Before I left Canada for India I wished if the investor ceremony of the new Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht could take place during my stay in India; it would be a once-in-a-life time experience. I heard the news at Bombay and immediately flew to Delhi and then Shatabdi brought me to Amritsar. Being overwhelmingly enthusiastic I had expected, although sober and sublime, a glorious ceremony.

The organisational aspect excepted, the installation of Bhai Ranjit Singh has, no doubt, endowed new dimensions to the supremacy of the highest spiritual and temporal order of the Sikhism. Perhaps, in the contemporary history, it is the first time the whole Sikh Nation has exhibited consensus. The presence of the smallest sects (may be not akin to the Decorum of Akal Takht till today) and the bigwigs like SAD(B), SAD(A), SAD(P) (though quite variant to each other), was quite conspicuous. It was an epitome of the real Sarbat Khalsa. (Except, however, there was scant representation of the Sikh-leadership from the Congress Party).

Mr. Manjit Singh Calcutta, Secretary, S.G.P.C., the master of ceremonies, threw a brief light on the circumstances leading to the nomination of Bhai Ranjit Singh as the Jathedar in June 1990 when Prof. Darshan Singh had resigned. At that time Bhai Sahib was in the prison for alleged murder of Nirankari Baba, Gurbachan Singh.

After getting his education up to primary standard Bhai Ranjit Singh had moved to Delhi where he started his work as a carpenter. He camne in touch with the Akhand Keertni Jatha and became a very active member of their Gatka Troupe. A number of unarmed members of the Akhand Keertni Jatha were killed by Gurbachan Singh and his protege at Amritsar on the Baisakhi day in 1983. Bhai Ranjit was very much perturbed and determined to annihilate the Baba. He joined Baba's household and rendered menial services there for a few years and, then, at an opportune time, it is alleged, he terminated his life. During the period of his imprisonment Bhai Sahib Prof. Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Anandpur Sahib, officiated as the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht.

Bhai Sahib Prof. Manjit Singh announced the commissioning of Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh with an impressive introduction. He appreciated the efforts of the thousands of devotees for coming to join in the endowment of blessings to the new Chief.

Although Bhai Ranjit Singh had no opportunity of formal education, his inaugural speech was quite inspiring. It is said that during the long years of his imprisonment he had been studying Gurbani and Sikh Literature. The deep knowledge of the

Sikh Maryda, sobriety of thought and impartiality were quite apparent from his speech. Along with his magnetic composure and universal acceptance by almost all the sections of Sikh Community, he will lead the Panth towards a unified goal.

But I must add that, unfortunately, the whole atmosphere at the ceremony was marred by the haphazard organisational aspect. The S.G.P.C. must have anticipated the gathering of thousands of devotees and the Sikh-leaders, particularly when an Akali Conference was to take place in Amritsar that afternoon. It took quite a few minutes for me to locate where the dais was set up, and the eminent personalities were seated. People were clamouring like a common-place Majama. There was no specific arena set for the press. I relished the speeches of Singh Sahib Prof.Manjit Singh and Singh Sahib Bhai Ranjit Singh when I heard them on my tape-recorder later at home, rather than at the time when those were delivered at the place. Most disorganised part was the presentation of the Siropas by the various leaders, individuals and organisations at the end of the ceremony. The Siropas were, to some extent, thrown over the heads of the people at the front. No body heeded to the repeated requests of Singh Sahib himself to sit down and come forward in orderly manner. Instead of paying homage, the donators of the Siropas were more interested in the announcements of their names on the speaker-system.

Perhaps, like the traffic on the roads, it is the way of life in India.