Ashana

Should I also point out that not only in India, but I have also read articles about Punjabi Sikhs making similar headlines in Canada (primarily Vancouver, BC) where many Sikh youth continue with their gangster culture, drug smuggling and crime. So even though these youths have moved (or were born) to/in the west and the religion is free from interference from politicans and Hinduism, behaviour is the same.

I guess there seems to be so many factors contributing to this. You can tell me whether I am right or wrong. 1. Youth are turning away from their faith or just don't know what faith is anymore. Punjab - how many male youths no longer wear turbans even and have cut their hair? Like many other religions, youths are turning away from religion believing it is antiquated, restrictive and backward. They just want to fit into their crowds and whatever is seen as fashionable and acceptable by their friends these days. Perhaps is there such a strong focus on what a Sikh must wear and not eat, that there have been a neglect of teaching of core principles - what is moral and what are good personal values? Youths are so succumbed to peer pressure. This is what happened to my friend. They don't have enough strength within themselves to understand what are the right things to do and stand up to what they believe in and against the things that are wrong. 2. Lack of mentors. Religious leaders, politicians, authorities....but I blame mostly parents who don't demonstrate good faith and values themselves to their children. Then it just becomes a vicious cycle for future generations. 3. Contradiction between religion and reality. My example is alcohol. As I understand it, it is forbidden in Sikhism but have a read about Chandigarh and read how much clubs and bars are popping up around the city. Why are some Sikh weddings and parties known primarily by the amount of whisky that is served and why are Punjabi Sikhs known to be particularly good drinkers? All this is seen as acceptable by society but contradicts what the faith allows. 4. State and central governments not doing enough to recognise problems and are often corrupt themselves. There appears to have been a prolonged period of neglect of the state of Punjab to the extent that things have escalated to what it has now (is there a turning back??). There are so many stories about politicans, high officials and policemen taking part in drugs and running rackets there. Where are the anti-drug, anti-alcohol campaigns? Are these being taught in schools? Where are detox clinics? Not enough is spent on education and ways to boost employment also. Youths in Punjab then sit around idle with drink and drugs to past the time and have little focus on how to get a good education and career. Sometimes when there are problems in society, people like to turn a blind eye and say it doesn't exist. Is this what is happening? 5. Sudden change in economy and wealth for some individuals. Green revolution and increase in land value making alot of previously poor farmers very wealthy but then they don't know what to do with the new found money and aren't very educated. Wealthy parents just give money to their children who then spend it drugs, booze, sex and partying at clubs. 6. Culture. Influences from both western and Punjabi culture. Isn't it true that most Punjabi bhangra songs are about gangsters and daru? What does this promote? For example, I am sitting here typing this away and I see the Picture of the Week on this website has someone holding a machine gun....this is what is presented. I guess these are just some of the things. There are many others. Basically I am saying it is not enough to just have teachings about the faith and history if no one follows it and there is not a good environment to practice it.

Keerpa, I am sorry but it is hardly necessary to post personal attacks here when you have no idea on the background info. This was a long distance friendship and no, I have not and do not go to India for 'dates' nor anywhere. Neither am I a Christian nor a missionary trying to write bogus posts here. I was only doing what I can from where I am to help someone understand what they were doing. I am constantly amazed sometimes at people's attitudes when issues of their community are raised. There is a problem with many youths in your community. Face it. Bonnie & Clyde? - if only people have any idea how strained and stressful it is to try to get someone off alcohol and drug addiction problems. You can only do so much but in the end people have to want to change themselves. Ambit, a safe environment, mentors and people to look up to also need to be present. http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:kvY8c...;cd=5&gl=au

Thanks for the responses so far as I want to understand more about this issue with great interest. However, I am surprised also with the lack of responses - ie: so many have viewed this post but so little feedback. Is this an indication itself that Sikh youth are avoiding this problem?? I understand that the problem I have raised happens across all cultures and religion. I am no expert on Sikh history but am aware that Sikhs and Punjabis have made great contributions to society in the past and even now, there are some inspirational and influential Sikhs. I guess I have raised my concerns on this forum as I am stemming from personal experience particularly also. I did not know any Punjabi people nor Sikhs prior to this friend but it is the extent and alarming degree of problems that this friend of mine had that was just so shocking to me. I can easily say, I have never in my life encountered someone with some many issues in their life! From this I came to do more research on Punjab and its people. However, look around with newspapers and the Net. It is mostly filled with rather negative predicaments of Punjabi life. Punjab newspapers are so often filled with stories about drug addicts, suicides, depression, murders, crime, snatchings, drug smuggling, corruption. Besides that, there is also HIV, AIDs, unemployment to name a few. Stats say that 80% of Chandigarh youth use some form of drugs. Marijuana is apparently sold in chemists and roadside stores. Besides that, if not weed, then there is opium, heroin, cocaine, harsh...almost most kinds of drugs I can think of.....so...what were my chance of turning my friend around? Alcohol is being taken like water. Read about Sikh weddings and what most mention is the amount of alcohol given to guests and whisky being the favourite. I hear that 25 is meant to be age limit to gain access to alcohol. Reality is that age is not even checked and first drink is often in early teens. Parents gets drunk and drink like there is no tomorrow so children sees that it's perfectly ok to do the same. To say the least, it was nothing but an utter shame to see someone's life in front of me turning for the worse. I just felt so helpless and useless and yes, I do very much blame both the environment and lack of parental guidance that my friend was exposed to. If Sikh elders, leaders and parents cannot set an example, really, what hope do you guys have for future generations??

Excuse me, but not being a Sikh or Indian, I would like to express my frustration, concerns and views here. I would be much interested in your opinions. You see, I have just ended a friendship with a Punjabi Jatt living in India whom I did care for greatly. He was doing drugs and drinking copious amounts of alcohol daily and throughout our friendship I have tried to get him off this kind of addiction and to make him understand what he was doing. Initially, he had my trust and listened to my thoughts and made some changes with himself, however soon he was back influenced by his friends, who were all into the gangster culture, drinking and drugs also. Now he is back on the stuff and I feel that I could not help him no more and I gave him all that I could. Besides that, previously he was also doing stealing, selling drugs and cheating on me by sleeping with girls and also telling me a huge amount of lies. His parents seems to not bat an eyelid to what is happening and the father often appears to gets drunk himself. I assume there is some domestic violence also. Money is given this friend of mine by his parents haphazardly and of course, he would spend it on drink and smoke. This guy is a young fellow too. Where are parents responsibility and supervision? When I do research on the net about Punjab and Punjabis, all I see is how its people and place has become a drug ridden state with so many youths falling into being drug addicts and alcoholics with no future. Even in Chandigarh, they are supposedly wanting to make it a 'smoke-free' (tobacco-free) city but why is nothing done to curb the amount of alcohol and drug problems? The key stereotypes out there for Punjabis is that they are big drinkers, druggies, theives, cheaters, gangsters and wife beaters and Sikh temples are where you get free alcohol and where gangster wannabes meet. You guys are meant to be historically warriors and strong, educated, moral people. Are you all happy with this kind of image today? Why are authorities and head of Sikhs not doing more to solve problems? Note that I am not targeting the Sikh religion itself as I have since read alot about the religion and have great respect for it, however, I am just wondering why superiors are letting so many awful problems escalate as much as it has and doing little about it. It just makes me so sad and angry that my friend, who could have made a good life for himself by choosing a better path and had so much potential, is so surrounded by such a disgraceful environment that he had little chance to change. Sadly I can only imagine what might become of his life.