From Guru Nanak Dev Ji to all the ten Sikh Gurus, the Sikh community has been consistently encouraged to help those in need. According to the teachings of the Gurus, every Sikh should consider “Guru’s treasury is for the poor,” meaning that the wealth collected in the name of the Guru should be spent on those who are in need. Today the Sikh community is largely focused on organizing langars (community meals), which is a noble step towards feeding the hungry, but there is another harsh reality that is sometimes overlooked wherein Sikh families are forced to stop their children’s education halfway because they cannot afford the fees. This issue is not receiving the attention it deserves.
If the money being spent on other initiatives were instead used to support the education of children from needy families, the future of countless people could be brightened. While many lament the absence of Sikhs in higher-ranking positions, few seem to consider the importance of preparing Sikh children for roles such as policymakers, administrators, scientists, astronauts, and many others.
We see examples during Gurpurabs (Sikh festivals) where millions are spent on floral decorations, which indeed look beautiful. However, reducing a part of these expenses, and directing them toward education may also be considered.
There are, of course, some organizations that prioritize using their dasvandh (a portion of income set aside for charity) to support the education of underprivileged children. One such individual is Balwinder Singh, with the help of his family members, he has been preparing Sikh children for civil services exams. Recently, he organized an awareness camp for Sikh children at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib, selecting those who showed the potential to excel and, in the future, achieve high positions that would brighten not only their own futures but also that of the Sikh community.
The president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Harmeet Singh Kalka, and the general secretary, Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, have also praised Balwinder Singh’s work and promised full support. Similarly, there are individuals like social worker Dr. Gurmeet Singh Sura, who personally take on the full educational expenses of many Sikh children each year, helping secure their futures.
