Bedford, UK - Sikhs have matured in the last five hundred years of their history to the extent that though they received repeated jolts and challenges of hostile cultures, they overcame them all. Sikhi has gone through many vicissitudes, but the basic purity of Guru Nanak’s philosophy has remained unsoiled and pure, mainly due to the preserved word of the Gurus in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
One of the most misunderstood belief systems, Sikhi has been claimed by both the mainstream religions, Hinduism and Islam, as their off-shoot. Today, Sikhs are once again at a cross road, this time, of an invasion of western ideas, concepts and culture.
Young Sikhs face many challenges living in Britain with frequent mistaken identities, coercion from other faiths and the ever constant pressure from others to cut their hair.
‘On each and every hair, the Lord abides’. (Ang 344 Raag Gaurhee Thiteen: Saint Kabir)
The problem we have found is that the word Sikh and practice of Sikhi is so hard to define. Is the tomato a fruit or vegetable? To the botanist it is undoubtedly a fruit, to the chef a vegetable, but what would the tomato itself say? If it thought about the matter at all, it would probably have the same sort of identity crisis as a Sikh does when people try to strait-jacket them as a race, an ethnic group, or a religion.
For the 5th year running Akaal Seva (Bedford Young Sikhs) organised the Annual Sikhi Camp to provide support and knowledge for the youth of Bedford and its surrounding towns. This camp took place at the new and beautiful Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib on the weekend of the 7th & 8th September 2007. Sikhs came from Bedford, Kempston, Milton Keynes, London, Derby and Watford as sevadars and campers. The main theme of this camp was to provide the Sikh youth with ample knowledge about their identity, history and what they can do day to day to bring Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to the centre of their lives.
The camp started with the Anand Sahib Da Paath and then by Guruji’s Hukumnama. Guruji blessed the camp with His/Her infinite wisdom and guiding the students with the importance of keeping good sangat. In total over 150 children attended this two day camp and brought the local area to a standstill with a heart-stopping recital of the Sikh national anthem ‘Dev Shiva’.
This year Akaal Seva aimed to bring an element of friendly competition to the camp. The campers were separated into three houses across three different age groups and were competing for the prestigious top house price.
The campers were once again blessed by the company of chardi kala Singhs and Singhni’s as the lectures. The lectures focused their presentation on showing the importance of our Sikh identity, our history and way of life. One of the main aims of the camp was to make the students aware that if they respect Guruji (as they do their parents) they will begin to love Him/Her and just as their parents do, they will be showered with all sorts of gifts. The students responded very positively and asked some very intriguing questions which incited some very good healthy discussions.
‘One who respects the Hukam of the Lord's Command is honored and respected in the Court of the Lord’. Ang 142 Raag Maajh: Guru Nanak Dev
I personally found the question and answer session was very productive, not just from the perspective of the topics but more from the visual impact of the sevadars. The biggest impact the campers were able to see was that all of the sevadars were young, British born, educated with degrees and dressed in guruji’s full bana. The youth within the UK has a constant pressure to fit in, to be apart of the crowd and cut their hair. So by seeing professional, educated successful male and female sevadars dressed with Dastars proved to be an inspiration in itself in that one can be successful in life without having to make sacrifices or excuses for our lack of Sikhi
‘You make your hair beautiful, and wear a smart turban on your head’Ang 659 Raag Sorith: Saint Ravidas
At the stroke of midday the campers then enjoyed the chips, beans and eggless cakes langar. One by one all of the campers joined in simran and listened attentively to the Ardas before feasting on the tasty blessed food that guruji had given them.
After all the studying the campers then enjoyed a fun packed sports day. The campers participated in rounders, football and a vast array of races including the now infamous alloo and spoon race. Once again many of the campers were able to see that one’s full bana has no restriction on playing football and participating in sports in general. Many youngsters see the wearing of a kirpan and tying of a dastar as a hindrance. Some have also begun to make feeble excuses such as the dastar hinders heading ability when playing football. The sports event was enjoyed by all and even contained the funniest sending’s off I’ve ever seen ( Mr Singh..you know who you are… ) and would easily make the top 100 for a future TV program.
As the camp was nearing an end of its first day the sangat was blessed by some fantastic kirtan. One of the most memorable performances was delivered by a dhaddi jatha from Derby. The camp then ended the day again with guruji’s blessing and gave everyone some inspiration before departing for home.
‘To live as Gurmukh is the lifestyle by which we come to meditate on the Supreme Lord. The Gurmukh sings the Kirtan of His Praises’ Ang 131 Raag Maajh: Guru Arjan Dev
Day two started with basking sunshine which radiated from the campers voices and also illuminated our sacred Nishan Sahib. This stage of the camp was very important. Whilst it pains me to state this, it is a harsh reality that the Nishan sahib has just been devalued to the extent that it is a pole which gets cleaned and dressed a few times a year. The Nishan sahib is our banner, it is the flag of freedom that our beloved guruji challenge tyrannical rulers of India under. The Sikh youth tends to show more pride and understanding in the taranga and passionately waves it at all the cricket matches that the Indian national team plays. Whilst the current Indian cricket team is a very multi faith team including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, why would you wave the flag of a nation that stood by when it natives raped and pillaged our people in 1984? I know which flag I’d rather wave and which team I’d rather bat for.
The main aim of the seminars was to encourage the campers to think about their Sikhi and what they could do change to bring real living Sikhi to their lives. Many made resolutions, to read Mool Manter Da Paath in the morning, others to say Gurfateh to their parents when greeting them and several said they would no longer be ashamed embarrassed or apologise for being a Sikh.
The afternoon was again a fun packed day, with roller racers, and bouncy obstacle course. There were humorous activities and yet very educational in the form of a treasure hunt and dress the singh/singhni competition.
During the treasure hunt the students were given questions about Sikhi and the Gurdwara Sahib which if answered correctly gained some added points to their score total for the overall team prize.
Whilst the dress the singh/singhni competition had a very comical aspect it also gave many of the youngsters a unique opportunity. The majority of youngsters have only ever seen their bibi’s or baba’s kachera hanging from the rack in their bathroom and have never had the chance to see how a kachera feels. Many of the youngsters contrary to propaganda that they are fed by their non sikhi practicing members of their family realised that it’s quite easy to wear a kachera and in many ways a lot more comfortable and practical than your everyday western pants.
The camp ended with some delightful kirtan and a wonderful hukumnama from our beloved guruji. The winning house was the Blue team (khalsa) and the winning shield and photo will reside at Guru Nanak Gurdwara ready for the Khalsa team to return next year to defend.
The 5th annual camp was very well supported by all of Bedford’s gurdwara in terms of sangat and finance (Guru Nanak Gurdwara, & Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara and Sri Gurdwara Sahib). This camp had dawned a new era in Bedford. The youth has spoken… whilst the older generation maybe lost in conflicts old such as castism, racism and sexism, Akaal Seva is here to stay and has ushered in a new force which is united under the banner of shri Guru Granth Sahib.
People are generally aware of their limitations and may say so without hesitation, especially in spiritual and moral matters. Everyone must aspire to the best of his/her ability and come forward, and let Guruji hold His/Her arm for progress onward as no one can ever be totally ripened and mature in knowledge, experience and determination. To help and assist everyone no matter of cast, creed, sex or race,
Written by Sewadars of : www.akaalseva.co.uk
