People
Blueprint
CHETANDEEP SINGH
One of the prime reasons that Sikhs in Punjab are suffering today is because they lack genuine leaders.
Not a ‘leader’ like Parkash Singh Badal or the current Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. But an honest statesman who can lead Punjab and Sikhs in a manner that the Gurus themselves led. Or like Maharaja Ranjit Singh lead. Or Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa …
Sikhs have been going through constant crisis since the 1600’s. After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan, Sikhs unified under his son and successor, Guru Hargobind and became a strong force.
Similarly, after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar, Guru Gobind Singh gave birth to the Khalsa and turned ordinary people into the most extraordinary saint-soldiers in the world.
However, today Sikhs in Punjab are in grave danger. Sikh youth is mired in drugs. And the Sikh Quom itself is headless because of a lack of a genuine and strong leader who can lead the Panth out of the crisis.
SOLUTION
I hereby propose a simple yet permanent solution to this problem.
Let us establish an institute with the sole purpose of creating leaders to serve Punjab. A leadership institute -- Leadership Institute in Service of Punjab -- LISP
ADMISSION
LISP takes in Sikh youth -- of the minimum age of 22 and maximum age of 35 -- who have earned at least an undergraduate degree. These Sikh youth should be saabat soorat and have the hunger and desire to serve and transform Punjab.
The admission criterion should be strict. Multiple rounds of interviews and written submissions. The admission committee to determine if the applicant has a true passion, concern and commitment for the betterment of Punjab.
COURSE
A training period of 3-5 years. LISP students to undergo rigorous courses in public policy, service, Sikh history, political science, music, sports and martial arts, branding, marketing, technology, environment, etc. Similar to the training that Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh gave their Sikhs at that time -- but, molded to fit 21st century needs.
At the end of this 3–5 year course, LISP to produce Sikh men and women who are ready to take on any public crisis and to tackle politics, civil service, religious leadership -- any role which is the need of the hour. These Sikh men and women to be high in character, ethics, leadership. Their sole purpose to serve Sikhi and Punjab and bring back the glory of Punjab.
LISP -- WHAT IT TAKE TO BUILD ONE?
Funding
It will take several million dollars to create this and keep it running. I know that the Sikh Panth has no shortage of money.
Visionaries
We will need people with vision and poetry to teach and create a generation of leaders. We will need teachers who have done immense work in their respective fields -- policy, public infrastructure, gurmat, music, spirituality.
The challenge, as I see it, is how to “place” LISP alumnis into Punjab. How do they go out and make themselves productive and effective? They can start charities and establish non profit organizations in their respective areas. They can start the ground work while being on the inside.
* * * * *
Yes, this proposal needs to be further thought out and formulated. Yes, this proposal is incomplete and merely a starting point for discussion. But instead of shooting it down, if it fires up your imagination to see a glorious Punjab, write in with your comments, suggestions … and critiques.
Edited for sikhchic.com
October 23, 2015
Conversation about this article
1: Jasbeer Singh (New Delhi, India), October 23, 2015, 9:45 AM.
Also, simultaneously, can we divert some of the money from large and unnecessary jalooses and gurdwara reconstructions and spend the money to provide best education to our kids? This is required for building our future. Plan it, execute it, and you'll see results. Do it for at least 15-20 years. Select kids, give them proper career guidance at every grade they pass. If you can't fund all, just do it for a few, but in ontinuity, at least for 15 years.
2: Brig Nawab Singh Heer (Ret) (Pennsylvania, USA), October 23, 2015, 9:51 AM.
I agree with Chetandeep that we suffer from a crisis of leadership. We do need a institute for training our young leaders. We need to train political and religious leaders. It could be done at one Institute or two separate ones. These must be established in USA and/or Canada. Funds will not be much of a problem. The earlier we do it the better it will be. I am offering my services free of cost.
3: Ajay Singh Banga (Bakersfield, California, USA), October 23, 2015, 11:13 AM.
"LISP students to undergo rigorous courses in public policy, service, Sikh history, political science, music, sports and martial arts, branding, marketing, technology, environment, etc. Similar to the training that Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh gave their Sikhs at that time? -- but, molded to fit 21st century needs." I don't see any mention of Spirituality. Let's not forget that Guru Hargobind had put emphasis on both Miri and Piri. Education in Sikh history and being 'saabat soorat' doesn't equate Spirituality. The current leaders of Punjab fit both of those criteria yet fail to fit the definition of Saint-Soldier. The overall approach of this Blueprint is very worldly. The foundation of Sikhi is Spirituality. Remember that the 'Saint' came way before the 'Soldier' even though they are both equally as important.
4: Harsaran Singh (Denpasar, Indonesia), October 23, 2015, 12:37 PM.
Chetandeep Singh ji, if you are a regular visitor to these columns, you might have noticed me blabbering somewhat similar thoughts. The proposal needs serious thinking. Our intelligentsia cannot keep cribbing about leadership crises and at the same time avoid shouldering any responsibility. Someone has to take the initiative and let that be your rough sketch to start with. One small request: when we plan for the 21st century, let us not focus on Punjab alone, let it be for Sarbat Khalsa, for the Sikhs in every corner of the world. Start working on the initiative, we are here to support you.
5: Daljit Singh (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada), October 23, 2015, 8:48 PM.
Other than in cities where there is need for new gurdwaras it should be sacrilegious to spend money on new buildings. Same thing for money used on litigations. We should be diverting these funds to funding Sikh Students for leadership, higher education and not forget, for example, the Sikhs of Siklighar. In parallel, we should have every gurdwara contribute to organizations such as The Sikh Coalition.
6: Jeejay (India), October 24, 2015, 1:48 AM.
And all these LISPer's would be instantly killed or incarcerated by the likes of Badal and Majithia, the drug kingpin, once they arrive in Punjab. The only way this problem can be solved is to set up a parallel Sikh institution in North America / England and to voice against the misdeeds of the politically controlled corrupt jathedars in India. They have made a mockery of the Takhts and Guru Gobind Singh ji's legacy. It's time for the Sikhs living abroad to break away from the shackles of India. Just like the Church of England did in the 16th century. Reformation will only come if we follow the words of the Guru Granth Sahib and not of the granthis and jathedars from India.
7: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA), October 24, 2015, 10:20 AM.
This blue print(LISP) seems to be a good solution to develop 'leadership qualities' in Sikhs. I am sure it should be on a continuous basis. Since the problem is in Punjab where most of Sikhs live, it would be convenient to start the project in Khalsa institutions like Khalsa college, Amritsar, etc. In such institutions, religious instruction is imparted, plus skills to develop discipline and leadership through scouting and military training. Basically, Sikhism is not a philosophy of passivity, negativism or inaction. It is a dynamic faith that gives meaning to both worldly life and to spirituality.
8: Talwinder Singh (USA), October 24, 2015, 5:09 PM.
The idea of LISP is good but - instead of having the youth of today "apply" and undergo an "admission process" I would rather shift the responsibility to LISP to seek out suitable potential leaders by invitation. LISP would work with other Sikh bodies and organization globally in arriving at names of suitable candidates. The leader should simply be one aspiring to be a GurSikh.
9: Kamal Singh (Mumbai, India), October 26, 2015, 8:44 AM.
Today's world is a give and take world. If you want something you have to give something. I believe we should catch our youth by providing free education. We should make education free of cost to practicing Sikhs. This will not only encourage existing Sikhs to keep their faith but also attract others into Sikhi. Also, we need the Sikh diaspora to help the studious/skilled Sikhs to find work and flourish across the diaspora.