The Khalsa in 2008

the man in blue
 harjindersinghkhalsa@yahoo.co.uk

The Khalsa was created to serve all, to fight against injustice, to defend the defenceless. In that light, what contribution can the Khalsa make in 2008 ? I am not going to try to give an exhaustive list, I am just suggesting some ideas that came to my mind. Obvious the list is a result of the areas of activity that I am interested in, but the underlying idea applies to all. 

• Standing up for the right of the Sikhs to be Sikhs & Khalsas. This is not necessarily our first priority, but it has to be done. We should more often link with other communities having similar problems about beards,  head-cover or other ‘religious symbols’.
• Supporting other nations/ethnic groups that are denied their rights or get a raw deal in our society. For instance Nagas and Dalits in India or Gypsies and Travellers in the UK.  
• There are tensions between religious and ethnic communities in this country and in others where Sikhs live. We are uniquely positioned to help overcome prejudice and to point to universal values that can be shared with all. 
• The world is running out of resources because of our greed and over-population. Sikhs should be in the forefront of the campaign for a simpler life, for reusing, and for using less. Sikhs should be in the forefront of the campaign for responsible parenthood where families on average have no more than 2 children. I am not in favour of the forceful way this problem is tackled in China. Note that in India the birth-rates go down in the wealthier states, and remain high in poverty stricken states like Bihar and Orissa. 
• The above is closely linked to the problem of global warming. There always have been fluctuations in the earth’s temperatures, but at the moment we are changing the world into a hothouse, which will lead to more unpredictable weather patterns and rising sea levels. There will be both droughts and floods and countries like the Netherlands, Bangla Desh and low islands in oceans will disappear.
• Do not forget the small stuff right next to you. Treat your family members and neighbours with respect and be helpful to them. Greet the people you meet in the street in your local area. When you use your car less and walk more you will be amazed how many people you will get to know. You can campaign with the people in your neighbourhood, for instance for safer pedestrian crossings, better public transport, and against too many cars using your residential road as a shortcut. 

A Sikh, a Khalsa is no couch potato. A Sikh, a Khalsa does not live for maya alone. A Sikh, a Khalsa does not just give her/his daswant but also her/his time to the community. A Sikh/a Khalsa serves all, not just fellow Sikhs or fellow Panjabis. Being a Khalsa was never meant to be easy, being a Khalsa is the ultimate challenge.