LUDHIANA: Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh organised an online meeting with Sikh intellectuals and retired officials to deliberate on various issues relating to religion, socio-economic challenges, education and NRIs.
Gurmeet Singh, coordinator for World Sikh Intellectuals Council, gave a brief account of all participants and distinguished accomplishments of the jathedar.
While inaugurating the virtual meeting, the jathedar mentioned that it is matter of great honour that we have world renowned Sikh intellectuals in nearly all major fields and they are willing to give their expertise and services to find solutions for the challenges facing the Sikh society and humanity.
Daljit Singh, OBE awardee geneticist from UK, observed that according to Sikh tenants, politics is subservient to religion and not the other way around. According to him, Akal Takht is a supreme authority for Sikhs all over the world and was established for welfare of world community. He mentioned that Sikhism is community-based religion and promotes the well being of all strata of society. The prime aim of Sikhism is service, chanting the glories of God and distribution of wealth.
Sardara Singh Johal, chancellor of Central University, highlighted the need for establishing a separate education fund to provide support for the bright Sikh students in getting technical education and skills for clearing civil services competitions so that they can contribute in Indian administrative set up. For this, local gurdwara committees should contribute some part of their resources, he added. According to him, the surplus land available with gurdwaras should be used as seed farms from where help can be provided to small and marginal farmers and farm labourers. “Today Punjab needs visionary statesmen rather than politicians,” he added.
Participating from Switzerland, IAS officer Jogishwar Singh exhorted the sikh students to gain skills in domains of financial management, banking and journalism for economic well being of Sikh community and communicating the lofty ideals of Sikh religion to people all over the world. “We need to help Sikhs belonging to low caste groups and eradicate casteism from our society, as there is no place for casteism in our religion. Sikh youth residing abroad is very dedicated and energetic we need to further ,guide them about basic tenets of Sikhism,” he added.
Speaking from Bangalore, IAS officer S Chiranjiv Singh mentioned that Sikh “Rehat Maryada” came into being in 1935 and there is a need to review it. The practice adopted by various sects should be relooked and uniform codes be formulated, he added. “Sikhism believes in humility, kindness and love for all creatures. Like Christians’ Pope , we should also raise our voices for protecting environment, equality for women and inclusiveness,” he said.
S Navtej Singh, former ambassador to USA, said Sikh youth should feel proud of its rich heritage, values ,traditions and culture. He also said Sikh institutions should give top priority for providing specialised training to Sikh youth.
Justice Jagmohan Singh appealed to Sikh intelligentsia and leaders to practice the Gurmat concept of ‘one sangat, one pangat’.
S Partap Singh, former director general of police said the supremacy of Akal Takht can be protected by ensuring its autonomy. Avninder Pal Singh, director general of HRD planning council, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle also said training courses and camps should be conducted for Sikh youth. A S Nanda, former vice-chancellor of Gadvasu talked about the importance of protecting environment and natural ecosystems and stressed the need for ban on crackers while celebrating Gurupurabs.
In his concluding remarks, the jathedar stressed the need to continue these meetings at regular intervals and forming committees to find workable solutions to various challenges confronting the Sikh Panth.