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The Longing For Kes By Manvir Singh Khalsa
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<blockquote data-quote="kaur-1" data-source="post: 55344" data-attributes="member: 3025"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong><span style="font-size: 15px">THE LONGING FOR KES</span></strong> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">by Manvir Singh Khalsa</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">4 years ago I stopped cutting my hair and kept my Kes.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">What made me keep my hair?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">What made me feel the yearning to accept my Guru’s image?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">What made me want to become close with my Guru?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">As a child I was encouraged to read stories and sing shabads at the Gurdwara.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">As a child I was introduced to sewa and was made to distribute langar and parshaad with my brothers.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">As a child I was made to sit in the Sadh Sangat and listen to Keertan and Katha despite not always understanding.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Going back home from the Gurdwara, my parents or family members would ask “what did you learn today?”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We would discuss what Giani ji talked about</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We would discuss the meaning of the shabad sung.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We would discuss the meaning of things we do in Sikhi.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">'Telling the stories of one's ancestors make the children good children.' (Ang 951, SGGS)</span></span></em></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would look around the Gurdwara and Nagar Keertans at all the Singhs and Singhnian.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would look at the beautiful dastaars (turbans) of my Sikh brothers and sisters.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would look around and see little children with Kes.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">They looked like Guru Gobind Singh Ji & Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">They reminded me of the Singhs and Singhnian of the past, in the stories I was told about.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">They looked like true princes and princesses who were crowned with their royal turbans.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t I look like my Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t I look like my Brothers – the Four Sahibzaade (Princes)?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t I look the Saint-Soldiers which I read about?</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">At school my English friends would ask:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">“What religion are you?”</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> ‘I am a ‘Sikh!’’ I would reply.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">‘But where is your hair and turban’ they would say.</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Should I say that only our Granthis keep Kes?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Should I say that only really religious Sikhs keep Kes?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Should I say that only backward Sikhs keep Kes?</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I felt ashamed.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would feel proud of being a Sikh!</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">But the pride did not go beyond the boundaries of my heart! </span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Muslim classmates would ask ‘are you a Hindu?’</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> ‘No! I am a Sikh!’ I would say.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> ‘But Sikhs all drink’, ‘All Sikhsl cut their hair’ </span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">And ‘unlike us Muslims, Sikhs are not true to their religion!’</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">What reply should I give?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t they see the Saint-Soldier in a Sikh?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t they see the love of Guru Nanak Ji and the royalty of Guru Gobind Singh Jee when they look at Sikhs?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Why don’t they see the compassion, humility and righteous character of a Sikh?</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I planned to go to Panjab in the summer holidays in 2000.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I wanted to keep my Kes, so I didn’t have a hair cut for a long time.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Before I went on holiday I was told, ‘have a hair cut, you look scruffy!’</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">But I didn’t want to, because I wanted to fulfil my dream of accepting my true identity.</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">In Panjab I was asked:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">“Do you want to get a haircut from the village Barber?”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">“No!” I replied, </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">“Not on the land where Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his four sons, and family for us!...</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Not on the land where Bhai Taru Singh refused to have his hair cut and instead accepted his scalp to be scraped off!...</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Not on the land where Singhs and Singhnian who gave their heads but not their Sikhi!”</span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">How could I cut my hair on that ground which was stained with blood of the Gurus and Shaheeds (martyrs) who died for our Sikhi?</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I thought what would my family think of my keeping Kes.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I thought what would the relatives, who have a negative image of Singhs think of me keeping Kes.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I thought what would people at my school say or do if I kept Kes.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I decided not to cut my hair and started to tie a turban in the Christmas holidays during Year 11. </span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">My dad told me that by becoming a Singh I would face numerous problems and that am I willing to face those challenges.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> “Singh’s find it difficult to get married!”</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> “Singh’s struggle to get good jobs because of racism!”</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> “In a town where there aren’t any turbaned Sikh children, you will be face with racism!”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I replied, “The Guru’s whose path I have chosen will look after me”.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would find good and beautiful wife with the Guru’s grace.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would rather work in a factory and be proud son of a Father, rather than work in a high flying job but with no self-respect.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I would rather people swear at me than turn my back on my Beloved Guru.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"> “Take one step to the Guru, and the Guru will take millions of steps forward to welcome you.” (Bhai Gurdas Ji)</span></span></em></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">My Kes is the wires of electricity, which link me to my Dear Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji!</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">My Kes is my Nishaan Saahib, my flag and the stamp of my Sikhi!</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">My Turban is my crown; my Turban is my honour; my Turban is the image of my Beloved Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji!</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">With God’s grace, I received support from my family, respect from my school and love of my Guru. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">‘Khalsa is my Special Form; In the Khalsa, I reside.’ (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)</span></span></em></p><p> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Be inspired and inspire others! May Waheguru bless you!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Manvir Singh Khalsa</span></span></em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="kaur-1, post: 55344, member: 3025"] [CENTER][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff][B][SIZE=4]THE LONGING FOR KES[/SIZE][/B] [/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER] [CENTER][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]by Manvir Singh Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]4 years ago I stopped cutting my hair and kept my Kes.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]What made me keep my hair? What made me feel the yearning to accept my Guru’s image? What made me want to become close with my Guru?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]As a child I was encouraged to read stories and sing shabads at the Gurdwara.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]As a child I was introduced to sewa and was made to distribute langar and parshaad with my brothers.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]As a child I was made to sit in the Sadh Sangat and listen to Keertan and Katha despite not always understanding.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Going back home from the Gurdwara, my parents or family members would ask “what did you learn today?”[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]We would discuss what Giani ji talked about[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]We would discuss the meaning of the shabad sung.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]We would discuss the meaning of things we do in Sikhi.[/COLOR][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]'Telling the stories of one's ancestors make the children good children.' (Ang 951, SGGS)[/COLOR][/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would look around the Gurdwara and Nagar Keertans at all the Singhs and Singhnian.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would look at the beautiful dastaars (turbans) of my Sikh brothers and sisters.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would look around and see little children with Kes.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]They looked like Guru Gobind Singh Ji & Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]They reminded me of the Singhs and Singhnian of the past, in the stories I was told about.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]They looked like true princes and princesses who were crowned with their royal turbans. Why don’t I look like my Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Why don’t I look like my Brothers – the Four Sahibzaade (Princes)?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Why don’t I look the Saint-Soldiers which I read about?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]At school my English friends would ask: “What religion are you?”[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] ‘I am a ‘Sikh!’’ I would reply. ‘But where is your hair and turban’ they would say.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Should I say that only our Granthis keep Kes?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Should I say that only really religious Sikhs keep Kes?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Should I say that only backward Sikhs keep Kes?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I felt ashamed.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would feel proud of being a Sikh![/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]But the pride did not go beyond the boundaries of my heart! [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Muslim classmates would ask ‘are you a Hindu?’[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] ‘No! I am a Sikh!’ I would say.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] ‘But Sikhs all drink’, ‘All Sikhsl cut their hair’ [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]And ‘unlike us Muslims, Sikhs are not true to their religion!’[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]What reply should I give?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Why don’t they see the Saint-Soldier in a Sikh?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Why don’t they see the love of Guru Nanak Ji and the royalty of Guru Gobind Singh Jee when they look at Sikhs?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Why don’t they see the compassion, humility and righteous character of a Sikh?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I planned to go to Panjab in the summer holidays in 2000.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I wanted to keep my Kes, so I didn’t have a hair cut for a long time.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Before I went on holiday I was told, ‘have a hair cut, you look scruffy!’[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]But I didn’t want to, because I wanted to fulfil my dream of accepting my true identity.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]In Panjab I was asked: “Do you want to get a haircut from the village Barber?” “No!” I replied, “Not on the land where Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his four sons, and family for us!...[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Not on the land where Bhai Taru Singh refused to have his hair cut and instead accepted his scalp to be scraped off!...[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Not on the land where Singhs and Singhnian who gave their heads but not their Sikhi!”[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]How could I cut my hair on that ground which was stained with blood of the Gurus and Shaheeds (martyrs) who died for our Sikhi?[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I thought what would my family think of my keeping Kes.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I thought what would the relatives, who have a negative image of Singhs think of me keeping Kes.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I thought what would people at my school say or do if I kept Kes.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I decided not to cut my hair and started to tie a turban in the Christmas holidays during Year 11. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]My dad told me that by becoming a Singh I would face numerous problems and that am I willing to face those challenges.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] “Singh’s find it difficult to get married!”[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] “Singh’s struggle to get good jobs because of racism!”[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] “In a town where there aren’t any turbaned Sikh children, you will be face with racism!” [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I replied, “The Guru’s whose path I have chosen will look after me”.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would find good and beautiful wife with the Guru’s grace.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would rather work in a factory and be proud son of a Father, rather than work in a high flying job but with no self-respect.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]I would rather people swear at me than turn my back on my Beloved Guru.[/COLOR][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff] “Take one step to the Guru, and the Guru will take millions of steps forward to welcome you.” (Bhai Gurdas Ji)[/COLOR][/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]My Kes is the wires of electricity, which link me to my Dear Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji![/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]My Kes is my Nishaan Saahib, my flag and the stamp of my Sikhi![/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]My Turban is my crown; my Turban is my honour; my Turban is the image of my Beloved Father – Guru Gobind Singh Ji![/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]With God’s grace, I received support from my family, respect from my school and love of my Guru. [/COLOR][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]‘Khalsa is my Special Form; In the Khalsa, I reside.’ (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)[/COLOR][/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Be inspired and inspire others! May Waheguru bless you! [/COLOR][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#0000ff]Manvir Singh Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/I] [/QUOTE]
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Sikh Sikhi Sikhism
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The Longing For Kes By Manvir Singh Khalsa
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