This headpiece is a marker of the Sikh identity and a symbol of a religious belief system. By creating the Khalsa (an order of the pure ones; to uphold universal brotherhood), Guru Gobind Singh gave the Sikhs the 5 K's in a baptismal rite: Kes (long hair), Kangha (comb to keep the long hair neat), Kara (an iron bracelet), Kachcha (shorts) and Kirpan (sword). The 5K's are not only a means of showing the Sikh identity, but they also have spiritual meanings and are powerful symbols of the Sikhism faith.

For as long as I can remember during my childhood, I had long hair and a small Turban. That's how I grew up and that was my belief - as a Sikh. I used to go to the Gurudwara (temple) almost every day when I was a child. The Gurudwara priest was a very good friend of mine. He taught me how to read Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI (the holy book of Sikhs). Then I started wearing a turban, I was a happy person. In 1989, I moved to Toronto, Canada with my family. I was a teenager entering high school. A new country, a new language, a new culture and people. Every day I faced new problems as I tried to understand and adapt to my new school, home and society. Some people made fun of me by calling me 'Paki' and some people would touch my turban. At that time, I wasn't able to speak English very well either. I would complain to my class teacher, but nothing changed. Tired from all the problems I was facing, I became very weak and I got fed up.

I asked my cousin if I could cut my hair thinking that all my problems would go away. So he took me to a barber shop and I got my hair cut. I felt so sad after I cut my hair, I cried, but it was too late. From that day, my mind was never at peace. I felt like I was missing one of my body parts. Missing something in my life. I was very bothered.

Then I became clean-shaven. Any respect I had from my fellow Sikhs was now gone. When I went to the Gurudwara, if I had to ask for something, I wasn't given any attention. People just ignored me. I tried to do everything and anything to gain back what I had lost but I wasn't successful. I was in turmoil - spiritually, emotionally and socially.

I decided that I was going back to the way I was. I started growing my hair and wearing a turban. After a few years I got baptized as a Sikh. I was happy again. I was at peace with myself again.

At work, if anyone needs to find me even if they don't know me, they just say that they are looking for the turbaned person. That's because at work there aren't a lot of us that wear a turban and it's very easy to recognize it. Now when I go to the temple, if I need something the Sewadar (server) will help me with respect.

The most important thing about wearing a turban is following the way of Sikhism. I am a Sikh and I am proud of my religion. Sikhism has taught me to be pure and natural. Sikhism has taught me to let my hair grow. I keep my hair clean by covering it with a turban. I am happy once again. I Am A Proud Turbaned Person.

Surjit Singh Flora has worked as writer for the past 20 years. He is a reporter and photographer for the Hamdard Weekly Punjabi Newspaper in Brampton. His articles, poems and stories have been published in local and international newspapers and magazines. He won the Editor's Choice Award from the National Library of Poetry in 1993. Surjit is a resident of Brampton.