1. The author argues that Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak, is a scientifically sound religion but has become wrapped in outdated mythology and rituals instead of being represented as intended. 2. Sikh leaders and preachers today lack proper education on Sikhism and fail to provide logical answers to questions from young Sikhs, increasing doubts. 3. The author calls for role models who truly live by Sikh principles of truth, purity, and service to humanity to inspire young Sikhs to take Amrit and strengthen Sikh identity.

1. SIKHS NEED ROLE MODELS An effort to awaken Sikhs Sharan Pal Singh Sandhu

2. Guru Nanak founded the most modern and logically and scientifically sound religion, Sikhism, for the welfare of the humankind; however, it has been wrapped in a cocoon with silken fibres of unauthenticated writings and ancient mythology and is being represented as a ritualistic religion like others.

3. It is true that the new generation demands lot of explanation. It is essential that we must explain to them the true meaning of Sikhism. But who will take this responsibility? The Sikhs do have many preachers, teachers and leaders. Very rarely one finds them talking about the beauty of the Sikh religion, the inner strengths of the system and - more than everything else - the straight forward life that it envisages. Majority of the preachers are not well educated and their explanations do not satisfy the educated young generation. This gap thickens the clouds of doubts in the young minds.

4. What is the utility of Amrit (to be a complete Sikh)? Why is it necessary? There is never a logical reply for such doubts. The custodians of Sikhism do display the religion but can never be held as idols because of their ignorance about the religion and its richness. They do show-off that they are amritdharis but none of them is away from any of vices. They fight for power. They fight for money. They fight to satisfy their own vested interests. They use (misuse, rather) religion to satisfy their ego.

5. Why to be an amritdhari and then be ashamed to be associated with people who are for away from the true image of a Sikh? Why to be like some one who is displaying that he is a Sikh but is associated with falsehood and hoodwinking? None of them create an image of a Sikh one can be proud of. Some of them wear dirty turbans; some wear as if turban is forced on their head. Turban is the most important decorative part of a Sikh. The shabby looking turban makes a Sikh shabby. If one is not having time to clean his clothes and have enough time to tie his turban properly then he is doing more harm by displaying that he is a Sikh. And look at the role models–having Gurudwaras on the basis of caste and reciting Gurbani in those Gurudwaras which says that all men are equal.

6. The semi-literate preachers add their viewpoints, their imagination to unauthenticated writings and ultimately end up with creation of more questions and doubts in the minds of the younger generation. These doubts and questions keep on multiplying. The preachers have limited knowledge and they chain the vastness of Sikh religion. Our preachers do not know that Sikhism is the most scientific religion and a practical one. One has to live it to understand it. Our folly is that we expect such preachers to show correct direction to our young boys and girls.

7. According to Sikhism, the greatest religion of man is love. This is the religion where stress is on deed, on truth, on purity, on self-annihilation and on service of humanity. But what we see around us is – stress on labels, external showmanship, exhibition of knowledge and spiritual arrogance. Why can’t examples be created so that young generation demand for Amrit ?

8. The problem is that the Sikh leaders do display Sikhism but are far for away from true meaning of a Sikh. Their approach to Sikhism is theoretical and in practical sense they are a big zero. They fight among themselves. They play dirty tricks to grab the power. Their greed can be openly seen. In fact these are the Sikhs who only display that they are amritdharis but none of them qualify as a true Sikh. They are not examples of true Khalsa (pure personality). They are cheating themselves by calling themselves KHALSA.

9. It is rightly said that, instead of teaching, parading religiosity, reciting GURBANI (hymns from the holy book) without understanding the meaning, it is essential to live Guru’s word, show in the spirit of Amrit and be examples of true Khalsa . To be a KHALSA is a tough task. It means sacrifice of “I”.

10. Let us be persons like whom our children want to be. The present degradation cannot be ignored and needs immediate attention. It is high time to understand the gravity of the current affairs and wake up from deep slumber .

11. It is indeed a very difficult task but we have to make it possible to retain our heritage in its true spirit and identify. It is our duty to explain the correct meaning of Sikhism and show the right direction to our younger generation. The atmosphere is required to be created where every young boy and girl love to be an A mritdhari.

12. The atmosphere is required to be created where every young boy and girl love to be an A mritdhari. But we need more Babbu Mann’s to give a BIG jolt to awaken the real meaning of Sikhism. Ik Baba Nanak si…..This is Babbu Mann’s exemplary contribution to Sikhism. The Sikhs might realize this now or may be after few decades. Ikk Babbu Mann si jisne Babeian di dhooni la tee……

13. The Adi Granth was first compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), from hymns of the first five Sikh gurus and other great saints, including those of the Hindu and Muslim faith. So what do we do about these saints who were not AMRITDHARIS? Do we think that Guru Gobind Singh Jee was WRONG in doing what HE did? Are the BABAS who are self proclaimed guards of SIKHI wiser than tenth Guru? WAHEGURU JEE KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JEE KI FATEH WAHEGURU BABBU MANN JAHE SIKHI DE PYARIAN NU CHARDIAN KALA VICH RAKHEY……. Sharan Pal Singh Sandhu