Komal
Kaur
Photo below, third from bottom - by Ambar Kaur Chana.
Inni
Auntie
1984
1984 & I:
I'll Keep It In My Heart
by KOMAL KAUR
This year, 2009, marks the 25th Anniversary of 1984, when horrendous crimes were committed against the Sikhs in the very land of their origin. To commemorate this sad milestone, we at sikhchic.com have asked our regular columnists, as well as our contributors and readers, to share with us the impact 1984 has had on their lives. We have requested personal stories and anecdotes, as well as an attempt to capture their inner thoughts and deepest ruminations on what 1984 means to each one of them and their loved ones - without going into a litany of facts and figures or a listing of the injustices to date, all of which will invariably be covered with due diligence elsewhere. We intend to present these personal perspectives to you throughout the twelve months of 2009. The following is the twelfth in the series entitled "1984 & I".
Guru Gobind Singh Academy, Norwalk, Conecticut, U.S.A.
As I sat, waiting for Inni Auntie to begin her monthly lesson, I thought about the many stories I had read about the brutal Pogroms of 1984.
Inni Auntie had told our class to read articles listed under the section 1984 & I, on www.sikhchic.com. That was our assignment in preparation for this class. The class discussion was going to be on the importance of the events that took place in India, just 25 years ago.
Inni Auntie entered the class, and told everyone to settle down before she started. We all took our seats and she began by asking, "What were some of the stories you read? Which story touched you the most?"
A student raised her hand and said, "I read a story about when a school was burnt down. It was something that I could relate to because they were just kids, and I know if something like that happened at my school, I'd be completely terrified."
This took place at the Guru Harkrishan Public School in Delhi, India.
After discussing the stories for a little while, Inni Auntie told us briefly about the background of the pogroms. She told us that from 1947 to 1984, there was no significant violence or conflict between Sikhs and Hindus, or between Sikhs and Muslims. So what happened? Let's think about that.
"This is our history. How can we preserve it? How can we share it with the rest of the world?" Inni Auntie asked. She raised a question, "Why is it that the world knows all about the Nazi Holocaust, but no one knows about the massacre of innocent Sikhs in 1984? Is it because the Jews have made an effort to tell everyone?"
Inni Auntie stressed the importance of connecting and understanding our history. She explored with us as to how the events of 1984 affect us even today. Even though we were not there during the time, I felt something stir within me.
She talked about a presentation held in a college in the U.S. "At a University campus, there was a slide presentation on the Pogroms of 1984, which was open to all students. The non-Sikh Indian students present there claimed that no such thing had happened. 1984 did not happen? And they were right, because the media in India at that time did not record it. No one talked about it. So a generation has grown up believing that it did not happen," she said.
Upon hearing this, Auntie Reena Kaur (whose brother was killed in the masscres) said, "Just three months after the pogroms, a Sikh family said to me, ‘Just forget about it.' But how could I forget? The pain lingers, a member of my family was killed and I lived through it."
At that moment, I learned the importance of keeping the memory of 1984 alive.
"Never forget," Inni Auntie said, "You, the next generation have to promise us, that you will keep this memory alive and never forget it. If we forget 1984, it will be a crime. Promise me, you will not forget what happened to us in 1984. Forgive, yes. Forget, never!"
All of us in class were deeply moved. I think we all made a mental promise that we must keep the memory of 1984 alive, and it should never be forgotten.
Inni Auntie continued by telling us a story about when the British ruled India.
Lord Dalhousie wrote in one of his letters, ‘The way to break the Sikhs is to separate them from their Guru.'
"And, he was absolutely right," she said.
"Harmandar Sahib and the Akal Takht Sahib, the two most revered places for the Sikhs, were attacked, but we rebuilt them," said Inni Auntie. "As long as the Sikhs are connected to the Guru, no one can destroy them. But if we get separated from the Guru, then we lose. Remember that, the enemy can only win, if we leave our Guru. In unity is our strength," she said.
Amereen Kaur said, "The talk was very informative, and what was amazing was to hear what other students had to say. How they felt and how they would keep the memory alive."
I would like to ask the Sikh youth to promise, "We will never forget 1984. We will keep the memory alive in our hearts. Forever!"
[Komal Kaur is a Grade 7 student at the Ponus Ridge Middle School in Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.A.]
March 17, 2009
Conversation about this article
1: Manjyot Kaur (New York City, U.S.A.), March 17, 2009, 8:14 PM.
Judging from what Komal Kaur has so charmingly shared with us, Inni Auntie's monthly programs seem like an immensely valuable asset to this school. What empowering and confidence-building lessons these children are imbibing! Komal Kaur's sweet innocence and the poignant sense of connection she feels with the events of 1984 are enormously touching. Young people like her are the brilliant future of Sikhi in the diaspora.
2: Ajit Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), March 17, 2009, 8:28 PM.
We urgently need Inni Auntie, Komal Kaur and sikhchic.com here in Punjab and all over India. Thank you to each one of you, and a big God Bless! Chardi Kalaa, always!
3: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), March 17, 2009, 9:23 PM.
As Inni's class discovered, and Komal Kaur presents so well, history is not to wallow in, nor is it to forget, only then is it integrated into our foundations to chalk our future.
4: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), March 18, 2009, 12:07 PM.
Non-stop activism of our 'Light bearing Ladies' is a new kindled hope for our survival - not only survival but a bright future of our Panth. My salute to Inni Kaur ji and to countless 1984 mothers, teachers (both hidden or vocal) who are instilling the pride and reviving our generations - home by home, camp by camp, Sunday class by class. And to our young breed of warrior princesses like Komal Kaur who care.
5: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, U.S.A.), March 18, 2009, 4:11 PM.
I had not heard of the comment mentioned above - Lord Dalhousie wrote in one of his letters, "The way to break the Sikhs is to separate them from their Guru." Can someone shed some historical light on this? I get the notion that there is lot of unknown history behind the root causes of 1984 and the separatist movement. It would be helpful in preserving 1984 if there was a piece summarizing what took place with regards to the Sikh community from 1947 Partition and Independence from Britain, up till '84. [Editor: Is anyone game?]
6: Amanpreet Kaur Samra (Stamford, CT, U.S.A.), March 18, 2009, 5:19 PM.
After reading Komal Kaur's article that she has written, I understand that we shouldn't forget our history - specifically 1984 - as it is very important and truly unforgettable for those who lived through it. These events of 1984 affected the lives of many people and the events are never forgotten as they were very terrifying. I am committing to keep these memories alive and never forget them as they are important for the future and the history of the Sikh community.
7: Rubin Paul Singh (Washington, D.C., U.S.A.), March 19, 2009, 12:32 AM.
Thanks, Komal Kaur, for sharing this wonderful piece! I hope Khalsa Schools all over the world pick up from Inni Kaur's example and make 1984 a priority for this year's curriculum. Great job! "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." - Maya Angelou
8: R. S. Bhinder (India), March 19, 2009, 1:45 AM.
The importance of history is in learning from it. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, History tell us correctly about the time and place of an event but the rest is as per the bias of the historian, whereas fiction tells us of a fake place and date of an event, but the rest is credible. Remembering 1984 is necessary but it will help the community only if the next generations are provided access to factual and objective history and background of events leading to the 1984 carnage. Further, more important is an analytical debate/dialogue on the subject by proven and unbiased scholars/historians. Nations which do not learn from their history reach nowhere. First the history, and then the remembrance.
9: Harpreet Singh (India), March 19, 2009, 11:38 AM.
It kind of brought tears in my eyes to know that India is all corrupt when it comes to see hope of Sikh oneness and assertiveness in our Sikh girls. I sometimes think that the Sikh community in India is composed of just males, where you can't see great souls like Mai Inni Kaur. I feel bad about it that hardly any Sikh in India knows any significant amount of his/her history. They are, like, both uninformed and uninterested. And I'd just like to say thanks for some wonderful comments here, specially to Gurmeet Kaur Ji from Atlanta. May God Bless you all. Thanks.
10: Jasreen Kaur Kohli (Seymour, U.S.A.), March 19, 2009, 1:29 PM.
Thanks to you, Inni, for presenting the articles so impressively to the kids who were not even born at that time. Komal, that was a very nice piece. I think all kids should read this article to remember 1984 forever.
11: Tejwant (U.S.A.), March 19, 2009, 4:07 PM.
Komal and her fellow mates have learnt through the wisdom of Inni Auntie that Sikh history is not a cross to carry, but a badge of honour and a constant reminder that only we can make a change, and hence a difference, so that these inhumane atrocities do not happen ever again anywhere in the world.
12: Sanmeet Kaur (Toronto, Canada), March 19, 2009, 6:40 PM.
Komal, I promise - I'll keep the memory alive in my heart, forever! I was nine during 1984 and I figured it was best to 'move on.' Thank you for making me understand the importance of not forgetting - "Forgive, but never forget!" '1984 and I' is every Sikh's story, whether we were actually in the midst of it or not. You have an excellent teacher and she has an excellent student!
13: Sujata (Florida, U.S.A), March 19, 2009, 8:36 PM.
It was heart warming to read that the youth of today are moved by the events of yesterday. Komal's interpretation was very poignant and touched a nerve. We need more youth like her and more teachers like Inni Auntie, to make this universe a better place to live in. A truly inspiring article.
14: Pritam Singh (San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.), March 20, 2009, 10:23 PM.
Great article, especially from a 7th Grader. Well done. I know Inni Auntie's work. She is great! Children and parents love her and appreciate her for inspiring the kids and introducing them to the joys of Sikhi.
15: Harinder (Bangalore, India), March 22, 2009, 3:54 AM.
Remember and grieve 1984, Yes! But let it not give way to hate in you, for if you do, you'll become just like them. The hallmark of a good life is 'healing' and not letting the wounds fester.
16: Arvinder Singh Kang (Oxford, MS, U.S.A.), March 23, 2009, 6:40 PM.
Very nice article, Komal and thanks to "Inni Auntie":) for making young Sikhs aware of our history. However, as Harinder said above, distill what you learn with multi-views rather than a single perspective. And never, ever, let hate come over you. For hating - even a sinner - will push you towards the dark side. Dark Lord Darth says it best in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi - "Good. I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon! Strike me down with all your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!"
17: Narvin Anand (U.S.A.), March 24, 2009, 9:32 AM.
Great job, Komal Kaur. Very impressive writting at such a young age. You have given a great message in a few words!
18: Ronika Sethi (Connecticut, U.S.A.), March 31, 2009, 5:43 PM.
GO-O-O-O Komal!GREAT JOB! :) Keep inspiring, kid. Love it.
19: Amereen Anand (U.S.A), April 10, 2009, 5:49 PM.
Amazing article! I love it! I agree that 1984 should stay in our hearts forever.