Article Added On: April 22, 2008 - 18 days ago
Title: Sikh saint brings green message to B.C.
Original URL: http://www.canada.com/surreynow/news/story.html?id=b316f719-f98e-4f1f-8225-502d0845fe42
Author: Gurpreet Singh
Publication: Surrey Now
Publication Date: April 22, 2008 - 19 days ago
Faith Groups: Sikh
Themes: Religion and society

Abstract: A prominent Sikh saint from India who has spearheaded a campaign for a pollution-free environment brings a green message to B.C.

As the world celebrates Earth Day today, a prominent Sikh saint from India who has spearheaded a campaign for a pollution-free environment brings a green message to B.C.

Popularly known as Green Baba, Balbir Singh Seechewal came to Surrey to join the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade last Saturday. He led the procession from a vehicle that was carrying Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scriptures of the Sikhs.

He shot into prominence for clearing part of a rivulet of industrial waste, work he did along with his followers in Punjab, India. The work still continues. The former Indian president had honoured him for his contribution toward the save the environment campaign.

Quoting the Sikh scriptures he told the Now, "the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak had described the air as guru, water as father and the earth as mother."

In fact, Nanak's thoughts on the environment can be read in the Japji Sahib, a daily prayer of devout Sikhs.

Seechewal believes that people in general and Sikhs in particular have a duty to protect natural resources and mother earth. He asked all the political parties of Punjab in the last assembly election to make a commitment to the environment in their poll manifestoes. However, the parties that rely on industrial houses for donations have done little for the environment. "Unless the people or the civil society realize the importance of a clean environment, the political parties cannot be expected to take the issue seriously."

Seechewal continues to organize workshops on this subject at his Ek Onkar Trust Charitable Trust Center in India. He recently asked the high court to intervene to stop the pollution of water resources in Punjab.

He is seeking help from the overseas Indians settled in Canada to intensify his campaign.

Seechewal is not the only Sikh saint who is spreading a green message. Sikh clergymen first started a practice of distributing plants at their worship centers or gurdwaras in 1999 as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa.

The Khalsa is the most devout form of the followers of the Sikh religion who do not cut their hair. Professor Manjit Singh, then spiritual head of the Kesgarh Sahib gurdwara, the birthplace of the Khalsa and one of the five temporal seats of the Sikhs, had started this practice, which was eventually adopted by others.

The Punjab Forest department had also helped Professor Singh by supplying him with free saplings. The department found this method of spreading a green message as far more effective then a state sponsored environmental campaign. During these celebrations alone, about three million plants were distributed among the worshippers. Many of these plants had medicinal value. Since these plants were distributed as prasad or a divine gift, the worshippers took them home and planted them reverently.

The campaign went on smoothly until Professor Singh was sacked on corruption charges. However, another Sikh saint, Sewa Singh has continued the practice at his worship center in a different part of Punjab.