Sikhs in Latin America

Sikhs in Latin America: Travels among the Sikh Diaspora

By- Swarn Singh Kahlon

Sikhs in Latin America: Travels among the Sikh Diaspora is an endeavour by the author to complete the Sikh migration map by covering countries about which little is known and hence is a pioneering effort in Diaspora studies. It has been a heartwarming experience for him to meet some of these Sikh Khalsas, at times, all alone in a big city keeping their faith against heavy odds. Then there are Singhs who have lost touch with their ancestral heritage and do not know why they are Singhs.

The actual destination of the immigrants was North America but if that was closed to them, they would go anywhere in the Americas: Argentina being a prime example. This trend exists even today. The USA is still the El Dorado for them.

‘Singh Khalsa’ signs on shops are a sight to behold in the far corners of the globe. The spirit of Sikh enterprise is very much alive. Setting up of gurdwaras, though somewhat late, is helping rebuild connections with Sikhi and Punjab. An interesting aspect is the conversion of locals almost all over Latin America, to Sikhism, by Yogi Harbhajan’s 3HO.

The author has included a chapter on his student days in the USA in the late 1950s, when for the Americans, India was a land of snake charmers and Maharajas. A Sikh was considered either a Maharaja or a pauper with no money to even get a proper shave. It provides a unique contrast to the scene in Latin America.

The author opens these exotic locales for the readers and introduces the early and present Sikh immigrants who are keeping the flag of this adventurous community flying.

Swarn Singh Kahlon, has  been travelling extensively in an effort to complete the global migration map of Sikhs. In the first phase, he has focused on Latin America.

ISBN  978-81-7304-938-5    2012   362p.   Rs.1075/ pounds 55

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Ardās of the Sikhs: A Distinctive Prayer

Ardās of the Sikhs: A Distinctive Prayer
By- Jaswant Singh Neki

This book, Ardās of the Sikhs, is an inclusive, yet discreet work on the subject. While acknowledging the universality of prayer and its efficacy, the author attends to this multisensate phenomenon in all its dimensions—historical, hermeneutical, psychological, philosophical etc. He does this with all deference to the various other extant spiritual disciplines.

Ardās for the Sikhs is the way of life ordained by the Gurus. It is but another way of simran or Practising the Presence of God. It pithily condenses the cosmic glory, spiritual experiences and ethical values enshrined in the perennial holy Word of the Ādi Granth.

Profoundly expounding every phrase of the  Ardās, the book has been considered a precious addition to the existing spiritual literature of the world. Its version in the Punjabi language had been described ‘an all-time classic’ by the Chief Editor of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism.

Jaswant Singh Neki is Prof. of Eminence in Religious Studies at Punjabi University, patiala. He has been decorated with 'Order of the Khalsa’ and 'Shan-e-Khalsa' awards.

An outstanding metaphysical poet in the Punjabi language, he received the national Sahitya Akademi Award in 1980.

ISBN  978-81-7304-961-3    2012   286p.   Rs.750/ pounds 45

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