Sikh Concepts and Teachings - Sikh culture and Heritage

Question / Answers

(11) Question:-	It is seen that a large number of Sikh families in India and some other countries do not learn their mother tongue Punjabi. Why is a necessary to learn & promote Punjabi?
Answer:-	No community can survive long without its history and value systems. The history and the value system contained in scriptures are generally available in the mother tongue of the people of that community. So, if our coming generations do not learn Punjabi, the same will not be promoted. Gradually, we will not be able to know about our past nor about the teachings of our Masters which are written in Gurmukhi script of this language. It is, therefore, necessary that same should be learnt and promoted at all levels and at all the places where Punjabis, particularly the Sikhs are living.
(12) Question:-	Are there any efforts being made to promote Punjabi language and culture? Make a brief mention of them.
Answer:-	We have a number of organizations aimed at making efforts to promote Punjabi language, literature and culture. Mention may be made of Punjabi Academies functioning in various parts of India & abroad. Punjabi language classes are being organized at various places outside Punjab in India and in all the foreign countries where the Punjabis are living. Various programmes to promote Punjabi music, dances like Bhangra & Gidda and competitions like Miss World Punjaban, Mr. Punjab etc. are being organized by various organizations in the Indian states far away from Punjab as well as abroad. For details of all these activities, you made refer to Sanstha's project publication 'Some Prominent Gurdwaras & Sikh Organizations of the World'. You may also visit Sanstha's site www.sikhpride.org.
(13) Question:-	Give a brief introduction regarding Nanakshahi calendar issue.
Answer:-	This issue of Nanakshahi calendar started when S. Pal Singh Purewal of Cananda prepared a calendar starting from the Birth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 with the 12 months as appear in Bara Maha compositions of the Gurus included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This calendar using the tropical year instead of Sidereal Year (based upon bikrami calendar) was accepted by the SGPC in 2003. However, when in 2010, the SGPC modified it again in such away that it coincided with becoming earlier calendar, it led to a division among the Sikhs. Some Sikh bodies supported 2003 version, and called it “Mool Nanakshahi Calendar” and others, the 2010 version. By 2014, the SGPC had scrapped the original Nanakshahi Calendar from 2003 and reverted to the Bikrami calendar entirely, however it was still published under the name of Nanakshahi. The Sikh bodies termed it a step taken under pressure from the RSS and Shiromani Akali Dal. There is also some controversy about the acceptance of the calender altogether among certain sectors of the Sikh world. A large number of Sikhs feel that Sikhs must have their own calendar starting from the period of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as it will add to our separate identity which we are claiming.
(14) Question:-	Mention briefly the facts regarding Kartarpur Corridor issue.
Answer:-	Since the partition of India in 1947, the Sikhs had been making a daily prayer that the visit to their historic shrine in Pakistan be made easy for them so that they may have a control over there management. As a part of this Ardas, the opening of corridor to Kartarpur Sahib which is very near to the Indian Border has always dominated the Sikh minds. This shrine lays only 3 kms. from the border with India. The person who had been making efforts in this regards included particularly the veteran Akali Leader S. Kuldeep Singh Vadala who was regularly leading deligations of devotees to perform Ardas. When S. Navjot Singh Sidhu went to Pakistan at the time of swearing in ceremony of Imran Khan as the Prime Minister, General Bajwa made him emotional by saying that they will soon open the corridor from India’s Dera Baba Nanak to the Sikh Shrine of Kartarpur Sahib. This issue became an issue of criticism of Mr. Sidhu by the opponents as Mr. Siddu embraced General Bajwa in a fit of emotion. In their view Mr.Sidhu was wrong to show affection for Pakistani Army chief. However, despite the declarations by Pakistan Authorities regarding the opening of the said corridor, the issue had again lost its importance in the political allegations and counter allegations. Thanks God that on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s 549th Birthday the BJP government announced its decision to accept the opening of Kartarpur passage before the 550th Birth Anniversary of the the Guru. Even the foundation stone ceremony was organized both in India as well as Pakistan. Ultimately the corridor was opened on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
(15) Question:-	It is said that the best way of preservation of our documents is the digitization of the same. Are there any efforts being made in this regards?
Answer:-	Digitization is definitely the need of the time for preserving manuscript & handwritten documents including Beers. Khalsa College Amritsar has made appreciable work by digitizing a rare collection of manuscripts. They are also working on digitization of Sikh Heritage images which include photographs of the heroes of two world wars, heritage buildings including Gurdwaras, forts, havelis etc. and paintings of and other art works. There is one organization named as Punjab Digital Library which is also doing a worderful job in this regard. Outside India, the University of California has also started a pioneering Punjabis Digital Archive project. As per this project they have digitized the biographical stories of such persons who migrated from Punjab to California. These stories have been extracted from their diaries, interviews and other reports. Thus, these records of the early Punjabi pioneers will prove a useful history of the Punjabis in this state and will constitute the heritage for the coming generations. The archives so digitized are the result of decades of research gathered by Ted Sibia, a former UC Davis librarian, about the early Punjabi pioneers. Ranganath also worked with the Punjabi American Heritage Society in Yuba City, California, after both groups found a huge resonance between their visions. The Punjabi American Heritage Society has been working to promote cross-cultural understanding between the Punjabi Americans and the broader community in the Sacramento Valley since they were established in 1993.
(16) Question:-	What is the present position of Punjabi Music?
Answer:-	Punjabi Music is very popular throughout the world. In India, whenever there is a function Punjabi songs are enjoyed by the people even if they don’t understand the meaning. A spurt of Punjabi singers has emerged during the last 25 to 30 years. Many Punjabi singers have started their own academies also to impart training. For example, in the memory of S. Ishmeet Singh, who was a wonderful singer, but whose life was cut short when he died very young, Punjab Government has started an institute at Rajguru Nagar, Ludhiana. It provide training in singing and dancing through various courses to all those persons who want to make a career in these lines. It is a matter of regret that many Punjabi singers are not singing good and meaningful songs. Their singing content revolves around drugs, liquir or even weapons with the feeling of violence. The need is to discourage such singers and good Punjabi songs including Folk songs should be encourage and made a part of Punjabi music.
(17) Question:-	Some people consider many wrong things as part of Punjabi culture. How far they are correct?
Answer:-	It has been noticed that there are many persons who have brought vulgarity in Punjabi art, music and literature. They have also tried to adulterate our language by using such vocabulary which should not be a part of our culture. Otherwise, the same becoming heritage for the future generations will put them on the wrong path. For example, it is generally believed that the use of abusive language and use of liquor are part of Punjabi culture. This is, in fact a wrong view, if it is tested by the point of view given by Gurbani. Gurbani wants us to speak soft, polite, and sweet language without using any harsh words. When Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave in Japji Sahib, the concept of God, he described His language as sweet by using the words ‘Bhakhya Bhao Apaar’ Guru Arjan Dev Ji also stated- ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ ਜੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮੋਰਾ ॥ (SGGS, p. 784) Mithh bolrha Ji Har Sajjan Swami Mera (SGGS, p. 784) While describing the qualities of a wife to please her beloved, sweet speech has been mentioned time and again. In fact wife in the spiritual sense is the devotee who must possess this quality to get nearness of God. Mark the words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Baba Fareed Ji given hereunder. ਸਹਜਿ ਸੰਤੋਖਿ ਸੀਗਾਰੀਆ ਮਿਠਾ ਬੋਲਣੀ ॥ ਪਿਰੁ ਰੀਸਾਲੂ ਤਾ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਾ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣੀ ॥੨॥ (SGGS, p. 17) Sehaj Santokh Seegaareeaa Mithha Bolni. Pir Reesaalu Ta Milai Jaa Gur Kaa Sabad Suni. (SGGS, p. 17) ਨਿਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਅਖਰੁ ਖਵਣੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਮਣੀਆ ਮੰਤੁ ॥ ਏ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਭੈਣੇ ਵੇਸ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਂ ਵਸਿ ਆਵੀ ਕੰਤੁ ॥੧੨੭॥ (SGGS, p. 1383) Niwan So Akhar Khavan Gun Jihbaa Maneeaa Mant. E Trai Bhaine Ves Kar Ta Vas Aavee Kant.127. (SGGS, p. 1383) This view point has been elaborated time and again in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. How can, thus, abuses be a part of that language which our Guru wants us to speak. Further, Guru Amar Das Ji has clearly stated the ill effects of intoxicants on human mind and body in the following words ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਮਤਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਰਲੁ ਪਵੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਇ।। ਆਪਣਾ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਖਸਮਹੁ ਧਕੇ ਖਾਇ।। ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ।। ਝੂਠਾ ਮਦੁ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਪੀਚਈ ਜੇ ਕਾ ਪਾਰਿ ਵਸਾਇ।। (ਅੰਗ 554) Jit Peetai Mat Door Hoe Baral Pavai Vich Aae. Aapnaa Paraaiaa Na Pachhaanaee Khasmoh Dhakke Khaae. Jit Peetai Khasam Visrai Dargeh Milai Sajaae. Jhoothha Mad Mool Na Peechaaee Je Kaa Paar Vasaae. (SGGS, p. 554) There are various other verses also, wherein our Guru has made it clear that Sikhs are meant to be traders in nectar, and are not to touch any kind of intoxicants including wine. Further, we should not forget that all kinds of intoxicants adversely tell upon our health and a weak community cannot progress nor can it contribute anything useful to the society.