Joys and Struggles of being a Sikh
79The whispers were too loud for not to be reacted upon.
"What's that potato doing on your head?" another
school student sniped at my brother.
“Should I bring in a razor to make it easy for you”? Another
passerby prowled at my husband.
In India people are aware of the communities that exist and the sect that we Sikhs belong to. Sikhism, the world's fifth-largest religion, has more than 20 million followers, of whom many of them are currently inhabitants of Canada and United Kingdom. It never was easy for us after September 2001 that we were mistaken for the other lot. Many of you might be not be aware that Sikh men never shave their facial hair and wear turbans and hence these rude remarks.
Beliefs of Sikhism, Why hair is so sacred to us
Sikh faith, which stresses that all people - men and women - and all faiths are equal in the eyes of God. Because Sikhs consider their hair a gift from God, they never shave their beard or cut their hair. Guru Gobind Singh ji introduced the Kesh-Kangha privilege: Kesh (or hair) as a symbol of acceptance of the Creator's given form, and Kangha (or comb) to take care of the Kesh...to keep it healthy and clean.
Every Sikh’s daily routine is to comb his hair and tie it in a bun and neatly hide it under the turban. During summer he wears a patka, a thin and less clothed material for covering the head. It is a part of getting ready ritual; there are no two thoughts about it. Life is all about choices, you always have a choice not to do so not because it is customary or it is asked for by you. But you have strong faith in the choices you make that makes me be a proud wife to a man I love.
We are humans too
The title may come out as strong but yeah we are no aliens
from outer space, stop those glares. Traveling abroad and sightseeing is never
easy, as confusion with the other lot which was bound to happen. People
resisted talking to us, however in Europe in smaller cities such as Gothenburg, Sweden
where the population of Sikhs is less, people stare and wonder where do these
strange looking people come from. Looking for jobs and homes became even more
critical, there is no prejudice as such but they are just ignorant to a diverse
culture as us.
Many passer by where curious as to why we dressed in the way we did, many when they knew appreciated the culture and loved the different perspective of life we had. Generally speaking from personal experience people abroad are very guarded about their personal space and hence when they got to talk and know how aware we are of the world things got a lot easier. London is a lot easier for us, there are many Sikhs out there and so many gurudwaras we also met the elite class Punjabis who made it big there. It was a home away from home and London was a total contrast in response we got on the streets as well.
Marrying a Sikh guy
Personally this hub means the world for me, as it is an undying love and respect that I have for our community for all those who are striving for it. My husband is not amrit dhari but is a Sikh who has never cut his beard or hair since he has been born. Since the time our marriage was on cards, my friends had raised issues which never bothered me as to why would you marry a bearded man. The reason I chose a turban wearing man was because for me, attractiveness comes from within. I saw his personality and that is what I fell in love with. He is the best looking hunk in all the Punjabis in the city, even if I wanted to would never trade him for anything in this world.
My hubby is into English and Hindi music, a successful software engineer and loves cricket and football. His favorite program on TV is top car when he is not watching news that is. They think a turban and a not being a shaven guy means something bad or makes him a lesser person. For me all Sikh I know in the family and near and dear ones are rock stars.I wish they'd take the time to learn the truth, to know us better.
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Wonderful hub chandrajeet. To the point. I enjoyed it. Thumbs up
Too many prejudices out there...because people do not know or understand. Hopefully, the stereotypes will disappear as people become more open and unbiased.
Hey Charanjeet my hub " The other side of Subprime Loans" has been chosen as one of the HUBNUGGETS nominees. Click on this link to read more about it. http://hubpages.com/hub/HubNuggets-Overloaded
Be sure to vote and ask your friends to vote for my hub! :-). It will be great if an Indian can win it. And yes, it is only because of readers like you who liked my hub, that helped it to get nominated. Thanks.
Thanx all of you, for dropping by was out for vacation so could not reply earlier Teresa i am glad you have an open mind towards other cultures im so touched you like the hub.
Jayb thanx and congrats for the nomination will check it out ..
Diana charles ya thats so true like i mentioned it was all about not knowing why we dressed that way.
Very interesting read, thanks for taking the time to explain the traditions involved in being a Sikh.
I love hubs like this one, where we get a glimpse into worlds beyond our own cultures.
Wonderful hub. I'm glad to hear Sikhs have an easier time in London - there are large communities here, and some great and vibrant Gurdwaras.
Princessa, jerilee Wei and london girl nice to have you comment here..
It is all about awarenedd and i am so happy to know people are not thinking sterotypical and orthodox about other cultures.
London girl your hub about sikhs in exile was quite an inspiration and i had to link it to this hub. I swear london was pretty relaxed and the south hall gurudwara was one of a kind. Loved it.
How very kind! Thanks.
I very well know the sikh community and some of them are my friends. I knew they are not supposed to cut their hair but the reason was not known to me. This is an excellent Hub and more excellent is your thought "attractiveness comes from within". I really like your attitude. Your hubby is a lucky man!
However I feel your Hub title should have been "Joys of being a Sikh". We all should be proud of what we are and hence it should only be "Joy" and no struggle. It was not to offend you or anything, just my opinion.
@paper pack i am so glad that you have been acquainted with some of Sikh friends, my hubby is sure a lucky man else it would be so totally his loss to lose a charm like me... lol
On a serious note, i appreciate your comment i was thinking for an entire day for an appropriate title as this hub is the first personal hub ever and i wanted it to be real. The struggle keyword was all the times we were strong in our belief despite the glances. Struggle to overcome and strive in what you believe requires patience and in that context i used that word. I would never trade the joy of being a sikh.Do appreciate your visit...
Very interesting read good to know more about different communities of the world
Where I live, people can be quite prejudiced. A turban or an accented speech can generate suspicion. America may be the land of dreams, but it is not always the land of acceptance, even though it was built on (and continues to be built on) the energy and power and dreams of people from lands afar.
HubPages, like the rest of the Internet, brings people of all thoughts and feelings and beliefs together in a forum where no one necessarily sees the turban or the hair (or the gun-toting, flag-waving, apple-pie eating culture that we can be), and thus, people can get on with the business of sharing minds.
You bring a wonderful perspective of differences to the fore.
It is a great feeling to interact with all those lovely hubbers who were an inspiration for me to write in the very first place, have always admired your work and im so happpy to read a comment from you.
I like what you have to bring in this hub, i was very concerned to write a hub on being a Sikh but this is what i am proud of and wanted to share what i feel about prejudices. Hubpages has been more than supportive and i cannot deny that they have not had any judgements what so ever. Hubpages rock and it is all because of all you warm people. This hub is just a small effort to make a difference.. Thanx again for dropping by.
Nice Read...first comment on any of your hubs... Being a sikh myself ..know it all ....But enjoyed reading comments and watching people know about Us . The word "Struggle" is appropriate and prudent
World be publishing few hubs writing from long time. hope those will help you in some way
Heartiest regards :)
Freelance world, it gives me immense joy for my hub to be shared with a fellow sikh. Appreciate the visit and the kind comments too, have read your fan mail too and i would stay that you stick around as it is a wonderful community that we have here, this is my second online community and i love it here.
Before i leave Sat Sri Akal to you as well!!!
good material always attract others, keep on. I have good faith in sikh religion.
What has touched me is the way people from other cultures have admired and understood what has been written. I thank you all for being open-minded and just.
Lovely! Being in India, I have been exposed to Sikhism for the first time in my life. One of my most positive experiences was in Chandigarh, where an old Sikh man named Narindar Singh befriended me and showed me the city. He took me and another tourist to the Sikh temple, where they gave us dahl and chapattis, as well as sugar/ghee/wheat flour balls, and silver bracelets to wear around our wrists. In my experience, Sikhs are respectful, dignified, trustworthy people.
Sarahtrudeau, Lovely to hear that you had a warm experience. I know the food that you had is offered free of cost to anyone who enters the Gurus Darbar(i.e. Gurudwara) called the Langar.I have read your hubs and have always felt you are feeling the inner beauty of India as well. Wishing you more positive and great experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. Happy Travelling!!!
Thank you for writing this hub. I found it very interesting and thoughtful.
A very sensitive issue you have chosen with strong emotions behind it. I love to read words coming directly from heart...
Thank you june of ages and Bhawna for dropping by, It surely was a trip down my memory lane and emotional indeed to write this. Thanks for having an open mind.
Wonderful hub! You brought the world allot closer - thank you very much for sharing your insights. Many of my closest friends were from the Middle East in college. They sometimes felt strange sharing and I was too shy to ask. I love hearing about other cultures - this is an important hub. Thank you very much!
Thank you kelly for dropping by and appreciate your comment. All I wanted from this hub was for people to be more open towards other cultures.One thing is for sure the hubworld has been far more appreciative, the response has been heartwarming.
Your honesty and love for you husband is overwhelming! I wish more people could be so honest with their feelings. I appreciate how you have explained your culture. There is no better way than education to help everyone to understand and accept each other. If only this could happen world wide at the same time, we may achieve some harmony and peace. Thank you for enlightening me.
This hub beautifully expresses your love. Thank you for sharing your culture.
Excellent hub. Knowledge is power And as humans we lash out instead of pausing thinking and caring to learn and understand. Once again excellent for I learn more about this religion and respect the beauty of it more.
JannyC, appreciate the comment. It is so good to hear from others who have an open view on others beliefs.
Charanjeet,
Sat Sri Akal!
Kudos to you for writing about an issue which we feel and experience every day. Not only abroad, even in parts of India(we live in Hyderabad), Sikhs are looked upon more as curios.
It's a tough world for our kids as well, and inspirational writing like yours really makes a difference.
Dispelling ignorance with knowledge goes a long way in handling prejudice. It also lends itself to helping all of mankind celebrate our differences. If we were all the same, there need only be one of us. It is the rich variety of cultures and viewpoints that enables humanity to weave such a vibrant, colourful tapestry known as life! Thank you for the beautiful thread you have woven through that tapestry!
Raisingme, I am so glad to have bumped into you through the forums. You and your belief system is exceptional. I cannot thank you enough for dropping by and adding value to this hub through your comment.
This hub is personal for me and couldn't thank the community for being so open about it. It is people like you and that make a difference.
Hugs!!!!
nice to read dis:) dis explain so truly our religion! thnx 4 dis:D
So nice to hear that peple know the reason why sikhs follow things in their religion.
Proud to be a Sikhin.
well written......
Teresa McGurk 2 years ago
Another rich tradition explored and explained. Thank you for this insight into Sikh hair and beard growth.