Article by Parbinder Singh Chandhok , President, Sikh Brotherhood International, Mumbai, India

Gun, Arrow and Kirpan

Parbinder Singh chandhok

President Sikh Brotherhood international

&

Camp coordinator

INTERNATIONAL

I NSTITUTE OF GURMAT STUDIES, INC.USA

9,PALM SPRINGS, BEHIND PVR CINEMA,

JUHU, MUMBAI-400049

Eulogising 'Shakti-Sarup' of God, Guru Gobind Singh held that Thou art sword, gun and arrow and whosoever respects Thy these aspects shall be the winner of the world:

I doubt whether anyone of us is enamored in any way of these weapons and has attempted to wield them at any stage in his life. True, times have changed and so have the values. But the world has kept its love for these arms in the form of competitive sports. These find a pride of place in the international and regional meets like World Olympics, Commonwealth games, Asian games, European meets, etc. But we the Sikhs have totally lost affection for this weaponry.

Our gurus organised and encouraged these sport-meets. Guru Gobind Singh instructed his terrified enemy on the battle field how a sword is wielded, informed Moghul rulers how an arrow is thrown (by shooting one from Gurdwara Moti Bagh to bed room of the Emperor in Red Fort, a distance of two score kilometers), and himself fired all types of new guns; on the other hand, our youths disdain them.

Achievers in these games get name and fame, money and employment and honour and recognition. Still, we don't feel enthused. Sikh institutions and gurdwaras did not take any steps worth a mention to popularise Guru ji's dear armory among Sikh masses; they did not set up any training schools although these efforts don't cost a fortune; they did not mount talent-hunt; and they failed to provide financial and other support to capable Sikh youths.

Shooting and archery are completely ignored by us. Regarding sword (kirpan), we give training, here and there, in gatka, which is an introduction to swordsmanship. But gatka has limited acceptance (in a minimal section of Sikh youths), lacks national and international acknowledgment and promises no money or fame for players; it is confined to a few pockets in the rural Punjab. I understand some efforts are on to arrange national recognition for this activity from the Ministry of Sports. But these pains are unlikely to bear fruit because of above-stated factors.

Instead, we should concentrate our efforts on fencing (gutka being it's preliminary version) or archery, both of which are internationally approved games. Fencing also provides adequate credit to kirpan, one of our kakars, which we carry on our person. These sports do not require a large play field as for cricket or hockey/football and can be given a thrust with a limited budget of a few lakhs of rupees.

I request Sikh leaders and Panthic well-wishers to give a serious thought to my suggestion and come forward to revive among Sikhs a love for the Guru's beloved sports (fencing, archery and shooting).