Celebrating the oneness of human spirit

The Khalsa tercentenary celebrations, which begin on Sunday with the laying of the foundation stone of the Heritage Memorial Complex, are in more ways than one inter-religious occasions that aim at
weaving all humanity into one spirit, says P.P.S. Gill.

THE tercentenary, marking the birth of the Khalsa, is not an event of the Sikhs, by the Sikhs and for the Sikhs alone. It embraces the entire human race in the true sense and spirit of "oneness of humanity".

The event will commemorate 300 years of the creation of the Khalsa on April 13, 1999. It was Guru Gobind Singh who had baptised five men in 1699 and initiated a process of renewal and regeneration of "new order" in the multi-religious and multi-cultural Indian society.

The five, who volunteered to obey the Guru, came from different regions, cultures and castes. Mohkam Chand was a washerman from Dwarika in Gujarat, Himmat Rai was a cook of Jheevar caste from Puri in Orissa, Sahib Chand was a barber from Bidar in Karnataka, Dharam Das was a Jat from Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh and Daya Ram was a Khatri from Lahore, now in Pakistan. After being administered Amrit, the word Singh was appended to their names. The Guru himself partook Amrit from them later.

Thus the celebrations are in ways more than one an inter-religious occasion. The celebrations also epitomise the continuation of cultural and spiritual traditions of our heritage. A look at the present times globally shows how society is torn between violence related to religious conflicts and ethnic hostilities, which in return rule the politics of the day. Therefore, when there is a reference to observing 1999 as the year of "human spirit", it is to signify the well-being of all human beings. Therefore, the Khalsa represents and symbolises values of humanism, universalism and liberalism, and the occasion has to be observed and celebrated as such.

As such, there is more to it than meets the eye when a national celebrations committee is formed and holds its meeting with the Prime Minister of India in the chair. It in itself depicts that such national religious festivals are to be observed without an iota of ‘isms’ or discrimination against any human being based on caste, creed, region, race or religion. When the ceremonies formally begin on November 22, they will be an inter-religion event. The foundation stone of the Khalsa heritage memorial complex will be laid on Sunday by the Panj Pyaras, the five beloved ones. Those chosen to do so will be from among those who baptise Sikhs at Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib.

It is not for nothing that Guru Gobind Singh ordained that after him the "Guru" will be Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book containing hymns. This compilation is an embodiment of the "divine spirit", for, it contains the preachings, teachings and hymns of not only Sikh Gurus, but also of Hindu saints and Muslim Sufis — 36 of them. In fact, the Sikh Gurus are just seven. It is an all-encompassing spiritual heritage which provides for free self-expression of the human spirit. Therefore, the tercentenary celebrations are meant to remind man of his continuing religious and cultural heritage as much as of continuation of life after death.

The event will provide an opportunity to the Sikhs in particular, and others in general to learn from the past, introspect and prepare for the future, ensuring proper and adequate articulation of the aspirations of the people. Thus, throughout the celebrations, the Guru’s message, which is the quintessence of spiritual and cultural heritage, will be discernible, reminding people of the need to be tolerant to other religions, which, in its own way, will take man to salvation.

It is in this backdrop that one has to see what the proposed Khalsa heritage memorial complex, designed by internationally known architect, Moshe Safdie, will depict. The nucleus of the complex, spread over 100 acres and to be completed at a cost of Rs 300 crore, will be the Nishan-e-Khalsa, a steel khanda (double-edged sword) rising to 60 metres. It will be a reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Khalsa. Surrounding the khanda will be a pool and a parikarma. The nek will be on a hill-top with five separate stairs leading up to the memorial.

The complex will have a museum showing the Khalsa’s heritage. The depiction will be through paintings, photographs, artefacts, relics and murals. State-of-the-art multi-media techniques will be applied to give the viewers the experience of being a participant in history.

The Punjab government, the SGPC and the Government of India are actively participating in the event. Besides the national-level and state-level committees, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has set up an implementation committee, which will coordinate the activities assigned to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office. Several state governments are associated, as are Union ministries, including the Railways, Surface Transport and the Tourism Ministry.

The Punjab Government has set up the Anandpur Sahib Foundation and also Anandpur Sahib Urban Development Authority. Though their functions are defined, there is no common umbilical cord for coordinated and synchronised functioning, which makes monitoring difficult. A single-window for information and superintendence is required later because the November 22 function just marks the beginning of the celebrations. For this occasion, the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, is the in-charge. But what thereafter? One can see the quick pace of activity now. However, once the mega event is over on April 13, 1999, laxity is bound to creep in; though, for a full year, till April 13, 2000, as many as 52 different functions and programmes have been chalked out.

Anandpur Sahib itself is to be spruced up. The existing structures are to be given a facelift. Besides an urban estate, land is being acquired for other developmental purposes as well. Apart from a martial arts academy in the precincts of the existing Dasmesh Academy, a three-star hotel is coming up in collaboration with the ITDC.

A kisan bhavan for farmers, a remodelled hospital and a railway station, better rest houses, a network of widened roads, welcome gates and bridges are all in different stages of construction. Better water supply, sanitation and electrification is also proposed for the town, which has remained neglected for decades.

There is criticism as well about the manner in which the celebrations are being planned and executed. This criticism comes from within and outside the Sikh religio-political and social circles. Nevertheless, with the Centre also providing all help, financial and otherwise, there is no looking back now. The proposed programmes over a period of time include asking the Railways for an exhibition train to carry the message of Sikh Gurus, reflecting the indomitable spirit of the Sikhs, recall their humanism and heroic deeds and integrate their pride and glory with the nation’s culture.

An inter-faith conference under the "Roads of faith and culture of peace" programme of UNESCO is also proposed, as also a light and sound programme and issuing of commemorative stamps. A request for issue of commemorative coins is also with the Centre. The foundation will also publish books and literature. A Shatabdi between Chandigarh and Anandpur Sahib is proposed.

In fact, it is believed that henceforth Anandpur Sahib will be on the international map as a tourist destination and a pilgrimage centre. It will be the focus of attention for the Sikh diaspora, spread globally, as well as for people of other religious faiths. Sports activities, tournaments, including international polo, hockey and cricket matches, are also planned.

Anandpur Sahib, thus, will be the cynosure of all eyes in the months ahead, for, it was here that the Guru gave the concept of "saint-soldiers". Though Baisakhi assumes great significance next year, every year the Hola Mohalla event has held sway among lakhs of pilgrims. After all, Anandpur is also an important destination of the Nihangs, who camp here at that time and display their skills of horsemanship and fencing.

The place has five forts built by Guru Gobind Singh, who spent 25 years at Anandpur Sahib. These five forts are Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Holgarh, Fatehgarh and Taragarh. Several other gurdwaras are also in the vicinity of Anandpur. Attention to those is also expected to be paid in terms of proper approach roads and lighting.

Baisakhi is not only important to the Sikhs, it is believed even Gautam got "enlightenment" on Baisakhi day, and he became the Buddha. Even Vashishta meditated at Anandpur Sahib, and some believe Maharishi Valmiki wrote the Ramayana at Anandpur Sahib.

There are several weapons belonging to Guru Gobind Singh which are displayed at Takht Keshgarh Sahib. These include a khanda, a katar, a karpa barchha, a nagni barchha and a musket, besides a saif, which is 1,300 years old, and was used by the caliphs of Islam in at least five battles. It bears an Arabic inscription and was once the property of Aurangzeb.

Therefore, while the main activities take place at Anandpur Sahib, the national-level committee is organising, through different channels, exhibitions abroad. Indian embassies and missions are being asked by the Ministry of External Affairs to celebrate Baisakhi by involving people belonging to different faiths.

The SGPC has invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the Punjab government has asked the Centre to arrange for relics to be brought from Pakistan for an exhibition during the celebrations.

Several Sikh organisations and sects are also doing their bit in either contributing to the occasion or holding their respective programmes.

The latest was one organised by the Institute of Sikh Studies at Chandigarh in October where eminent Sikh scholars presented their papers and adopted a "declaration" as well. It expressed concern over some past happenings and said several powerful Sikh impulses and concepts vital for existence in the modern world had suffered in the past.

Notwithstanding the internal contradictions and conflicts among Sikh scholars on the one hand and among politico-religious personalities on the other, for a common Sikh 300 years of the birth of the Sikh faith is an important event. He looks forward to going to Anandpur Sahib for the historic event. A Sikh today considers himself lucky to be alive to witness the same.

Hence, criticism of organisations and individuals over petty issues and internal squabbles simply dwarf in front of such a mega event. It is time Sikhs showed magnanimity and concentrated on the occasion, rather than nursing individual egos and working themselves into webs of perceived notions.

Thus, November 22 is the first milestone in a long journey ahead. There is activity and life beyond a particular day and date. The occasion, therefore, should enable the powers that be to think of the socio-economic well-being of the people and ensure education and health for all, so that they may be one with the divine spirit.