It was early 1940s. I was in the high school then. A few young men from our locality, Mohani Road, in Lahore, who were studying at the city's Government College, celebrated the Birth of Guru Nanak Dev in the College Hall there. I had gone with them to prepare the hall befitting to receive Guru Granth Sahib and, later on, I was in the audience when a few lecturers, including a couple of English Professors, addressed the congregation. Perhaps one of them was the English Principal of the institution himself.

And that was the time when we were `slaves' and the Christian Country of Britain was ruling over us.

But now, in 1972, it was different. India had been a free country for over twenty-five years. Its `secular' Constitution had endowed the freedom of religion. A few Sikh enthusiasts at Government College, Ludhiana wanted to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, the protagonist of universal humanitarianism and secularity. When they sought the permission to hold the occasion in the college hall, they were refused as it could infringe the profanity of the building owned by the secular Government of Punjab.

(In this very contest it would be interesting to note an occasion when a very prominent and most revered Jain Munni visited Ludhiana in the late 1940s (might be a year later). On the invitation of the Principal (most likely it was Mr. Harish Chander Katpalia), the Jain Munni and a couple of his very young disciples addressed the students in the college hall twice. The preaching of Jainism did not infringe the `secularity' of the Government Building.)

The Sikh nation was already disillusioned with the Congress-leadership, which had gone back on their assurances given to the community prior to the independence. The assurances, which were given willingly and publicly by Mr. Nehru at the Lahore Session of the Congress and Mahatma Gandhi at Gurdwara Seesganj Delhi, are a conspicuous part of the history. The Sikh youth at Government College, Ludhiana further felt humiliated and discriminated. Thus offended, five students sought the co-operation of their fellow students and some members of the academic faculty. They all set down and pondered over the means to restore the Sikh honour. They gathered under the banner of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and decided to combat the heterogeneous and diversionary forces by instilling the consciousness and understanding of the Sikh heritage, and its religious, ethnic and cultural values in all the sectors of the humanity without any discrimination.

As quoted by Mr Jawanda, President World Sikh Council in their Annual Meet in Gurdwara Dixie Road, Toronto, Canada, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale travelled hundreds of miles earlier in his life. He went round from village to village and brought thousands of young people under the propriety of Sikh Baptism (Amritdhari). But unfortunately, ten years after his demise, most of the youth has turned back to apostasy; sacrilegious practices in facial hair, addiction to the drugs, indulgence in unSikh activities, etc. are much more prevalent now than ever before. The youth had conceded at that time, no doubt, under the magnetic persuasion of Sant Jarnail Singh. But, unfortunately, it was abrupt and there was a little backing of consciousness and understanding.

It seems, the promoters in Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle have clear understanding of this aspect. For the last more than twenty years their main function has been to inculcate, particularly, the young mind with respect for its heritage and religiosity. It is certain that any Sikh youth who has attained the true cognisance of his `being' will never look towards apostasy. With this criteria in mind the Study Circle, through its Gurmat Camps has rendered a great service for the preservation of Sikh ethos and understanding of its scripture, the Holy Guru Granth Sahib. Holding of more than 500 Camps in 20 years is most commendable. After a few days in the Camp an individual feels as if he had come out of the obscurity of ignorance. With the enlightenment one starts to understand Gurbani and its pertinence under the contemporary circumstances; he does not remain in the bewilderment of medieval concepts. The awareness attained thus, remains ingrained forever.

Although, the Study Circle commenced its operations with two aims in mind, as infused by Guru Gobind Singh; shubhkarman se kabhu naa taroun (desist not from the virtuous deeds) and Manis kee jaat sabhai eke pehchanbho (recognise, unitary are all the human denominations), it diversified its endeavour to inspire all walks of Sikh fraternity and public at large. The Students Wing, Public wing, Sikh Book Centre, Bhai Ghanaiya Seva International, Sports Wing, Drug Eradication Campaign, Abolition of Caste Consciousness, The Literary Guild, Youth Writers Centre, Gurbani Research Centre, Publication Department, Keertan (Singing of Holy Hymns) Classes, Bhai Samund Singh Gurmatt Music Academy, Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Institute, Bhai Gurdas Book Centre, Women Wing, etc. are some of the departments reflecting their avenues of activities.

Every Tuesday the students meet in the Punjab Agriculture University Hall under the patron-ship of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle. I had great pleasure of attending one such meet. As mentioned above, there was time when the authorities at Government College, Ludhiana had refused to entertain a request for the celebration of Sikh religious day but, now, the persistence efforts of the Study Circle have turned the tables.

I had the opportunity of attending a few of their Executive Committee meetings. Most of the members were devoting their times entirely on voluntary basis. Almost all of them belonged to high professional categories; Bankers, Academicians, Businessmen, etc. Sacrificing their personal leisure time and ambitions, they are fully devoted to the cause and I wish them luck, and prey that the community and the community organisations, realising their efforts, endow full monetary and physical support.

Pritpal Singh Bindra

Mississauga, Ontario

Canada