Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

44ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH 2006 / 537-38 NSA PARADIGM SHIFTThe world is gradually becoming aware of this uniqueness of theSikh Panth. But all these qualities get negated, when we appear in thenews for wrong reasons, such as, getting physical or filing lawsuitsover supremacy in gurdwaras or disagreeing vociferously over pettyissues. With the result, mann neevan matt uchi gets obliterated, and mattneevin mann ucha comes to the fore. It is not far back in history whenSardar Kapoor Singh, a humble sewadar, was chosen, in spite of manyleading sardars present on the scene, for the title of ‘Nawab’, based ona vaak from Guru Granth Sahib. And he, on his part, had to be hardpressedto accept the same, which he did only on the condition that hewould be permitted to continue with his sewa of fanning the sangat.We, too, are fanning, but kaam, krodh, moh, lobh, and ahankaar. We canwell imagine the chaos that could ensue, if a somewhat similar situationwere to come up in our day! Today, the aim is mewa, and not sewa.VISION NOT IN SIGHTAttacks on the Ideology of Guru Nanak are as old as the Ideologyitself. Every generation has witnessed attempts to dilute/distortGurbani, by hostile forces. Thanks to scholars, these have beencountered effectively to date. But when it comes to resolving internalissues, we have failed repeatedly, thereby cutting a sorry figure eachtime. We are all aware that, at this point in time, we have piled upmany controversies, with none resolved to the satisfaction of all. Also,as a qaum, our performance in sports, education, health, politics, etc.,is not up to the mark, keeping in view our glorious history. As followersof the Gurus, who possessed infinite vision, whatever has happenedto our vision?The Gurus demonstrated their Ideology and kept its spirit aloftunder the harshest of circumstances and the least of facilities. Eventhe centuries following the Guru-period have witnessed historicdevelopments. The Sikhs, in no time in history, have been foundwanting; they responded as per the requirement of the situation, holdingthe Ideology of the Guru close to heart, no matter how dear it wouldcost them. In spite of the fact that there was a price on every Sikhhead and they were hunted mercilessly by the rulers of the day, theycreated landmarks: landless laborers rose to become landlords, courtesy