Meeting was organized in form of a penal discussion by National Minority Commission in collaboration with the Global Punjabi Association.
Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman, National Minority Commission, presided over a meeting to discuss issues and challenges being faced by the Sikh minority community worldwide. The meeting was organized in the form of a penal discussion by the National Minority Commission in collaboration with the Global Punjabi Association.
The penal discussion titled, “The Sikhs: Challenges, Ramifications and Future Course of Action” found participation by more than 50 eminent personalities from diverse walks of life including, academicians, military veterans, lawyers, artistes, professional from diverse fields and social workers.
In his opening address Iqbal Singh Lalpura explained the various initiatives for minorities communities, including Sikhs, being taken by the Union government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the 15-point program of the minority commission. The 15-point program is over and above the 225 programs at the national level that the government has initiated since 2014.
Lalpura spoke of the special place that Punjab and the Sikh community holds in the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has led to the fruition of many positive Sikh centric initiatives at the religious and social level. The commitment of the prime minister is worthy of appreciation.Lalpura also identified unity of purpose as the key factor for progress and prosperity of the community that is spread across the nation and the world. The discussion was moderated by Colonel Jaibans Singh, Vice President of Global Punjabi Association, and by Dr. Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, Honorary Secretary of the Association.
The main issues flagged by the penalists were the need to improve upon education and social awareness of the youth of Punjab while also providing to them the skill sets required to compete in the modern world.
A big voice was raised for ushering reform in the SGPC to make it more inclusive and accommodating to modern requirements within the ambit of maintaining Rehat Maryada. The inclusion of Sehajdhari Sikhs in voting rights for the SGPC election was flagged. More attention to Dharam Prachaar (religious discourse) was also emphasized.
It was opined that art and culture can play a big role in the development of Sikhism, our traditions and culture should, therefore, be given due importance with special emphasis on the development of the Punjabi language.
The penal was unified in its observation that the community should exude positivity and modernity and strive for self-sufficiency. Over-dependence on the government at the state and central level does integrate with the character and ethos of the community that has, over centuries, charted its own course with its own hand work and dedication.