A New Breed of Granthis
by AMRITA CHAUDHRY
In Guru Angad Dev Institute of Religious Studies, twenty five boys are all busy taking a crash course in English.
It is just a beginning. From next month, when these young boys sit down to study religious scriptures, they will also be learning either French, Spanish or German.
It is not a linguistics session in progress but with a view to migrating abroad, these new age granthis are not just picking up English and foreign languages but also dabbling away in computers to be better equipped to reach out and spread the Guru's teachings.
“We have to reach out to the young generations and moreover there are many gurdwaras in the diaspora where knowledge of English language and a foreign language plus computers will help us get a good placement,” says Gurpreet Singh, a young boy from Patiala.
Gurpreet says his initiation into religious studies was a natural progression as “our family is religious by nature and education in religious studies is something natural”.
For now, Gurpreet and others are planning to study French.
In countries like Canada and Europe, French is spoken. If we know this language, then we will be able to communicate with the people,” says Gurvinder Singh, another student at the guruwara.
“Majority of youth in Punjab want to go abroad, so why not equip oneself with the required tools. A job of granthi is much in demand overseas but mere knowledge of scriptures will not help us. We need to propagate Sikhism and even help the youngsters know what we are reading from the holy scriptures. This will be possible only if we can speak their language,” adds Gurpreet.
As for the religious studies, Baba Sewa Singh, the head of the Kaar Sewa which runs this institute, says, “The courses in religious studies are run completely free of cost. We provide education, training, clothes, lodging and food to the students. Former Jathedar Akal Takht, Joginder Singh ji, is the patron of this institute and he comes to teach the students three times a week. The students here are motivated to learn the scriptures, hold discussions on religion and are also taught comparative studies on various religions.”
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i...x-religious-studies-with-linguistics/809488/1
by AMRITA CHAUDHRY
In Guru Angad Dev Institute of Religious Studies, twenty five boys are all busy taking a crash course in English.
It is just a beginning. From next month, when these young boys sit down to study religious scriptures, they will also be learning either French, Spanish or German.
It is not a linguistics session in progress but with a view to migrating abroad, these new age granthis are not just picking up English and foreign languages but also dabbling away in computers to be better equipped to reach out and spread the Guru's teachings.
“We have to reach out to the young generations and moreover there are many gurdwaras in the diaspora where knowledge of English language and a foreign language plus computers will help us get a good placement,” says Gurpreet Singh, a young boy from Patiala.
Gurpreet says his initiation into religious studies was a natural progression as “our family is religious by nature and education in religious studies is something natural”.
For now, Gurpreet and others are planning to study French.
In countries like Canada and Europe, French is spoken. If we know this language, then we will be able to communicate with the people,” says Gurvinder Singh, another student at the guruwara.
“Majority of youth in Punjab want to go abroad, so why not equip oneself with the required tools. A job of granthi is much in demand overseas but mere knowledge of scriptures will not help us. We need to propagate Sikhism and even help the youngsters know what we are reading from the holy scriptures. This will be possible only if we can speak their language,” adds Gurpreet.
As for the religious studies, Baba Sewa Singh, the head of the Kaar Sewa which runs this institute, says, “The courses in religious studies are run completely free of cost. We provide education, training, clothes, lodging and food to the students. Former Jathedar Akal Takht, Joginder Singh ji, is the patron of this institute and he comes to teach the students three times a week. The students here are motivated to learn the scriptures, hold discussions on religion and are also taught comparative studies on various religions.”
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i...x-religious-studies-with-linguistics/809488/1
