Tibetan family converts to Sikhism

[Mehtab Singh]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040902/...2/punjab1.htm#6

Tibetan family converts to Sikhism

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, September 1

When children of several Sikh families are falling victims to apostasy (patitpuna) in this hi-tech age, bitten by the fashion bug, a tribal Tibetan family of Arunachal Pradesh has converted to Sikhism after being bowled over by spiritually elevating gurbani kirtan they had heard at the Golden Temple.

In a conversation with this correspondent here today, the tribal family said that it was on a padyatra to various religious places of the country. This family of five members (now six) had started from Arunachal Pradesh 15 months ago. It had covered one dozen states traversing about 5,000 km on foot so far. So much so that a child was born to the young daughter, Maya, at Mallian village near Amritsar and the boy was christened as Rahi Singh (one born on way).

The villagers had greatly helped the family during the delivery of the child and housed it in the village for some days. It was about six months ago when they were on their way to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides Mr Phalamtok Kama and his daughter, Maya, Mr Kama’s young sons, Alchai, Thaisiag and son-in-law, Khihan, are also in the group. They had not heard about the quadricentennial celebrations of Guru Granth Sahib nor did they know anything about Sikhism when they had started from their home 15 months ago. However, the soothing and comforting gurbani kirtan mesmerised them and

they instantly decided to turn Sikhs by tying the hair knots on their heads. The male members added the suffix Singh to their names while the lone teenager girl added Kaur to her name.

They were honoured here today by Mr Iqbal Singh Kundi, vice-president, nagar council, Phagwara, and president of the Guru Nanak Mission Welfare Society. He also presented them articles of daily use. The family is now on its way back to Arunachal Pradesh but has pledged to come back to Punjab. They are wonderstruck by its spirituality and the hospitality of the people here.