Remembering the Sikh genocide of 1984

Over 100,000 innocent civilian Sikhs were massacred by the Indian army throughout Punjab during the first week of June in 1984. Following the attack, hundreds of thousands of Sikhs have been killed, tortured, and persecuted by the Indian government. Much of 1984 is forgotten history partly because there are limited resources that provide a fair and balanced political context to the narratives of victims and historians. Lost in History: 1984 Reconstructed attempts to be a primary resource for those who aim to understand the genocide. The second edition, released this year, coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of Operation Bluestar.

The second edition retains the same passionate voice as the first, but is more polished, nuanced and objective. New to the second edition is a suggested list of references for further reading. Other lists are provided to help readers with a limited knowledge of Indian history (i.e, me) create a framework: there is an outline detailing the implementation of the President’s rule since India’s independence and a list demonstrating the hierarchy of rankings amongst the Punjab police force. The book also includes over 260 footnotes which substantiate major claims made by the author. The footnotes serve as a useful resource and make the book an excellent reference guide for research.

“The genocide of 1984 demands our attention, for it is in danger of becoming lost in history, buried under communal politics, international relations and the government’s emphatic silencing of human rights workers,” writes the author. We must continue to not forget. We must continue to take action against such abuses, both past and current, both in Punjab and throughout the world. Support the seva of our committed sangat by ordering your copy of Lost in History: 1984 Reconstructed at 1984reconstructed@gmail.com

Kesh

The video speaks for itself. Watch it.

Sound of the day

Jaikara.

A call of victory, triumph and exultation.

Definition as found on (I’m not kidding you) Urban Dictionary.

Listen to a jaikara here.

We have daily successes and blessings. We share them with our families and friends. Wouldn’t it be neat if we as individuals and a sangat expressed ourselves through a jaikara? Imagine if we moved with the same intensity, strength and spirit more often.

Revolutionizing Dasvandh

One of the many responsibilities of a Sikh includes the practice of dasvandh, or sharing a part of one’s earning in the name of the Guru towards common resources of the community. Dasvandh should be distinguished from dan, or charity; contributions made in the spirit of dasvandh focus on projects of universal social reform and maintenance of religious institutions such as gurdwaras and guru ka langar.

Although Sikhs have been practicing dasvandh since the time of Guru Amar Das Ji, the potential of this collective resource remains untapped. The Sikh-American community has only recently started to organize to address current and future challenges, but it still remains paralyzed by inefficiency and lack of consistent funds. The Dasvandh Fund, a pooled investment fund aimed at investing our financial capital in Sikh enterprises securely, thoughtfully and ethically, is the first of its kind (to my knowledge) and currently in the works.

The venture fund is on the lookout for a smart, dedicated and passionate intern to commit 6+ weeks over the course of Summer 2009 to assist in setting up the fund. If you’re the lucky sevadar, you’ll help the fund:

• connect with other non-profits who are structured in a similar way to learn best practices
• build relationships with Sikh non-profit organizations in the U.S.
• construct the member organization application form and ongoing oversight process
• establish a marketing program to publicize itself to the Sikh community
• specify the layout and functionality of its website

If you’re ready to make waves in the future of the Panth, email inderpal.singh@dasvandhfund.org with a brief statement describing your interest and a resume. And after you’re done with the internship send some updates–we’d be stoked to hear them!

NPR: Sikhs Say Army Ban is Religious Discrimination

How did this story get missed by the national news industry? I haven’t seen it as a headline or sideline in any major newspaper. Have you? Thank goodness the word got to public radio. Listen to NPR’s report on our two Sikh US Army recruits who have filed a complaint against the Army over rules that require them to cut their hair and beards and forbid them to wear turbans.

Freedom fighters

From the Sikh Regiment’s sacrifices in WWI and WWII to the current Sikh presence in the United Nations’ security force and Canadian Army, Sikhs have had a long history of serving selflessly in armed forces throughout the world with turbans and unshorn hair and beards intact. To serve in the United States Army, however, a practicing Sikh is forced to compromise his identity and relinquish the basic tenets of his faith. The Sikh Coalition is leading a campaign calling the United States Army to end discrimination against the Sikh identity and allow Sikh-Americans to freely serve their nation. G.N.E’s poetic, revolution-driven, and soulful song Souljas Story is the perfect backdrop to the cause.

Show your support by signing the petition here.

A culture exposed

During college and grad school I somehow managed to bypass the bhangra scene completely. While Sikhs and South Asians at my school packed for trips to national bhangra events and had webs of relationship triangles I couldn’t even begin to tease out, my life during that time resembled shows like Gilmore Girls and Smallville; Rory’s bookish life in the suburbs included a Korean best friend named Lane (and not Luvleen), and Clark ran at the speed of light to the sounds of Remo Zero (and not to the vocals of Surinder Shinda). Even though I maintained some distance from what to me was a semi-underground culture, I always wondered what it was really like and what I may have been missing.

Times are a bit different now. Gossip Girls and One Tree Hill now have the following of the exclusive 18- to 34-year-old viewing segment. And although TV shows still don’t give a glimpse of what Sikh and South Asian young adult life is like, the blog Sikh Subculture attempts to do so. I felt like a total fly on the wall while reading the narrator describe how the bhangra scene was more like a sports event and how he maintained a love life through instant messaging in the 3-part short story aptly titled “How Bhangra Ruined My Life.” I was also surprised when I felt a pang of regret and a sense that I may have been a bit judgmental towards the experiences of my brothers and sisters in the past.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a CW network writer picks up on the blog and adapts it into a fresh new TV series. What would the Gurus’ think now?

Smooth Music

The Sardar and Sardarni (yup, Sardarnis too) Rockers and Metalheads Group on Facebook sent a sweet message earlier this afternoon giving the heads up on Fatbook, a great band out of Appleton, Wisconsin with guitarist/vocalist Harjinder Singh Bedi. Listened to a few of their samples on their myspace page and already dig ‘em. Wonder when they’ll be touring the east coast…

iSikhi! iLove!

If you’re the lucky winner of the iPod through the Idea Contest, you can try upgrading to an iTouch so that you can load it up with iSikhi, a Gurbani search application!

iSikhi allows you to search the Guru Granth Sahib and view shabads line by line with English translations, much like sikhitothemax. It would be nice if one could quickly look up the Panj Banis though. I’ve also had some trouble with the search function, but maybe that’s because my Gurmukhi needs some tuning up. I’m incredibly happy with the availability of the product and look forward to updates and new features! You can find the download on their home page here.

Call for ideas!

The Sikh Spirit Foundation is hosting an Idea Contest for brainstormers and reformers! A well thought out two paragraphs on how to improve Sikh education or our gurdwaras may win you an iPod, start the breakdown of unhealthy groupthink, and propel our community towards exciting directions.

Maybe I should submit my The Most Fabulous Gurudwara Ever Would list!

More about Sikh Spirit Foundation: it serves to promote Sikh values through education and support innovative projects and organizations in various areas of Sikh community development. Current grantees include Ensaaf, Sikhnet, Sikh Coalition, and Sikh Research Institute. Interested in submitting a proposal? The first cycle opens on April 20, 2009. Check out their website for more details.

Unraveling riddles

Before a beaded string of musical melodies lies a riddle. This riddle, composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, provides much clarity and purpose when revealed.

Mundavani, one of the final hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, is sometimes translated as “riddle.” It precedes Raagmala, “the beaded string of musical melodies.” Mundavani is also described as Guru Ji’s “closing seal” of the Guru Granth Sahib as this composition served to authenticate and preclude any apocryphal additions to the bani (sikhiwiki.org). Like most of you, I have been in touch with these six lines since I was a wee little Sikh. And yet for years I only listened. It was only recently that the riddle of light shined within my mind, heart and spirit.

ਮੁੰਦਾਵਣੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Mundavani, Fifth Mehl:

ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ
Upon this Plate, three things have been placed: Truth, Contentment and Contemplation.

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥
The Ambrosial Nectar of the Naam, the Name of our Lord and Master, has been placed upon it as well; it is the Support of all.

ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥
One who eats it and enjoys it shall be saved.

ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥
This thing can never be forsaken; keep this always and forever in your mind.

ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥
The dark world-ocean is crossed over, by grasping the Feet of the Lord; O Nanak, it is all the extension of God. ||1||

The ਥਾਲ or plate that nourishes us consists of three items: ਸਤੁ or truth or Naam, ਸੰਤੋਖੁ or contentment, ਵੀਚਾਰੋ or contemplation. The three items can be found in the plate of Gurbani. Mindful thinking and critical analysis of His creation and wonder sustains our being. This food for our soul must not just be eaten; let us savor them and allow our palates to absorb each of its distinct flavors.

Naam is an essential ingredient of this plate because it is through Naam that the items are uncovered. The riddle is only unraveled through understanding of the bani and with Waheguru’s kirpa. Once the riddle is grasped it should never be ignored. Rather, it should be enshrined in our heart at all times. Through our devotion and love for Waheguru we are given the strength and fortitude to to swim across the dark world ocean, the sea of fear and ignorance, and the sea of endless cycles of birth and death.

May we always remember the origin and key to this riddle. May I always remain humble when I reflect on this revealed knowledge. May I always be grateful to those who have taught me these lessons. May we swim through our personal obstacles and hurdles with Waheguru’s guidance. May we swim together through the dark sea of hate and intolerance as an enlightened sangat and panth in tune with the melody of the shabad.

Emo Singh

You can hear more of Manpreet Singh here. Even better: listen to his entire album “Take It All.”