Two thought-provoking papers were delivered at the Sikh Education Council’s quarterly seminar this Autumn in Solihull, West Midlands. Writer and journalist Avtar Singh presented an exposition of how and why the Sikh Students Federation was vital to the events of the 1980s and 1990s in Punjab. The paper titled ‘Importance of Students Movements to the Sikh Struggle‘ touched on the broader importance of student movements to freedom struggles globally and in responding to questions, Avtar Singh elaborated on deeper study that he is keen to share with those interested in the topic. In the second paper, ‘Rethinking Bandi Chhor Divas‘, Harwinder Singh presented an alternative way of commemorating the Bandi Chhor Divas that might be more appropriate and beneficial to Sikhs around the World. His paper was previously introduced to students and fellows of the Sikh Education Council at private events and was built upon following feedback from those interactions. Both papers are being published in the Autumn 2017 edition of Sikh Sunehan.
The event was ably hosted by two local members of the Sikh Education Council, Gavir Kaur and Simrun Kaur, both of whom have become students of the SEC in just the last two years. Sikh Education Council Chairperson Dr Pargat Singh commented, “We are delighted that Gavir and Simrun have chosen to volunteer some of their time for the Panth through researching and engaging with the SEC. They are both intelligent young women who are keen to learn more about Sikhi, and in-turn recognise that they can improve our organisation with their skills, ideas and initiative. We invite others to follow in their footsteps and do the same.“
