Turn Of The Century - Sikh Concerns And Responses - Book By Kharak Singh

Introduction To 'Turn Of The Century' By Kharak Singh

The Word of Almighty, as revealed to Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, has faced hostility from various quarters even since its revelation. The Gurus, therefore, to preserve its universal approach for posterity, recorded it and authenticated it. Yet, the antagonistic groups have not given up their attempts to dilute and/or distort the same  from time to time. But, the dedicated and committed followers of the Guru have always risen to the occasion , and rebutted any misrepresentation of the Sikh Faith.

The present volume is a saga of the onerous efforts of one such devoted follower of the Guru, made towards preserving the Word of Almighty in its pristine form, and taking it to the world, as envisaged by the Gurus. The volume also presents the crystallized views of the author regarding the burning issues that faced the globally dispersed Sikh community, as a whole, and offers ways and means to resolve the same. Not just mere verbal injunctions, but his diligence, industriousness speaks for itself from the genre of the institutions put in place to attend to every such issue, on the ground.

The absolute commitment to the cause of the Guru is manifest in every word and deed of the author. His conviction that the propagation of the Guru's message, in its true spirit, has a bearing on the future of mankind, and therefore his unrelenting efforts to excuse the same till his last breath are evident herein.

The book reveals what one, driven by love for the Almighty and humanity, can achieve in a short span of time.

About The Author Of 'Turn of the Century'

Dr. Kharak Singh was born on 12^th November 1922 at Village Rayya, Dist Amritsar, Punjab, India. A topper and a scholarship holder throughout, Dr Kharak Singh's name stands on his school's Board of Honour. After obtaining his Masters in Agronomy from Solan University, Punjab (now in HP), in 1952, he obtained another Masters and a Doctorate Degree in Agriculture Economics, in a record time, from Ohio State University, USA. On account of his qualifications and expertise, not only Governments of various states on India and the Centre, but also Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations sought his services.

As a true Gursikh, he ever engaged himself in disseeminating the message of Guru Granth Sahib, the scripture of the Sikhs.He was a member of the Dharam Prachar Committee, SGPC, Amritsar, and his name figured prominently on every committee formed by the same to address issues related to the Sikhs and their Faith.

A prolific writer, he has edited and authored several books and well-researched articles, highlighting the issues that need to be addressed, and founded institutions to cater to these.

In short, his contribution towards safeguarding, invigorating and propagating the Sikh Value System, as preached by the Gurus, is immense, which shall aid in furthering the march of the Sikh Panth in particular and humanity in general towards its destined glory.

Editor's Note To 'Turn Of The Century , Sikh Concerns And Responses' By Kharak Singh

I took upon myself to compile, in this volume, the articles written by Dr. Kharak Singh Ji that address various contemporary issues concerning the Sikh Panth in particular and the State of Punjab in general, under the author's supervision. But before this publication was ready for the press, Dr Kharak Singh Ji departed for his Divine Abode on 6^th August , 2008.As such, I have been deprived of the guidance and support of my patron saint that I had so much counted on for completing this task in a perfect manner. I hope the readers will Keep this in mind while going through the next.

These articles comprise mainly the editorials of the journal, Abstracts of Sikh Studies (AOSS) of the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) along with some other writer ups contributed towards various seminars and publications of the same. Appearing over a span of almost the last two decades, these highlights the tumultuous times that the Panth has passed through, courtesy the numerous burning issues that confronted and adversely affected the same during this period. The conflicting views and variant approaches of the globally dispersed Sikh sangats and their organization towards these issues have been resulting in chaos-like situation. Most of the times, these have led to clear-cut divisions amongst the Sikhs as a community. Dr Kharak Singh was the person who always tried to bring about rapprochement amongst the Sikh sections holding divergent views by proposing the most appropriate and righteous course of action, in line with gurmat, after sincere, thorough contemplation and deliberation.

Dr. Kharak Singh's sole desire, closet to his heart, was unity and charhdi kala of the Panth. His honesty of purpose, as a Sikh intellectual, is undisputed the world over, and so is his forthrightness to call a spade a spade. Thus, his analytical viewpoints expressed in these articles regarding various issues that have a bearing on the Panth, be these political, religious, educational, legal and/or social, are extremely valuable. These not only offer suggestions for sorting out the controversies amicably, but also offer guidlines for progress of the Sikh community on the world stage.

While Dr. Kharak Singh had been consistently expressing his views through speeches and writings, he had also been working diligently and round the clock to achieve his targets. His convictions, based on logic and enduring Sikh ideology, were clear, and he had the strength to execute these. He was one of the founder members of the Institute of Sikh Studies, and was often referred to as its 'heart and soul'. This Institute has made a mark at the international level by rebutting the disinformation being spread by certain vested interests regarding the Sikh History and Sikh Faith.

Dr. Kharak Singh had the will and determination to put into operation his beliefs and vision. He was lately whole-heartedly engaged in giving a practical shape to the Guru's doctrine of Guru Granth - Guru Panth, as it may become applicable in this day and age. He, along with his dedicated team-members of national and international repute, have founded the International Sikh Confederation - A Body that strives to bring all the Panthic organizations under one roof. As such, it provides a platform for resolving t