editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
48<br />
ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : APRIL-JUNE 2005 / 537 NS<br />
SIKHS' CONTRIBUTION IN NATIONAL<br />
INTEGRATION AND COMMUNAL HARMONY<br />
JASWANT SINGH *<br />
Recently, I participated in a National Seminar on National<br />
Integration and Communal Harmony, and was surprised that none <strong>of</strong><br />
the celebrated speakers mentioned anything about the sterling role<br />
<strong>Sikh</strong>ism has played in this vital direction. Hence my motivation to<br />
share with you these thoughts.<br />
A country is a geographical concept, State a political concept<br />
and Nation a cultural concept. People make the nation, in fact, people<br />
are the nation. Mainly there are three criteria for the people to constitute<br />
a nation : a) those people who regard the country as their motherland;<br />
b) common sharing <strong>of</strong> history; c) shared value system. Culture is<br />
nothing but value system – standards to judge good from evil.<br />
According to Ernest Renan, a French author <strong>of</strong> twentieth century – a<br />
nation is a soul, a spiritual principle – two things which are really one.<br />
The Nation, like the individual, is the fruit <strong>of</strong> a long past sport in toil,<br />
sacrifice and devotion. The most salient feature <strong>of</strong> our culture is<br />
respect for plurality, diversity and inclusivity.<br />
Harmony presupposes plurality. In a monolithic society, the<br />
question <strong>of</strong> harmony does not arise. But we are a pluralistic society<br />
with different faiths, beliefs, languages and food habits in harmony.<br />
This sense presupposes tolerance. Our different beliefs with mutual<br />
tolerance keep us in harmony. But once a set <strong>of</strong> people decide to<br />
bring all others to their path by fair or foul means, the so-called<br />
compulsive conscription, due to their superior material / muscle power,<br />
disharmony or discord is bound to take place. That is what is happening<br />
on the borders <strong>of</strong> our country. Let us look inwards, our exclusivist<br />
* Maj Gen (Dr), AVSM, # 1801, Sector 33-D, Chandigarh