Fashion
Sardars and Sardarnis
by KIRAN YADAVName the ten Sikh gurus in the correct order. What is the Rehat Maryada? What is the year 2007 according to the Nanakshahi calendar?
Well, here is a group of 20-somethings who can rattle off answers to these and even more intimidating questions pertaining to Sikhism with perfect nonchalance. You can't say chalk from cheese when it comes to the dexterity with which they juggle Bhangra with hard metal.
Wearing confidence on their sleeves, over 2,000 applicants from across the country tried their prowess in "Beards and Turbans" - a pageant organised by Ayur to bring the youth closer to their religion. However, there was a catch - the aspiring "Singh of the Year" and "Kaur of the Year" needed to follow the tenets of Sikhism with pride.
Last year's winner Nimrata Kaur, a doctor by profession, now feels that "she knows more about Sikh scriptures today than a year back."
"The youth must connect to their roots. And why must we trim our hair? It is our uncut hair that sets us apart. We must realize that we are beautiful the way God made us," she further adds.
On the other hand, Amanpreet Kaur, student of Bachelor of Business Administration, "participated to promote Sikhism."
"Why can this not be a platform to enter into modelling?" she questions.
Clearly, for them religion means fundamentals, but not fundamentalism. Rather, they cherish Sikhi for the values it endorses. For Delhi police head constable Jatinder Kaur, standing tall at 5 ft 10 inches, the discipline of the Sikh Faith matters.
"I do my paath every day. I am participating in the pageant because I want to learn more about Sikhism," says the IPS aspirant.
"Deep concern about perversion of the Sikh culture and the deteriorating values" made others like Manveen Singh, third officer in command in the Indian Navy, participate.
Religion sure rocks for them!
[Courtesy: The Financial Express]
Photos: Top of the page and Thumbnail - Sardarni Inderjit Kaur, Former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University. Bottom - Sardar Baltej Singh of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Conversation about this article
1: Jaideep Singh Sawhney (San Jose, CA, U.S.A.), July 17, 2007, 3:23 AM.
I have to say, Sardars and Sardarnis are the best ... by the grace of Akaal Purakh!
2: Pritpal Singh (New Delhi, India), July 18, 2007, 3:26 AM.
It is possible for us to maintain our identity and yet be in the forefront in every way. Sikhs always have!
3: Sardar Singh (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), July 25, 2007, 3:05 AM.
Sardars and Sardarnis live in Chardi Kalaa...what is more attractive than that?