Sir, - Sikhism derives its radiance from divine power. Gurbani is a composition of divine word articulated on observance of this universe and worldly ways under divine light and with the help of divine wisdom. Kings, warriors and leaders bank upon muscle power, intellectual, talent, money and material wealth supplied by technical potential, whereas godly persons derive their strength from divine power which is unknown to most of us. Facts and versions tend to be distorted or confused in the absence of divine light. I wish Sikhism is projected in its true essence which is universal in character and is directly related to the Almighty.

B.S. SETHI
369 Pradhan Marg, Nirankari Colony,
Delhi. 110009

Sir, - Apropos Prof. M H Khan’s article (SR - March 2002) predetermination of sex and destroying female faetus, although illegal, is being widely practiced in India, particularly in male dominated society, with feudal outlook, of Punjab which consists of majority of Sikhs. This is resulting in adverse demographic effect on male-female ratio which has long-term serious implications.

During my visit to Punjab in February ‘97 I posed the question to a cross-section of society and I was astonished that there is no awareness of this serious problem. Clearly this practice is against Sikh way of life and signifies gross injustice to females. In education also there is similar disparity. I recall the "Human Development Report" published by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and reproduce below extract (on page 31):

"Families in India’s rural Punjab spend more than twice as much on the medicare of the male infants as on that of female infants."

The Sikh tenets prohibit discrimination between male and female. The practice of treating female infants as reported in UNDP Report appears to be anti-Sikh. I request all social workers and institutions in general and Sikhs in particular to educate and create awareness of this serious problem to avoid long term implications.

HARDYAL SINGH PAUL
Deaconess Center #206
13500 Ridge Road
North Royalton, Ohio 44133 USA

Sir, - I congratulate Amarjit Singh on his recent election victory. In my opinion, however, the real victory occurred when he decided to become involved in public service. The public office he holds is a noble and an honourable undertaking. We public officials hold a public trust with those that elected us and we must always do our absolute best to honour that trust.

My best wishes to him for a successful term in office.

TONY GUGLIELMO
State Senator (35th Dist.)
Connecticut, 100 Stafford St.
Stafford Springs, CT 06076. USA

Sir, - I read with great interest, the views of Syed Shahabuddin (SR March 2002). While his views need to be probed further, I am afraid, I beg to differ on certain key points.

The political power based on military strength is not always ‘transient and short-lived.’ The British ruled India for 150 years and have left, say 2% of our population behind, as Christians of different denominations. The same applies to the Mughal rule in India.

On the other hand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh set a trend, based on modern military power combined with a moral and just social system rooted in the teachings of Guru Nanak, which continued to flourish long after he was gone. Tolerance and respect for other religious philosophies was his cornerstone and reflected in his cabinet of ministers, especially the finance minister, Syed Faqir Azizuddin, who held a powerful influence.

Once a convert, his offsprings keeps on following the new religion with fervour and, in due course, turns out fundamentalist. The reason gives way to blind acceptance of one’s philosophical conception. The essence of religion takes a back seat and the practices as seen in daily life, come to the fore. Those practices which may need verification, are accepted as the gospel of God and adhered to in totality.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh may have been the head of Sukerchakia Misl - a tribal lord. But a strict disciplinarian, he was firm and just with people of all faiths. But once he was gone, the feudal lords fell apart and the writing was on the wall! The British utilised this weakness of lack of unity and thus penetrated deep into Sikh ranks sowing seeds of treachery to capture power.

Maharaja’s religious tolerance remains a model for all the world, be it Palestine, East Timor in Indonesia, or the pockets of Europe, including Kosovo and Bosnia. War with Pakistan must be avoided. Let us have peace and prosperity.

SWARANJIT SINGH, MA (Cantab)
15, Ajnala Road
Cantonment
Amritsar. 143 001