Sikholars Conference a HUGE SUCCESS!

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This past weekend was the first annual Sikholars: Sikh Graduate Student Conference. From Toronto and Vancouver, from New York and Boston, some leading young researchers converged upon Stanford University.

Beginning with the topic of the scholar in Sikhi, Harinder Singh creatively discussed the views of scholarship emanating from Gurbani and examples of community intellectuals from Bhai Gurdas to the recently departed Harinder Singh Mehboob.

The opening panel “Beneath the Surface” featured papers from Harvard’s Erik Resly, York University’s Kamal Arora, and University of British Columbia’s Iqbal Kaur. Discussions ranged from the usages of the janamsakhi literature in understanding the Sikh experience, understandings of trauma by the wives of shaheeds in Punjab and widows of the Delhi Pogroms, and issues of perceptions of adolescent suicide by Punjabi Sikh families in British Columbia.

The 2nd panel, titled “Locality: Old and New” saw topics on biodiversity, the role of izzat, and voices from North Delta. Bandana Kaur, Yale University, detailed the changes of Punjab’s ecology during the pre-Green Revolution period; Mette Bach, University of British Columbia, shared excerpts and accounts from her upcoming book about the changing people, lifestyles, and interactions in Punjabi-populated North Delta; Preet Kaur, York University, discussed the understandings of Canadian law by Punjabi Sikh immigrants.

The afternoon session, “Beyond Borders,” saw discussions beyond any national territory. Ajeet Singh of Columbia University provided a critique of the historiography of Punjab/Sikh studies, from the 1960s to the post-structuralist approaches popular among some today. Arvinder Kang of the University of Mississippi discussed his role and the ongoing debates in the promotion of Gurmukhi and Punjabi on the internet today. Mandeep Kaur, University of Texas Austin, gave a literature review of medical research related to the Sikhs. Finally, Harjant Gill, American University (Washington D.C.) concluded the panel with a discussion of Punjabi masculinities as reified and displayed in Punjabi films.

Over 80 community members from throughout California attended the event. Far exceeding the organizer’s expectations, it was standing-room only in this first event of its type – a Sikh graduate conference. Attendees and participants both left excited and exuberant. The event was made possible by the Sikh Spirit Foundation and the Jakara Movement. The Jakara Movement hopes to continue with such programming annually, while increasing its size and scope.

Sikholars Schedule

The Sikholars: Sikh Graduate Student Conference is OPEN to the general public. All members of the public are cordially welcome and invited to attend the conference.

The conference will be held at the Cypress Lounge in the Tressider Union on the Stanford University Campus. Directions can be found here.

The schedule for SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 2010 is as follows:

9:00-10:00am – Welcome and Introductions
10:00-12:00pm – Beneath the Surface (Erik Resly, Iqbal Kaur Gill, Kamal Kaur Arora) Resp: Puneet Kaur
12:00-12:45pm – Lunch
12:45-2:45pm – Locality: Past and Present (Mette Bach, Bandana Kaur, Preet Kaur) Resp: Naindeep Singh
2:45-3:00pm – Break
3:00-5:30pm – Beyond Borders (Ajeet Matharu, Harjant Gill, Arvinder Kang, Mandeep Kaur) Resp: Rahuldeep Singh
5:30-5:55pm Open Discussion
5:55-6pm – Closing Comments
6pm – Stanford SSA Event

Open Letter to the Sikh Community

The Facebook/Chase Bank competition is over.  While we did not finish in the top 6, we have plenty to be excited about.  We are humbled by the rallying of the community and energized about the next chapter.

Letter

Sikholars: Sikh Graduate Student Conference Participants Announced

The following papers have been selected and will be presented at the first annual conference. The conference is being hosted by the Jakara Movement and the Sikh Spirit Foundation.

• Ajeet Singh Matharu, Columbia University, History, N/A
• Arvinder Singh Kang and Amanpreet Singh Brar, University of Mississippi, Computer Science, Extending Gurmukhi Script into Twenty-first Century & Beyond
• Bandana Kaur, Yale University, Environmental Management, Reclaiming Natural Histories: Biodiversity and Landscape in Pre-Green Revolution Punjab
• Erik Resly, Harvard Divinity School, Divinity, (Re)figuring the Sikh: Theodicy, Discipleship and Narrative in Ethical Perspective
• Harjant Gill, American University, Anthroplogy, From Putt Jattan De to Munde UK De: The Transformation of Masculinities in Punjabi Cinema
• Iqbal Kaur Gill, University of British Columbia, Counseling Psychology, First Generation Canadian Punjabi Sikh Parents Beliefs about Adolescent Suicide and Suicide Related Behaviours
• Kamal Arora, York University, Social Anthropology, The Politics of Pain: Gender, Mourning and the Punjab Crisis
• Mandeep Kaur, University of Texas (Austin), Nursing, The Sikh Patient: A Review of the Nursing Literature
• Mette Bach, University of British Columbia, Creative Writing, The Changing Faces of Suburbia
• Preet Kaur Virdi, York University, Socio-Legal Studies, Silence: Resistance or Acquiescence? Sikh women’s perspectives on Canadian law

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Celebrating the Shaheedi of the Sahibzadays: Sikh, Seva, and Cinema

While many rushed under the covers and in front of the television during this past winter break, sevadaars from Jakara Fresno organized a unique event.  From December 23-26, 2009 at various locations in the Central Valley, Sikh animated films were screened and seva performed afterwards.

On December 23, sevadaars assembled at Anandgarh Sahib (Kerman) to watch Sundari and then followed the movie with making Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.  The activity was repeated the next day on December 24th at Nanaksar Gurdwara (Cherry St.) with the showing of the Rise of the Khalsa, followed by making of sandwiches.   On December 25th, children from Selma Gurdwara viewed Sahibzadays and then made sandwiches.  In all, children from throughout Central California made over 650 sandwiches.

These sandwiches were then distributed outside the Poverello House in downtown Fresno to the hundreds of homeless that are residing there.  Older Jakara T-shirts were also distributed and given out on December 26th in honor of the Shaheedi of the 2 chotay Sahibzadays.

We hope that such a tradition can be established throughout California and beyond.  Together, we are the movement.

Below you will find some pictures from the celebration.

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LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Tuesday Night Kirtan

Kirtan followed evening Nitnem.

LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning

Tuesday evening included workshops on event planning and suggestions as well as suggestions for a common agenda and a special session on fundraising on campus.  Every campus has tremendous amount of funding that could be used to invest within our campus communities and events beyond.

With the finale of Tuesday sessions, the cohort traveled to Teddy Bear Restaurant for an evening meal.

Tuesday evening ended with games, smores, and a late evening.

Today on Wednesday morning Nitnem and Kirtan are about to commence with a concluding session on “Gurbani on Campus: Towards Greater Inclusivity through Simran, Seva, and Sangat“.

The following video may give you a headache, but include some scenes from Tuesday evening.

LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Tuesday Afternoon

The afternoon saw intense discussions about the mission of the Sikh Students Associations.  Learning from campus successes and discussing case studies of actual problems, the cohort sought solutions and new possibilities.  From problems of two campus Sikh groups, to lack of on-campus engagement, to the problem of dominant personalities.

The importance of mission statements was stressed and many participants resolved to create a mission statement for their SSAs.  Following the idea of the Sikh Students Collaborative was further discussed and its role as an advisory board, mediator, funder, and planner.  Finally, best practices and ideas on recruitment, retention, and expansion were discussed.  The information will be compiled and uploaded at a later date.

LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Tuesday Morning

The day has kicked off with morning Japji Sahib, kirtan, Anand Sahib, and Ardas.

Morning discussions focused on the history of the SSAs in California, drawing a timeline of over 20 years of organization on campuses.  Looking at trends from political overtones, to the engagement with bhangra teams, to the resolution of these contradictions through a separation, SSAs still are trying to define their missions and agendas.

Discussing this topic and best practices, the cohort will next begin discussing the mission of SSAs and then focusing on specifics.  More updates soon; the pizza has arrived!

LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Monday Night/Tuesday Morning

A general description can be found here.

Almost 20 members of Sikh Students Associations from across California made the icy trek up to Big Bear Lake.  Although there were late arrivals, students from over 7 universities checked in to the cabins by 8pm.

Taking a 1.5 mile walk in the cold, the participants found their way to the Jakara classic – Denny’s – and sat down to enjoy their first meal together.  The group then returned to the cabins for the invocation and start of the retreat.

The first discussion centered on Leadership and Sikhi: The Role of the SSA.

The shabad discussed to begin looking at a Gurmat-vision of leadership, based on humility, inclusivity, and restrain can be seen here.

Next the group began discussing expectations of the retreat.  High on the agenda were:

1. Leave with concrete steps to deal with the myriad of problems concerning SSAs
2. Increase communication between SSAs (possibly a shared SSA blog)
3. Create a repository for best practices, procedures, and resources

The group concluded the evening with Kirtan Sohila.  Tuesday will be a long day.  You can see two members getting ready for it!

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