1984 Anti Sikh Pogrom (Riots) and Twitter November 1, 2009
Posted by simarprit in Sikhism, Twitter.Tags: 1984, Being a Sikh, Delhi, India, Sikh, Sikhism, Sikhs, Twitter, Twitterverse
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Twitter is a medium which shows everyone naked, instinctive statements taught a lesson to a host of thought leaders on eating crow. Shashi Tharoor, Barkha Dutt, Vikram Chandra, Pritish Nandy, Rajdeep Sardesai were all stopped in their tracks and requested/asked/ pushed to clarify their statements and use of words. Some like Pritish Nandy were extremely quick in clarifying their views and stating their position where as others like Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai and Shashi Tharoor took a circuitous route to reach the same place. Shashi Tharoor was quickly reminded of his “Cattle Class” misadventure on Twitter and decided to go absolutely silent on this question after making one simple clarifying statement.
The clarification seekers came from all geographies and belonged to all communities, however Sikhs from India, US, UK, Australia and Canada outnumbered everyone else due to obvious reasons. Sikh, Sikhs, Riots, 84 and 1984 remained critical words in all tweets. Rough estimate of number of tweets pertaining to 1984 Anti Sikh Pogrom puts the number close to 100,000. One could see instinctive collaborations happening simultaneously in putting across point and countering thought leaders, in some cases to a great pounding effect.
A random check of profile and age group of those who were actively countering or correcting the “thought leaders” talks a lot about the even spread of community across diverse verticals and 1984 atrocities hurting all age groups. An 80-year-old tweeted about re-living the partition mayhem and a 21-year-old talked about his being brought up listening to first hand stories from elders who faced it all and survived to talk about it.
On Twitter the Sikh community emerged as a Virtual Nation and grieved as one.
The Sikh Look and Feel February 6, 2009
Posted by simarprit in Uncategorized.Tags: Being a Sikh, Guru Gobind Singh, Khalsa, Sikh Turban, Sikhs
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I just got a call from a friend in New York he called up to say – “I am missing your look and feel” as the luck would have it I entered the Gurdwara Sahib immediately after that and Guru Sahib gave me the answer. The Shabad being recited was written by Guru Gobind Singh “Main Hun Param Purukh Ko dasa Dekhan Aayaoo Jagat Tamasha” It means the Tenth Guru says “I am a humble servant of the almighty, I have come to this world to see this massive act (read drama) being played out” The next lines gave me the answer – Jab Lag Khalsa Rahe Nyaara, Tab Lag Tez Dyon Main Sara, Jab Eh Gahe Bipran Ki Reet, Main Na Karu In Ki Parteet – “Till the time Khalsa (All follow Sikhs) supports the defined attire and looks different I will go all out to provide all my support and wisdom – However when the Khalsa (Sikh) becomes one amongst many and can’t be identified as a Khalsa (Sikh) I no longer protect/ represent him.”
Look part is all there, maybe the feel of Simar is different becuase of the Guru’s blessings. May be I think very differntly due to this.
Empire of The Sikhs December 22, 2008
Posted by simarprit in Uncategorized.Tags: Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Punjab, Sikhs, The Sikh Empire
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Empire of The Sikhs, The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by Patwant Singh and Jyoti Rai makes an exceptional read. The book, to me belongs to three distinct categories and would attract selective readers from each. Sikhs, Historians and Wisdom Seekers. The last category of readers this book is aimed at entices me the most. I had picked it up for the first reason, but half way through the book – I concluded that I am reading it because of the third. Wisdom in any English is good, but wisdom punctuated and corrected to the closest synonym makes for an interesting reading.
I am not much of a student of History, but Sikh History for obvious reasons is close to my heart. On one side I believe that Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Empire have not earned their rightful place in the World History, on the other side I believe Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s over expansionist reign reflected and sowed seeds for the collapse of The Empire he created within few years.
I have signed copies by the author available with me for free distribution. The book has been adopted by the G.K. Saberwal Foundation as the subject was close to our mother. The foundation carries the tasks, views and objectives which were close to her heart.
The signed copies can be currently picked from New Delhi, the arrangements are being made for their availability at San Jose CA.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh is also known as the Lion of Punjab.
