1

Responsibilities of
Gurdwara and Sangat
Nurturing Sikh Heritage in our
Youth
Satnam Singh Bansal 4/6/2008
 Goals
★ Able to read and write Gurmukhi
★ Able to communicate in Punjabi
★ Able to read from Guru Granth Sahib ji
★ Ready and able to Mentor younger groups
★ Participate in Interfaith Community
★ Take two year Sikh Gurbani Course
★ Able to disseminate the message of Guru.
 Goals
• Must have read Sikh History
• Trained in doing kirtan
• Be able to lead youth Sikh Study Circle
• Perform Sewa in the Gurudwara Sahib
• Perform Sewa in the community at large
• Sant Sipahi – Amritdhari Sikh visible
• Performing sewa in the local Community
 Role of the Gurudwara Sahib
★ Provide leadership by being living example
★ Create an atmosphere of harmony
★ Provide a vision for the future
★ Communicate regularly
★ Ask for feedback, Facilitate discussion
★ Be mentors , groom the youth
★ Empower Sangat, be inclusive
 Role of Sangat
★ Active partnership with Management
★ Develop programs jointly
★ Take sewa that is within capability
★ Inspire others to participate actively
★ Lead by example,
★ Help organize events: sports, interfaith, turban
tying competition, Kirtan, Speeches
★ Constructive Feedback- solutions, suggestions
 How to achieve Goals
• Training begins at home
• Parents tell Sikh Sakhis as Bed Time Stories
• Read Sikh short stories to them
• Teach them to recite path progressively
• Discuss about about what they learn from
stories
• Spend Quality time with children
• Show short stories available on DVD – Sikh
Sahib Jade, Sundri etc
 How do achieve Goals
★ Gurudwara Sahib
★Teach to do sewa even in small ways
★Attend school learn Gurumukhi, history,
culture etc
★Attend kirtan classes
★Attend youth discussion forums
★Ask questions
★Be prepared to offer your services
 How do we achieve Goals
• Sikh Youth Camps and retreats
• Learn to lead and be lead
• Sports – within and community at large
develops team spirit
• Exposure
• Public Speaking – Gurudwara speech
competition, School, Interfaith,
• Practice what you preach
 Resources
★ Empowered Sikh Sangat Power
★ Gurudwara Sahib Website
★ Library – Biographies of Gurus and Sikh
Saints, Tranlations of Guru Granth Sahib
in English and Punjabi
★ Magazines for home e.g. Sikh Phulwari
(Punjabi) Sikh Review (English)