|
Run for the turban on Vaisakhi
Amritsar: An unlikely fashion trend as any, turbans were all over
the place for Baisakhi this season. The Shiromani Gurdwara
Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had appealed the Sikhs, including its
diaspora, to mark April 13 as the Sikh Turban Day.
It was an excited and enthusiastic bunch of the young and the not-so
young, sporting colourful turbans to match tshirts with slogans like
Dastar Nal Sardari and This Heart Beat For Dastar emblazoned on
them, that took part in the mini marathon here on Sunday.
The race began from Bhai Vir Singh Hall and culminated at the Golden
Temple after passing through Lawrence Road, Madan Mohan Malviya
Road, Crystal Chowk, Hall Bazaar, Town Hall, Dharam Singh Market and
Clock Tower Chowk. To pep up the participants, the faithful beat the
nagara en route and played Punjabi songs in praise of pagri.
| |
Retaining the
loyalty of Sikhs
Patiala: Come what may, turbans will retain the loyalty of
Sikhs. Despite an increasing number of youngsters going in for
haircuts, the turban has not lost its pride of place. “Wearing a
turban has become a passion with the Sikh youth these days,”
says Harpreet Singh, a Punjabi University student. |
|
“Our main aim of celebrating Sikh Turban Day is to ensure that all
those who have gone astray return to the fold and start abiding by
the teachings of our Gurus,” said Jaswinder Singh Advocate, chief of
Akal Purakh Ki Fauj (APKF). The former jathedar of Takht Damdama
Sahib added: “We want the world to see that even today the heart of
every Sikh beats for the crown (turban) that our Guru gave us. Such
festivals, if celebrated the world over, would eventually force
governments, like in France, to lift ban on turban.”
According to cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia, “Such festivals
remind the people of our distinct identity and the value of turban.
In many parts of the world, Sikhs have faced challenges on wearing
of turban and some have even become victims of hate crime. Such
functions would help the international community understand Sikhs,
who are often mistaken for Arabs.”
“It is compulsory for every Sikh to wear a turban and we are hopeful
that it would also help checking apostasy among them. We hope that
such events will make young Sikh boys feel proud of wearing a
turban,” said SGPC member Rajinder Singh Mehta. Jaswinder Singh, a
young participant in the marathon, told TOI: “I am thrilled to be
part of such a marathon. It has not only been an educational event
but also such fun to keep the Sikhs united and remind them of their
culture and distinct identity.”
16
April 2008
|
Read Also
