Sometime in 1984-85 I visited Chicago to pay a courtesy call to a relative of mine. I availed this opportunity to visit the Gurdwara there and talk to the youth. The teacher-in-charge of the youth classes kindly agreed to invite the students on Saturday in the evening. There were about 20 youth, but only about one fourth of them were with turbans. Rehras was recited by one boy in a very sweet and soothing voice. This set the stage for my talk.

I had planned to discuss why and how important it was for them to live the traditional Sikh way of life.

(The students knew that I studied during 1961-63 in USA for my Ph.D, while retaining my beard and turban)

I had mentioned just an introduction to my talk, when a student interrupted me, "Sir, what is the benefit of keeping un-cut hair ?" All boys looked towards me for the answer to their pet question. The question had been asked from me many times earlier, almost in every class I addressed and at every youth camp I visited. Usually the question was put in very rude words, some times it was more of a reaction than a question to the direction given to them that they must keep beard and wear turban to be Sikhs. Darhi noon ki amb lagde ney ? (Does the beard bear mangoes?) Or if length of one 'K' (kirpan) can be reduced from its normal three feet size (about a meter) to less than six inches (about 16 cm) for practicability and comfort for wearing it all the time, why cannot we reduce the length of the second 'K' (kesh) to a few inches with which one feels convenient and comfortable ?"

I was already prepared to help them to get over their such averse feelings towards Sikh Rehit. In a challenging tone, I responded, "Who told you that keeping beard provides you any benefit ? I can tell you the benefit of obtaining a medical degree, an engineering degree, doing business etc. Beard does not give anything to anyone. Look at my beard ! I never get a single penny by shaking it nor I ever found any dollar hanging from it. Don't start keeping beard with the hope of getting any benefit from it."

Hearing this the youth were pleased and they smiled. This softened their minds and it changed their anti-Sikh and fighting attitude to the learning mode. All of them moved very close to me and formed a semi-circle around me. Earlier they were sitting as far away from me as possible, sitting by the walls and leaning against them. From this change I knew I had won the first round of talks.

Their next question was with a desire to know the Sikh philosophy and it was asked in polite words Youth : Then why are we told to keep beards ?

Author : It is a very serious question. It needs thorough discussion and it will take a lot of time. Let me first get some information about you." Pointing towards a tall student, I asked," Are you a member of any team?" All answered in one voice, "yes he is our basket-ball player."

Appreciating my ability to identify the boy, I continued, "So I was right. I could see from his face that he is my friend. I was also a member of the basketball team of my college, the famous Punjab Agricultural college, Lyallpur." Expressing my pleasure and nearness to the boy, I told him, "During the next match I will come wearing my uniform and join your team. We will….." While the boy remained silent, a couple of other boys interrupted me and tried to argue, "No sir, you cannot join our team. Your uniform is different from that of our team."

I retorted, "No, my uniform is superior to that of his team. Mine is a college team uniform and his is a school team uniform. Rather, they should welcome me." I continued asking such silly questions to keep the ball in their court and to force them to be defensive and get tired of over-ruling my question. (The way the youth ask silly questions about keeping the beard and turban, thus forcing us to get angry and feel defeated)

Finally, I was successful when one boy questioned me, "Don't you know even this simple fact that every team has its oun uniform different from that of all others?" My strategy worked and I won the second round too.

My positive response surprised all of them, when I said in loud voice, "Thank you sir". I immediately got up, went to the student, held his hand, made him to stand and hugged him with great affection. The students looked at us and anxiously waited for more words from me.

While my arms were still around him, I stated in a serene voice, "You are my teacher, I have learnt a lesson of my life. Before I left for my studies in USA, my mother advised me not to cut my hair whatever the problems may be. If they want to force you, return home with beard and turban. We do not need your such a Ph.D for more money."

Standing face to face with the student, I continued, "Yes, my mother told me not to cut my hair because our ancestors got their neck cut but not their hair. Dear youth, she did not tell me why. Today you have told me that if a Sikh removes his turban and cuts his hair, he no more can claim membership of the unique team the Khalsa Panth, the Guru founded to live upright and play the match of life to protect the human-rights of the weak and helpless .

This made the youth feel proud of their Sikh birth and they listened to me with rapt attention. After taking my seat again, I continued my discourse a Sikh heritage :

You know whenever the invaders attacked India, they carried with them not only their loot of the Indian wealth, but also the young girls, and men, the honor of the Indians, to be auctioned just for a coin in their country. The Khalsa attacked the returning caravan of Abdali, the invader, got as many prisoners free as possible, of course at the cost of their own heads and later escorted the freed women safely to their parents.

In 1763, the Khalsa paid the heaviest price for protecting the honor of the country. To take revenge on the Khalsa and eliminate them from the earth, Abdali brought a specially trained army from Kabul. The Khalsa were in a very vulnerable position with women, children and old people. They were caught unaware while moving towards safe places in the desert regions. Half the Sikh nation lost their lives for the "crime" of saving the honour of the helpless women. The families and other folks of the released women not only nurtured sympathy respect and love for the Sikhs but many embraced the Sikh faith. Though big awards were tagged to the heads of the Sikhs even then not only Hindus but Muslims too, were proud to embrace Sikh faith. (Zalam Khan of Sirhind became Zalam Singh).

The class time was about to be over I ended my talk with the following conclusion.

"The final result was : The Sikhs became the rulers of Punjab. The invasions were stopped for ever. Now, the children of the invaders get scared when they hear the name of the brave Khalsa General, Hari Singh Nalwa, who was appointed the governor of Peshawar, after he freed it from the control of the invaders.

"My mother being a daughter of an Akali, a descendant of the brave Khalsa, knew this heritage when she told me not to cut my hair, but did not explain me the reason. Before leaving this room I expressed my gratitude to you all for giving this injunction to my heart, 'After removing one's beard and turban one no more can claim to be a member of the Khalsa Panth. He loses the honour of this unique heritage earned through unparalleled sacrifices," It was a win-win situation for all. The teacher-in-charge who found it disturbing in the beginning was also happy.

Next day on Sunday after the gurdwara was over, about half a dozen parents asked me, "We want you to stay here. We will get a green card for you. Our children want to listen to you every week." I thanked them and moved on to attend to my next appointment feeling satisfied that youth had understood the lesson to enjoy the honor of keeping beard and turban as the insignia of the Khalsa.