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112ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH <strong>2006</strong> / 537-38 NSfrom the IOSS to frame a draft Constitution to be presented in thenext meeting <strong>of</strong> the Action Committee. This Core Group consisting<strong>of</strong> Dr Kharak Singh, Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat and Lt Gen (retd)Kartar Singh Gill, PVSM with the help <strong>of</strong> various scholars andpr<strong>of</strong>essionals, framed a draft Constitution for this global body to benamed as ‘The International <strong>Sikh</strong> Confederation’. This Constitutionis a unique document which embraces the basic tenets <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sikh</strong>ism aslaid down by the <strong>Sikh</strong> Gurus. It embraces the doctrine <strong>of</strong> ‘Guru Granth– Guru Panth’ proclaimed by Guru Gobind Singh and discouragesindividual ambitions to attain self-glory.In a subsequent presentation to the Action Committee, this draftConstitution was approved with modifications and the Core Groupwas authorized to give wide coverage to this thought in the press,various magazines and by personal contact. The year 2004 saw thepublication <strong>of</strong> this idea in the Abstracts <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sikh</strong> <strong>Studies</strong> publishedquarterly by the IOSS and distributed globally. A special website wasestablished and the draft Constitution circulated. A spate <strong>of</strong> letters and e-mails followed, wherein criticism as well as support for this very laudableproject started coming in. The constitution <strong>of</strong> ISC was thus continuouslyrevised and updated by the Core Group/Action Committee.To generate acceptance <strong>of</strong> this project by the <strong>Sikh</strong> sangat in Indiaand abroad, a vigorous campaign to actually interact with active <strong>Sikh</strong>Groups in the country was launched in mid-2004. The Core Groupsupported by IOSS visited prominent centers such as Ludhiana,Amritsar and Patiala. Formal presentations were made to well-attendedgatherings <strong>of</strong> eminent <strong>Sikh</strong> organizations and individuals. Questionand-Answersessions brought out vital concerns, and helpedconsolidate the Constitution <strong>of</strong> ISC. Today we have with us a proposedConstitution <strong>of</strong> the ISC which has stood the test <strong>of</strong> fired doubts <strong>of</strong> the<strong>Sikh</strong> sangat in general. We are proud to say that this project has receivedgeneral acceptance amongst the <strong>Sikh</strong> masses in India and abroad.We have now thought it fit to call a convention <strong>of</strong> various eminent<strong>Sikh</strong> individuals and organizations at Chandigarh on 12 th and 13 thNovember, 2005. The IOSS has sent out letters and e-mails to a widespectrum <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Sikh</strong> masses in India and abroad.The draft Constitution as conceived by the Action Committee isbeing presented to this august gathering. After a two-day debate, we
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