International Sikh Convention

International Sikh Convention, A report that talks of 2007 as being years in the future.

1. The main objectives of the ISC are to share the ideology of the Guru Granth Sahib with all humanity, articulate short and long term goals of the Panth and advance our cause in national and international forums. In short it will uplift and co-ordinate the activities of various Sikh Organisations. All Sikhs who have full faith in the Ten Gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh Rahat Maryada qualify to be members. Sikh Societies/ Institutions/ Gurdawaras are invited to be members. A website has been established and it spells out our Constitution and activities in great detail.

2. The International Sikh Convention held on 12 and 13 Nov. 05 invited Sikh delegates from a wide spectrum of Sikh society including delegates from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, The Resolution passed on 13 Nov. 05 unanimously brought the International Sikh Confederation into a realty. An Ad hoc Committee, with the Action Committee as nucleus, was authorized to proceed towards enrolment of members and revising the Constitution as discussed in the Convention. The ISC was duly registered under The Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 amended by Punjab Amendment Act 1957 vide Registration No. 1720 of 2005-06. On 11 th Dec.05 the HQ office was inaugurated by the Panj Piaras at Plot No.1 Kendri Singh Sabha, Sector 28/A, Chandigarh . Since the HQ office become operational, a very well attended General Body meeting was held at this location on 29 January, 06. A very illuminating Seminar was held on 8 April 06 at the Auditorium of the Shivalik School , Mohali. Scholars presented papers on ‘Tasks before the ISC’ and members debated this in the General Body meeting held on 9 April, 06. Lt Gen Kartar Singh Gill presented the Revised Constitution which was unanimously accepted. An interim Executive Committee of Members was selected and asked to continue the good work. Since then this committee meets monthly. Five Advisory Councils as per the Constitution have been activated. We look forward to their implementing various Projects that they have in mind. In short the ISC is now a well established Confederation and welcomes Individuals and Institutions to become our members and strengthen our hands.

3. We have held monthly meetings of the Interim Executive Committee regularly. You would be interested in the projects that our five Advisory Councils are planning to undertake in the near future for the good of Society in general and Sikh Society in particular.

Advisory council (AC) for economic affairs education and social affairs

4. This Ac is headed by noted Economist and Educationist Dr S S Johl (Ex VC PAU and Dy Chairman Punjab Planning Board). Dr Johl had in mind the following major facts while planning projects for ISC to undertake in rural areas of our country:-

(a) The economic status of Punjabis in rural areas who form over 70% of our population, is very poor.

(b) Educational Institutions in rural areas are ill-equipped and lack for quality teachers.

(c) Students are unable to compete in various spheres and professions.

(d) The teaching of English is rudimentary and Science subjects are missing.

(e) In the Agriculture University the percentage of rural students is just 3.7 to 6 %. This must be corrected.

5. A Seminar on “Education in Rural Areas” was held at Shivalik Public School, Mohali on 1 st and 2 nd Oct, 06. It was organized by the IOSS and ISC. The various Scholars and Educationists recognized the alarming situation in Primary and Secondary Schools due to shortage of Teachers, lack of basic buildings and infrastructure, inadequate budget and lack of accountability of Teachers and Supervisory agencies. A committee appointed by consensus has studied all aspects and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minster through the CEO International Sikh Confederation. This highlights the whole issue and suggests remedies for Government Schools in Rural Areas.

Sikh Education Fund

6. The ISC will today inaugurate the raising of the above fund whose objective is to help Sikh Students who have passed Higher Secondary School and wish to pursue higher technical/professional studies and sit for competitions. This fund will help those students who are unable to continue studies due to lack of funds. This fund will be administered by a Trust consisting of eleven eminent Sikh personalities selected by consensus in our next General Body Meeting. Suitable Byelaws will be framed by the CEO ISC and approved by the Trust.

7. The Advisory Council on Education headed by S. S S Johl has a number of projects in hand which will be gradually implemented.

Religious Affairs

8. This Ac is headed by Giani Harinder Singh, President Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha. They have planned to reform the role of Preachers by running courses and broadening the syllabus to include education on other religions.

Main projects in hand are:

• Standard Translation of the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Working out Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for all Singh Sabhas and helping in its implementation.

Media and Information Technology

Headed by Dr Charan Kamal Singh Secretary General of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle. We plan to have a 24 hour TV channel of our own and have already done a Project Study in this regard with the help of Sikh professionals. This should come about in 2007.

Diaspora and Legal Affairs

Headed by H H Justice Mota Singh (Quean’s Council) of the United Kingdom. He is with us here today to discuss various projects in this sphere. Some of these pertain to problems of global Sikhs with regard to the carrying of a Kirpan, allowing wearing of turbans in schools and in various services. Besides he shall be advising us on all legal matters confronted by us. Our constitution will be studied for legal niceties and modified if required. H H Justice Mota Singh is on a short visit to India. He has a very distinguished career as contained in a brief bio-data given below:

His Honour Mota Singh QC (Hon) LID

(Retired Circuit Judge)

Member, Councilor/ Alderman City NAIROBI

Vice President , Kenya Justice affiliated to the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva .

Chairman School Governors.

Member Kenya Parliament

Member Drafting Committee for legislation of Keyba on Independence .

President, Member and Trustee of sporting, Religions and Charitable organizations.

Represented Kenya in Cricket.

Examiner of the Supreme Court U. K

Queens Council 1978.

Circuit Judge 1982

Other members of this AC are also distinguished Jurists / Judges such as Justice Bakshish Kaur (Retd), Dr Jagjit Singh, Dr Gurmit Singh, S M S Rahi (Lawyer)