Foreword
The Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) holds annual seminars on important subjects. For the November 11-12, 2006 annual seminar, the IOSS had decided that the theme of discussion would be Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Dr Kharak Singh and Dr Gurbakhsh Singh USA were asked to arrange widest spectrum of participation to garner adequate views on the subject. Both of them laboured hard not only to ensure varietal presentation/participation from home and abroad, they took pains to present their own learned dissertations. Dr Kharak Singh in his erudite keynote address set the theme and scholarly presentation/paper reading/discussions extending over two days that followed.
Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar inaugurated the seminar
Genesis, significance, status, spiritually evocative stirrings of the unique institution of Sri Akal Takht in Sikh ethos are thought-provoking in the minds of Sikhs as well as others who are inclined to know something about Sikhs and their mode of living.
Various papers presented at the seminar have been compiled in this volume to make these conveniently available to the discerning readers. This love’s labour has again been carried out by learned Dr Kharak Singh. The IOSS takes pleasure in making the scholarly write-ups easily accessible to those who wish to know something about the Sikhs and their spiritual and temporal seat Sri Akal Takht.
The learned papers compiled herein give the latest and serene thinking on the theme of Sri Akal Takht. These will surely expand readers’ thinking, introduce them to new possibilities, help them set new agendas for thought and action and contribute toward making them more powerful, more effective leaders in their spheres of social work. The contents provide the readers access to practical and doable ideas that are guaranteed to deliver an healthy impact on their living.
These give you more insight than ever before. Various articles bring additional perspectives to the theme of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. These inspire the readers and deliver them tools they need to be surefooted in their understanding of the subject. The contents offer an opportunity to have a look at the subject insightfully and dispassionately.
I am heartily grateful to my honourable colleaques in the IOSS who spared no efforts to make the seminar a success. I also thank M/S Sidharath Media, Chandigarh who have printed this compilation in a nice format.
Gurdev Singh
President, IOSS
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