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Investment and Development of Punjab
| | | SCORE is promoting the participation of the Sikhs outside India to invest more in the overall development of Punjab. It has launched “Adopt Your Own Village Campaign” in the name of Guru Angad Dev ji.
This initiative is linked with the spirit to commemorate the Life of Guru Angad Dev ji
On April 18, 2004, the Sikhs round the globe celebrated the 500th Birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev ji, the second in the succession chain of Sikh gurus. It is a great event because during his stewardship of the Sikh religion, then in its infancy, Guru Angad Dev ji gave the Sikhs a new script for Punjabi language. The Guru designed the gurmukhi letters and presented his and Guru Nanak’s hymns in that script. The Guru Granth Sahib is written in the Gurmukhi script. This invention became a watershed in the history of Sikh religion; it gave it a separate identity, it helped shape the Sikh ethos and led to the growth of Punjabi literature, which now compares with the best in any other language.
Guru Angad was a great teacher; he personally taught Punjabi in Gurmukhi script to children. He also attached high importance to sports and personally encouraged wrestling bouts (mal akharas) and watched them. He believed in sports, because a sound mind can exist only in a sound body. He laid the foundation for a spiritual, educated and enlightened, healthy Sikh community, without distinctions of caste and creed.
The last 500 years have proved that education and sports are still the anchors of any forward looking, progressive community anywhere in the world. In fact, the most powerful, the most advanced in science and technology and the most progressive communities and countries in the world are those which attach the highest importance to education and sports. Investment in education and sports has unfailingly paid rich dividends.
Therefore, the best way to commemorate the life and teachings of Guru Angad Dev ji is for us to Promote Excellence in Education and Sports in Punjab and make it a leader state. This will help bring peace, progress and prosperity to the state; it will help minimize the use of drugs, reduce social tensions and improve the income and economic status of every Punjabi. This is a gift that every Sikh should give to the people of Punjab to commemorate the life and teachings of Guru Angad Dev ji. These will be important steps to take that would ensure a strong and prosperous Sikh nation.
In order to commemorate the anniversary of Guru Angad Dev ji, we appeal to Sikhs all around the world to take following specific initiatives. These steps need to be taken for the benefit of the Sikh community and the betterment of Punjab in a totally non-partisan manner. We do not need to go through the Government or any political party to implement these initiatives. We all can make it a reality by our individual action and a concerted effort. If every Punjabi spends even $500 – 1000, we can totally turn around the scenario in Punjab.
| | 1) | Adopt Your Own Village: Sikhs from all over the world are requested to adopt their own villages in Punjab in the name of Guru Angad Dev ji. We should provide resources – technical, educational, and financial – to improve the educational standard of the schools and the facilities of the schools in our own villages. The rural schools in villages in Punjab desperately need tools to improve the basic standard. Schools need to have new technology and students need to be connected to the outside world. We should make sure that every child in our own village and locality goes to school. Sikhs from all over the world are also requested to help in building sports facilities in the name of Guru Angad Dev ji in villages in Punjab. This will provide incentive to young people to spend more time in something constructive rather than being involved in drugs and other destructive things. Any individual or group of individuals from each village can contact village officials to start building any suitable facility for young people. Youth needs to be encouraged to participate in rural sports and other popular games like hockey and cricket. The Punjab Government is keen to establish a framework through which this initiative would be facilitated. Local panchayats have the list of the people who have gone abroad and it would have to contact them to participate in this great endeavor. Any individual can go to his/her own village and contact the panchayat to take action. If we improve the rural education and health, we automatically prepare Punjab and Punjabis for future.
| | 2) | Adopt A Child for Education: Sikhs from all over the world are requested to assist needy students to pursue higher education. Any individual or group of individuals can assist students to pursue excellence in education in their own village or elsewhere in Punjab. Sikh Human Development Foundation based in Washington provides scholarships to needy students throughout Punjab and other parts of North India. It is currently sponsoring students in universities and colleges in Punjab. 65% of their scholarships go to rural students and 53% of these scholarships have gone to women. Our goal should be to adopt every child in Punjab from an early age to ensure their bright future.
| | 3) | Environment: Punjab is suffering from environmental degradation and it is critical that every Punjabi focuses on this aspect as well. Every Punjabi should plant a tree in memory of Guru Angad Dev ji or Sahibzadas. This tree should be a symbol of every person’s commitment to preserve the land of the Gurus. |
We are launching a global campaign to lobby the entire Sikh community to be involved in this project. A detailed action plan in collaboration with the authorities in Punjab as well as NGO’s based in Punjab is also being prepared. If you need any further clarification or assistance from us, please let us know.
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Please help SCORE in its mission by donating generously. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Specific Environmental Activities and Projects in Punjab
| | | By: Dr. Rajwant Singh
| | | Sikhism, one of the youngest religions of the world, has its roots in the Punjab in north-western India and most of its adherents still live in the Punjab. The founder of the religion, Guru Nanak lived in the Punjab in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century. The subsequent Gurus also lived predominantly in the Punjab, even though some traveled extensively throughout India and neighboring countries. In 1991 over 60% of Punjab's population of about 20 million were Sikhs.
In the late seventeenth century Sikhs established an empire in then northern India lead by Ranjit Singh. The empire occupied not only the Punjab, but Kashmir, parts of what is now Northern Pakistan, stretching to Afghanistan. At that time the British ruled the rest of India. After the death of Ranjit Singh the Sikh empire gradually disintegrated eventually falling to the British in 1849 - their last major conquest in India.
When Britain gave independence to India in 1947 the country was divided into a Muslim state - Pakistan and India. The Sikhs leadership chose to join in the formation of the present Indian nation-state. The division of British India split Punjab into two parts - the eastern (east Punjab) part in India and the western part (west Punjab) in Pakistan.
The partition of 1947 resulted in forced movement of over 10 million people, and which resulted in resulted in deaths of over 500,000 in religious violence and famine. A large number of Sikhs had to flee their lands and their homes in West Punjab (Pakistan) with practically nothing and start life from a scratch in east Punjab, India.
In the matter of conservation and ecological concerns, Sikh teaching is very clear. Unfortunately its awareness lags far behind. There are several important reasons for the lack of awareness, the primary being that 90% of Sikhs live in India, a developing economy. India, as a developing nation faces enormous internal pressures due to a large population with minimal education and widespread poverty.
| | | Environmental Issues | | | About three-fourth of all Sikhs live in the Punjab and therefore our primary focus will be addressing environmental problems within the Punjab. As Sikhs also constitute a majority in the Punjab Sikh attitudes towards the environment are critical to the success of an environmental movement within the state. Future environmental efforts by the Sikh community in Punjab have to address a few critical issues: population - high growth and density; pollution due to unplanned urbanization and rapid industrialization; deforestation and agricultural practice- the need to develop and pursue sustainable practices in relation to the land and natural resources.
| | | Population | | | There is the pressure of population growth on the natural resources of the Punjab and competition between agriculture, industry and human habitation for the most critical resources - land, water and energy. Punjab's population in 1991 was over 20 million, and it is estimated to be over 22 million today. Population density in Punjab is 401 persons per square kilometer compared to 267 for all of India. Punjab's population pressures of this century stem from heavy migration and adjustment of refugees from Pakistan after partition in 1947 and seasonal and permanent migrants from various parts of India attracted by rapid economic growth.
Historically Punjab was usually not the final destination for immigrants from Central and Western Asia who continued to other parts of South Asia. During the growth of Sikhism since the late fifteenth century Sikh Gurus attracted devotees from many parts of the south Asian sub-continent. In response the Sikh Gurus often created habitations that have since grown into major Punjab cities. These cities were built in a manner that was harmonious with nature and the environment.
After the partition of India in 1947 a large number of Sikhs moved to east Punjab seeking to replace their lands. As a result there was great pressure to utilize every available bit of land by the refugee farmers moving from Pakistan. Many could not be accommodated in the Punjab and actually were resettled in uncultivated lands of neighboring states - Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab has shown substantial economic growth based primarily on agriculture since the late 1960s. As a result it has attracted a large number of migrants from the rest of India seeking employment in agriculture and industry. There is also regular influx of migratory labor needed on farms.
| | | Pollution | | | Rapid increase in disposable and investable income in modern Punjab has resulted in rapid, unplanned urban and industrial growth. Cities lack basic infrastructure - water supply, sewerage disposal, roads, trash disposal are inadequate. Recent growth has involved sale of land for homes without provision for basic human needs. Haphazard growth and inadequate infrastructure has resulted in polluted cities.
Industrial growth has resulted in pollution due to industrial effluents. The burning of coal, rice husk, etc. is causing serious air pollution in many parts of Punjab. Ludhiana, the largest city in Punjab, is covered by a blanket of dark smoke containing black suspended particulate matter.
There are insufficient systems for disposal of sewage and industrial effluents. In Ludhiana, city sewage and highly toxic industrial effluents (including over 500 kg/day of chrome and nickel) are discharged indiscriminately into a stream - Budha Nala. The Nala , once host to 56 species of fish, pollutes the river Sutlej (one of the major rivers in Punjab), surrounding low-level areas, and ground-water. As a result in many parts of the city and downstream areas water is totally unfit for drinking.
| | | Agriculture | | | Punjab, with a little over 1.5% of the country's land (over 5 million hectares), 84% of which is cultivated, produces 20% of the nation's food grains, and supplies most of the national reserves of food grains. Punjab's agricultural success is based on intensive irrigation, use of fertilizers, and hi-yield crops and is referred to as the 'Green Revolution'. These agricultural practices are, likely, not sustainable and are leading to depletion of resources and environmental degradation.
Punjab is the country's major producer of wheat and rice. Wheat and rice cultivation requires large amounts of water, fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals. Water usage and irrigation has resulted in (1) depletion of ground -water in tube-well dominated areas of Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts; (2) rise of water-table, water-logging and increasing salinity of soil in the south-western part of the state (salinity makes land unusable).
With two and three crops grown every year, compared to one or two earlier, nutrients from the soil are being depleted. Unfortunately, the cultivation of pulses and other nitrogen fixing crops has actually reduced in the Punjab. As a result there is increasing dependence upon fertilizers and chemicals. Many fertilizers and chemicals are the cause of water pollution. Village ponds are polluted covered by algae and in many cases have dried out altogether.
Pesticides are used extensively to reduce losses due to rodents etc. However pesticides also destroy creatures they are not intended for. Many pesticides used extensively, such as DDT, are carcinogenic and they find their way into human food (the presence of DDT in Indian diet at 28 PPM is estimated to be the highest in the world). Many of these pesticides have been used in developing countries long after their use was prohibited in developed countries. High insecticide residues are also being found in several bird species and their eggs.
| | | Deforestation | | | Accommodation of additional population after independence, scarcity of food and the need to cultivate available land has lead to widespread destruction of forests in Punjab and neighboring hilly areas. The organized destruction of forests started earlier, during colonial times, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In 1991 Punjab had 0.22 million hectares of forests. However, most of these are also very sparse forests along rivers and streams. Today most of the land and mountains are bereft of any forest cover, which is causing loss of rich top soil through erosion.
With the expansion of agriculture, intensification of cultivation and reduction of forests, wildlife habitats have been almost eliminated. In Punjab some species have disappeared-big cats such as tigers, lions, and cheetah, and others are threatened, such as the Great Indian Bustard, and swamp deer. The only wildlife sites in the state are the wildlife sanctuary at Abohar and the Zoological Park, Chhatbir.
Many forestation programs in the seventies and eighties were also misguided. One such program involving eucalyptus planting. Eucalyptus grows quite rapidly, and fetches good returns on investment for growers; however, eucalyptus is not very beneficial to people and to the environment. Birds do not nest in the tree, it absorbs nutrients from the soil preventing other plants from growing. In recent times the strategy has been revised and emphasis is now on planting trees indigenous to the region -'bohar', 'pipal', 'amaltaas', 'gulmohar' etc.
Punjab being a border state on India's border with Pakistan has a major share of military installations. India and Pakistan have fought three wars - 1948, 1965, and 1971. As a result, there are a number of defensive fortification, structures and the presence of armed forces in areas adjacent to the border with consequent effect on the environment.
| | | Current Initiatives | | | Environmental concerns have not yet come to occupy a prominent place in governmental policy or in the thinking of most people; industrial development remains of primary concern. However, a number of steps are being taken, both due to external pressure and due to initiatives from a few indigenous groups.
Various state government entities have developed plans addressing specific issues. Recently new organizations and departments have been created to address environmental issues- the Department of the Environment, the Punjab State Land Use and Waste Lands Development Board, Department of Ecology at the Punjab Agricultural University, etc. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and Punjab Pollution Control Board have undertaken steps to identify causes of pollution and environmental problems and developed recommendations. The state land development board has also identified the need to alter agricultural practices, conserve water and soil. Forestation programs and festivals like Vana Mahotsavas' have been initiated in Punjab to raise mass consciousness for environment. However, an integrated development strategy and popular, grass-root programs have not developed yet. Worldwide experience has shown that the growth of a grass-root environmental movement is critical to the development of practical solutions to environmental problems and effective local implementation.
In response to public and international pressure the Government of Punjab has created a Department of the Environment. Much of the work is at a very preliminary stage yet. Punjab Agricultural University is the major agricultural institution and operates an extension service in the Punjab and its faculty and scientists are beginning to address environmental issues. However there is very little grass-roots awareness about environmental concerns, and much work needs to be done.
Many prominent Sikh individuals have been meeting informally in Punjab planning different strategies to combat environmental destruction and for educating the masses. Included in this section are examples of activities and projects undertaken by Sikh institutions world-wide. Sikh individuals and institutions are now including care and protection of the environment as part of their agenda. Much of the activity is still focused on developing awareness among people. Some examples of the kinds of activates are included here.
| | | Non-governmental Conservation Initiatives | | | Service to the Marginal and the Oppressed: Pingalwara and Bhagat Puran Singh
Pingalwara is the most visible institution providing care and nurturing for the sick and dying and at the same time educating ordinary citizens about issues affecting their lives, including environmental concerns. Pingalwara is the result of Bhagat Puran Singh's efforts dedicated at caring for the handicapped and the crippled. (Bhagat is a devotee, or saintly person)
Bhagat Puran Singh adopted a crippled 4 year old in 1924. Gradually he started caring for more handicapped and crippled children who were often deserted and discarded by their families. Bhagat Puran Singh raised funds through donations and door-to-door canvassing. That was the beginning of a life-long mission and a life of commitment. In 1947, after independence , he set up the institution named ’Pingalwara’ (home for the crippled) at Amritsar.
Bhagat Puran Singh was motivated by love and a strong faith in the Sikh religion. He spent his entire life until his death in 1993, caring for the handicapped and the sick, and educating the Sikh and Punjabi masses on various issues.
His concern for everybody's well being also directed his reading. He read indefatigably on all issues related to human life, especially where he feared opportunities and risks of exploitation of ordinary folk. Pingalwara publishes innumerable pamphlets and booklets on issues of social interest - from the impact of the Arms race on ordinary lives to guidelines for marriage without dowry to preventing deforestation. These pamphlets were aimed at ordinary people, in simple and direct language with advice on how they can alter their actions for the benefit of all. Many of these pamphlets address environmental concerns in very practical terms and long before most governments became aware of problems and issues.
The institution publishes monographs and brochures on ecology and conservation; these are printed on recycled paper and distributed free. He is probably the first one in northern India to initiate reusing computer paper to publish environmental messages for the rural folks. Some of the publications of Pingalwara include:
| | | | 1. | Ozone Depletion - Faster than Ever |
| 2. | Environmental and Social Costs |
| 3. | Animals and Society |
| 4. | Not Too Late - Afforestation for Survival |
| 5. | The Economics of Forestry |
| 6. | The Himalayas in Danger |
| 7. | If The Dams Come Can The Deluge Be Far Behind? |
| | | The Role of the Akaal Takhat | | | It is the objective of the Sikh community to make environmental issues a significant part of its programs under the leadership of the Akaal Takhat. In the absence of any ecclesiastical hierarchy the Akaal Takhat is the principal temporal and spiritual authority for the Sikhs. The Jathedar (Leader) of the Akaal Takhat, is the spokesperson of the community and issues directives on various issues of relevance to Sikhs.
Fortunately the Jathedar of the Akaal Takhat, Professor Manjit Singh had made environment as a priority issue to raise the consciousness of the Sikh people. A pollution-free world is one of the objectives of a religious awakening program designed for the period 1994-99. (1999) was the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa by the tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh.
The achievement of a pollution-free environment was one of seven goals stated during the Second Khalsa March April 10-12, 1994. Along the route of this procession hundreds of trees were planted and people made commitment to nurture these trees and making sure that these trees will survive. Other points which this march focused on were to make Punjab drug-free, Caste-free, pollution free, AIDS free. This march also focused on blood donation, obtaining commitments for donation of eyes, and help in eliminating illiteracy.
| | | Khadoor Sahib Environmental Project by Baba Sewa Singh Ji | | | Khadoor Sahib
Khadoor Sahib is in District Amritsar in state of Punjab in India. It is a sacred place in the Sikh history and religion. Eight Sikh Gurus visited Khaddor Sahib. It is connected with the name of second Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Angad Dev Ji. The Guru Angad Dev Ji spent 13 years of his Guruship at Khadoor Sahib, spreading the universal message of first Guru, Nanak Dev Ji.
There are many other firsts of Sikh religion attached with this place, Gurmukhi Lipi was introduced for the first time as medium of language after careful modification by Guru Angad Sahib; first Gurmukhi Primer was prepared by the Guru; first school was established by Guru Angad Sahib Ji; first Gutka of Guru Nanak Sahib’s Bani was prepared; first Mal Akhara for wrestling was established; and first regular campaign against intoxicants and social evils was started by Guru Angad Sahib.
Guided by the teachings of the Guru’s and the special significance of this place, Sikhs propose to launch the next phase of the first ever big environmental project in Punjab to make it a model framework for replication elsewhere in India.
Baba Sewa Singh Ji
Describing work and personality of Baba ji is like showing candle to the sun. Baba Sewa Singh ji has been honored by many governmental and non-governmental institutions like Dhartat Suhavi, Govt. of Punjab and Govt. of MP, Rajasthan and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, USA.
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation honored him with the ‘Sewa Award 2004’ for his great contributions. He has contributed hugely for the betterment of many youngsters in Punjab and has created a very fine name for himself and for the entire Sikh community by focusing his efforts for environmental preservation.
On-going activities under the project
- Tree Plantation on roadsides:
Baba Sewa Singh ji, at his initiative, is maintaining the holy sites in and around Khadoor Sahib. In 1999, Baba Ji started a big project to plant trees on all the roads leading to Khadoor Sahib to commemorate the 500th birth-anniversary of the Second Guru of the Sikhs – Guru Angad Dev ji. The project is an ongoing process. These trees would not only beautify the area but would also reduce the pollution. By January 2005, 104.5 Kilometers in Khadoor Sahib and all the roads leading to this holy city are already covered with trees. In the beginning of the project Punjab Government donated resources for tree guards. Water tankers have been bought to water these plants. 100 villages around the Khadoor Sahib are supporting this initiative and are providing the volunteers and logistical support to make this program a success. Baba Ji have 8 Water Tanker and 15 full time people who are dedicated to service as Sewadaars to take care of these plants.
- Development of the Garden and Fruit tree plantation:
Baba ji also envisioned the development of the garden in the area and to plant fruit trees on the land associated to these holy sites. The vision of Baba ji started to materialize with support from villagers. Land around the city of Khadoor Sahib was made available for this project. The goal is to plant 500 acres of fruit bearing plants. In January of 2005, 212.1 Acres of land has already been converted into the gardens. This includes 30 acres of Land belonging to the main gurdwara Khadoor Sahib in addition to about 100.1 acres of private land. Camps about environment have been arranged time to time to spread environmental awareness. This effort of Baba Sewa Singh Ji is aimed at cleaning and beautifying the environment. It is unique in its approach and implementation.
- Detail of Trees Planted on Sides of Roads
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Please help SCORE in its mission by donating generously. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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