I am a proud Hindu, having full faith in my religion and its teachings. But frankly speaking, I can’t ever stop admiring one sect of human beings-The Sikh community!
Great writer and Author, Khushwant Singh had an uncanny quality to laugh at himself that made him tell Santa-Banta jokes in his columns. Whenever I come across any such jokes, I wonder how a mole turns into a mountain. Type the word Santa Banta in Google search engine and millions of results appear in 0.61 seconds! All this may have happened in light moments of life but somehow, these jokes hurt. In those moments, I want Google Search Engine to delete all these results once for all in one stroke so that no such jokes ever appear anywhere again.
Today, Sikhs are at the forefront in every field, bravery always remaining at the top among all. If we begin to enlist the incidents of their bravery, the list itself will make a booklet, leave apart the volumes that will pile up if each saga of their valour and sacrificing spirit is narrated. In a flash, images of Saheed Bhagat Singh, Major Chandpuri, Sardar Udham Singh, General Aurora and Saragarhi Sikh regiment appear before your eyes. And we are reminded of the way they suck the breath out of Chinese soldiers in the Galwan encounter. It is learnt that UK is now erecting a statue in memory of Hardit Singh Malik, the first Indian fighter pilot who fought World War I. Then there are fields they have excelled in, be it medicine, IAS, IPS, engineering, literary activities and others. Recently, Narinder Singh Kapani, inventor of optical fibre that revolutionized the communication technology across the world was in news for the Nobel Prize award.
Living among Sikhs for more than five decades, as I have closely observed them, I find them highly religious and devoted, irrespective of their Status or hectic work schedules. Knowing that every community needs a Guru for imparting direction to it, the ‘hukam’ of Guru Gobind Singh that ‘Guru Manyo Granth’ bound the whole of community into such kinship that every Sikh, irrespective of being at the top or bottom of society, pays his obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib with same devotion, faith and extreme devoutness. Having only one ‘existing Guru’ in Guru Granth Sahib has made Sikhs extremely focused with clarity of mind in religious matters. I have great faith in my religion but always appreciate their devotion. As I sometimes visit Gurdwara, sit there in peace, listen to the celestial Gurbani, marvel at the cleanliness maintained and the disciplined way in which the devotees move around, I lose sense of time and want to enjoy the heavenly feel forever.
I have so many Sikh friends. Frankly, just a thought of any of them fills my heart with great warmth, happiness, vivacity and inspiration. ‘Oye!’ echoes in my ears and a finger pokes into my chest, making me smile even while sitting alone. So life-inspiring they all are!
Come on, World, be true to yourself! Admire their excellence and Zindadili. Long live the Sikh community!
