Sikh Student

Sikhs are a community that believes in one God and equality of all

men and women, irrespective of race, religion, cast or creed. They

took to sword to defend Hindus against the religious oppression by

Mogul, Afghan and Iranian invaders and rulers. Their word for sword

is ‘Kirpaan’ which means ‘benefactor’, to be raised only to defend the

oppressed. (Kirpa = Mercy, Compassion, Aan = Honour, Dignity).

Here a young sikh child is learning the first alphabet of Punjabi

language at San Jose California, Gurudwara. It is his first step to

learn the philosophy of his faith and imbibe the spirit of service and

sacrifice from the position of strength.

Talking of Sikhism, the child’s expression reminds of an historical

event. Tenth Sikh Guru’s two sons aged 6 and 9 years were

captured along with their grandmother, by an Afghan ruler. Housed

in a windy tower in chilly winter, without bedding, separated from

their grandmother, the kids were given two options; convert to the

captor’s faith and get comforts or be bricked alive. The kids declined

the first option. Indeed they were bricked alive in a wall