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Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh !! This post is dedicated to all those Sikhs who have and contine to maintain their Kesh and Dastaar with pride regardless of any obstacle. One of the many challenges that face Sikhs is the hostility many of us face on a daily basis towards our turbans. Sikh parents face the challenge of nuturing and protecting their children from the sometimes very violent reaction our turbans and kesh receive at schools. Sikh children face very real and difficult problems at school - which impact on their self esteem and quality of life. Sikh Parents need to be aware of the challenges children with Kesh face at school and take proactive steps to 'arm' their children with the skills to combat these challenges, and to build their self esteem so they can wear their Kesh and turbans with pride. I grew up in the England of the 1970s - and went to a Church of England School - I was the only Singh and the teachers didn't really know how to deal with me - so treated me no different from the other children - which I liked. We had daily religious assembly, I was in the choir and we used to sing hymns in the local church. I still know all the words to many hymns when they are shown on 'Songs of Praise' - our school song was John Bunyan's - 'He who valiant be'. My parents were very aware of the need to equip me with the required 'Sikhi skills' - and always made an effort to buy me books and sent me to learn Punjabi on Saturdays in the neighbouring town. Going to a Church School and being the only Singh probably made me more aware of being a Sikh than if I didn't. At School we had a Religious Education teacher - Mrs Miller - who would teach us Bible stories and parables - I would always give these stories a 'Sikh' twist in my own 7 year old head - feeding of the 5000 was 'Sacha sauda' - The 'Good Samaritan' was Sajjan Thug and perhaps the strangest - Joan of Arc and the life of Saint Alban - particular favourites of Mrs Miller - were Banda Bahadur and the Great Shaheeds of the 18th century !! In other words my parents made a special effort - which made a huge difference to me. The issue of Kesh looms large in all the lives of Sikh children. At school I had all the usual questions - 'are you a girl' - 'why do you wear that?' - 'Bobble head' - 'Mr Topsy Turvy' - 'How long is your hair' - etc etc People calling me all sorts of names etc. - but mostly just curiousity - having to explain only strengthened my Sikhi. It was when I went to High School that I had problems. I started to wear a Dastar at age 11 and was again the only Singh at a large All Boys School. I am a real believer in proactive action and very soon every one knew if you touched my turban you got a punch in the face. However the older boys were a harder problem. I lived throught violent times - a Neo Nazi renaissance - Skinheads, Football hooliganism and Psychobillies were all a big trend and there was open racial hostility. I could deal with the verbal abuse - even when large crowds of very intimidating older boys would shout at me or sing Football Chants like - 'Where did you get that hat ?' or 'If you want to wear a turban clap your hands' - but if anyone came near my turban I used my fists. The Skinheads and I locked horns - They would attempt to punch my turban off my head - I had daily fights and would come home and secretly wash the blood stains off my uniform - so as not to worry my parents. My parents instilled Sikhi Spirit in me - we were told off if ever we put turban material or Chunees on the floor , we were taught of the sacrifices made so we could wear our Turbans. My Mother especially gave me the strength to be different and wear my Dastar with pride. I always said to myself - I will not let the dastar, given to me by Guru Gobind Singh, fall on the ground. I would face the punches - and give as many back, even though I was only 11 and they were a lot older. This lasted a good few weeks - one time having a full fist fight after school we were caught and stopped by a tearcher. He happened to be my Maths Teacher - he was one of those good teachers - a laugh but you didn't mess with him. You have to remember this was a different time and many teachers were openly hostile themselves or were not very sympathetic. This particular teacher was different - he used to call me 'Samson' - He said to me why didn't you say you were getting this sort of harrassment. After that it was all sorted out. You have to remember this was a different time - a time of corporal punishment and authoritarian teachers - the Cane and 'slipper' were used regularly in our school - every teacher had a size 12 slipper in their desk. The skinheads were 'sorted out' by my maths teacher - they were all caned infront of me - in those days if you got on the wrong side of a teacher he could make your life hell -- I never had a problem again. Now this is my story - it was not very typical - some children faced and face enormous problems - you hear of horror stories of kids in remote places like the Mid West of USA. Parents need to equip kids with the skills to pre empt the problems and how to deal with them. It is harder said than done - I didn't tell anyone, parents or teachers - but it is vital that children tell a trusted person about what is happening to them. Try not to let things get too far - I sorted out my peers by making them aware my turban was not to be touched - don't let even the little things slide - make people aware. One thing parents can do is make kids aware their Kesh may be a target. Make sure they can look after it - many parents 'baby' their kids , you see many kids even teenagers who cannot tie their turbans or their Kesh. Kids should know how to tie up their hair , so they do not 'Freak out' if it does come undone. I think we should all share our experiences and any stragegies we have to cope with hostile behaviour at school - How did you cope ? etc. -- all this will help our youngsters. I don't wear my experiences on my sleeve - I think they made me who I am - because I was 'allowed' to sort them out myself - they made me strong and resilient. In fact my sister told me a funny story quite recently , that I didn't know - She said at her school (a nearby Girls school) I was seen as among the hardest/ toughest kids at school - She nearly wet herself with laughter when one of her friends told her - anyone who knows me will know that, OK I may look like a hardnut ( because of Guru Ji's bakhshi Sardari) - but I am a real softie - one who can be 'tickled' into submission and who cannot recite 'Shabad Hazarey' without crying! -- But because my parents instilled Sikhi into me - I could invoke the 'Strength' to deal with any hardship. Parents need to listen to their children - be vigilant and look for early signs of 'trouble' - they also need to address their childrens' fears and explain any questions they have fully - in other words take the time to nurture them not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. In this post I hope you will give your experiences and pass on any stragegies or ways you coped with experiences at school - to help our younger Brothers and Sisters. Isn't it amazing how in this world all you need to do is tie a piece of material around your head and all hell breaks loose ? you hear many horror stories - that lead children to cut their kesh - some say we should move with the times and not place such a burden on our children. Many People believe it is a modern phenomen that young Sikhs are cutting their kesh and say it was 'easier' before and we should 'Go with the times'. In Sooraj Prakash an incident is narrated where Guru Gobind Singh is asked by Naunidh what is the need for Kesh and Shaster in this day and age - we should 'Change with the times' - Guru Ji gives a beautiful reply, using Gurbani - that the same Moon Stars and mountains are still the same and - they haven't changed - it is only we who have changed and look for the easy way. Kesh and Shaster are ancient Royal symbols - Sardari given to the Khalsa. Here is that particular incident - with an English synopsis from The Encl. of Sikhism - Ed. Harbans Singh (*from Sri Gur Pratap Sooraj Granth - Kavi Chooramann Bhai Santokh Singh Ji - edited by Bhai Sahib Dr Veer Singh -Bhasha Vibhag Punjab - 1992 edition - Vol 14 (Rut 6 aain 1 ansu 47) page 6203 NAUNIDH NAUNIDH, Bhandari Khatri of Agra, waited upon Guru Gobind Singh during his visit to the city in AD 1707. According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, he enquired about the reason for prescribing unshorn hair for the Sikhs. The Guru explained that keeping long hair was no innovation because this had been an old tradition. "But the times have changed," argued Naunidh. The Guru said,"What times have changed? Aren't they the same sun, the same moon, the same water, air, fire and earth as have ever been? The fault lies in us. We have become too lazy and readily resort to such excuses." Naunidh went away chastened. References 1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35 2. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa [Reprint], Patiala, 1970 The Shabad cited by Guru Gobind Singh ( Ang 902) ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਅਸਟਪਦੀਆ raamkalee mehlaa 1 asatpadee-aa Raamkalee, First Mehl, Ashtapadees: ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ik-oNkaar satgur parsaad. One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: ਸੋਈ ਚੰਦੁ ਚੜਹਿ ਸੇ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਦਿਨੀਅਰੁ ਤਪਤ ਰਹੈ ॥ so-ee chand charheh say taaray so-ee dinee-ar tapat rahai. The same moon rises, and the same stars; the same sun shines in the sky. ਸਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੋ ਪਉਣੁ ਝੁਲਾਰੇ ਜੁਗ ਜੀਅ ਖੇਲੇ ਥਾਵ ਕੈਸੇ ॥੧॥ saa Dhartee so pa-un jhulaaray jug jee-a khaylay thaav kaisay. ||1|| The earth is the same, and the same wind blows. The age in which we dwell affects living beings, but not these places. ||1|| Here are some pictures and more inspirational material -- Please do post you own experiences and any coping strategies The 1970s Skinheads/racism - In East London in areas like Little Ilford young school children were attacked by adults - when youths started defending themselves - they were arrested - The Newham 7 and the Newham 8 School Children on strike in support of the Newham 8 an Anti Racist Rally Ringa a Roses - kids playing in the park - note the tight braids/ plaits - also known as 'Kareley' or door knockers ! A great 1970s example of the so called 'African Pugh'

Nihangs hair Massage Dumalla tying at Amritsar A Nihangni A very colourful and pointy style ! Afghan Style - a picture from a pharmacy in Kunduz, Afghanistan - showing an Afghan Sardar Ji - wearing the distinctive Dastar worn by the Afghan Sangat. The Maharaja of Patiala - Bhupinder Singh , known for his beautiful turban - The Patiala Shahi Style - here shown in Madrid , Spain 1928 Divine Light Hope you enjoyed this HUGE post - please post your 'coping stragegies' and experiences - I am sure they will be of help to all our youngsters. Sat Siri Akaal GurBar Akaal ! Waheguru ji ka Khalsa waheguru ji ki Fateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

The Dastar Bandi of Sant Ji Extract from 'The Style of the Lion' - Jasprit and Teresa Singh 1998 Sikh Children at School assembly in England Beautiful Kesh - Interesting and Beautiful Dastaars Some examples of American Sikh Turbans In this 1970s picture the womens turbans are tied further back - showing their hair line In these pictures you can see examples of the tall 'Stove pipe' turban Dumalla Anand Karaj a flowery style

A young namdharee boy The first Sikh in the London police - Special Constable Jabbal 1970 Sikhs in the UK fought many cases for the right to wear turbans at work and at school Here is Kulbinder Singh Vahmra of Wolverhampton - who along side Gurinder Singh Mandla - fought cases that led to Sikhs being classed as a Nation/ Race under the Race Relations Act - and outlawed discrimination against turbans ( *Daily Telegraph May 4 1979 ) Sikh Women also had to fight to wear the Dastaar (* Daily Telegraph 7 September 1979) The First generation of Sikh women to wear turbans to English schools (* From Des Pardes Weekly ) Demonstration against the Lord Denning ruling that Sikh were not a Nation - Later reversed --- I remember going to this demonstration - with my friends from Gurdwara - we shouted 'Jaikaras' so loud all day we all had sore throats the next day ! One way Parents can boost the self esteem of children with Kesh is to make a 'fuss' when they first begin to tie turbans - this shows the importance and can help in the sometimes difficult transition from Jura/patka to full dastar. The Dastar bandi ceremony is a great way to make a child feel special ( Some argue the ceremony should be called 'Dastar Sajna' - as Dastar Bandi is a ceremony only performed when the head of the family dies and a dastar is tied on the new head /Heir) 1970s Dastar ceremony 1980s Dastar Ceremony 1990s

Many centuries ago there used to be a Muslim Pathaan by the name of Raheem who was surprisingly a devotee of the Hindu god Shri Krishan Ji. I studied Hindi in school and we used to have Raheem's dohay (couplets, like small poems) as part of our syllabus. There was one that wasn't taught in school but I heard it in a bhajans audio cassette. Raheem would always have his face downwards, and people would praise him so much because of his bhagti. One day someone asked him why are your eyes always down? He replied Daynhaar Kou Aur Hai, Dayt Rehet Din Rayn The Giver is someone else, who gives day and night Log Bharam Hum Par Karein, Thaaso Neechey Nain But people are proud of me, and so I always have my eyes down

Guru Ji, Mai Tera Joga I am worthy only of You Guru Ji In each Sikh’s life there comes a time when he realizes he is only worthy of Guru Ji, no one else. It is common for us to think that because we are full of sins, we are not worthy of Guru Ji but Guru Ji through Bhai Joga Singh Ji teaches us otherwise. Bhai Joga Ji teaches us to serve Guru Ji, to learn from our mistakes and to never forget what we are worthy of. Everyone has their own ways of serving Guru Ji and they are all correct if done with a pure heart. Bhai Joga Ji stayed with Guru Ji and served him in person, I serve him through my writings. It gives me so much pleasure to write about Sikhi because I learn so much about Guru Ji and Sikhism. Each writing is a lesson to me, a reminder of what Sikhism is all about. I had begun to write purely for myself and it grew to something that I write for anybody that wants to read. As it grew, it became a seva and I had to be more careful as to what I write, so that I never write anything disrespectful about Sikhism or Guru Ji. Sometimes when I write, I get praised and that praise builds ego within. When you do seva, sometimes you are filled with much pride and ego. That was the case with Bhai Joga Singh Ji when he left his wedding to go back to Guru Ji but then on the way decided to stop at a prostitute’s home as a way to reward himself. And that was my case this weekend, I had been writing a lot and thought I deserved to take a break and go to a concert against the advice of the Gursikhs in my life. So to the concert I went, filled with ego for being so good and trying to follow Sikhi. I had dressed in my best clothes and tied my favorite turban…everything was perfect. The concert started with me in the second row, wondering if Gurdas Mann would notice the only turbaned girl in the room. I sat all filled with pride and ego. Then magic happened and Guru Ji intervened. Just like Guru Gobind Singh Ji had stood guard at the Prostitute’s home to scare Bhai Joga Ji away from making the mistake, he came to stand guard for me. Not even one song in, my view got ruined by a couple that came and sat in the front row. The whole time this couple was acting in a very non-sikh way and non-punjabi way. The whole time I ended up watching them and thinking what am I doing here. So like Bhai Joga Ji was stopped by Guru Ji from going in, I was stopped from watching the concert and being filled with ego. Guru Ji broke my ego in a sweet way, just like Guru Ji did with Bhai Joga Singh Ji. With Bhai Joga Ji, he told him that he was at guard himself and made him realize what a mistake he was about to make. With me he showed me the wrong of my going to the concert, against the wishes of Gursikhs. The concert was wrong I realized because of the type of Sangat it surrounded me with. Every time I would look up I would see the couple, not the singer. Every time I would look around me I would see people pointing at the couple and laughing or I would see the drunks. I eventually ended up closing my eyes doing simran and asking for Waheguru Ji’s forgiveness for not listening to the Gursikhs. And as I sat there I realized Guru Ji wasn’t trying to make me feel bad or guilty. That’s not what Guru Ji does, he just loves. Guru Ji in his loving manners stops us from making mistakes; we just have to ask him to do so. I had asked Guru Ji to help me become a good Gursikh and avoid things that would be a hindrance in the process. Guru Ji did not block my view; he opened my eyes to see the stuff around me that my ego was blocking out. I will not be attending any more concerts in the future because I am no longer blinded by the ego within me. Guru Ji opened the eyes of Bhai Joga Singh Ji and he realized he was joga (worthy) just of Guru Ji. Guru Ji is slowly opening my eyes and making me realize my true worth. I hope one day soon with no ego or pride, I can truly say I am worth only Guru Ji. I would recommend every Sikh read Sikh history along with Gurbani as it opens our eyes to much around us. With our eyes open we can see the lessons Guru Ji is trying to teach us.