INNOVATIVE INIATIVES

In many countries, Annual 'Nagar Kirtans', Turban Day celebrations, Sikh Youth Camps, and Sports days have now become regular features of community life. Let me expand these innovations.

TURBAN DAYS

Sikhs are now celebrating 'Turban Day' in several countries of the world. Generally speaking, it is celebrated on a day nearest to 13 April, being the Baisakhi day, every year. This event was started to bring awareness of the requirement on Sikhs to don the turban as a part of their religion. On 'Turban Day', Sikhs worldwide organize various events to give information about the turban to the general community in their locality. Turbans of every hue are represented at these events and posters highlighting information about 'Sikhi' are also displayed and handed out. Turban tying session are arranged so that youngsters and others get a chance to wear a turban for the first time and have their photos taken. Many non-Sikhs take part in these events and sport the traditional headgear of the Sikhs to show solidarity with the community. Many famous personalities are also invited to these events to bring more media attention.

NAGAR KIRTANS

'Nagar Kirtans', as a way of celebrating 'Gurpurbs' are becoming popular in several countries with or without SGGS. Food is freely provided from stationary points along the route of the procession. Singing of 'Kirtan' by the 'sangat' is an important part. Nagar kirtans are generally taken out in April the month of Baisakhi signifying birth of Khalsa. It has become of late one of the most prominent forms of celebration in the Sikh calendar. Sikh enthusiasm for community gatherings such as these has to be seen to be believed.

SIKH YOUTH CAMPS

During holiday seasons (mainly summer), the Young Sikh organizations arrange Sikh Youth Camps all over the globe. The origin of these camps, I believe was in Malaysia. The first camp was held in Port Dickson in 1963 and since then it has become an annual affair organized by the 'Sikh Naujawan Sabha'. These annual camps attract participation even from Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The popularity can be gauged from the attendance in 2017 of around 550 participants (youngest being 2 years of age to the eldest being 19 years), with 250 'sewadars'. Now these camps are held globally-in UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Continental Europe.