Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

LET WISDOM PREVAIL47any mega organization, which may, therefore, be in a position tomanoeuver its functioning; collective leadership is the watchword.The ISC should not be seen as a replacement of any existingorganization. Its status, vis-à-vis existing organizations, can beunderstood in terms that if each existing organization is a bead, thenISC is like the string of a rosary that holds all the beads together.While each bead is valuable, the significance of the rosary can well beestimated. Let all Sikh organizations, even with variant views (becausethe proposal is to deliberate and reach consensus), become membersof ISC, and, thereby, strengthen the string. The stronger the string,the stronger would be the rosary.Establishment of an Apex Body of Sikhs would be a landmarkin our history. It is not a new concept to Sikhism; rather, it is the onlyway we can bring to fruition the expectations that Gurus have of us.The situation during the time of every Guru was different from thatof others, and so it has been ever since. New assessments have to bemade and conclusions arrived at under variant circumstances. TheGurus, therefore, for over a period of two centuries, trained theirfollowers to meet any eventuality. Guru Nanak laid stress on sangatand vichaar, thereby, encouraging the followers to think logically andact collectively. By introducing Gurmukhi script, Guru Angad Devensured that everybody could gain knowledge. Guru Arjun Dev, bycompiling the religious treasure of various godlike personalities in thisScript, ensured spiritual enlightenment for all seekers. Thus, individualswith sharpened intellect and religious bent of mind were being nurtured.Construction of Sri Akal Takht on the same premise as and facing DarbarSahib by Guru Hargobind highlights that temporal matters too needto be addressed with equal import and magnitude, along with spiritualones. The manner in which Guru Gobind Singh selected the panjpyaras projects the degree to which commitment is essential to treadthe path of Sikhi. Further, by letting them make decisions and byabiding to these himself, the Guru inculcates organizational, managerialskills, instills self-confidence, and inspires leadership qualities. Suchare the traits that we are expected to imbibe, emulate, and possess.So, let us not fail the Gurus, and resume our responsibilities.