A Siropa For All
A Siropa signifies an honor bestowed on a individual for their commitment to Sikhi and their long-term dedication. Lately, however, I am witnessing the increasing distribution of Siropay being “gifted” out based on monetary contribution, or the completion of attendance to an event. Has the true essence of our Siropa tradition disappeared?
Amitabh Bachchan caused controversy last December when he was given Prashad at the Harmandar Sahib, which included a Siropa. This controversy touched upon the ongoing actions of our Gurdwaras of presenting a Siropa for all the wrong reasons. There was value in this tradition when Guru Angad granted Guru Amar Das an honor every year. Guru Amar Das treated these gifts as sacred, and carried them all tied on his head. So when I witness a wedding couple receive a Siropa at Fremont Gurdwara, simply for being married in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, I am confused. The couple was clearly a couple who was openly not interested in Sikhi, so I was disappointed to see this happen at a Gurdwara which draws such a large Sikh community in the Bay Area. This was not the first wedding to happen at this Gurdwara, but it was the first I had witnessed with the giving of Siropay. I wondered, how many Siropay are being given out here each month? I meant to ask the Giani Ji at the Gurdwara why the couple received this honor, but never got the chance. Is this something that is happening at other Gurdwaras?
We are losing the value of this tradition if we continue to “gift” these articles of honor. What will be the difference between a person who has been practicing Sikhi with a true heart their whole life, and a person who plays a Sikh in a Bollywood movie? What will be the difference between a person who has awoken at Amrit Vela every morning to do their Paath for the past 40 years, and a person who attended the Gurdwara and donated a large sum of money?
Whose responsibility is it to decide who deserves a Siropa ? It seems to me that our Gurus left us with these traditions so we could follow them, then why are we making our own rules? As a Sangat should we be adding value to the decisions our Gurdwaras are making?
23 Responses to “A Siropa For All”
I've never seen anyone receive a saropa. It would probably irk me too to see it given so recklessly. It's not only about being given this honor, but how many of people know how to look after the material once it's given to them (Amitabh Bachan isn't exactly going to wear it on his head).
We perpetuate this nonsense by when our non-profit organizations, some of which do great work, hold fundraisers and present awards to "leaders" of our community. And the definition of leader is, of course, a successful business person who can donate a large sum of money too. Ugh. We have no standards any more.
I’ve never seen anyone receive a saropa. It would probably irk me too to see it given so recklessly. It’s not only about being given this honor, but how many of people know how to look after the material once it’s given to them (Amitabh Bachan isn’t exactly going to wear it on his head).
In India, it is a big political (i call it a*$-lickin) show-opposing parties frequently give siropas to make a point, curry favor, ridicule the opposing party etc.
We perpetuate this nonsense by when our non-profit organizations, some of which do great work, hold fundraisers and present awards to “leaders” of our community. And the definition of leader is, of course, a successful business person who can donate a large sum of money too. Ugh. We have no standards any more.
In India, it is a big political (i call it a*$-lickin) show-opposing parties frequently give siropas to make a point, curry favor, ridicule the opposing party etc.
Siropa giving should have strict rules some thing on the lines of
"NOBEL COMITTEE".
It should be vetted by a committes appointed by the Local KHALSA community.
And not more than 1 siropa should be given in a year by any Gurdwara.
After all we are not holding a copy right over producing 'SAINTS" in society that Siropas can be given to one and any.
This will prevent dilution of "SIROPA" from a souvenier to a spritual award.
How about starting a
"SPIRITUAL SIROPA NOBEL PRIZE "
for one man in this world each year ?
Siropa giving should have strict rules some thing on the lines of
“NOBEL COMITTEE”.
It should be vetted by a committes appointed by the Local KHALSA community.
And not more than 1 siropa should be given in a year by any Gurdwara.
After all we are not holding a copy right over producing ‘SAINTS” in society that Siropas can be given to one and any.
This will prevent dilution of “SIROPA” from a souvenier to a spritual award.
How about starting a
“SPIRITUAL SIROPA NOBEL PRIZE ”
for one man in this world each year ?
I've seen them giving out saropas to a lot of people at the Fremont gurdwara. Haven't seen them give it out to wedding couples but maybe cuz i don't remember.
It has bothered me somewhat cuz the people they give it out to often don't even know what's going on.
But i wonder what the standards would be. So is one only worthy of honor if they pray morning & night? Even if God doesn't abide in their heart & they die by old indian traditions (like caste, sex discrimination & so on).
And the whole thing about tradition kind of catches me off guard as well. I thought Sikhi didn't believe in meaningless rituals. So would it make sense to restrict the giving of a saropa to a particular number?
Though i do agree that it should be given merely based on money contributions or social standing. Wedding? I don't know, isn't there still hope that hte couple would accept the honor, some day.
I also thought they took the saropa back (the actual cloth). but i realize my assumption could be wrong.
You're right — siropay are given out way too often and under circumstances that make absolutely no sense. Aren't there recommended guidelines for how to handle this? Not saying that everything should be strictly by the rules, but giving a siropa is supposed to be a rarity, not the default. It's not supposed to be like giving someone a bouquet or chai for visiting you.
I’ve seen them giving out saropas to a lot of people at the Fremont gurdwara. Haven’t seen them give it out to wedding couples but maybe cuz i don’t remember.
It has bothered me somewhat cuz the people they give it out to often don’t even know what’s going on.
But i wonder what the standards would be. So is one only worthy of honor if they pray morning & night? Even if God doesn’t abide in their heart & they die by old indian traditions (like caste, sex discrimination & so on).
And the whole thing about tradition kind of catches me off guard as well. I thought Sikhi didn’t believe in meaningless rituals. So would it make sense to restrict the giving of a saropa to a particular number?
Though i do agree that it should be given merely based on money contributions or social standing. Wedding? I don’t know, isn’t there still hope that hte couple would accept the honor, some day.
I also thought they took the saropa back (the actual cloth). but i realize my assumption could be wrong.
You’re right — siropay are given out way too often and under circumstances that make absolutely no sense. Aren’t there recommended guidelines for how to handle this? Not saying that everything should be strictly by the rules, but giving a siropa is supposed to be a rarity, not the default. It’s not supposed to be like giving someone a bouquet or chai for visiting you.
I'm so glad you wrote about this topic, I went to a very small Gurudwara in Fresno on Saturday and witnessed the Gurudwara secretary give out at least 15 siropay, a couple to children who sang a shabad, a few were presented to parents for "keeping" their children’s kesh and more were given to grown men for keeping their beards. I was also very confused and disappointed that the significance of the siropa is being diluted by such a lack of honor.
I’m so glad you wrote about this topic, I went to a very small Gurudwara in Fresno on Saturday and witnessed the Gurudwara secretary give out at least 15 siropay, a couple to children who sang a shabad, a few were presented to parents for “keeping” their children’s kesh and more were given to grown men for keeping their beards. I was also very confused and disappointed that the significance of the siropa is being diluted by such a lack of honor.
I definitely agree with the fact that siropa’s are given out way too often. It has become such a frequent occurrence that I’m starting to think we should receive one just for going to the Gurdwara. Since we know this a problem, what does one do about it? If you were to receive one… could you not accept it? Does that mean you are showing a great dishonor? Or like Harinder said create a “noble committee”. Maybe we need to reintroduce the importance and significance of receiving a Siropa.
I definitely agree with the fact that siropa’s are given out way too often. It has become such a frequent occurrence that I’m starting to think we should receive one just for going to the Gurdwara. Since we know this a problem, what does one do about it? If you were to receive one… could you not accept it? Does that mean you are showing a great dishonor? Or like Harinder said create a “noble committee”. Maybe we need to reintroduce the importance and significance of receiving a Siropa.
Maybe talk to the committee at the Gurdwara that we go to? i've been meaning to talk to the committee about pictures of Guru's being published in the punjabi newspapers, which are often thrown away. I was wondering if anyone has come across it? Another issue is the vast advertising that goes on in the Gurdwara.
Maybe talk to the committee at the Gurdwara that we go to? i’ve been meaning to talk to the committee about pictures of Guru’s being published in the punjabi newspapers, which are often thrown away. I was wondering if anyone has come across it? Another issue is the vast advertising that goes on in the Gurdwara.
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[…] Ok now that that is done, can I ask a question? What exactly is being honored? Was there something path-breaking? Inspiring? A real service to the community? Did he build a hospital in Punjab? How about start an after school program? Or is this award like those that get saropas for no particular reason? […]
I was discussing with my wife little while ago . I wonder what people do with this Saropa once given to them . I have never seen anyone wearing them . How do they they show respect for them . How long they keep them . Can they be passed on to others after washing them ."I wonder"
I was discussing with my wife little while ago . I wonder what people do with this Saropa once given to them . I have never seen anyone wearing them . How do they they show respect for them . How long they keep them . Can they be passed on to others after washing them ."I wonder"