Nourishing Punjabi culture in the land of midnight sun
Wednesday, 30/07/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140730/ldh1.htm#12
Ludhiana : Harveen Kaur, a 22-year-old resident of Norway, has been working for the promotion of Punjabi culture. She creates awareness about Sikhism. She said while growing up, she felt different in her school as she used to speak in a different language at home and outside.
She uses her experience of growing in a multicultural society for counselling other minorities in Norway.
She is a student of clinical psychology. She is proud of Punjabi culture and being a Sikh. “In Norway, as soon as children become adults, they move to other homes and there is less connection with the elders, but our culture teaches us to respect elders. I really admire that in our culture,” she added. Sikhism is my lifestyle and I love everything about it, but one thing that I really appreciate is the sense of equality that Sikhism stands for. Not only among castes but equality among man and woman.
Although the values are not necessarily practised by all Sikhs, but the Gurus stood for equality, she said. Norwegians appreciate this value. “I feel proud that women have been given such a high status in Sikhism,” said Harveen. She learnt Punjabi, and now teaches Punjabi at a school in Norway. “To create awareness about Sikhism in Norway, we hold an event in which residents are wear a turban and it is gifted to them. We also tell them about the significance of turban,” she stated. She said as being fit is significant part of Punjabi culture and Sikhism, they also hold walking and cycling events, and also create awareness about environment. To apprise the youngsters of the culture and also teaches Giddha and participates in Punjabi plays.
