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Beyond the Gurpurab Celebration 03/31/2008
The contributions of Guru Ji are unparallel in the history and therefore the reverence and regards for Guru Ji is also unparalleled. On Vaisakhi Day of Year 1699 Guru Ji gave a clarion call to the nation to assemble at Anandpur Sahib and created Khalsa, which not just woke the nation up from its deep slumber but reshaped the history of the nation. When the time comes for the celebration of creation of Khalsa, we celebrate it in a conventional manner by having huge gatherings with Keertan programs and huge processions. The processions create a massive disruption of life for others because of traffic jams that they create. The trash that is generated is never fully and properly cleared and disposed. Thus in the name of celebration, we have contributed to soiling the place and creating unhygienic conditions. Also, much of our energy and time is spent in preparing different kinds of foods and its distributions. If we were to ask Guru Gobind Singh Ji about how the momentous celebration should be? Will Guru Ji give approval to our celebrations? Will we be recipients of approval and acceptance from the Guru Ji? No! No! No! Guru Ji would never approve of this type of celebration. Imagine trying to go to the airport or the railway station to catch the flight or a train and on the way getting caught in the traffic jam because of the procession. Many a times it is not even possible to make a U turn and explore alternative routes. One is just struck there, totally helpless, frustrated with tempers frayed and cursing those celebrating and making life difficult for others. Let us take another situation, someone fell from a height and sustained serious injuries that require immediate medical attention or someone had a massive heart attack which again requires urgent medical care, and on the way to the hospital, they get struck in the traffic. The likelihood of the seriously injured making it and surviving gets slimmer and slimmer. For sure, we have never imagined ourselves being caught in such a whirlwind, while we had some pressing situation where our being there was crucial, we could not be happy in the midst of celebration all around us. Instead, we will be seething in anger and feeling deprived. So how should we celebrate these days? Should those be not celebrated on a massive scale? Should those occasions be not used to feed every passerby? Sure they need to be celebrated in a befitting manner. If Guru Ji’s revolutionary transformation provided succor to the nation, then our celebration should also provide joy and relief to the nation now. They need to be celebrated in commemorative manner and it is very noble to feed the hungry. But could we also explore other avenues and options which will not disrupt life and produce a lasting effect of the disruption caused by the celebration.
2. Other Hubs of Public Transportation – If our railway stations are dilapidated and are in pathetic condition, believe me the state of bus stations and airports is not much better either. Even they can benefit tremendously from the little sprucing up. It will just make the tremendous impact on them and for few days they will look like a beautiful haven and a safe sanctuary. But this can provide others with inspiration and ideas for continuing the legacy. Soon it could become a year around feature. It can really transform the mental image of these hubs of public transportation. 3. Hospitals - The same approach could be applied to hospitals. Because our hospitals are overcrowded, infested with pests, rodents and germs and there is no place for family members caring and attending on the patients in the hospital. The service, care and support for the patients or for the families of the patient are almost non-existent. Even if a single day in a year becomes a little better, more bearable and different it will be a step in the positive direction. We all have experienced apathy, neglect at the places of healing so even a single experience of caring, sharing empathy can act as catalyst for transformation. It may not just bring transformation it may set up a revolution if enough public momentum, enthusiasm could be generated. The goodwill that these little initiatives of being responsive citizens will create will be many times more than goodwill our present celebrations generate. I am confident that not just Guru Gobind Singh Ji but all the Gurus from first Guru Nanak Dev Ji will approve of such actions of their Sikhs and will bless them. 4. Setting up public conveniences and cleaning existing ones – The toilets at present for a majority of less fortunate, under privileged citizenry living in shanties and thatched roofs is non-existent. As they do not have any place for taking care of their calls of nature or even have any place to bath or shower, the open spaces by roadsides have become their public conveniences. If a public convenience is build for taking care of needs of these poor, who are struggling to make the ends meet, we would not just have created a sanitary environment for these folks but would also have stopped spread of disease, infection and created positive impact. It would not just improve the life style of unprivileged but its reverberations will be felt by the entire city, town etc. as it will improve the environment for everyone. The goodwill and appreciation of these small acts of being responsive and concerned Sikhs of the Guru Ji will make the beneficiaries of the acts to explore Guru Ji’s teaching to enrich their lives. We just talked about sanitation facilities for less privileged. How above those who are privileged, affluent and go to markets, malls, beaches, resorts or use public transportation and have to attend to the call of nature. The absence of public conveniences, and stenching small they emit wherever they do exist cannot be described. Vaisakhi celebration could be occasions to create new public conveniences where they don’t exist, and improving the lot of existing ones. The legacy of these acts will be lasting and positive and will make the places more livable, and healthy.
6. Beautification of Parks – The conditions of the public parks and parks in the properties of Gurudwaras is pretty pathetic. Even the parks in the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh shrine are in state of neglect. We could use the occasion of Vaisakhi to make them really beautiful. By planting trees and flowers we will not just make them greener and more beautiful but also better for the environment. This will be enticing to more public to available the benefits of existing parks which are in state of benign neglect. Note: Comments do not represent the views of SikhNet. Comments containing profanity, provocation or slandar will be removed by the moderators.
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