12/28/2010 8:39:43 AM

22 December 2010

Mumbai Sikhs Experience Interactive Sikhi Learning

SAS Nagar, Panjab– “The program was very well directed and the idea and concept was excellent. It has inculcated [in me] a habit of thinking and interpreting in a new and fresh way,” said Jasmeet Singh, one of over 70 participants who gathered in Mumbai last week for the first of three interactive workshops held by Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) in collaboration with Young Sikh Leaders (YSL).

Surender Pal Singh, Research Associate and India Coordinator for SikhRI, and Inderpreet Singh, member of the Board of Directors, spent five days, from 14 to 18 December, in Mumbai, speaking at three different events hosted at Malad, Khar, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar. It was the organization’s first tour in Mumbai and second trip to India—part of a commitment to connect with the sangats in the home land and the rest of south-Asia subcontinent.

The first event was held at Gurduara Singh Sabha Malad on the evening of the 14th. “Sikh Theology: A Gurmat Framework” discussed the approach and methodology to developing a wholesome understanding of Gurmat. The audience was quite overwhelmed by the new ideas, coupled with the interactive format of the workshop, which seemed to be a completely new concept for them.

“Today’s lecture brought forward Sikhism in a new perspective,” wrote Anupreet Kaur Dhody, one of the participants. Harjeet Singh, the program coordinator of the event gave equally positive feedback. “Very, very enlightening! What a brilliant, beautiful process and an excellent way to teach the Guru’s wisdom. I look forward to seeing the amazing, positive changes that will happen in my life after practicing it,” he said.

On the 16th, the event, “Leadership: A Sikh Framework”, took SikhRI to Bandra-Khar (W), where it explored leadership in the context of the core Sikh principles and values at a local Gurduara. The feedback after the event made it clear that female participants in particular felt reaffirmed after spending the time learning about some of the leading female figures of the Sikh revolution that too often are ignored in historical discussions.

“I really liked the example of women leaders,” commented Simran Kaur. “The speakers were quite accurate on their points which were quite interesting. I got to learn many new things,” wrote another participant, Prableen Kaur. “It was really the first time we had such kind of interactive workshop and they [the audience] asked questions which normally we don’t tend to in gurduaras. Workshops that first identify the problems and then find the solution with a holistic approach are quite new,” said Jagdip Singh, coordinator for the second event.

SikhRI concluded the Mumbai tour at Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar on the 18th with a discussion focused on gurduaras, the hub of community activities.

In modern times, in light of great changes to our societies, the role of institutions has come into sharp focus, and Sikh community takes a renewed look toward gurduaras for guidance and leadership. In this context, “Gurduara: Then & Now” explored the idea of the gurduara in Bani and the development of the institution toward present times tracing its history, tradition, and theological, social and political roots.

The workshop’s activities involved the participants in discussing ways gurduaras can evolve to better serve the local community, as well as to strengthen ties with the rest of the Panth. The participants were quite excited with the brainstorming activities and came up with many innovative ideas.

Manpreet Singh, the YSL director and coordinator for the last event thanked SikhRI for “bringing to the Mumbai sangat new techniques of Gurmat Parchar.” He stated that, “Not only was this style liked by youth, but also by the elders too. Surely it was an inclusive approach.”

SikhRI is grateful to YSL for coordinating and hosting the week of events. Local volunteers from Delhi have requested a similar tour of events to be held the second week of January. “With the requests already pouring in for new events in the early next quarter, we look forward to a very eventful next year full of new possibilities,” said Surender Pal Singh.

Contact Person: Surender Pal Singh
surenderpal.singh@sikhri.org | 91 9780831148