Status Of Sikhi In Punjab

[Mehtab Singh]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/223157.cms

'Pagri not very attractive, out of tune with times'Add to Clippings

Priya Yadav

[ 30 Oct, 2006 0006hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

PATIALA: In a radical movement of sorts that is sweeping the entire expanse of Punjab, Sikh youths are taken in by a fad of shearing tresses and shedding turbans.

Ironically, the fad among youth to shed the pagri is peculiar mostly to Punjab. "It is not so much in other states like MP, UP and, hearteningly, even in Kashmir. It is more in Punjab," confirms Makkar. "We are going to have extra units of missionaries who will generate awareness about the need to have long hair," he said.

For a state which protested the loudest when the French ban on turbans was announced, the trend is almost embarrassing. All codes and manuals defining Sikh conduct are unanimous in that uncut hair is obligatory for every Sikh. But very few look at it that way.

"Maintaining it is just a tedious daily chore which can well be done away with. Besides, it is not very attractive and out of tune with times," said 30-year-old Lakhwinder Singh in Dhindsa. Lakhwinder got his hair cut defying family elders.

The reasons for what Sikh panthis call "a disturbing trend" could lie in new age dynamics. Many these days feel it is easier to go abroad without the turban - what with Americans and Europeans mistaking Sikhs for Afghans and "some Muslim tribes.

" That's why in a lot of cases there's family sanction for hair shearing.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/article...157,curpg-2.cms

'Pagri not very attractive, out of tune with times'Add to Clippings

Priya Yadav

[ 30 Oct, 2006 0006hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

The other big factor is peer pressure. With increasing money in rural areas and apparent 'westernisation', there seems to be some pressure on young Sikh men to try out party drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

They feel it's easier to do all these without the religious load of the turban. It is estimated that 60% of Sikh youth in the 14 to 25 age group have tried these at some point of time or the other.

Opium and hash are the most common drugs being used in Punjab nowadays. So does cutting hair actually translate into apostasy for the shaven and shorn Sikh? "Not at all," refutes Shamsher Singh, a clean shaven 24-year-old in village Muradpur as he awaits his visa to Italy.

"The so-called protectors of religion are grossly corrupt despite the fact that they have beards and turbans. Just as keeping hair does not mean you are actually a devout Sikh, cutting it also doesn't mean you have no faith in God."

[Lionchild]

sikhi needs to expand other parts of the world, however, we need to "re exapand" into punjab as well. Perhaps sikhi will one day be popular in punjab :D

[Guest PRITAM SINGH KHALSA]

sikhi needs to expand other parts of the world, however, we need to "re exapand" into punjab as well. Perhaps sikhi will one day be popular in punjab :D

expand yet cant control what we have

[Lionchild]

sikhi needs to expand other parts of the world, however, we need to "re exapand" into punjab as well. Perhaps sikhi will one day be popular in punjab :D

expand yet cant control what we have

Ironicaly, i was going to say that people like PSK are helping to further sikhi in these dark times. anyways, we need more people with the spirit and energy like PSK to help re generate sikhi. That is why probably originaly, in the guru's days... we expanded and grew.

[Guest PRITAM SINGH KHALSA]

sikhi needs to expand other parts of the world, however, we need to "re exapand" into punjab as well. Perhaps sikhi will one day be popular in punjab <_<

expand yet cant control what we have

Ironicaly, i was going to say that people like PSK are helping to further sikhi in these dark times. anyways, we need more people with the spirit and energy like PSK to help re generate sikhi. That is why probably originaly, in the guru's days... we expanded and grew.

"in the guru's days..."????????????? We are in the GURUS DAYS

"Back in the day" Sikhs were so much quality that we were like gremlins in the water but now its the opposite, there are a few "gizmo's" and the rest are becoming gremlins :D

The best way: "Each one teach one, Eachone help the other." "One hand washes the other." Dont just wait around, go and do something about what you are saying. Be fearless, read your banis at the correct times.

blah blah you all know, its just the matter of summonning up the spirit of GuruJi within your mind and body, its there present in every body. We need people like lionchild to put energy into Sikhi rather than debating about it

[Guest Papi]

forgive me but i do think if sikhi is to be saved, its in the hand of mothers and sisters.

bhul chuk maaf.