Opinion ਇਕ ਦੇਸ਼ ਜੋ ਮੈਂ ਦੇਖਿਆ. A Country That I Have Envisioned

Chaan Pardesi said:

Perhaps, I may be able to help here,I hope Batalvi sahib would not mind.Sr Gurdev Singh Ji writes about a country he has seen...he says in the Punjabi article...

As it is begining to get towards the evening, there were still 15 minutes to go before the plane landed.The view below was beautiful with lots of greenary, dark tarmac, but wide and clean roads, with buses and other vehicular traffic, including cars here and there running along in an orderly manner.

Inside the plane, air hostess's heads' were neatly covered, speaking in Punjabi,were very diplomatic, friendly and respectful towards the air passengers.Suddenly an anouncement came across the speaker system-"Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, you are all cordially welcome to the Khalsa Raj Sikhland in existence with blessings from and upon the principles of the Guru Sahibaan.All travellers are reminded that every form of addictive addiction is banned in this land and only issues pertaining to and based upon the principles of Gurbani are encouraged.No issues, such as the preaching of manmat or cult practice is entertained or encouraged. Any one contravening these rules would be deemed to have broken the law of the land.

There is no restriction to travel to any part of Sikhland, but it is imperative that the laws of the land are followed and respected.All travellers who wish to conduct their daily Nitname [Rehraas Sahib] are provided a large hall located on your left, after you have cleared the immigration.In this hall, the Guru Granth sahib is present.Passengers who may wish to conduct the Paath in the facility , may do so without worrying about your luggage.

Out of the airport Gurduaras are located almost every ten kilometers or thereabout throughout the land.There are also ten counters available for your currency requirements.We apologise, if you have been inconvenienced in any manner whatsoever, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh"

On exiting the plane, what a wonderful sight it was to see turbanned Sikhs- both males and females were manning every position within the airport.A big sign welcomed passengers in Gurmukhi, Faarsi and English to the Sri Dasmesh International Airport.Also to be seen welcoming everyone and fluttering high in the air majestically was a very large saffron coloured Kesri Nishan sahib , at once implying it was the NATIONAL flag of this land.

After clearing the customs and immigration, I entered the hall where the Guru Granth sahib was present, and notice the paath of sodar was going on.I bow to the Guru and take a seat, cross legged.As the paath ends, I get up and collect my luggage and go to the Currency Exchange counter.The currency is called Damrra.One damrra is equivalent to two Euros.

Comming out of the airport building, I see many new and clean taxis and busses available for the use of the arriving and departing passengers.Standing around there were drivers who are fully- fledged Sikhs -sabat surat-with dastaars and Sri sahibs - Kirpans- hanging in gatras; most with open flowing beards, some with neatly tied up beards.Some of these poeple were white, others of african, Iranian or Arab apearances.There were some female drivers too, and each had her head covered by a specially designed cloth, that appeared to made for that purpose.What a wonderfully invigorating scene this appeared.

A young Sikh approaches me, wishing Guru fateh, then asks me ..Punjabi, Faarsi or English..??I reply Punjabi, and he asks where would I like to go? I answer that this is the first time, I have come to your country and do not know much about it, but if you can take me to the nearest town where I can find accomodation, I would appreciate it.He says about half an hours drive from here along the seaside is the first town, named Begaumpura, I can take you there.The hotels are not too expensive either.But also for the comfort of foreigners there is a Tourist centre which is run by the Khalsa government of Sikhland , where any tourists can find accomodation for a few days at a very nominal charge.In these places langger is prepared with pure ghee is always provided feely, with courtesy of the Khalsa raj.

I agree, that he drops me off there, and I board the taxi with my small suitcase.To while my time away on the journey , I commence a conversation with the driver, by asking him if there was any society or organisation based upon caste and tribal affliation[I was hoping that perhaps there would be one based upon my own caste where I could get some accomodation too, and perhaps a more warm welcome]The driver said that it is considered a sin to speak about such caste-jaat paat- issues.Should anyone even remotely consider such issue for weddings etc, one could be reported and charged legally.]I had shivers run through my body as in my own country we stick up our caste based biradari names with pride,and shamelessly;so much so many of our Gurduaras and even crematoriums are built and exist on the basis of caste based divisive mentality.


Quickly, I changed the subject and asked him what was the main occupation/product of the people/country.He told me the main product of the land was food and fruits.However, there are also heavy industries that produce all sorts of machinery.We export buses and cars to other countries as well.Heavy shipping production and lines can also be considered as one of our main products.I asked how do you get your electric power?He explained that they produced more power than their national needs.After providing to the country/citizens at nominal cheap rates; the excess power is exported to neighbouring countries for which in return we import other neccessary goods.I further enquired, if there was an electric failure/breakdown, what do you do?His resposne was that he does not understand what that means, as they have never experienced the lack/ or breakdown of power.

From the wastage and left over of Wheat, Maize, and Sugar Cane and other natural products we produce fuel that is sufficient for the national use within the country.

Then, I asked what are the days/festivals that are celebrated in your country?He said that we only have one National Day;the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the Khalsa Sajna Day is celebrated with a three days national holiday, when every industry and office is closed down in the country.But the towns and bazaars are lighted up and full with people participating in the festivities of those days.

We were so engrossed in convesation that I did not realise when we came into the town.Live Kirtan was being broadcast from a Gurduara via the radio in the taxi.A shabad so very sweet and melodious was playing ....

Pauri//Kita Lorriye kam soh har paveh aakhiye//Karaj deye swaar , satgur sach aakhiye//santa sangh , amrit chakhiye// bheh bhanjan mehervaan, das ki rakhiye//Nanak har gun gaye , alakh parbh lakhiye//20//

[PAUREE: Whatever work you wish to accomplish - tell it to the Lord. He will resolve your affairs; the True Guru gives His Guarantee of Truth. In the Society of the Saints, you shall taste the treasure of the Ambrosial Nectar. The Lord is the Merciful Destroyer of fear; He preserves and protects His slaves. O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and see the Unseen Lord God].

Hesitatingly,, I asked him how can one come to stay here permanently?He said it takes time, as strict rules apply and no one who practises manmat or derawaad is allowed to live here.I begin to think about myself..and wonder how much manmat remains in me and how much have I managed to get rid off, because the brahmini practices and rituals have never been rid off from our everyday lives..rituals like rakhrri,kaurva chauth; fasting, masiya, sangrand, the puja paath of death annivesaries and other countless manmati practices we are laundering oursleves in, will NEVER qualify me to become a citizen of such a noble country, as Sikhland.

[Secretly, I was also hoping such people should not be allowed to become citizens of Sikhland as they will simply pollute the country with their excess baggage of the brahman practices they carry along, so the country becomes like the degraded and wasted Punjab is today]

Just then the table alarm went off waking me up, away from the beautiful dream, that however is still ongoing,I feel that this is not only my dream but that of my millions other Sikh brothers and sisters...that will continue to aspire us ...and inspire us ..until one day ...




Gurcharan Singh, Kulim
London/Kuala Lumpur

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Tejwant Singh said:

Sadh Sangat,

The real Sikhland based on Gurmat ideals given to us on Sri Guru Granth Sahib is about living in harmony with people from all walks of life, of any hue,creed and faith and giving all the freedom to practice their own faiths in their own way.

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gsbatalvi said:

Veer Gurcharan Singh ji "gur fateh" Aap jI da bahut bahut shukria mere is lekh nu english vich translate karn vaste, meri ichha hai ki hr sikh da supna eho hi hove,beshak iesnu main likhya hai par jadon vi main is nu parda han merian akhan num ho jandian hn main bari mushkal nal aapne aap te kaboo karda han.
tuhada
Gurdev Singh Batalvi

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Chaan Pardesi said:

.Sometimes, such dreams can be misunderstood,due to poor imagination or misconception and lack of understanding, even though it was only A dream.

Thank you, for sharing bravely such wonderfully illustrated dream.

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a.mother said:

Sat Sri Akal ji,
In GS Batalavi ji's story I feel lot of peace, in today's world every where everyday shootings,murders,accidents or fighting happens(in real). In the story he imagine country like heaven.What's wrong with that. I don't think he was that technical, that give the direction to Khalistan or something...something....something. Personally I feel like it is a wonderful story. Why we that much discurreged .

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Seeker9 said:

Dear Tejwant ji

It's an excellent point

I wonder if I could follow this through and take it even further...if the purpose of our life is to return to The Source, why even bother attempting to create utopia on Earth in the first place?

Why is it necessary?

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Sometimes,such dreams can be misunderstood,due to poor imagination or misconception and lack of understanding, even though it was only A dream.
Gurcharan Singh, Kulim
Kuala Lumpur/London

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Tejwant Singh said:

Gurcharan Singh Kulim ji,

Guru Fateh.

That is a bold statement of prejudgment of others on your part which is surprising to say the least coming from a Sikh scholar like you. Sikhi teaches us not to be prejudgemental, to the contrary.

You should know better that imagination is a subjective thing where as misconception and lack of understanding is an objective matter which has nothing to do with anyone's dream.

Can you please give me one verse from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, our only Guru that claims that this dream is based on Sikhi ideals and hence should be realised?

Once again, for me this dream is nothing but a place like Saudi Arabia with its own Sharia law which is not Sikhi is about no matter how much we dream.


Regards

Tejwant Singh

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