegetarian meals with me.

Only my father and friends know that I am Sikh. My father accepted that I am Sikh, but could not understand the kirpan. It was a very big issue for a long time. To him, it was clearly a weapon and nothing else. I hid it under my clothes the best I could, as to not upset him. Now he is somewhat ok with it, I haven’t hurt anyone yet, haha. Covering my head is also a very big problem in my house. I wore bandanas, but my father would call me “pirate” and give me cold looks. One day I wore a turban in front of him. He jumped back, taking a big inhale of air, eyes dilated in shock, horror and fear. It hurt me, because I care for him, he is a really good person, but he doesn’t fully understand Sikhism. It is only recently, after all the stories and explanations that he’s starting to understand Sikhism, and that it’s not related to Islam or Hinduism, and that Sikh women have rights. All this made me realize how uninformed and/or misinformed most westerners are about Sikhism. I, myself didn’t even hear the word Sikhism until I met a Sikh who told me. I think it is high time that Sikhs realize the importance of connecting with and opening up to the community at large to spread awareness on Sikhism and Sikhs.

Despite the little difficulties, Sikhi is my path, my breathe, my life, and hope of life. And I will continue to follow it, with Guru Ji’s Grace.

There seems to be an ever growing battle in the western world to tackle the vices which can seriously affect our Sikhi. What would you say can help overcome these in our day to day life?

With every action, you have a choice to ‘do’ or ‘not do’. Before engaging in anything, ask yourself if it will bring good in the end. If not, don’t do it. Don’t plant even a seed, though it may seem innocent, but can grow into an opportunity for any of the five vices. Learn to say “No” to situations that can deviate you away from Sikhi and good conduct. Don’t let your mind control you no matter how it tries to trick you, you have to control it!

In Sikhi, we are taught to become Saint-Warriors. We must use that Warrior aspect, on our own minds to tackle the five vices. They are our real enemies, they perpetuate duality. How to destroy them? Use Truth as the Sword of your mind. Stay determined and do not waver; keep your mind sharply focused on the Truth – which is found in Gurbani, the Truth that is sharper than a razor blade, straight and hair-thin as the edge of the Sword. In this way, whatever thoughts or impulses that are false will be destroyed.

We must also use the Saint aspect. How? The measure of our success in this world, is Love. If we are thirsty, and melting in love for the Lord, then we know we are on the true path. On the other hand, if we don’t have love and thirst for God, then we should reconsider what we are doing, and how we are living. You will know you are on the right path, when love and thirst for God well up to overflow inside. Without the Name and Love for the Lord, everything is false. The falsehoods only bring pain, emptiness, and shame. Realize that these vices, in the end only bring excruciating pain – they eat at us from the inside out. If you don’t believe me, test it, see that it is not real happiness. Youth, money, reputation, popularity, ‘beauty’, and material possessions… the more you care about them, the more they will hurt you in the end. It is only till we turn to God, and become Guru-ward, become the saint-warrior, live a life of sadh sangat, seva, simran (true congregation, selfless service, remembrance), and Gurbani… until we live in the world but become dead from the world… that we will find peace from the burning fire of the vices.

What are your views on Today’s youth?

They are full of potential! They are the future of the Sikh Panth! They have the power to revive the spirit of Sikhi, and inspire others to follow on the path. They have the power to unite the Sikh Panth, by realizing that a Sikh is a Sikh is a Sikh. They have the power to bring peace, by realizing a human is a human is a human. They have the power to change the world, through the teachings of the True Guru – and by doing Seva for the Earth, animals, and all humans irrespective of religion, caste, creed, gender, language and country of origin, so that other communities my be inspired to do the same. Today’s youth, by the grace of the True Guru, have the potential to become Khalsa, and True Devotees of Waheguru Ji, soaked and drenched in the love of Naam.

May the youth realize this potential, which can be easily forgotten amongst the nitty gritty of everyday life… And may they act upon it…

What is your message to Sikh youth reading this interview right now?

You have the opportunity to follow the path of Sikhism! Realize your luck! There are millions of truth-thirsty people on the Earth, who would be amazed at the Truth of Gurbani, if only they had the chance. Don’t forsake the most beautiful and priceless jewel! Realize your luck!

The time is Now! Don’t wait till your old age to begin to jap (chant and meditate) on the Lord. Don’t wait till your death bed to remember Him and get thirsty for Naam and Merging. Pray to Waheguru Ji! Who knows when we will have to leave this Earth?

Take the Dive!

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh!
PS: Please forgive me for anything that I may have said that is inaccurate or incorrect. I am still just a student in Sikhi, grasping for the Truth.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.

Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month. Please tell us something about yourself, your schooling, your interests and your hobbies.

Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh.

I am 21 years old and last year I graduated in BA Religious Studies at King’s College London. At the moment I’m studying for a postgraduate research degree in Sikh Studies at University of Birmingham.

My interests are anything to do with Sikhi. With Guru Sahib’s Kirpaa I’ve had opportunities to do seva with schools, university Sikh societies, hospitals (as Chaplain), local inter-faith group, Gurmat camps in UK and Europe, and Sweet Sikhi show on radio. I also enjoy posting my experiences and thoughts on my blog (www.manvirsingh.blogspot.com).

Were you brought up in a Gursikh family? How do you feel your family, friends, and sangat have impacted you now?

I was not born in a Keshdhari family but has very strong faith in Sikhi. Thanks to my parents, I feel I have been brought up with Sikh values and beliefs. As a child I remember feeling upset and praying to Waheguru why I wasn’t born in a Gursikh family who would have kept my Kesh and brought me up as a Gursikh. However, I realised that everything is in Waheguru’s Hukam (Will) and there is a reason why we are born with certain relationships and connections. Although my family are not Gursikhs and I have not been brought up in a strong Panjabi or Sikh community, I feel that my experiences and background have made me a stronger person and pushed me further towards Sikhi.

Our town has a very small Sikh community. There are a few Keshdhari men and there were no youngsters in Sikhi Saroop. We celebrated Gurpurbs in our Gurdwara with Akhand Paaths and I would get excited with darshan of Gursikhs invited to our Gurdwara for Keertan and Katha. I didn’t understand Keertan and Katha but I enjoyed sitting at the front with my father and afterwards he would tell me in summary in English what the Giani jee had said.

Going to university was great. With Waheguru’s Kirpaa I found Sangat which provided me with new experiences and kept me going. I learnt that Sangat of Gurmukhs who inspire and encourage Naam, Baani and Rehit is the true Sangat.

In today’s world we are lucky that we can have Sangat through radio, Internet, Keertan and Katha tapes, which really helped me to understand, inspire and take positive steps in the right direction.

How did you first come into Sikhi? What influenced you? What interested you? What was your starting point, if you had one?

As a child my parents encouraged me to read stories and sing Shabads at the Gurdwara. My brother, cousins and I were introduced to seva and were made to distribute langar and give out Parshaad. My father and I would always sit in the front and participate in Saadh Sangat and listen to Keertan (as well as sing along aloud) and Katha. Going back home from the Gurdwara, my parents or family members would ask, “What did you learn today?” We would discuss what Giani ji talked about and the meaning of the Shabad sung.

We used to go to Gurdwaras in nearby cities to attend Nagar Keertans and Gurpurbs. I was fascinated and inspired by looking at Singhs and Singhnees wearing Baanaa (Khalsa attire) and beautiful dastaars (turbans). They looked like Guru Gobind Singh jee & Mata Sahib Kaur jee, and reminded me of the Singhs and Singhnees of the past, in the stories I was told about. They looked like true princes and princesses who were crowned with their royal turbans. I would ask myself why I don’t look like them? Why don’t I look like what the Guru wants me to be?

The thirst for Sikhi increases when one experiences seva, Keertan, Sikh history and the pyaar of Guru Sahib. I never liked having my hair cut. I wanted to keep Kesh but I never had the confidence or strength to make such a step. I felt guilty and ashamed of myself when I thought of great Sikhs like Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh jee. At school people would ask, “What religion are you?” Knowing of the sacrifices of the four Sahibzaaday, I felt I was a disgrace to my religion because I had my haircut and still had the nerve to call myself a Sikh.

When I was 15 years old, after finishing year 10 at secondary school, I planned to go to Panjab in the summer holidays. I wanted to keep my Kesh, so I didn’t cut my hair for a long time. Before I went on holiday my father told me, “have a hair cut, you look scruffy!’ But I didn’t want to, because I wanted to fulfil my dream of accepting my true identity given by Guru Sahib. In Panjab, my cousins asked me: “Do you want to get a haircut from the village Barber?” “No!” I answered. I didn’t want to cut my Kesh on the land where the Sikh Gurus and great Sikhs sacrificed themselves and lived Sikhi with their Kesh intact till their last breath.

The decision to keep Kesh was very tough. I thought what my family would think of my keeping Kesh. I was worried what my relatives, who have a negative image of Singhs, would think of me keeping Kesh. Thinking of school, I thought what would people at my school say or do if I kept Kesh, fearing racism and abuse.

I decided to stop cutting my hair and wearing a dastaar in the Christmas holidays (December 2000 – January 2001) during studying year 11 at secondary school. My father, feeling concerned that I wouldn’t able to cope with the responsibility and pressure of being a Singh, said that I would face numerous problems and asked whether or not I am willing to face those challenges.

“Singhs find it difficult to get married!”
“Singhs struggle to get good jobs because of racism!”
“In a town where there aren’t any turbaned Sikh children, you will face racism!”

I remembered reading Bhai Gurdaas jee saying:

“Take one step to the Guru, and the Guru will take millions of steps forward to welcome you.”

I replied to my father: “The Guru whose path I have chosen will look after me”. He felt at ease and proud, and gave me his blessings.

Was there any one thing that kept helped you keep your motivation and faith?

Waheguru is amazing. Guru Sahib has given his arm to us to hold. We have been blessed with such a beautiful religion, way of life, history and the greatest Guru – this is a great blessing. Guru Sahib is the one who gives us faith and hope. He is ocean of love beyond our comprehension. Our history and Gurbaani is the greatest motivation and inspiration. From this we get strength and without this we would be nowhere.

My parents have helped, supported and motivated me to do seva and go further with Sikhi. They themselves may not be fully practicing Sikhs however they have pushed me to go further. My mother has always believed and helped me with all the love in the world. May Waheguru bless them.

When did you get blessed with Amrit and what was the reason you wanted to give your head to Guroo Maharaaj? How did being blessed with Amrit change your lifestyle? How were your family with this?

After my A-Level exams, I went to India in the summer holidays with my mum with the intention of taking Amrit before my 18th birthday. On Wednesday 2nd July 2003, with Waheguru’s Kirpaa I gave my head to Guru Sahib and received Amrit from Sri Akaal Takht Sahib and spent some weeks by myself at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.

During Sixth Form College I started to keep Rehit and made it a routine to read Gurbaani in the morning, evening and night time. Eventually with Waheguru’s Kirpaa I was able to read full 7 Banian, Nitnem and began to wear the 5 Ks. Keeping Rehit before taking Amrit helped me to prepare myself for Amrit so that I didn’t have any shock.

Life truly begins after taking Amrit. My family fully supported me taking Amrit. Initially it was difficult to deal with people drinking alcohol in the house, family weddings where there is alcohol and meat, and wearing Baanaa all the time. However, as time has passed I have been able to explain my feelings and reasons, which they now respect and support me with.

There seems to be an ever growing battle in the western world to tackle the vices which can seriously affect our Sikhi. What would you say can help get overcome these in our day to day life?

Only through Waheguru’s Kirpaa we can be saved. Holding on to Guru Sahib’s arm and taking support Naam, Baani and Rehit, even sinners are carried across the world-ocean.

Guru Sahib says:
“O mind! The Guru is the boat, the ship, the raft (to ferry across the world-ocean); (taking refuge in the Guru) meditate on Waheguru, (whoever meditates and chants Waheguru) shall be carried across to the other side. ||1||” (Ang 1040)

Through Baanaa (external appearance) and Baani (Guru’s Shabad) our honour is saved. It reminds me of the story of Bhai Joga Singh jee and how Guru Sahib saved his honoured through the blessings of Sikhi Saroop. Guru Sahib is always with us – remember this and life takes a new meaning.

Who is your role model? Who has been your main source of inspiration, past and present?

My inspiration and role model is our Guru. We are blessed as Sikhs that our Guru Sahibs are the Perfect examples of character, spirit and inspiration. All Gursikhs who follow the Path of the Guru and exemplify the Guru’s teachings are an inspiration for me. Sikh history is endless with inspirational Gursikhs.

When I attend camps in UK and Europe I see so many Chardikala young children, mothers, fathers, and sevadaars. It’s amazing just to think of the glory and kirpaa of Guru Nanak Sahib jee showered across the world. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi.

There are many challenges facing Sikh youth nowadays. Which do you recognise as the most important ones we need to address?

There is need for us all to read, do vichaar and understand Gurbaani. Without Naam, Gurbaani and Rehit we are nothing. Through Naam, Baanee and Gurbaani and recognising that we are children of Guru Gobind Singh jee and Mata Sahib Kaur we will have peace and harmony in life, with our fellow Sikh brothers, sisters and in the Panth. I was inspired to read a Gursikh’s post on the Internet, who wrote:

One God: Waheguru
One Guru : Sahib Siri Guru Granth sahib Ji.
One Group : Guru Khalsa Panth!

This should be the Motto of Our Generation

Gurbaani says:
“Come and join together, my brethren; dispel your sense of duality and let yourselves be lovingly absorbed in the Lord. Associate yourselves with the God’s Name; become Gurmukh, spread out your mat, and sit down. ||1||” (Ang 1185)

In your opinion, what is the best way for the youth to learn about Sikhi, and how can we all do our part to educate others as you do?

The power of Ardaas is immense. Guru Sahib says:
“The Ardaas (prayer) of the Lord’s humble servant is never offered in vain. Nanak takes the strength of the Perfect Lord of the Universe, the treasure of excellence. ||2||13||77||” (Ang 819)

Asking Waheguru for guidance, knowledge and understanding – Waheguru will offer opportunities to learn. Nowadays through Gurmat classes, youth Keertan darbaars, camps, and workshops up and down the UK and other countries in the west. Take advantage of this opportunity.

Sangat with those that inspire and encourage Naam, Baani and Rehit is important. Through reading Gurbaani, listening to Katha and participating in Keertan we are able to do Sangat with Guru Sahib. Reading autobiographies of Gursikhs we are able to have Sangat with Chardikala Gursikhs of the past. Through radio, Internet, audios, and DVDs we are able to have Sangat with a large network of Sikh Sangat through which we learn from one another and are able to support one another.

We are nothing. We are mere vehicles for Guru Sahib to use do carry out his seva. There are opportunities to share the glory of Sikhi and share the message of Guru Nanak Sahib jee with others to help the world through offering to do talks at schools, volunteering to talk to patients at hospitals, offering to help out at a Gurdwara stall or participating in local inter-faith groups.

What do you think about Sikhi camps, and in what ways have they affected you on your path to Waheguru?

To sum up Sikhi camps in three words would be “sangat”, “bliss” and “inspiration.” I love going to camps and having darshan of Sangat from different places. You learn a lot not only from elder Gursikhs and speakers but also from young children. Everyone has something that you can learn from and be inspired by. In 2006 with Waheguru’s Kirpaa I was able to go to camps in France, Denmark, Germany, and in the UK – Sikh Missionary Society camp, Boss Sikhi camp and Khalsa camp. I will never forget my experiences in Gurmat camps which have giving me strength and hope in the path of Sikhi, and reminding me that Sikhi will never finish and will continue, shining brighter and brighter in the future.

Manvir Singh Khalsa, Thank you so much for reluctantly agreeing to give us this interview. Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Gauree, Fifth Mehl: To sing the Lord’s Praises is my treasure. ||1||Pause|| You are my delight, You are my praise. You are my beauty, You are my love. O God, You are my hope and support. ||1|| You are my pride, You are my wealth. You are my honour, You are my breath of life. The Guru has repaired that which was broken. ||2|| You are in the household and You are in the forest. You are in the village, and You are in the wilderness. Nanak: You are near, so very near! ||3||3||156||” (Ang 214)

Bhul Chuk Maaf Karnee.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team

Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month. please tell us something about yourself, your schooling, your interests and your hobbies.

This is another very difficult question for me to answer. Why? Because I still don’t know much about myself. So what can I really tell anyone about myself? Probably some psychological (personality) disorder I take it?…lolz. what am I suppose to tell?

Well I am a very selfish person, but slowly with guru sahibs kirpa it is changing. I just graduated from Univ, so now I’m back home. Will be applying for a job soon. If you haven’t noticed, like all the other Singhs and Kaurs, I love joking about and laughing (even if my jokes are lame… that’s besides the point here lol)! I got that from being with people who are very happy all the time. I’m sure you wanna know the reason? I did and I asked them for all of us;). It’s Gurbani. They listen to Gurbani kirtan, kathaas, and do naam simran most of their time. And and and of course most of them said they do lots of seva!

I have many hobbies but I will share some of them. I love taking long drives with loud kirtan playing or raag in the back. If there are some people traveling with me then it always become a good time/place for discussion! I love reading books and materials online, like Sikh forums, articles etc. I love surfing Net.

Who is your Role Model?

Everyone yet NO ONE! In other words Akal purakh(bani). Waheguru lives in all, and we can learn from everyone. We don’t know who (or in what situation) waheguru’s going to use to teach us a very important lesson. If my role model is Akal purah waheguru then it means everything in this creation can be considered as my role model, because as gurbani says he created the universe and also lives in it!=)

Just think of anything in this world, and now think about that thing’s qualities. All right I’ll be concrete. Think about: Water, dog, fish, rose, tree, star, sun…. list is limitless just as Akal purakh!

In your words how you explain sewa? How can today’s youth of western world take their time off to do sewa?

I have been blessed to have heard many gursikhs talk about seva at gurdwara sahib(s), audios (katha) and outside of gurdwara sahib. Seva: Literal meaning in English, is Selfless Service. When I was little I remember my Biji (grand mom) singing to us sometimes, “seva nu laddga meva kar koi dekh lou.” I never knew what it meant, but she would tell us what seva we can do and what we will get out of it (come on who doesn’t want reward for doing something when we were little? lol) and as long as I have lived in Punjab, I had noticed in people the humbleness and an intuitive desire to help others with no personal gain. This love for humanity and serving the creation is in all of us, but those who do seva know it is only by waheguru’s blessings that they are able to do what they are doing.

Till this day it makes me feel proud when I see people doing selfless service, and being kind to others. It’s the love for the others, the care and respect for others that they show. Seva isn’t something that can only be done on a bigger level, but it usually can be little things that everyone can do.

Few years ago I learned it from a little kid at gurdwara sahib. He talked about seva and said that he does seva by helping his parents when he really doesn’t want to help them. He said, “I would bring them a glass of water, and sometimes clean the table after eating.” Little things like that can be considered as sewa. I never thought that seva started from home until I heard from him, and saw his teacher at gurdwara sahib teaching everyone about what kind of seva they can do at home. Seva and simran go hand in hand as can be seen in our history. These two S’s help us a lot in reaching our goal (purpose of life)! Watch people do volunteer work or seva at Darbar sahib or any other place and you will see it! Experience it for yourself!

What do you think of the use of instant messengers like MSN, Yahoo etc..? What kind of impact do u think in general?

Every thing has its negatives and positives to it. For me, MSN have been a very positive experience. I have met most of my sangat of now through MSN or by other means of Internet communication. But one does have to manage one’s time. It is very easy to loss track of time when you are online. And we all know how valuable time is. Gurubani warns us about wasting time, and advices us to use it wisely to our advantage. By no means am I advocating that one should use MSN etc. We all should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of using msn or any other communication devices. Use it for good and not for your or someone else’s destruction!

And don’t spend all of your time online (as I used to ). Smell the roses, and experience the beauty of nature. Waheguru lives in it. He creates these beautiful paintings for us to see each and everyday! (I don’t know about you but it makes me feel special J) They are never the same! Sun sets, clouds, stars, moon, rain, flowers, trees, birds, lil animals jumping around, list goes on and on…! Take sometimes to appreciate the creation and feel the presence and beauty of the creator in it.

Should youth only have friends from Sikhi background? What are your views on having Non-Sikh friends?

I have been fortunate to have friends from many different backgrounds. Our Guru Sahib was friends with all. And we are blessed that our Guru sahib preaches that. I’m sure we all have heard many sakhis(life stories) of guru sahib and people from different backgrounds. There are just so many. One that I stands out to me from the first Jyot , Guru Nanak dev ji’s, is the one where he went to two different towns. I am going to be very brief about it because we all have heard of it. He was treated very differently in both towns. The town that treated him with respect and were very kind to him, he blessed them and told them “Ujjaar javo” (Abandon – Scatter). I think of it that way. Good people are everywhere, and they can be found in every corner of the world proudly wearing guru’s given turban.

I have had many people come up to me and ask for help, just because they see me wearing turban. It always shocks me. I’m sure most of you have had similar experiences. It’s something about the way Guru Sahib has given us this dress, that pulls others towards us. Really a blessing.

Anyhow back to the question. We all live in a diverse society, and we should be grateful for that. As much as I have learned about Waheguru Akal purakh, and His creation, it is by having discussions with my friends of different backgrounds about religion. My friends asked me such questions that I would’ve never asked myself about my religion, God, or even the culture I was brought up in. It was these questions that pushed me towards Sikhi. My friends helped me see the beauty in Gurbani, and the lifestyle of true Sikh. I also asked them questions about their way of living, and got to learn a lot about them as well. I think because they were from different faith helped me actually become a stronger person.

It also has made me more open to everyone’s views. Guru sahib told us to love everyone, and see One jyot (Akal) in all; see the similarities in others/ see them as human beings not what color, creed, race, religion etc they are from. And having diverse friends has just done that for me. I don’t see them as what their religion is, but as human beings.

Also it works both ways. My friends got to learn about me, and I got to learn about them. So there aren’t any insecure feelings left between us. So at the end of it, I would say it helps us realize something very beautiful: (that) we all really are the same (human) and living on a same planet. For me loving them has been very easy because of what Maharaj ji teaches us about life on earth and being a human being!

Guru sahib tells us to have a good company and by good fortune all my friends were godly people. Once my friends and I sat down and ended up puzzled by this: how is that we all are strong in what we believe in, yet it has never created any type of fights between us. Have friends who will help us become a better person! And be a person who helps other become better. And please don’t judge others.

What is your message to Sikh youth reading this interview?

I am not the one to actually give a message to anyone. I myself am a learner, and have many faults within me. Gurbani is the bani of Akal Purakh as we all know and is the true message that should be followed to live a happy, content, and successful life. It helps us live our life to the fullest. It frees us from the bondages set by the society; Maya, illusions etc. As Guru Sahib says: Naam Jappna (simran), Vandh Chakkna (share) and Kirt karni (honest earning). Listen to as much Gurbani, Kirtan, Kathaa as you can! I can never get enough of it because there is just so much to learn and feel the love! It is the only way we are going to understand ourselves.

Here I would also like you to think about this story I heard from other: Once there was a spiritual person living in a town. And every time he would pass by this one house, the owner of the house; a lady standing on her house roof would taunt him by asking “Tell me is your dhari (beard) better or a dog’s tail?”

This happened almost everyday but the sadhu/saint never bothered to answer her.

Then came that day, when he knew that it was time to leave this body. It was the end of his journey, and he asked the people to go and get that lady. They brought her to Sadhu’s place. He said to her “Remember how many times you asked me single question that whether my beard was better than a dog’s tail? Well let me tell you now, it’s the beard that is better! And the reason I couldn’t answer you before was, because it wasn’t the end of my life and I could’ve done something so destructive and wrong that it would’ve made a dog’s tail better than my beard.”

In other words, as kabeer ji says “kabeer garab n keejeeai ra(n)k n haseeai koe ||
Kabeer, do not be so proud, and do not laugh at the poor.

ajahu s naao samu(n)dhr mehi kiaa jaano kiaa hoe ||39||
Your boat is still out at sea; who knows what will happen? ||39||”

I really don’t deserve to be the youth of the month. I don’t do anything that a Sikh should be doing. I’m just a particle who is filled with so many demerits. I have no virtue, and that’s why I am far away from the reality of things. Please know that I am on a path just like all of us are, and sevadars asked me to do this interview, but I am nowhere close to being dhoor of a Gursikh. My views on several issues will change, as I meet more Gursikhs in life, for better!

And know this too about me “gala(n)aee asee cha(n)geeaa aachaaree bureeaah ||
We are good at talking, but our actions are bad. manahu kusudhhaa kaaleeaa baahar chittaveeaah ||
Mentally, we are impure and black, but outwardly, we appear white.”

I’m not a writer or a good speaker so forgive me for the lack to clarity and writing ability.

Gursikha ki har dhoor dey ham papi bhee gath paahie

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.

For the first time in Youth of the Month history, we have not one, not two, but three youths. Their names in the past month have shot sky high around the UK and the world. Their devotion, their love for each other and Sikhi has brought together people in Gurdwaras, to put aside their differences, and pray, sing keertan and talk to one another.

Bhai Harvinder Singh, Bhai Satvir Singh and Bhai Tajinder Singh were all found arm-in-arm as they tried to save each other from drowning in the Lake District on 23rd September 2006. They were all best friends of each other and known and loved by so many.

Harvinder Singh was born in January 1991. From the start, his parents had brought him up in Sikh congregation so he would stay on the path that Sikhi teaches us. They moved a stones throw away from Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Sedgley Street , when Harvinder was about 6 years old. From then on, he would spend all the time he could at the Gurdwara, becoming a lovable figure to many who went there. He started off playing football with his brother and few friends there and gained a lot of new friends who went on to join him in learning gatka when the Gurdwara started the classes. What started out as a class turned into a passion. He would go there two or three times a week and practice, sometimes on his own, what he had learnt in class. But his thirst to excel in gatka was far great and he began examining gatka videos by akharas from around the world and mastering the moves himself. This was particularly evident in the most recent videos made of him. In August 2006, he attended a short Gatka boot camp in India , where he and his brother underwent some intensive training and this really was a boost to his confidence and he became one of the youngest, best Gatka players in the country.

One day, Harvinder Singh went with some friends to play football at a local park. When he got there, he met a Singh who had just recently come from India and was living here on a permanent basis. He stood out from everyone else. He was unique. His smile was contagious. His teeth were perfectly bright white and he had a very positive, spiritual aura about him. Harvinder Singh approached him after kicking around a ball in the teams and they began talking, laughing and joking with one another. They had a brilliant time and when Harvinder got home, he told his mother of this “new Singh” he had just met. He told her that he didn’t know what it was about that Singh who he had just met, but he explained how he felt like he had known him for a lifetime. This was the first meeting of Harvinder Singh and Satvir Singh.

Satvir Singh was born in 1989 in India. He came to England a few years before he passed away. He was an exceptional young lad. He became very close to Harvinder and began learning gatka as well. In the space of about 4 months, he became a brilliant gatka player. He used to learn with and from Harvinder Singh. They had a lot of love for each other like brothers should have and their friendship was admired by all who saw them. Throughout a lot of his life, Satvir Singh felt lost. He kept his hair when he was young, but in a moment of madness, he cut it earlier this year. He didn’t tell anyone of this and hid away from Harvinder for a few days. Then he rang Harvinders brother, and was in tears as he explained what mistake he had made and he couldn’t bare to face Harvinder with his hair cut. He was scared of not being teased… but he was scared of upsetting Harvinder, who had treated him like his blood brother and vice versa. But he realized he would have to face the music sometime and indeed he did. Harvinder wasn’t one to judge or hold any kind of grudge. Like a true Khalsa would do, his aim was to support his brother and help him back on the right path to Guru Jee.

When Harvinder Singh came back from India at the beginning of September… he was in for a shock. In the short time that Harvinder had gone to India and come back, Satvir Singh had kept his hair and been gifted with Amrit. Harvinder was really happy and really proud too that Satvir had become a True Khalsa. The love that Satvir had for everyone he met was so overwhelming. He had that smile which was infectious to all. His smile was perfect and you could see his bright white teeth light up when he laughed. He was complete as a GurSikh and had truly found himself. He was successful in his studies. He was loved and liked by everyone. His message to all was to unite and become a true Khalsa force.

Tajinder Singh was a first cousin of Satvir. He was a tall, dark and handsome GurSikh. He had a lot of nimratta and was very learned and wise. He was the most sensible out of the three, but at times you could see the teenager in him come out. He was funny in the cool, serious kind of way. He had recently started coming to rehansbhaee’s and other programmes and helping other Singhs in the seva of recording. He would stay there all night from start to finish. His presence was very strong and everytime I saw him he always used to wear bana – the Sikh attire. He had studied at university level, despite emigrating from India not too long ago.

Ive never cried so much in my life. I watch the videos of them and my eyes squeeze out tears because im all cried out. For us, i guess this is a loss and the pain of them leaving will never heal, but for these three Singhs, they achieved what many won’t even achieve in their entire life… Mukhti (one-ness with Vaheguru). Everyone in Wolverhampton looked on these three as shining examples of true GurSikhs. They werent perfect, and they knew that, but they tried in every respect to better themselves and they did. Together, they taught one another… shared in each others laughter, each others tears and had love for each other like even some blood brothers dont have. They always talked about immortality and being immortal… and i guess with Guru Jee’s grace, they have become just that. Their spirit lives on. Their seva lives on. Their pyaar lives on.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
SikhSangat Sewadars

Please tell us a little bit about yourselves to begin with? What are your hobbies? What do you do to chillout? What do you get up to in a typical week?

‘Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh! I’m 22 just graduated from uni, in Disaster Management & Technology, yes it’s a very DIFFERENT course to say the least but one which was very interesting! It involved studying the impacts of natural and man-made disasters and then looking at aspects such as social, economic impacts etc, and at prevention schemes, emergency planning, emergency response. So I’m hoping now to work along the humanitarian route. Getting bored yet?! Should I carry on?! lol..

As for my hobbies, I enjoy singing, basically picking up the vaaja (harmonium) at any spare moment I have and singing kirtan. I love it! I enjoy sports such as basketball and tennis and then all the usual stuff; socializing, reading, and meeting sangat at any opportunity. To chill out I enjoy taking my car and going for a nice drive, which is quite relaxing, and of course listening and singing kirtan along the way… can’t be done without!:) I’m based in walsall at the moment staying with my sister as I studied at uni in Birmingham, so I have gotten to know a lot of sangat here in Birmingham and life never gets boring here. There is always one youth programme or another which I can go to, so this is the best thing about being in Birmingham. Being a student, typically, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands during the past 3 yrs! So in a typical week apart from going to lectures and all the hardwork I put into my study I took every opportunity to spend time with sangat and go to all the programmes as well as being involved with the Sikh Society at Birmingham Uni. I would go to the Gurdwara often too, popularly to Soho rd Niskham Sevak Jatha Gurdwara, Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick and also to Bebe Nanaki Gurdwara, Rookery rd. At the moment I’m in a transition period where I’m unfortunately getting ready to go back home to my parents in Slough after 3 yrs here in Birmingham, a place which I don’t want to leave!:( So a new phase in my life will now begin as I go back home, my career! I will have to look towards getting a job and starting my career, which I guess is an exciting prospect…!

You have been brought up in a GurSikh family since you were born and have always had the Sikh influence in your life. How do you feel that has impacted you looking at yourself now?

Yes since birth I have been brought up in a Gursikh family, which I am thankful to Waheguru ji for. I believe it has truly helped me in that, Gursikhi living was my way of life and it was the norm for me. My parents taught me a lot about Sikhi. When I was young, I remember my dad always telling me a different sakhi on Sikhism every night before I went to bed, so as I grew older, Gursikhi jeevan was my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The sakhiyaa were always something that made me aware of being strong in Sikhi, especially learning about all the Kurbaniyaa of Singhs and Singhnees during and since the Guru’s times and I feel we owe it to them, because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be where we are today. I had the opportunity of always being with sangat and very spiritual Gursikhs through the link of my parents, whether it be local sangat, or at various programmes, and this helped a lot because having Gursikh sangat is very important. I was also encouraged along with my other siblings to learn kirtan and this in turn helped me pick up and read Gurbani very easily. My parents spoke Punjabi at home, and so I am able to speak Punjabi and read and write as I also went to Punjabi school. Knowing Punjabi/Gurmukhi I feel is very important in terms of linking – religiously and culturally. I feel very privileged and humbled by the fact that I am born in a Gursikh famiy, because a lot of youth these days who are getting into Sikhi may not have had the same privileges and have a bit more of a struggle learning about Sikhi at a later age. So I hope Guru ji blesses us all in being better Sikhs each day and keeping up the Utshah to always be learning and praising His name endlessly.

You are an inspiring keertani to many, especially girls around the country, as there seems to be a lack of Singhnia compared to Singhs, who can sing keertan. What has motivated you to learn keertan? What has inspired you? Where have you learnt from?

Firstly, I don’t personally think there are a lack of female kirtanee, to my knowledge there are loads and are kirtanee of a high standard! but no-one gives us time or acknowledges us as much!lol I think it has become the norm’, so to speak, to only know of Singh kirtanee-aa more so than bibia, I don’t know why this is. Maybe someone else could please enlighten me on this one?! I think us girls need to project some Singhni-Power and bombard programmes! lol

My sisters who are much older than me used to learn and sing kirtan, so that was my initial inspiration and also we’d go to all night monthly rehnsbai-kirtan programmes. This was an inspiration to me also. I always felt that I wanted to sing kirtan too. So from an early age I used to go to our local Gurdwara sahib and learn from the Granthis there. Also, my sister would teach me at home too. With gradual practice, I was able to listen to Kirtan cassettes and copy the tunes and the shabads from them on, on the vajaa. I also learnt from Professor Surinder Singh (Raj Academy) for about 3 yrs before I came to uni. I learnt the basics of Gurmat Sangeet from him and also learnt the dil ruba for about 2 yrs but am very much out of practice now! I generally would listen to various types of music also, which increased my knowledge and interest in sangeet too. I would always be the music class maestro at my school! LOL! We would have music concerts and I would participate in playing the instruments and also taking in my vajaa and dil ruba and performing there. But for me it has always been about Kirtan!:)

More recently, you released “Calmness In The Rush” – a Gurbani keertan CD. This was quite a success particularly here in the UK? How did you come about being involved in such a project and why? What made it different from other artistes who have also gone down the same path?

I thank Waheguru ji for giving me such an opportunity in my life to initiate such a project. With His kirpa, it has been very successful. It actually started in Canada 2004 when I was there for a family wedding. I met this uncle, Tarsem Singh Sahota, who heard me sing a shabad at my cousins wedding and he said I should record some shabads, and that he had a studio contact in England if I was interested. Opportunities like this don’t come everyday! so I thought this would be a good chance to do a little bit of seva and produce a cd of shabads for the youth, specifically the non-amritdhari youth. I got in touch with the contact number the uncle ji had given me and it happened to be Kumar Amrit based in Southall. He was well known from the 1980’s Amrit Group. They happily agreed to help me in the project. His team composed the music and all the recording was done in his studio. I wanted the cd to be different, I guess something which would appeal to non-amritdhari Sikh-Punjabi youngsters. So I thought I would incorporate some different styles and genres of music. Also, to give the cd some extra content, we thought it was essential to add some explanatory commentary on what the shabads mean and how Gurbani can help a person in their day-to-day life. The theme of the cd was based on the various stages in life such as birth, youth, middle age and death. It was to put across what a Gursikh’s character should be like and what various situations may affect a person in their life because i believe with the recitation and listening to Gurbani one would have the strength to overcome life’s pressures. A booklet with English translations and romanised Gurbani was another addition to help in understanding the shabads better. More info on this cd can be viewed on www.calmnessintherush.com. All in all with Guru ji’s kirpa the final product turned out well and the response was very positive from the youth who heard it and purchased it. Some youth who had never listened to kirtan and Gurbani before listened to this cd and it was a turning point for them. It veered them to read more Gurbani and listen to other shabads and kirtan itself, which I believe even if it helped one single youth, then the project was definitely worth it. So you can imagine that it was great to hear that a lot of youth were positively affected by this cd, and I’m glad I got the chance to do such seva.

You just recently attended Khalsa Camp this year. How was it?

Yes Khalsa Camp was brilliant very uplifting and inspirational! Camps are always good to have the company of sangat and feel the Sikh spirit! I went to Sikhi Camp in July as well, and that was equally as brilliant. I encourage all youth to go to these major camps and learn more about Sikhi and to experience the life style of a Gursikh. It gives you a chance to meet sangat and to do seva of the Guru. The general sangat should support these camps in whatever way they can, because the sevadaars put in a lot of effort and time to organize these camps. I can’t wait for next summer!

Why do you believe camps are SO important for youths?

Like I said, I think youth should be encouraged to go to these Gurmat camps, because how else are we goin to learn and experience Sikhi in a practical way? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but their level of organized teaching and activities don’t seem to be done on such a scale by our local Gurdwaras. The Gurdwareh have the finance to carry out such projects, which is where the real teaching, ideally, should take place. But the Sikh youth organize these camps themselves for the youth because they believe it is essential and of course they want to. Again, please do forgive me if you think the above statement is out of line, these are my personal views from my own experiences. I believe all youth should take time out to attend these special camps!

In your opinion, what’s the best way for youth to learn about and enter Sikhi.

Essentially I believe, everyone should endeavour to learn, read and listen to as much Gurbani as possible. At the end of the day, this is our Guru ji and if we can’t know what Guru sahib is telling us, then reading all other books is pointless. Alongside this, doing your own research is very important too. We have all the resources, the internet, books, Gurmat camps etc. We are lucky, we have everything in our lap. We should make most use of these resources to gain knowledge and further advance our Sikhi and cleanse our soul. Youth should start by reading the life stories and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and understand the basic teachings of Sikhi first. When entering Sikhi, it is probably most always through sangat, so I believe we should always be there for our fellow non-amritdhari brothers and sisters to educate them and guide them to learn about Sikhi also and what our Gurus gave to us. Our history to date is there to learn and understand why the Guru’s did what they did, why and how Gursikhs sacrificed their life for their faith and what it means to have such faith.

Your interview will be potentially read by hundreds of thousands of Sikhs around the world! Do you have any special message you would like to give them?

Just to respect one another and have love for all. These days people seem to be very quick to judge about anything. So please just always search for your own answer instead of always following the crowd. I guess I mean this more in terms of how people judge eachother. We should have mutual respect for all and we need to stick together if we are ever to achieve anything. For our Sikhi to flourish we have to do a lot of naam simran and seva, so lets all make real efforts in doing this. May Guru ji give us all the strength, courage and faith to walk His path. We should always help a person in need whenever we can, even if its something really small. Every bit counts, and it may make all the difference to the other person. It’s all about daya – compassion.I love you all out there!:) This is not something we should only do on a “Sikhi level” – its something we should do on a humanitarian level. Remember our only Guru is Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Shabad Guru, no-one (person) else. We should pray to be at Guru ji’s charan… always.

Amrit Kaur Jee, congratulations and thank you very much for taking part in our Youth Of The Month project. We hope to hear a lot more from you, and pray that Maharaj continues to bestow His amazing grace on you, which He clearly has done since you were born.

Ahh, thanks for the sweet words, but all greatness is Guru ji’s only, and I can only do ardas to Guru ji that I become a better Sikh each day. ‘Kirpa karau mere deen ke daateh, Mera gun avgun naa bicharau koyee’, ‘Raaj na chahau, mukat naa chahau man preet charan kamlareh’. May Guru ji bless us all and to keep us in his service and to do seva of the panth and the whole of humanity. Take Care everyone!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.

Congratulations on being chosen the first ever youth of the month from Punjab. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

First of all my “Fathe” to all “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”. I am Jatinder Pal Singh from newly made district of Punjab “Sahebzada Ajeet Singh Nagar”. I am 26 years old & running my own business. We are four members in our family, my step-father lives is in Germany, my mom works in export industry and my younger sister is Punjab University graduate.

When did you first got seriously involved in sikhi? What inspired you to stop cutting your hair and become a true Sikh?

All credit goes to my mother because in my childhood she listened to Gurbani audios related to the Saakhi’s of our Guru sahibs. While growing up and seeing my mom listening to gurbani, i started to follow my moms footsteps. Sakhiaan of Guru Sahibs left great impression on my soul. Whenever I got pocket money, I immediately bought small posters of our Gurus & Sahibzadas and I posted these in my room. Having the posters, it always reminded me of their lives and sacrifices. By reading our Sikh history on how Mughals used to give so many different types of tortures to Sikhs just because they didn’t want to cut their hair, so it hit my mind that “Why i should cut my hair, while my forefathers didn’t?”. So one day i stopped cutting my hair and became keshadhari sikh.

When did you take Amrit and what was reason you wanted to go for Amrit ? How did taking amrit change your lifestyle? Have your family members been happy with your decision of following sikhi?

I took Amrit on 17 August 2003, at Anandpur Shaib. I wanted to take Amrit long back ago but i couldn’t because i always thought that i may not follow the real Sikhi and its Rehat Maryada. So around the year 2000, I started following the Sikhi path by not eating meat and started doing regular paath. Since taking amrit, my life became better than before because now I have more confidence, kindness and became responsible Sikh. I believe in equality and God being One. My whole lifestyle changed.

My family and our friends are all very happy about my decision to become rehitdhari sikh. My mother always inspired me and she always wanted to see me as full Sikh and one day her dream came true. she always told me that she wanted to see turban in her home. she has great affection with Turbans because my father always wore turban before he passed away.

Tell us if you participate in keertan, gatka, or any other sevas. How much do you enjoy doing it?

I would love to learn Gatka and Kirtan but I don’t have enough time to learn. But I do hope to learn in future. I have so many responsibilities towards my family. With gurus grace, I never miss any program of my local Gurdawara, I always go to listen gurbani and serve food in Langar and after Langar, I always enjoyed cleaning of utensils with other Gursikhs.

How did you feel when u got your first haircut? Did your friends play any role in it?

My soul still doesn’t know why I cut my hair. I have so much love and affection about Sikhism, but in some way cutting my hair helped me to think so much deeply about the real Sikhi so it haunted me every time i listened to all Saakhian of our great Martyrs and the love they had for their hair that they agreed to sacrifice their lives. It always encouraged me to become a true Sikh and I was always ashamed of myself. So one day Guru Ji bless me and I become a Sikh.

Yes my friends took me to get my hair cut. All of them were Non-Sikh, but they have didn’t have any intensions to kill my Sikhi. They just wanted to help me look handsome in worldly way. My mother was very angry when she saw me with cut hair and she did not talk to me for three days. It hurt my soul and I realized that I had committed a big sin.

Do you face enquiring looks/questions from the people when you go out in public in the khalsa dress?

Yes I faced many problems in public. Once I went to New Delhi Int’l Airport with my relatives and on the entry of New Delhi city we were stopped by the Police and they started harassing us. We came to know that at that time some Singhs had absconded from Burail Jail. The police pulled me out and start questioning me. Later on they let us go but it left a great impact on my life. My relative advised me to tie my beard and have it gelled. But I refused to do so, as i love to parkash my beard open. That event didn’t made me afraid but in fact it increased my love for Sikhism.

What is the level of parchar in your local area? What do u think about the level of sikhi in Punjab?

There is no doubt that many organizations are encouraging the youth and their parents about Sikhism. In our Gurudawars so many types of activities are being regularly organized, like turban competition, Kirtan competition, Gatkaa competition and reading of pure Bani or Paath. These activities are symbolic of good Parchar in my area, but I think that the Parchar should be more encouraging than now, and we also have to inspire other communities about basic principles of Sikhism.

I think that our young generation used to have great respect of Sikhism but recent media (Movies, songs) are destroying our younger generation. They are following hair styles of their favorite actors and actresses. If i had my way, I would suggest boycott on all channels showing songs, movies which are the main culprit and encourage Sikh youth to follow manmat. We need to encourage good family oriented TV channels.

What is your message for the Sikh youth all over the world?

All those who say that Sikhi should be in Mind and in heart but not in roop, they are wrong because this is our Sikhi Saroop which is given to us by Guru Gobind Singh ji. He gave this roop to us so that people can spot us among millions of people. I would request all sangat to keep your hair and wear Turban with pride.

I would like to give you one example that if you want to be a policeman or join the military, you have to enter the academy and you have to learn and follow the rules and teachings and finally you have to wear the police/military dress. Only then you will be recognized in the community and people can easily recognize you and have faith on you. In the same way, it is also important for us to follow the Sikh code of conduct if we want the love and blessings of our Guru Sahibs.

Please abandon all types of drugs and be genuine in life and never hurt anyone and always be ready to help, help the injured animals and protect nature and make a habit to donate 10% of your monthly income. Come into Sikhi Saroop and encourage others to do the same. In this way you will definitely find love, peace of mind & blessings of Waheguru.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team

Congratulations on being selected as the Youth of the Month for May 2006. Please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with, including your hobbies, interests, your job and memberships?

At the present I’m living in Southall, UK and teaching in Guru Nanak Sikh School, Hayes. My interests and hobbies change quite often, ones that I dedicate considerable time to are: Kirtan, dilruba, some web design, traveling, photography, movies, and guess the last one… Anybody?? Yeah, that word starting from “b” What did you think? Blogging.

How did you first come into Sikhi? What inspired you to become a Sikh? Was it difficult to understand a totally new religion at the young age of 16?

I think it’s been now nearly 10 years since I first heard about Sikhs. I finished school in Moscow and went to University in 1996. I started attending Yoga classes to which some friends of mine introduced me. All that I heard about Sikhs was new to me. Although there are over thousand Sikhs living in Moscow I had never seen or heard of one before I started going Yoga classes. Two guys at these classes had their turbans and beards. They both were extremely skinny and very tall; they looked more like Sadhus then Singhs. So my initial impression of Sikhs was: ascetic discipline, healthy and inspired living, acceptance and understanding of the laws of the nature and Creation and respect for it. Naturally I felt pulled towards it.

I always consulted my dad on different matters in my life, so when I heard about Sikhs I spoke to him about that. His perception was quite different. (By the way, he was scientist, but had broadest knowledge in every aspect of life.) So he said that Sikhs are mostly merchants and military, nothing mentioned about spiritual side. I was slightly puzzled. Then one day I remember my dad and me were at Moscow airport Sheremetievo. I guess few people been there on the way to India from Canada or UK. So we were waiting for somebody and then my dad pointed out somebody and said: “Look there, these are Sikhs whom you were talking about!” That was probably my first encounter of Punjabi Sikhs. They proved my dads perception – they didn’t look ascetic with their round bellies and tied beards.

I kept attending Yoga classes, learning meditation, Simran. Best thing I loved was meditations: chanting ‘Vaheguroo’ in a group of 60-70 people. I wouldn’t say that there and then I have decided that I would pursue this path, I was just following its flow, unaware of where it will take me, but open to whatever would come, trusting its power, splendour and wisdom.

These first experiences in meditation and Simran were like opening a curtain on the window in the dark room and seeing these incredible colours of spring beyond. I was overwhelmed every time. In this inspiration I wanted to discover more and more.

What was your parents’ reaction when you decided to follow the Sikhi lifestyle?

I think for them it wasn’t so obvious at first what was happening. When they learned that I started attending Yoga classes they at first got happy: Yoga was much better than many silly things I was getting up to at that time. But I know they were quite surprised when I kept up with it. They thought this was just another phase, another craze and it will pass after couple of weeks.

In 1999 I went to Yoga festival in Moscow and came back with Dastaar. I was actually quite hesitant and really not looking forward to my dad’s sarcastic comments about it. But when I entered the room where he sat reading paper, he was silent for few moments and then said: “It really suits you.” I was soooo happy! Because I thought it’s going to be really hard to get them to be ok with it. I wanted to wear Dastaar for a while then, especially after I attended Yoga festival in France a year earlier. My mom to this day asks me every time if I can take it off so she can see my hair… Oh, well… It was harder with Kirpan. My mum just wouldn’t understand why I carry a ‘knife’ with me… Wouldn’t mention anything about kashhere, LOL.

Everything else was up to me. I was already vegetarian since the age of 14. I always kept waking up at odd hours, so doing Amritvela in my room was ok too. Going Gurdwara for the whole day was good too, because they loved when I would bring back daal and sabzee from the langar So, I guess, I shall consider myself really lucky. I heard loads of stories from my friends here in UK when their Sikh parents would totally freak when kids decide to say keep hair or girl wants to tie a Dastaar.

When you came into Sikhi in Russia, there were very few Sikhs in Russia. Do you see any changes lately in figures there?

As far as I’m concerned figures have probably stayed more or less the same. Only maybe there are more Sikh families living in Moscow now than before. And it’s probably going to increase because there’s Gurdwara Sahib in Moscow now.

Also Russian people became more aware of Sikhs in the recent years. There were quite a few publications in newspapers and magazines regarding different aspects of Sikhi, mostly it was related to Nihungs, Shastr Vidia and Gatka. A friend of mine who works at one of the TV channels took a video crew to Punjab to make film/reportage about Gatka. Also with everything ‘Indian’ or generally ‘Eastern’ being considered cool and fashionable Sikhs and their turbans get more recognition or if not recognition then acceptance.

Just like you, many people from different backgrounds come into Sikhi. According to you, which is the best for them to get more knowledge about Sikhi?

I would say that background doesn’t matter, what matters is open-mindness. If person has previous baggage of whole load of stuff about casts, gender discrimination, etc; that will take a while to get rid of. But probably it still doesn’t matter, because if there’s a quest for Truth within ones soul, background is no more then outer shell that would be dropped, when the true identity of a Sikh (learner) will be accepted.

As you probably noticed there are some people who try to create problems in our community by dividing the Sikh Kaum apart. What are your views on these types of issues and how can these be solved?

Yeah, living in UK I had chance to notice this… You always hear it everywhere: he is Taksali, she is AKJ, he is Nihung, etc. I wouldn’t, probably, say anything new, but if everybody would stop judging and looking out for everybody else’s mistakes and would concentrate on their own improvement, this would be perfect beginning for future unity. People from Sikhs (learners) become preachers, and from preachers became judges. But we are not here to judge, isn’t it? He is.

One of the problems we find in Sikhi today is that when someone is given a bit of responsibility or they are actively involved in major projects, they are scrutinized and belittled by others due to jealousy or personal reasons. Have you ever fallen a victim to this yourself? And if so, what can be done to minimize the problem?

Ahm… we had this problem in Moscow with some Yoga classes and seminars. Since then I guess I try to not to get involved in all these politics, just do seva where’s necessary. I think that’s better attitude than fighting over a little power given. People do get wasted in fighting and being jealous of each other when all this energy might have been used in some positive way.

How you like your job teaching Sikh kids – the next generation of our Kaum?

Imagine, I say here – I hate it! LOL! Of course I like it. It’s not even about Sikh kids, just about kids. But, of course, I get “cutified” every time I walk in playground and these little 4-year-old reception kids run to me with folded hands saying: “Sat Sri Akaal, Ms. Kaur!” I think I have this great chance to teach them about Sikhi at their young age. They are like sponges, so it is important to carry right message across. They hear many things at home, but not always in right details. I hear sometimes crazy things from them – like one of Vaisakhi being described as some type of bloody massacre; so we talk about it, look at the pictures, then next week they forget everything and we talk about it again. Some kids are really amazing with all their knowledge and gift of Kirtan. I see it very important to inspire them to try to understand the meanings of the Shabads and significance of certain traditions and customs.

You are a teacher in a Sikh Public School in UK and you deal with kids all the time. How do you think the adults or the youth can make it easy for kids to learn much more about Sikhi? What methods would you suggest so that the upcoming generation will be strong in Sikhi and have great self-esteem?

Main thing is that we should live it ourselves, not just talk about how it ‘should be’. When kids learn about things that they witness everyday, not just abstract idea, I think then it will make all the difference. For example, when parents do Amritvela, kids already know that it is important. It is essential to give them chance to actually experience things. When adults have some spiritual experience they can relate to, kids often have none. It’s important to give them chance to take part and of course then explain the significance. They would grow strong if foundation is strong. Foundation includes parents first of all, then inspirational figures they might have met or heard of and, of course, understanding “why?” Why do we keep our hair? Why do we matha tek? Etc. Often problem is that parents do teach kids the right things but fail to explain them why it is so important. So while they are young they just keep doing it, but once they’ve grown up they’ll ask why, and if parents will fail then and there will be nobody else to explain it kids surely will underestimate the significance of Sikhi.

You may have attended many Sikh camps. Do you think Sikh camps actually make any difference at all? Are camps with same layout/topics year by year getting common these days? If you were given the chance to run a camp, what would you do and how you will make it the BEST Sikhi based camp for the youth?

I have attended a few camps. The very first one was my best one. But I think it is different for everybody. People go to the camps for different reasons. Probably when most attendees come for socializing rather than spiritual experiences, it’s perhaps the time to rename these camps. I haven’t been going any camps for a while, mostly because you have to ‘fit in’ with people, agenda, etc. But it wouldn’t be fair to say that camps make no difference at all. Even if one person will learn how to become better or have experienced spiritual upliftment it is worthwhile.

How will I make the BEST Sikhi camp? You can’t really say before you done one, isn’t it? Presently Gurpreet Kaur and I are trying to organize one day Sikh camp for our school. We want to include about 300 kids from 10 to 14 years old. This will take place during school day and will consist of activities embracing variety of aspects relating to Sikhi. The reason we want to do it during school time is that all students, even and especially those who would otherwise never attend another Sikhi camp, would be included. The day will be broken up as usual school day, but every ‘lesson’ will be related to Sikhi. For example: food technology – making Prashad; music – learning about tradition of Gurmat Sangeet; P.E. – Gatka, etc.

It is still a project; we are hoping to do it sometime in the end of June. And, by the way, we need sewadars, like many (about 30) of them so if you are interested, please, contact me.

Who has been your main source of inspiration, past and present?

Dedicated people, Masters. Those who can concentrate whole their life on achieving a goal, not like me, scattered all over.

Sukhmani Kaur, thank you very much for agreeing to participate. Is there anything else you would like to add? Any special message for the youth?

Sure! Get off the net, go get some fresh air! LOL!

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa! Vaheguru ji ki FATEH!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team

Please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with including your hobbies, interests, your school and memberships?

My interests are anything and everything Sikh. I am a drop of water who wants to understand even a little about the ocean. I have many hobbies; just about everything I’ve ever been exposed to have become hobbies at some point. My favorite hobbies are the Sikh related hobbies. I enjoy learning raag kirtan, gatka and shaster vidiya (though I don’t often get the opportunity), meditating, reading Gurbani, discussing Sikh Dharma with other inspired people, and living this Dharma. I grew up learning western music with many instruments and I still enjoy that. I really enjoy sports and play as often as I can. I was a gymnast for 15 years and then I was into weight lifting for a long time. I love being in nature and preserving nature. And my passion for life (other than Guru ji) is to do seva.

Who is your role model? Who has been your main source of inspiration, past and present?

Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj! I think about Guru Gobind Singh all the time and just wish I could be any bit like him. As far as people I’ve met (in the physical body) I would say the Siri Singh Sahib, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi ji. He is the reason my parents learned of the Guru and brought me to bow my head to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib from the time I was born. His teachings have given me more than I could ever explain and have helped me to connect with this Dharma and the Guru stronger than anything anybody else has ever taught me.

Its common practice in Punjab that whenever non-Indian Sikh appears in market or anywhere in the society, they divert their 100% attention toward non-Indian Sikh and they continuously keep looking at him/her as if he/she landed from outer space. How you feel about this? Do you get irritated after some time? What is your opinion on this? Is it that those people took hard to accept the fact that even Non-Indian can join the mainstream of Sikhi?

This is kind of funny. There are moments when I get annoyed, but it happens so often when I’m in India that I have to just get used to it. My friends in India who are used to seeing ethnically diverse Sikhs forget sometimes and get annoyed at all the stares when they are with me. What annoys me more than any thing is that people try to hustle me a lot. Even some guys were joking and making fun of Americans because we trust people. Before my first trip to India when I was 21, I had never been treated poorly by any Sikh before. It was and is really disappointing when a man in a turban and beard cheats you or does anything else that we generally trust Sikhs not to do (drink, fight, discriminate, etc.).

I have had interactions with very many Indians (Sikhs and non-Sikhs) in my life that just have a hard time understanding that Sikhi is separate from Punjabi and somebody can be a Sikh and not Punjabi. On my recent trip to India I noticed a lot more tourists at the Hari Mandir Sahib and I also noticed that they didn’t get stared at nearly as much as me or other non-Indian Sikhs. At times I literally had hundreds of people staring at me. I try to keep my posture straight and stand as a son of Guru Gobind Singh. Sometimes I would be walking and people would stop right in front of me to stare. At the end of the day or at the end of a trip to India all I can do is laugh. It’s just something that happens and most people aren’t doing it to be offensive.

Many people argue on discussion forums regarding the issue of Yoga, Sri Yogi Bhajan and 3HO. Do you face these issues often? Do such people interact with you in person regarding this issue? How do you manage to answer such queries? What will be your message to those who continue to seek the wall between sangat in New Mexico and others?

I face these issues often on the internet but rarely in person. I’m one of the few people who have engaged with others on the internet. People think that the slander written on the internet is true and that they are some kind of authority. When I first began hearing rumors and slander about the Siri Singh Sahib and people associated with 3HO I decided that I wanted to know the truth. I have talked to many people on all different sides of dividing lines. In the end, the Siri Singh Sahib taught me more than I can explain and I never heard him slander anybody.

People like to create controversies and divides. My parents taught me that I am a Sikh. Nobody I know considers themselves a ‘3HO Sikh,’ that is a label somebody else created to try and categorize us as different from them. I grew up believing that Sikhs were such great amazing people. I knew and know so many great amazing people within my hometown Sangat. With the internet I got the opportunity to interact with Sikhs around the world. It was very exciting at first, and I learned some things really fast. First I learned that, although there are millions of Sikhs, it is a minority that have the Sikh Dharma as their main focus in life. Then I learned that some of the ‘committed’ Sikhs, who I thought would be people I could relate to, had a lot of animosity towards me and my community. Both of these things were kind of shocking to me. I wasn’t used to Sikhs cutting their hair and drinking and I wasn’t used to Sikhs slandering other Sikhs because they do things a little differently. I believe as Sikhs that we are supposed to be kind to all people and regard all people as our equals.

The reality is that anger and hate come from within. If we are upset about something we shouldn’t slander and try to harm the other person, we should first understand why it makes us upset.

My advice for people creating a wall is that it needs to stop. If you don’t understand the people here, either make an attempt to understand us, or just understand that God’s infinite creation is diverse and we, as finite beings, cannot fully understand it all. We can, however, understand that nothing is separate from God (including the huge diversity of people on this planet and amongst Sikhs). If you notice there is so much slander against us on the internet, and for what? Our whole purpose is to do good things for the world. We get slandered and do we slander others? I have not seen it. We have a great Dharma and this is our focus. I have made attempts at defending my community on the internet, but some people are not interested in peace. I think most of my community is not aware of the multitude of slander and petty arguments and divides amongst ‘Sikhs.’ I think much of my community would be shocked to find out that people slander us, despite our only intention being to live better. The ‘new’ Sikhs would be extremely shocked to read some of the stuff that I read daily on the internet. Most of the new people who come to our community are very inspired. Like I was as a child, most of them have only seen positive and inspiring things from Sikhs. Many people who come to our community adopt the full rehit and become Khalsa, but others don’t and we are still nice and inviting to them. You cannot force inspiration on anybody.

From your blog, we read that you decided to wear chola full time. What inspires you to wear Khalsa bana full time even at job?

I had been thinking about wearing bana for a long time. When I went to India I got the chance to get a lot of clothes. I didn’t want to wear bana on some days and western clothes on other days, so I had to wait until I had enough bana to wear every day. I wear kurtas with churidars as well as cholas.

I really want to be the best Sikh I can be and I feel like bana helps me to achieve that.

Where do you go to get information on anything related to Sikhi? When did you develop the serious relation with Waheguru sahib (Sikhi) ?

I first learned from my parents. I also learned a lot and continue to learn a lot from the lectures of the Siri Singh Sahib. I learned a lot participating on Sikhnet (and other internet) discussions. For many temporal things, such as Sikh itihas and current Sikh news and events I use the internet. For answers to questions of my spirit I ask the Guru.

My whole life I felt aligned with the ideals of the Khalsa. I didn’t (and still don’t) understand why we can’t be peaceful and provide justice for all. Many things made sense for me. However I was also influenced by my surroundings. I didn’t know many Sikhs growing up (the sangat here didn’t start to grow until my teenage years). Always being an outcast, always being ridiculed, always facing abuse was really hard for me as a child. I wanted to be accepted and understood, I thought that ‘being cool’ was important. Though it didn’t matter what I did, I was never ‘cool’ when I was in school.

The only time I really felt peace was when I was in the Gurdwara. Everything seemed to melt away, and it still feels that way. When I was 22 I went to the winter solstice sadhana camp. I spent the whole camp doing yoga and meditation and when I left the camp there was a shift. The outside world felt so different after leaving the camp and I realized what I did there was really powerful. I realized that I couldn’t continue to ‘not meditate.’ I started at that point with a small sadhana including reading Japji Sahib everyday. I gradually added more banis and meditation to my daily sadhana and after only a few months I felt ready to receive Amrit. My whole life has been an attempt to be a better Sikh since that time.

There are a lot of “jathas” around the world and recently, there has been a lot of talk for panthic ekta (unity). In the state of affairs now, is ekta possible and if so how can it be achieved?

Ekta is possible and it is real. Ek Ong Kar, there’s no deviation really. It is the most fundamental teaching of our religion that we cannot be different from the one-ness and the unity that is God. There have always been jathas, I don’t belong to any jathas, but at the same time I am a member of every single one. It is only our mind that allows us to believe that we are separate from anything. God is unlimited but the limitations of our mind cause us to label things as ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ These labels can help us to live a dharmic life, but they can harm us when we apply them to others. As I wrote earlier, we cannot force inspiration on anybody. Likewise it is damaging to insult the inspiration (religion) of others. For us, our inspiration led us to Sikhi, for others it leads to other things. We are not the architects of destiny. We cannot determine what inspires somebody or what causes someone to act differently. We can only have compassion and understanding and realize that the other person is also us.

Ekta starts in the mind. ‘That jatha’ or ‘those people,’ who you think are wrong or different, are exactly the same as you.

What do you think about issues that we should be more concerned while dealing with the Sikh youth?

I think we should concern ourselves that all youth have their basic necessities taken care of and that they are not being abused first. Then, as with all youth, we should concentrate on education. If we want the Sikh youth to carry forth Sikh values, we should teach it to them, and most importantly – in a way they can understand. “Because I said so,” is not a paradigm that works in the modern age. We have to lead by example.

As far as Sikh youth who are grown, I think we might need to remind people that our Guru is our ultimate guide. Often times Sikh youth will ask questions and people will gladly answer, or they will instruct to ask ‘a Cherdi Kala Singh (what about Kaurs?).’ I think the instruction should be to get in touch with our intuition and ask the Guru. We cannot separate ourselves from our minds, Gurmat is attuning our minds to the Guru, it’s not shutting off our minds.

We heard about the S.E.V.A program that you and your friends started back in your town. How do you operate to run this program and how successful it is? What inspires you guys to run such a nice volunteer based program? It will be great if you can tell us about the program.

Last summer a group of Sikh youth were sitting together discussing ways in which we could reach out to our community. Most people throughout Northern New Mexico are used to seeing Sikhs, however many still know very little about us, or that we are even called Sikhs. Just like on the internet, assumptions are made about our community, which are often times surprising to hear. On a couple different occasions with a few different people we discussed this issue.

We decided to have a meeting. From this meeting we formed a board so that we could continue to have meetings. We met weekly and discussed ideas. A couple members had experience with a previous group that dissolved. That group was started with the vision of one Sikh whose ideas for seva were pretty specific. Other people who came to the meeting liked those ideas and wanted to take them in different directions as well. There were many leaders, no common goal, and no common structure. There were no arguments or anything bitter that came from that experience, but it just naturally dissolved. With this in mind we decided to limit our weekly meetings to the board. That way we could easily discuss ideas and decide on a certain project and our approach. Our board is currently five members, and as individuals we often times have different ideas and approaches. However, with 5 people everybody’s idea and everybody’s approach can be heard and we can still be productive. So that we are not exclusive we have open meetings monthly. We try to keep the sangat apprised of our activities so that they can help with any or all of it.

Someday we plan to become a non-profit, but we are not there yet. We have had a few donations which have helped. For the most part we have funded the activities ourselves. I think most of us put aside 10% of all money we receive. My practice is that I put aside 10% of every paycheck I get into a separate account so that I always know what I have available for doing seva.

I feel that the Sikh Española Volunteer Association is successful. We have successfully carried out each seva project that we have planned and we have been pleased with the results. All the feedback we have received has been positive and I think this indicates that people appreciate what we’re doing.

Our inspiration for this comes from our being Sikhs and knowing that service to humanity is one of the foundations of our lives. Also we see the need for service and we see the need for people to be educated about Sikhs.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team