‘Humanism is my religion’

To lead a healthy, stress-free life, there are three principles that work for 71-year-old Iqbal Singh Dhillon, an author and a naturopath leading an independent life. Eating organic, not eating too much cooked, fried (fast food) and relaxing with the help of yoga!

Dhillon has written on variety of themes – folk dances of Punjab, prosody and phonology of Punjabi language and interestingly, on how to overcome snoring. Of late, humanism has caught his fancy and that’s what he is currently working on. “I have always worked on innovative and exclusive ideas and it’s a misfortune that the topics initiated by me have got great response but have not explored the future,” shares Iqbal.

But that doesn’t stop this tireless septuagenarian to continue to work in what he believes in. Reclaiming humanism as propounded by Guru Nanak is what Dhillon has been trying through Nanak Mission where he is voicing his concerns on how a movement meant to bring everyone on same platform has taken religious identity and forgotten the basic tenets.

“In our monthly meeting, this NRI gentleman shared concern how they are being mistaken for Muslims and being made victims of hate crime. I believe we are responsible for this. Celebrating and selling our religious identity over our principles – neatly enshrined as – sarv dharma main shreshth dharma, hari ko nam jap nirmal kara, has led to this. How about getting known and identified for our principles that deem well for everyone?” he questions.

Interestingly, this Sikh gentleman has huge hopes from the youth, “Having worked as director Youth and Welfare in Panjab University, I know from experience that the young embrace the rationale and logic positively. Let’s give up mindless rituals to follow the true essence that most religions propound for the greater good of society.” — TNS