People
A Universal Message of Universal Struggles
by MEG BARONE
A poem by Fairfield (Connecticut, U.S.A.) author Inni Kaur describes "the agony of the caged soul" and asks, "Whose freedom lies in the will of another? It's better to die than live caged."
The Fairfield woman wrote that poem, "The Song of the Nightingale: Love and Wisdom," over a two-month period at the close of 2010 and into the New Year, never realizing how much it would resonate with others in general and as a reflection of what is occurring in the Middle East as citizens of so many nations are rising up against oppressive regimes.
"You can repress a people to a point. It's amazing to see how it's flowing on (from one country to the next). A spark has been lit," Inni said.
The "Song of the Nightingale," and other poems written by Inni Kaur, was published on the online mgazine, www.sikhchic.com, and after reading it some people have contacted Inni to tell her what it means to them.
"So many people sent emails to me to say it resonates with them. It's a universal message of the universal struggles," said Inni, vice president of Spectrum Marketing Communications in Norwalk and an author with the Sikh Education and Cultural Foundation, which produces literature for the Sikh community.
Sikhism is the world's fifth largest religion, with more than 30 million followers worldwide. Sikhs originate from Punjab where the religion has its roots. The monotheistic religion dates back more than 500 years.
Inni travels the country as a multi-cultural, diversity trainer. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, she made a presentation to the Fairfield Police Department. After the 9-11 terrorist attacks Sikhs often found themselves the target of discrimination because Sikh men wear turbans, an article of faith in their religion, she said.
She often speaks in classrooms, but would like to extend her diversity training to hospitals. "I feel a tremendous need to educate the (medical) staff on the needs of the Sikh patient. We have long hair and we do not cut it, men and women," she said.
Inni is also the author of "Journey with the Gurus," a retelling of Sikh teaching stories, which was published last October. It is the first of 10 volumes Inni will write, and her work is much needed, said Narvin Anand, a teacher and administrator at the Guru Tegh Bahadar Foundation's nursery school, at The Guru Gobind Singh Academy in Norwalk.
"This is the first time a book of Sikh history has been written which our students here can relate to. A lot of Sikh history books are written in India. The writing is different, the pictures are different," Anand said.
The book is engaging and keeps children's attention, she said. "It's not just a book; it's a journey," Anand said.
Inni wrote this book for two reasons. "One was for the (Sikh) children to connect with their roots, their traditions, and their spirituality. I wanted them to have a hero figure. The children walk with him (Guru) and see things through his eyes.
"I truly believe that the family becomes united through the telling of stories," Inni said.
The second reason was because there is no book like this in the multi-cultural section of a library, she said, "and I wanted the larger American audience to have a glimpse into what the Sikh faith is all about; a glimpse into our world, our traditions, what we value."
"I originally wrote it for parents and grandparents to read to Sikh children, but interest has spread to parents who want to teach their children about other faiths."
For more information or to purchase Inni Kaur's book, visit www.journeywiththegurus.com.
[Courtesy: Fairfield Citizen]
May 19, 2011