Committee Says Education Should Be Priority For Sikhs

According to Sikhnet "Manjit Singh GK, President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), the 2nd largest Sikh institution in India, said that promoting education and excellence should be the top priority of the community in India and abroad. Manjit Singh, while speaking to a large audience at Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, in Rockville, in the Washington area, said, “A focused attention on the agenda of guiding our youth in the field of education will set the community on the path of a brighter future. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee is committed to have this as our primary mission besides spreading the message of Guru Nanak. We are making sure that our students in the institutions run by DSGMC get quality education and that they aim for high positions.” He further stated, “There should be more open communication between the Sikhs living abroad and the community leadership in India. There is no direct line of communication between them and time has come that we work on this together. There is a need for more constructive feedback from each side.”

He pointed out, “DSGMC in the last one year has been in the forefront of fighting for the Sikh issues in India particularly related to 1984 tragedy.” He also cited the case of recent violence in Hyderabad and the role DSGMC played towards creating dialogue with officials and the state government. He stated further, “We are also very confident that with the change of leadership in the central government, many long standing issues of concern for the Sikh community will be addressed.”

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, a gurdwara in Washington DC, and the chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, while introducing Manjit Singh, brought forth the various concerns of the community. He stated, “Although Akal Takhat is our supreme seat of power, the Sikhs of foreign countries feel that their opinion is not sought on any critical issues. Many times decisions or edicts are pronounced from Amritsar which have long lasting impact on the functioning of the community and yet there is a lack of proper consultation process with the Sikhs living abroad. Dr. Singh also said, “Sikhs from all over the world are ready to assist in helping our youth and there could be mentoring program for Sikh youth in Delhi and elsewhere with the help of accomplished Sikhs from various fields. DSGMC could be the facilitating body for such constructive programs.”

Chattar Singh Saini, Chairman of the National Sikh Center, emphasized that the Sikh community in America is in great need of many copies of Guru Granth Sahib. He stated, “There is a great need but supply is not there. SGPC, the apex body in Amritsar, and DSGMC should work out ways and means to ensure that Sikhs abroad are able to get a copy of Guru Granth Sahib without much difficulty and strain. There should be lax on all kinds of restrictions or barriers which have come up in the recent times depriving many households to have Guru Granth Sahib. This prevents them to have connection with their living Guru.”

Inderpaul Singh Gadh, Chairman of GGSF said, “Our preachers from India are not trained properly to communicate with the youth or Sikhs living abroad due to their lack of proficiency in English and other world languages. They also do not have full understanding of the issues that Sikhs and youth face in the Western world. The training process of our granthis and preachers should be modernized. DSGMC can help in this great need of the community.” Manjit Singh GK promised that he will bring the matter of forming a consultation process involving foreign Sikhs and availability of Guru Granth Sahib to the attention of Jathedar of Akal Takhat as well as SGPC and will play the needed role on these issues. Nanakshahi Calender issues were also raised with Manjit Singh GK and he was urged to play a role in creating a consensus under the aegis of Akal Takhat. Manjit Singh GK was also welcomed at Guru Nanak Foundation of America, another Washington DC area gurdwara based in Silver Spring. In addition, Baltimore Sikh community held a large public function on Friday, June 13, 2014,organized by community activist Jasdeep Sigh Rekhi to honor Manjit Singh GK which also featured a Q & A session with DSGMC Chief."