Above:: "Granthi" by GuruKirn Kaur Khalsa. Below: photo by Gurumustuk Singh.
Current Events
A New Breed of Granthis
by AMRITA CHAUDHRY
In Guru Angad Dev Institute of Religious Studies, twenty five boys are all busy taking a crash course in English.
It is just a beginning. From next month, when these young boys sit down to study religious scriptures, they will also be learning either French, Spanish or German.
It is not a linguistics session in progress but with a view to migrating abroad, these new age granthis are not just picking up English and foreign languages but also dabbling away in computers to be better equipped to reach out and spread the Guru's teachings.
“We have to reach out to the young generations and moreover there are many gurdwaras in the diaspora where knowledge of English language and a foreign language plus computers will help us get a good placement,” says Gurpreet Singh, a young boy from Patiala.
Gurpreet says his initiation into religious studies was a natural progression as “our family is religious by nature and education in religious studies is something natural”.
For now, Gurpreet and others are planning to study French.
In countries like Canada and Europe, French is spoken. If we know this language, then we will be able to communicate with the people,” says Gurvinder Singh, another student at the guruwara.“Majority of youth in Punjab want to go abroad, so why not equip oneself with the required tools. A job of granthi is much in demand overseas but mere knowledge of scriptures will not help us. We need to propagate Sikhism and even help the youngsters know what we are reading from the holy scriptures. This will be possible only if we can speak their language,” adds Gurpreet.
As for the religious studies, Baba Sewa Singh, the head of the Kaar Sewa which runs this institute, says, “The courses in religious studies are run completely free of cost. We provide education, training, clothes, lodging and food to the students. Former Jathedar Akal Takht, Joginder Singh ji, is the patron of this institute and he comes to teach the students three times a week. The students here are motivated to learn the scriptures, hold discussions on religion and are also taught comparative studies on various religions.”
[Courtesy: Indian Express]
June 28, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), June 28, 2011, 11:22 AM.
Wonderful! It is about time. Of course, these young people would need not only language skills in English, French and whatever else they might need; in addition, they also need some introduction to the culture, history and religions of our non-Sikh neighbors. Teaching effectively requires an understanding of the cultural context, including its idiom. It is great news and let's hope it progresses into an effective institute.
2: Devinder Singh (India), June 28, 2011, 11:41 AM.
Comparative studies makes this project a significant departure from the usual seminary, if it is indeed in earnest. The outlook however is still employment-oriented. That is not very promising. The seminary would do well to pay heed to Saint Augustine in the matter of personal training as a surer foundation: "Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."
3: Tina Bachani (India), June 28, 2011, 12:02 PM.
It's a very good step. I am very glad to read about this. I'm also interested in joining this project. But I live in Kanpur. Is there any way I can join? How?
4: A. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), June 28, 2011, 1:14 PM.
To Tina ji: this article was written about people living in India, so if you are interested, then you can join. Try to contact your local Gurdwara or the Akal Takht or the Damdami Taksal for more information as I am not in India so I don't want to misguide you in anyway possible. There are several Sikh organizations in India: if you contact them, they might be able to better assist you. [EDITOR: And you can get in touch with the Guru Angad Dev Institute directly at Khadur Sahib.]
5: Roop (Reigate, United Kingdom), June 28, 2011, 3:12 PM.
About time too.
6: Chacha Harbans (New York, U.S.A.), June 28, 2011, 3:16 PM.
Do you notice from the article that it seems that these students are learning other languages in order to get "placements" abroad ... doesn't seem to me to be to in the spirit of seva. More like a ticket abroad. Something most Punjabis are crazy to get. Also, another thing is they still will not be able to help the youth born and raised abroad as the English and culture is different. My take is that it is only when youth born and raised in the diaspora learn and become granthis that they will be able to do some good within their own communities. I don't know how much experience you guys have with these religious schools teaching English but they are usually below grade and it usually doesn't help anyway, and they usually still can't connect to the youth. The dialect and way they speak English is completly different. Most of the kids from abroad just crack jokes about their English.
7: Amandeep Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 28, 2011, 3:16 PM.
This is amazing - a much needed change in our preaching methods.
8: Joyti Kaur (Canada), June 28, 2011, 4:07 PM.
Any requirements that one needs to be Sikh first before applying or becoming a granthi? Will being member of RSS also work? Is this a meal ticket for all Indians to live abroad?
9: Brijinder Singh (New York, U.S.A.), June 28, 2011, 8:07 PM.
There is a demand for granthis outside of India and this school is trying to create a supply. I see nothing wrong in people looking for better opportunities abroad. After all, we all have done the same. Granthis that speak a little English are better than those that speak no English at all. Until there are seminaries in the West, this is our best alternative. I don't know how anyone could be against this wonderful initiative.
10: N. Singh (Canada), June 28, 2011, 9:09 PM.
I am not against this idea! I think it is a step in the right direction. However, I do have some concerns. Pre-independence, when Sikhs had special concessions under the British Raj, many Hindu families would encourage their first born sons to be Sikhs ... partly as an 'insurance' policy but also for economic gains. However, after Independence, the Hindus are in majority and are in power: how many of them have spoken up against the ethnic cleansing in the Punjab and elsewhere in India? I would be very concerned, as rightly pointed out by Jyoti Kaur ji, if this becomes a 'free ticket' for such "desis" to live abroad under the guise of being Sikhs. I would advise parameters to be considered and put in place. I know this won't make me 'popular' but then when were Sikhs meant to be 'popular'?
11: Gurinder Singh Johal (Amritsar, Punjab), June 29, 2011, 2:46 AM.
I think the students who do Master's degrees in Punjabi, Religion, Philosphy, etc., they should be appointed as granthis and parcharaks, they are freely available - all we need to do is add a few more key courses and special training. If these students are learning English to be a granthi, not bad! It is a good sign ... it is progress.
12: Jas (Australia), June 29, 2011, 5:17 AM.
Never met a granthi who actually cares about bani. All they care about is being called baba ji and getting an overseas visa.
13: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), June 29, 2011, 7:50 AM.
I remember during an all-faith rally 10 years ago for 9/11 in New York, when representatives of all major religions were praying and speaking. At that time, our Granthi stepped aside and the Gurdawra President started speaking on his behalf ... because of the English language. There are very few granthis who can speak in Engligh in public. I would like to request all granthis and gurdwara managements in USA/ Canada/ UK and elsewhere in the diaspora that they must learn English to covey the message of Sikhi to our youth and others who do not know Punjabi. Gurdwara managements must pay their fees for the granthis' English education.
14: Kanwal Prakash Singh (Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.), June 29, 2011, 9:02 AM.
As has been eloquently expressed by several learned friends, "A New Breed of Granthis" is an idea whose time has come and has been long overdue. In an increasingly inter-connected and interdependent world, the frontiers of faith and cultures are wide open and demands and opportunities are placed before spiritual leaders to be counselors, advisors, mentors, mediators, interpreters of contemporary human and spiritual issues of our times, besides being the guardians of the enshrined wisdom, traditions, and spiritual legacy of faith doctrine and distinct religious ideals. There is a new renaissance underway to learn about other faiths and cultures and we are seeing a myriad of interfaith events and initiatives in schools, churches, civic institutions to support humanitarian causes and common human concerns. That new sea-change makes and demands that a granthi be more than the a typical and traditional spiritual leader of the past. That he or she speaks the language of the country and is knowledgeable about other faith traditions to offer a comparative and distinct interpretation of the matters of spiritual discussion; lead and contribute to the discourse of western spiritual thoughts and values from the perspective of Sikh spirituality; represent the Sikh faith in important interfaith events; above all, has an understanding to reach out to the youth growing up in the West. As we pursue this path, there will be opportunity to refine and improve this process and make it right for the time, place and audience. This step is being taken to initiate this important addition to make the Sikh clergy more aware of the changing spiritual needs and environment in India and around the world and what is is needed to prepare them for the service and spiritual expectations of a new time and place in the human spiritual journey and excel in the sacred Hola Mohalas of our times. All ideas expressed by others need to be carefully integrated into the education and preparation of future granthis who will be called upon to serve a drastically unfamiliar new world. We can begin with bridging the language and cultural barriers and civic education as an important starting point and prerequisite to their graduation and serving in societies outside India. I applaud the landmark effort and pray that that the effort will produce a new brand of granthis open to growth and equipped to serve the spiritual needs of the Sikh diaspora and interface with other faith communities, multi-ligual and multi-cultural situations when needed.
15: Mohan Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 29, 2011, 11:07 AM.
Prior to formation of the S.G.P.C., the granthi used to manage overall affairs of a gurdwara, including parchar. Today preachers and granthis are strictly under the control of management with no or little respect given to them. The main duty of a granthi now is to manage and maintain the standard protocol around the Guru Granth Sahib as per daily routine. Any university graduate can perform such duties of a granthi. I know of a retired professor from Punjabi University of Patiala, appointed as a granthi in a gurdwara in the U.S., who performs his duties very well and also commands due respect. There is a Sikh Missionary College in Toronto, not recognized by any Gurmat College of India though they claim it to be, and certainly not as per gurmat. Baba Seva Singh is a kar sevak who loves gold, granite and marble to decorate gurdwaras but is not strong on actual parchar.
16: Malwinder Singh (Texas, U.S.A.), June 29, 2011, 1:09 PM.
Now Sikhs are talking about supply and demand of granthis. I am not sure if this is something to be proud of. We all know that opening more and more gurdwaras has not proven to be healthy for the Sikh community. I would be more concerned about the kind of message these granthis are going to spread here, than how well they do so with a better command of English. If all they are going to do is spread the vedantic/ nirmala/ udaasi version of Sikhi, their English/ French/ German is of no use. And I become more skeptical when names of a kar sewa babaji and Jathedar Joginder Singh "Vedanti" is associated with this project.
17: Brijinder Singh (New York, U.S.A.), June 29, 2011, 3:34 PM.
Okay, people. I think we all need to go back and re-read the article. They are just teaching them language and computer skills. They aren't handing out visas. A lot of youth want to get out of Punjab, it's not just the granthis. I find it extremely ironic that Sikhs living in U.S.A. and Canada are the ones criticizing them for wanting to go abroad. Makes me think that Indians just enjoy hating one another. Joginder Singh was the former Akal Takht Jathedar, who was forced to resign by S.G.P.C. and Akali Dal. Those are the people allied with B.J.P. and R.S.S. Joginder Singh was against amending the Nanakshahi calendar to fit with the Hindu Bikrami Calendar. There is no reason to believe that this school is training undercover R.S.S. agents to come and get us. The R.S.S. don't need this school. They are already operating in the U.K. Let's not let our paranoia get the best of us.
18: Ravinder Singh Taneja (Westerville, Ohio, U.S.A.), June 30, 2011, 10:32 AM.
I am of the opinion that future granthis (if that is what we want to call them) for the diaspora sangat must come from the diaspora itself - a tall order, I know, but necessary. Diaspora Sikhs have to stop depending on granthis from the Punjab (or India) because we have to nurture Sikhi in a different context (it cannot be a duplication of India). To give you an example: The Sikh Missionary College puts out pamphlets/books that are used by the Sikh Youth Federation to conduct annual symposia for children in the U.S. The books are written in English, no doubt, but to diaspora kids, they read like a foreign language. I must admit that even I cringe when I read them. The point: one must be well versed, not only in the idiom of the local culture but also be able to identify with day-to-day concerns of diaspora Sikhs. I have yet to meet a granthi from India (even the English speaking ones) who has that facility.
19: Mohan Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 30, 2011, 4:56 PM.
Granthis can be trained in a Gurmat camp within a week or two anywhere in the world.
20: Gurpal Singh Bhuller (Chester, VA, U.S.A.), July 04, 2011, 2:53 PM.
Whoa! Just hold on! Train granthis in a week or two? I would respectfully disagree. To my mind, a granthi in the Western culture should: a) Be well versed in gurbani AND the relevant secondary scriptures like the Vaars of Bhai Gurdas. In addition to reading, he should be able to explain them to you and me. b) He should be fluent in the language of the country /place where he resides. Not only will he then be able to connect with the younger generation, but also to the non-Sikhs who decide to visit the gurdwara. c) He should have the ability to speak publicly at community events where a Sikh representative or the Sikh viewpoint is needed. d) He should have pastoral skills that may be needed when there are problems within the sangat and those affected need counseling, e.g. in marital conflicts or with children. e) He should be able to do kirtan and teach kirtan. f) He should be able to teach gurbani/ Punjabi to the children of the sangat, if asked - or at least guide those who wish to do so. I think it is a tall order to learn all this in 5 years, let alone 2 weeks!
21: R. Singh (Canada), July 05, 2011, 10:45 AM.
I appreciate and second the concerns raised by Malvinder Singh ji. Langauge is only a tool, not the goal; But it will be interesting to see how many actually promote the true values of Sikhi or just stick to 'traditions' with heavy nirmala colouring and their stranglehold on any discourse, commitment to inclusiveness and concept of 'vichaaar'.