"I had an old blog on 03.indiatimes.com/sardarji. Indiatimes stopped supporting it and killed the website. Luckily I used to archive it offline, and so I am able to archive it online now. I begin my sojourn here by reposting the blog here along with all the comments.
Though it is an old blog, the context and the matter is still relevant. .....
So here it is"
I hope you don’t mind buddy if I tell another joke, he said. “Of course not! I have no mind!”, I said, as everybody joined in the laughter. “Once there was a Sardarji traveling in a train, and you know what……………”, he continued, I had already stopped listening, my ears were straining as I tried to shut out the loud guffaws already filling the room. The most difficult part was yet to come. I, a Sardar myself, had to laugh at the opportune moment to show that I was a good sport. Ahh there it is, the laughter, “Ha Ha Ha…”I laugh, “that was a good one buddy, where do you learn these excellent jokes from”, I complemented him. This was a closely rehearsed reaction that I had slowly acquired over my years of listening to these enlightening jokes spreading a light on my ilk.
During my adolescence I was not as sporty, of course. At times, I was in my sister’s college, with a bunch of goons, flexing my muscles, to put the message across to a classmate of hers who had sent her crying home for being a Sikh. At times, in college, I used to shout at the joke-er, argue my points and invariably walkout of the party in a huff. Being a six-footer, I could really put my point across with a bang if it came to that. And then my close buddies would chase and try to cool me down.
“It’s just a joke buddy, we all respect your community. You mustn’t be so narrow minded not to take a joke on yourself”, one would say. “Only a community that learns to laugh at itself can be called a civilized community”……“look at Khushwant Singh, if he can laugh at himself why cant you”……..“Take the jokes as a tribute to your community’s fun loving nature”….the advice used to come thick and fast. And then my well- wishers would go back to the party, parting with a sympathetic pat on my shoulder.
I used to convince myself that perhaps I was wrong, I used to curse myself for being a spoilsport and would slowly walk my steps to the party only to see a hush in the crowd as I stepped in, as the flow of their jokes stopped midway. Of course they didn’t want to continue the jokes in my presence, they could always wait for the joke to finish till I was not around. I slowly mingled in the crowd trying to put everybody at ease. Such incidents continued and my ambivalence reduced. Perhaps I was maturing as a person. At least my adolescence memories are not as bad as those from my childhood!
I still remember my childhood days when I was in school. The lone Sardarji in a class of fifty, perhaps the only one in my school. My school, for me, was the best school in the world, the teachers were great, the playgrounds were beckoning and I led the class academically. Everything was great and I used to come home with a glee on my face, except those days when the whole class would start laughing at me as the clock turned twelve. Sardarji ke barah baj gaye, Sometimes they even pulled at my hairs to clarify what they meant. I never could understand the linkage between the clock and me, but I used to dread the dong of the bell as it struck the noon hour. And when I used to come home crying, my Mom would take me in her arms and tell me tales of valour of the Sikh warriors, tales that told me of days of plunder and gore by the then rulers amongst the hindu masses. Tales of how the militant wing of the masses – the Sikhs – retaliated at midnoon or midnight and rescued the kidnapped women from their clutches, when the guards were asleep. She told me how the rulers of that age began to dread the clock at twelve for fear of Sikh attacks, and somehow their fearful exclamation had evolved into this sarcastic remark. Little comfort it was to my little soul then! I wanted to shout at the top of my voice, and tell all my classmates my mom’s tales, if only anybody cared to listen. The clock kept on striking twelve and my mates kept on having fun at my expense, if they could not put me down any other way, this was the best way to shut me down for good, at least for an hour.
The clock still strikes twelve as I work in my office in a reputed company, and there is still the occasional ‘barah baj gaye’ remark from my officers when I make a mistake, or from my subordinates when I lose my temper around that time. There is still the occasional round of jokes that portray my community as a bunch of morons who don’t know the left hand from right. Sitting across the table with my colleagues, I am supposed to appreciate the jokes and laugh intelligently at the opportune moment.
Much water has flown over the bridge since the reality of being the butt of jokes really struck me. What the heck! I can’t change the world. I can take such things in the stride, if I am to avoid strife with my colleagues and friends. The only times that I still retaliate is when I am a part of some family gatherings and I feel a joke directed at my father. I still feel that portraying my community as a bunch of jokers, is an insult to my entire ancestry, my father, my grandfather and great grandfather who fought for the country, and the gurus who gave their life to protect the meek.
The circle of falsehood needs to be stopped. I have never ceased to marvel at the sheer capacity of these jokes to propagate even amongst five-year-old children. Perhaps it is the enlightened parents who inculcate their sanskar amongst their children.
Or is it the media that has its share of fun? I have been meekly watching entire Sardarji jokes sections in reputed internet portals, like Indiatimes.com (and even on Pakistani portals – who take these jokes invented in India to a higher plane) I have been watching chain e-mails with Sardarji jokes circulating all over the net. And I have been seeing sickening Sardarji jokes in reputed newspapers.
Very often these jokes tend to propagate as just another innocent fascia of secular India, without a second thought to the people being laughed at, without a thought to their impact on impressionable minds, and without a thought to the insulting overtones they may acquire in the hands of a fundamentalist.
Please spare future generations from these jokes! Please don’t propagate such jokes, especially amongst children! Do we want to continue inculcating this culture of racist remarks amongst our children!
I have learnt to take the jokes as a fact of life, but I can't let my son come home crying.
I as a parent have a choice to make when teaching my children - to feel pity for themself, or to ignore such instances as a fact of life, or to learn to fight back in their own way, by the hilt of his sword or by the tip of their pens. But then all these options dont help us to build a better India, till the entire nation is willing to understand their point of view.
We the Nation, have a choice to make - to let the alienation propagate or to stop such inanities at our homes, in each home. In this age of communication by stopping the flow in our mailbox, in our mobiles, and in our writings.
The joke is on us, but we can't let our children waste their tears!!
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posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 2:50 PM
Comments
re: The joke is on us 5/5/2006 12:56 PM Kulveer
Dear Indichawla,
It is clear at the outset that I agree with you fully on the issue concerning Sikhs that make an ass of themselves, in the belief that doing so would make them appear more tolerant or modernistic. People like Khushwant Singh and that pot-bellied on the laughter show. It was actually quite distasteful to see about 5 minutes on prime-time TV dedicated to Sardar jokes, courtesy a Sardar himself.
I really appreciate your long write-up on the issue and thank you for putting across your views so lucidly.
However, about Sidhu himself, with all his flaws, I feel that he often picks up the right issues as well, and even with a difference of opinion, he is mostly well appreciated in India, and is acknowledged as a knowledgeable person. I guess he might even be instrumental in changing some perceptions about Sikhs in general.
Anyway,
re: The joke is on us 5/4/2006 4:15 PM indichawla
I was particularly disturbed after watching the great Indian Comedy Show Airbed on Star TV Network on February 24, 2006 after viewing a Pot Bellied demented Sikh churning out extremely sick jokes with a popular perception that manifestation of best of comedies is to acknowledge the fact that you shouldn’t how to laugh on your own self in order to make the world laugh but in due diligence of doing so he crossed all levels of decency as well as public morality. What tends to my greatest amazement who the hell gave him the right to carry he burden of the Sikh Community and make fun at the cost of he entire Sikh nation.
My Line of business takes me to several foreign destinations and met people from several of different diversities and cultures. I recall one of my very dear friend asked me how do I feel about Indians being discriminated in different parts of the world not only as being a Indian but a person hailing from the Third World nation. My answer was swift and simple, As a Sikh or a minority community I experience more discrimination in India then anywhere in the world.
Right from the silly jokes that flood websites into the high society coffee tables, sardar jokes as common and as natural as the heat and dust of this country. We Sikhs as a minority self conscience proud and able community have learnt how to adapt and ignore specially knowing that a weak person and extremely low on morality needs to pick on people just to show his or her own illusionary superiority. Well I wouldn’t like to debate on this contentious issue of Public Morality and how our Indian Society have defined how to behave with the Sikh Community specially after the tragic events of Operation Blue star and Riots that followed on November 1984.
Not withstanding the above factors, my intention is brought towards the enemies within. Even our baani states that in order to win over the world we should win over the devil within us. Similar fact remain valid for the enemies within the community by whose actions the entire community suffers and fingers automatically get pointed towards a very serious issue of our able Member of Parliament Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu belonging a Political party who seem to have championed the Cause of Sikhs (Imaginatory Cause Ofcourse) where he choose to pick up hefty sums for faking his laughter’s on a Network sponsored by foreigners choose to laugh away all the way to the bank when the Pot Belied Sikh from Agra reached the lowest Ebb of his own life on National Television and did nothing about it for a about week when the protests started filtering in and the Star Network had to apologize. But still Mr. sidhu did nothing in exception to hollow and pathetic apologies of Public Morality and receiting verses from our sacred Guru Grant sahib in the very next episode of the in-famous show . The question still remains is that all he could offer, shouldn’t he would have ensured that the Pot Belied Sikh from Agra who I am sure needs at least 4 pegs of whiskey every evening before he finally retires into his Lowest IQ moments of Sikh Baiting Jokes or would have dis continued from the presence at the show. But he didn’t do anything of that sort but continued to provide alibis of innocence simply proved how much of Sikh he truly is. Is Sikh only defined by a beard of the face and a turban of his head, ifs that the definition of being a Sikh then Bin laden would also qualify. My head downs in shame with Sikhs like the Drunk with idiocities Pot belied ___ and our able MP Mr Sidhu who are the role models of he sol called parallel Punjabi’s, One trims his beard and ensures his Son hair are offered as a sacrifice to the so called Punjabiyat.
I am not be a talented cricketer hitting Six or four’s on the Cricket Grounds for the delight of the spectators, I am not be a person sitting on high spiritual ground and I am not be Baton who Judge’s actions of individuals, but I am sure I don’t ensure unlike Mr. Sidhu sit and laugh over pathetic Sardar Jokes who lowest the lowest standard of Public Life or I trim my beard like Mr. Sidhu each morning I see myself in the mirror or choose for my child who is yet to cross 5 years of his innocent life to un cut his hair even before he realizes what he really is all about. However Mr. Sidhu still chooses to call himself as a Punjabi rather then a Proud Sikh. Like lakhs of the silent majority Gursikhs who throngs the doors of our poise Gurdwaras like a great humanity paying obscene, I am proud to be a Sikh and so are my children and no discrimination or actions like that of Navjot Singh Sidhu would bog the Sikh Community without the contribution and sacrifices of our Great Gurus and specially Guru Gobind Singh Sahib I am sure the entire Hindu Population of North India would have been Muslim Converts.
Maybe I forgot in the process Mr Sidhu is a Neta 1st then a Sikh or somebody we are really yet to know
re: The joke is on us 4/21/2006 12:29 PM Sumit Upadhyaya
Hi Kulveer,
Read ur post ... buddy ...
Not just Sardarji ... I m against community bashing of all kinds ... be it 4 a Sardar or a Muslim ...
Unity in Integrity or Composite Culture ... That's what makes our Country such a beatiful one ...
Take care ...
Keep Smiling ...
Stay Happy :)
Sumit ...
An appeal to hatred mongers 4/21/2006 11:51 AM The Joke is on us
An appeal to hatred mongers 4/18/2006 1:03 PM The Joke is on us
re: The joke is on us 3/31/2006 5:00 AM Singh is king
Yo i read this thing......btw i am a sikh born n raised in punjab.. i think iz ppl outside punjab that do this..in punjab nobdy dares. i honestly respect all religions n i think i deserve the same... i havent been part of these jkz cuz i am born in punjab n always on the offense . i only read this on the net..btw nikunj this is 4 u
How do you get 1000 hindus in a phonebooth ?
Throw in a ruppee coin.
How do you get them out again?
Tell them it's a Pathan's phonebooth.
Throw in a ruppee coin.
How do you get them out again?
Tell them it's a Pathan's phonebooth.
i think u get ma point ...it really hurts......so refrain frm this.. i cant change ya mind...but i can post jkz 2..no offence.. n when hindus start jkz on em then i am stop takin sardar jkz seriously
# re: The joke is on us 3/5/2006 4:50 PM monu1137@gmail.com
hi...
please ignore and continue ur normal life. i dont feel sorry and now u should also stop feeling sorry. instead try to create a facade of intellect and knowledge so that the world can know something more about u than these timid jokes. i m sorry being straight here but buddy, try this..
do male me back about the initial responses..
bye
please ignore and continue ur normal life. i dont feel sorry and now u should also stop feeling sorry. instead try to create a facade of intellect and knowledge so that the world can know something more about u than these timid jokes. i m sorry being straight here but buddy, try this..
do male me back about the initial responses..
bye
# Sardars in the freedom struggle 3/4/2006 2:25 PM The Joke is on us
They lived to die for the nation!
# re: The joke is on us 2/28/2006 11:14 AM Kulveer Singh
Dear Raminder,
Not at all hurt at your comments dear! It is always healthy to debate and let the air of fresh thoughts come into one's mind.
As I told you, the intention of seeking mercy was not there, the intention was to make people see their faces in the mirror, to begin to realise the damage they do to a child's psyche. But in recognition of your emotions I have made some changes. Please check the closing lines and the summary line at the top. I have changed them. No request of mercy there!
# re: The joke is on us 2/26/2006 2:42 PM RAMINDER SINGH
SAT SRI AKAL VEER JI!!!
I HAVE ALL RESPECT FOR UR EMOTIONS AND YA U ARE RIGHT IN GUESSING THE NUMBER OF MY KIDS.PERHAPS I AM NOT MARRIED N SO IT MAY ME HARD TO IMAGINE PAIN THAT U WANTED TO CONVEY THROUGH THIS BLOG.
BUT FRIEND I AM REALLY SORRY IF I HAVE HURT UR EMOTIONS IN BEING SO PRACTICAL.I HOPE MY SLAM DOESN'T CONVEY HEARTLESSNESS OF WHICH I HAD NO INTENTONS.I JUST WANTED TO TALK BOUT THE RESPONSIBILTY THAT WE AS PARENTS HAVE, TO INFUSE IN OUR KIDS A BIT OF EXTRA STRENGTH.THIS PEACE OF EXTRA STRENGTH IS EARNESTLY REQUIRED 'COSE OUR KIDS ARE BEING BROUGHT UP IN 21CENTURY WHERE THE WORLD HAS TRULY TURNED INTO A GLOBAL VILLAGE.IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILTY TO STREGTHEN OURSELVES NO ONE ELSE HAS THE TIME OR THE EMOTIONS TO LISTEN TO OUR WORRIES OR UNDERSTAND THE HEAT OF SENSELESS TORCHER THAT OUR KIDS R GOING THROUGH.IT IS 'COSE THEY HAVE THERE OWN SHARE OF ALL THESE THINGS.
PLEASE DON MISS-UNDERSTAND ME AS I MYSELF FEEL THE EARNEST NEED TO SPEAK FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR CHILDREN SO THAT THEY R BROUGTH UP IN A RELIGOUSLY STABLE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME I HOLD MY EARLIER VIEW THAT UR WAY OF RAISING VOICE IS REALLY CONVEYING A MESSAGE OF MERCY.WHICH IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
I AGAIN SAY THAT I HAVE ALL RESPECT FOR UR EMOTIONS.
I HAVE ALL RESPECT FOR UR EMOTIONS AND YA U ARE RIGHT IN GUESSING THE NUMBER OF MY KIDS.PERHAPS I AM NOT MARRIED N SO IT MAY ME HARD TO IMAGINE PAIN THAT U WANTED TO CONVEY THROUGH THIS BLOG.
BUT FRIEND I AM REALLY SORRY IF I HAVE HURT UR EMOTIONS IN BEING SO PRACTICAL.I HOPE MY SLAM DOESN'T CONVEY HEARTLESSNESS OF WHICH I HAD NO INTENTONS.I JUST WANTED TO TALK BOUT THE RESPONSIBILTY THAT WE AS PARENTS HAVE, TO INFUSE IN OUR KIDS A BIT OF EXTRA STRENGTH.THIS PEACE OF EXTRA STRENGTH IS EARNESTLY REQUIRED 'COSE OUR KIDS ARE BEING BROUGHT UP IN 21CENTURY WHERE THE WORLD HAS TRULY TURNED INTO A GLOBAL VILLAGE.IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILTY TO STREGTHEN OURSELVES NO ONE ELSE HAS THE TIME OR THE EMOTIONS TO LISTEN TO OUR WORRIES OR UNDERSTAND THE HEAT OF SENSELESS TORCHER THAT OUR KIDS R GOING THROUGH.IT IS 'COSE THEY HAVE THERE OWN SHARE OF ALL THESE THINGS.
PLEASE DON MISS-UNDERSTAND ME AS I MYSELF FEEL THE EARNEST NEED TO SPEAK FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR CHILDREN SO THAT THEY R BROUGTH UP IN A RELIGOUSLY STABLE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME I HOLD MY EARLIER VIEW THAT UR WAY OF RAISING VOICE IS REALLY CONVEYING A MESSAGE OF MERCY.WHICH IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
I AGAIN SAY THAT I HAVE ALL RESPECT FOR UR EMOTIONS.
"TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.WE CAN MAKE A COMMETTE WHICH VOULANTEERS THE JOB OF TAKING CARE OF OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD,BRINGING UP THERE RIGHTS TO THE ATHOURITIES AND TAKING CARE OF THE BOLLYWOOD DIRECTORS FOR STOPING THEM FROM PLAYING WITH OUR EMOTIONS.I REALLY MEAN IT.U THINK IT OVER N TELL ME---
0091-9986108982
rammy_b11@rediffmail.com
rammy_b11@yahoo.com
0091-9986108982
rammy_b11@rediffmail.com
rammy_b11@yahoo.com
# re: The joke is on us 2/25/2006 12:52 PM Kulveer Singh
Dear Stoneboy,
Apne mazaak udayen tab tak to fir bhi theek hai. But begane bhi pakistani sites pe yahi jokes suna rahen hain, just google for it and you will find them aplenty
# re: The joke is on us 2/25/2006 12:50 PM Kulveer Singh
Dear Raminder,
Your story is another facet of the same problem. But the answer to your suggestion lies in your own story. That you started telling others that you were hurt, and only then did the others start respecting your point of view. Well, this is the same thing that I have been trying to tell to people, but outside my close circle of friends.
Also, well begging for mercy is not my intention. I might have to re-word the blog if this is the impression it conveys. However, I imagine that you dont have a child of your own yet, who has come home crying because of being a sardar. There is no sight more diturbing than to see your child cry because of racism. Perhaps you would appreciate the emotion at that stage in life.
# re: The joke is on us 2/20/2006 5:47 PM RAMINDER SINGH
WELL I HAVE DONE ALL MY SCHOOLING FROM KASHMIR.THOUGH CERTAINLY I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE SIKH STUDENT IN MY CLASS BUT YES OFCOURSE I WAS THE ONLY SIKH BOY IN THE ENTIRE LOCALITY OF MUSLIM PEOPLE.I STILL REMEMBER HOW CONSIOUSLY I USED TO COME OUT OF MY HOME TO GO TO SCHOOL OR TO NEARBY GROSSARY SHOP WHICH I USUALLY AVOIDED.JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE AROUND KNOWINGLY OR MAY BE UNKNOWINGLY THROUGH A DISGRACFUL COMMENT ON SIKHS WHICH CERTAINLY TURNED ME DOWN FOR A VERY HOURS TOGETHER.IN MY HEART OF HEARTS I CURSED ALL OFF THEM AROUND.I HAD NO ONE AROUND TO SHARE MY POINT OFF VIEW BECAUSE I HARDLY SAW A SIKH FACE AROUND EXCEPT MY DAD AND GRAN-DAD LET ALONE WHEN I WENT TO GURUDWARAS.AND TO MAKE IT WORSE A HAD NO BROTHER TO PLAY WITH.JUST BECAUSE IF AT ALL I MUSTERED COURAGE TO REACH A NEARBY PLAYING FIELD AND EVEN WOULD MAKE MYSELF STRONG ENOUGH TO ASK MY FELLOW CHILDREN,ALL OFF THEM MUSLIMS, IF AT ALL THEY WILL ALOW ME TO BE A PART OF THE GAME, I KNEW AND FEARED A SINGLE COMMENT OR A SINGLE JOKE WILL MAKE ME LOSE THE GAME LONG BEFORE IT WOULD ACTUALLY END.I ALWAYS KEPT INDOORS TO AVOID ANY OFF THESE SITUATIONS THAT REALLY TORTURED ME MENTALLY.HARDLY I ATTENDED ANY SOCIAL GATHERINGS.I STARTED FEARING THESE JOKES AND ALL THE RUBBISH STUFF.
I NEVER ATTENDED ANY TUTIONS.THE ONLY SOURSE OF LEARNING,GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT WAS MY SCHOOL.NO LIFE LIKE A CHILD BEFORE AND AFTER THE SCHOOL TIME.AND IT WAS REALLY ,AND EVEN SOMETIMES WORSE THEN THAT, AS I AM PUTTING IT HERE.
I STILL REMEMBER ME TELLING MYSELF,"I AM NOT GANNA LOSE LIFE LIKE THIS.'COSE I LOVE MYSELF.I AM GANNA COME OUT OF IT."
I STARTED TO SOCIALIZE MYSELF MORE WITH THE NON-SIKH STUDENT.I STARTED TO TAKE ALL THOSE,WHO EVER HAD MADE A HURTING PASSING COMMENT, HEAD ON.THEN I CAME TO KNOW THAT MORE THEN 80% PEOPLE SPEAK TRASH OR JOKE ON OTHERS EVEN WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THEIR COMMENTS ARE REALLY HURTING.I EXPLAINED EACH AND EVERY PERSON I CAME ACROSS CRAKING SUCH JOKES,TELLING THEM IT REALLY HURTS AND IT WAS REALLY NOT WHAT I WILL BE LOOKING IN A FRIEND.AND BELIEVE ME IT REALLY STARTED CHANGING.AND SOME WHO DIDN'T WANTED A CHANGE HAD TO CHANGE WITH MY BLOWS.BUT THEY WERE VERY FEW.
FACING ALL THIS POSITIVELY I TURNED MYSELF INTO
A STATE HOCKEY PLAYER, YOUNG MOUNTAINEER TO CLIMB 14999FT IN THE PEAKS OF PIRPANCHAL,A STATE SNOW-SKI PLAYER AND AN ACADEMIC TOPPER OF THE STATE.AND NOW I AM AN ENGINEER AND WORKING AS A FREE-LANCE JOURNALIST.
SOON PLANING TO START WORKING FOR MY KASHMIRI PEOPLE.
WHAT I MEAN TO SAY WITH SUCH A LONG BLOG IS THAT "PRACTICALITY AND FEARLESSNESS" MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
WE SIKHS CAN'T MAKE REST OF THE WORLD AND THEIR KIDS REALISE THAT WHAT YOU COMMENT UNKNOWINGLY REALLY HURTS US,WHICH OFTEN IS NOT THEIR CALLOUSNESS BUT IGNORANCE.AS THIS IS REALLY AN IMPARCTICAL OPTION.
BUT WE SIKHS CAN MAKE OUR KIDS MORE STRONGER TO FACE THE WORLD OF TOMORROW WHICH WILL SURLY NOT BE IGNORANT BUT TRULY CALLOUS.WE GOT TO TURN OUR KIDS INTO REAL MEN OF MATTER,INTELLECT AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH TO UPHOLD THE FRAGRANCE OF OUR HISTORY. WE SHOULD NOT TURN OUR CUBS INTO CACOONS WHERE A GUSH OF AIR WOULD FLY THEM AWAY.WE SHOULD MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND THAT IF AT ALL THEY WANT TO LIVE LIKE TRUE GENTELMEN THEN THEY HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO HOLD THEIR HEAD ON THIER OWN SHOULDERS.
ITS A SHAME ON US IF WE BEG FOR OTHER'S MERSY, SO THAT THEY STOP MAKING JOKES, AND OUR KIDS CAN LIVE WITHOUT AGONY.
AND KULVEER JI THOUGH IT WAS A REALLY NICE EMOTIONALLY MOVING BLOG BUT I AM REALLY HURT WITH THE WAY U HAVE ENDED IT.IN THE END I WILL ONLY SAY
"RAJ BINA NA TARAM CHALAI HAI,
TARAM BINA SAB GALAI MALAI HAI"
-SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI.
I NEVER ATTENDED ANY TUTIONS.THE ONLY SOURSE OF LEARNING,GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT WAS MY SCHOOL.NO LIFE LIKE A CHILD BEFORE AND AFTER THE SCHOOL TIME.AND IT WAS REALLY ,AND EVEN SOMETIMES WORSE THEN THAT, AS I AM PUTTING IT HERE.
I STILL REMEMBER ME TELLING MYSELF,"I AM NOT GANNA LOSE LIFE LIKE THIS.'COSE I LOVE MYSELF.I AM GANNA COME OUT OF IT."
I STARTED TO SOCIALIZE MYSELF MORE WITH THE NON-SIKH STUDENT.I STARTED TO TAKE ALL THOSE,WHO EVER HAD MADE A HURTING PASSING COMMENT, HEAD ON.THEN I CAME TO KNOW THAT MORE THEN 80% PEOPLE SPEAK TRASH OR JOKE ON OTHERS EVEN WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THEIR COMMENTS ARE REALLY HURTING.I EXPLAINED EACH AND EVERY PERSON I CAME ACROSS CRAKING SUCH JOKES,TELLING THEM IT REALLY HURTS AND IT WAS REALLY NOT WHAT I WILL BE LOOKING IN A FRIEND.AND BELIEVE ME IT REALLY STARTED CHANGING.AND SOME WHO DIDN'T WANTED A CHANGE HAD TO CHANGE WITH MY BLOWS.BUT THEY WERE VERY FEW.
FACING ALL THIS POSITIVELY I TURNED MYSELF INTO
A STATE HOCKEY PLAYER, YOUNG MOUNTAINEER TO CLIMB 14999FT IN THE PEAKS OF PIRPANCHAL,A STATE SNOW-SKI PLAYER AND AN ACADEMIC TOPPER OF THE STATE.AND NOW I AM AN ENGINEER AND WORKING AS A FREE-LANCE JOURNALIST.
SOON PLANING TO START WORKING FOR MY KASHMIRI PEOPLE.
WHAT I MEAN TO SAY WITH SUCH A LONG BLOG IS THAT "PRACTICALITY AND FEARLESSNESS" MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
WE SIKHS CAN'T MAKE REST OF THE WORLD AND THEIR KIDS REALISE THAT WHAT YOU COMMENT UNKNOWINGLY REALLY HURTS US,WHICH OFTEN IS NOT THEIR CALLOUSNESS BUT IGNORANCE.AS THIS IS REALLY AN IMPARCTICAL OPTION.
BUT WE SIKHS CAN MAKE OUR KIDS MORE STRONGER TO FACE THE WORLD OF TOMORROW WHICH WILL SURLY NOT BE IGNORANT BUT TRULY CALLOUS.WE GOT TO TURN OUR KIDS INTO REAL MEN OF MATTER,INTELLECT AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH TO UPHOLD THE FRAGRANCE OF OUR HISTORY. WE SHOULD NOT TURN OUR CUBS INTO CACOONS WHERE A GUSH OF AIR WOULD FLY THEM AWAY.WE SHOULD MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND THAT IF AT ALL THEY WANT TO LIVE LIKE TRUE GENTELMEN THEN THEY HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO HOLD THEIR HEAD ON THIER OWN SHOULDERS.
ITS A SHAME ON US IF WE BEG FOR OTHER'S MERSY, SO THAT THEY STOP MAKING JOKES, AND OUR KIDS CAN LIVE WITHOUT AGONY.
AND KULVEER JI THOUGH IT WAS A REALLY NICE EMOTIONALLY MOVING BLOG BUT I AM REALLY HURT WITH THE WAY U HAVE ENDED IT.IN THE END I WILL ONLY SAY
"RAJ BINA NA TARAM CHALAI HAI,
TARAM BINA SAB GALAI MALAI HAI"
-SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI.
# re: The joke is on us 2/10/2006 3:26 PM sToNeBoY
Dear ,
The same guys who make fun of sardars have learnt indian history and the boldness of sikh warriors in
protecting our motherland ,
protecting our motherland ,
Sikh regiment is one of the most elite regiments in the world even now.
I myself being a hindu have utmost respect for sikhism
and its followers .
and its followers .
Am a south indian , have felt that there is a north south divide stil in the society when u get involved.
" Malabari jokes bhi bahut hei :-) , aap log bhi suna hoga "
" Malabari jokes bhi bahut hei :-) , aap log bhi suna hoga "
Dont take those jokes seriously .
" Apne hi mazak uda sakte hei na , baharwale kyo mazak udayenge? "
" Apne hi mazak uda sakte hei na , baharwale kyo mazak udayenge? "
Jay Hind
# re: The joke is on us 1/31/2006 4:03 PM Puneet Singh
Singh Sahib!!
I am a Sikh like you too. I am not working in India and have chosen to earn my bread in another country.
I agree that Sardarji jokes have been in circulation too often, but the only contentment that I have for this is that at least Sikhs have the courage to take a joke on face value..
Agreed we are not jokers, but I think that we still make any moment light by cracking jokes. We can lighten up and party that seems to be a graveyard cermony!!
When some one laughs at Sardarji jokes, just ask yourself this question and forgive them - "Now who are the dumb wits - Do they have anything better to do?"
We have been the most resilient religion and sect.. We have fought battles, lost houses and risen from the ashes again and again.. Salute the spirit of Sikhism and baki sab Rab de havale!!
If anyone does pester too much then "Ode phen di.....!!
# re: The joke is on us 1/23/2006 11:05 PM AMAR
Dear Kulveer
pls help nikunj he is crying 12 baj gaye.
his mother or sister might be in trouble.
he needs ur help. be a true sikh by helping nikunj
pls help nikunj he is crying 12 baj gaye.
his mother or sister might be in trouble.
he needs ur help. be a true sikh by helping nikunj
# re: The joke is on us 1/18/2006 7:45 PM Hiren Patel
I was standing at jalandhar station when my attention went towards a Sikh
youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and
wearing a kirpan over his shirt looking similar to a terrorist. After a
while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth
tried to alight the train but failed to do so. Just then a voice was heard
from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)
The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous
type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.
The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies
behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked
why did he smile at that person who teased him.* **The
youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and
wearing a kirpan over his shirt looking similar to a terrorist. After a
while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth
tried to alight the train but failed to do so. Just then a voice was heard
from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)
The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous
type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.
The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies
behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked
why did he smile at that person who teased him.* **The
Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my Help'*.
I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history
behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the
Sikh youth narrated:
During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu
people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the
Hindu women as there own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept
Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept. That
time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward,in response to a
request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities..
Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could
succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same.
But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities.
The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to
Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji
along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their
lives in Chandni Chowk (in Delhi).
Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were
assassinated. Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu
religion. Can anybody lay down his life and that too for the protection of
another religion? This is the reason he is still remembered* **as "Hind Ki
Chaddar"*, shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his
life, none of the them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they
would also be assassinated Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru
Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of khalsa made a
resolution that he would convert his
followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and
could be easily located in thousands.
At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting
against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the
year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures
and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and
was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at
that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He
did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their
homes.
It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis
had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and
Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army
although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at
midnight,12 O'clock and rescued women. After that time when there occurred
a similar incidence, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help
and Sikhs used to attack the raider's at Midnight, 12 O'clock.
* **Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of
Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs **go out of
their senses*. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over
that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble and
wants my help and was reminding me by saying off 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'
Plz do forward this mail to all ur friends so they can know about sikh
history &* its a humble appeal PLEASE dont make fun of RELIGIONS ! as every
religion is as pure as urs.*
*"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but It's too difficult to be a Sardar"*
If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?
I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history
behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the
Sikh youth narrated:
During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu
people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the
Hindu women as there own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept
Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept. That
time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward,in response to a
request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities..
Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could
succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same.
But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities.
The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to
Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji
along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their
lives in Chandni Chowk (in Delhi).
Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were
assassinated. Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu
religion. Can anybody lay down his life and that too for the protection of
another religion? This is the reason he is still remembered* **as "Hind Ki
Chaddar"*, shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his
life, none of the them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they
would also be assassinated Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru
Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of khalsa made a
resolution that he would convert his
followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and
could be easily located in thousands.
At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting
against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the
year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures
and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and
was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at
that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He
did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their
homes.
It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis
had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and
Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army
although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at
midnight,12 O'clock and rescued women. After that time when there occurred
a similar incidence, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help
and Sikhs used to attack the raider's at Midnight, 12 O'clock.
* **Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of
Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs **go out of
their senses*. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over
that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble and
wants my help and was reminding me by saying off 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'
Plz do forward this mail to all ur friends so they can know about sikh
history &* its a humble appeal PLEASE dont make fun of RELIGIONS ! as every
religion is as pure as urs.*
*"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but It's too difficult to be a Sardar"*
If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?
# re: The joke is on us 1/3/2006 4:28 PM Kulveer Singh
Dear SK,
Sure, thanks for your comments. I guess the solution does lie in being tolerant of the occassional jokes on one's community; expecially if it is indicative of the general nature of the community. Sardarji jokes generally imply that Sardars are 'morons'... well, one fine day you realise that as you go on laughing at these jokes they go on piling over you... and so sometimes one has to draw a line; a zero tolerance line, to keep the 'real morons' silent.
# re: The joke is on us 1/3/2006 4:24 PM Kulveer Singh
Hi PM,
Well, thanks for your comments; thanks for the empathy. Though I wouldnt say that I am vulnerable, just that sometimes you have to call a spade a spade....
# re: The joke is on us 1/2/2006 6:06 PM sk
Harpreet and Kulveer,
Well, as a Malayali guy has put it, I consider Sardars to be the best breed in India, very courageous, quick and honest. That doesn't mean every sikh has to be like that though. These jokes are certainly not good for children and it is good if people educate their kids to behave properly. However, as sardars have already demonstrated good deal of courage in accepting jokes, i think it is time others should come forward:-). I am serious, I am a brahman, I have heard many "Pandat" jokes, told to me since childhood, there are some nasty ones about different hindu Gods:-), Although i never felt them to be nasty, as i also enjoy a lot when somebody makes a joke about Brahmans, however, we can not expect kids to have that attitude. So it is important that for kids it is considered bad manner to tell community jokes. We shouldn't let these jokes to be passed to kids. There are many things which we hide from kids, including sex relatd jokes, so elders/media should refrain from letting kids know such community related jokes as well. Same for vulgarity, elders and media should refrain from using vulgarity/abuse in front of kids (which we don't!!), because if someone else's kids use it against your kid, he/she will again can not be expected to handle it. While we have understood it about sikh jokes, let's be clear there are many more things from which we need to protect our kids tilll they become at least 15 year old. Bad jokes are just one part of it.
We won't mind community jokes, even adult jokes to be part of grown ups. That is why i said I am serious, for grown ups it is better that they learn to laugh on themselves, it make them more open and courageous. I will say there should be more Brahman or Pandat Jokes, even Baniyas are very cool, i don't think they will care about jokes on Baniyas at all, till they can make money, so the thing is that don't let kids spoil their behaviour till they are not expected to.
I do not care what one says about all of the Brahman Gods, you think we need to protect even God from abuses:-).
Well, as a Malayali guy has put it, I consider Sardars to be the best breed in India, very courageous, quick and honest. That doesn't mean every sikh has to be like that though. These jokes are certainly not good for children and it is good if people educate their kids to behave properly. However, as sardars have already demonstrated good deal of courage in accepting jokes, i think it is time others should come forward:-). I am serious, I am a brahman, I have heard many "Pandat" jokes, told to me since childhood, there are some nasty ones about different hindu Gods:-), Although i never felt them to be nasty, as i also enjoy a lot when somebody makes a joke about Brahmans, however, we can not expect kids to have that attitude. So it is important that for kids it is considered bad manner to tell community jokes. We shouldn't let these jokes to be passed to kids. There are many things which we hide from kids, including sex relatd jokes, so elders/media should refrain from letting kids know such community related jokes as well. Same for vulgarity, elders and media should refrain from using vulgarity/abuse in front of kids (which we don't!!), because if someone else's kids use it against your kid, he/she will again can not be expected to handle it. While we have understood it about sikh jokes, let's be clear there are many more things from which we need to protect our kids tilll they become at least 15 year old. Bad jokes are just one part of it.
We won't mind community jokes, even adult jokes to be part of grown ups. That is why i said I am serious, for grown ups it is better that they learn to laugh on themselves, it make them more open and courageous. I will say there should be more Brahman or Pandat Jokes, even Baniyas are very cool, i don't think they will care about jokes on Baniyas at all, till they can make money, so the thing is that don't let kids spoil their behaviour till they are not expected to.
I do not care what one says about all of the Brahman Gods, you think we need to protect even God from abuses:-).
# re: The joke is on us 1/2/2006 4:29 AM PM
Hey,
I am a punjabi and grew up among sardars. I never thought about them as different, but then that can just be because there were so many of them around me.
I have heard and told a million sardarji jokes. I actually have sardar friends who tell sardarji jokes and make fun of other sardarji stuff. I never realised that sardar jokes can be that painful to somebody, and I think I will nevr ever tell a sardar joke again.
On the other hand Sikh culture is strong enough to ignore such irritations, although i cant say the same about u, the fact that u still feel bad about all this just shows that u r vulnerable. Proud to be a Sikh!
Also hats off to ur mom for telling u about the 12Oclock thing I never knew that.
I have heard and told a million sardarji jokes. I actually have sardar friends who tell sardarji jokes and make fun of other sardarji stuff. I never realised that sardar jokes can be that painful to somebody, and I think I will nevr ever tell a sardar joke again.
On the other hand Sikh culture is strong enough to ignore such irritations, although i cant say the same about u, the fact that u still feel bad about all this just shows that u r vulnerable. Proud to be a Sikh!
Also hats off to ur mom for telling u about the 12Oclock thing I never knew that.
And take a deep breadth and think about this, what will u do if somone posts a sardaji joke here, everyday?
U can't shut them off but u can rob them the power to disturb u.So Just Ignore Them!
U can't shut them off but u can rob them the power to disturb u.So Just Ignore Them!
# Humour ed! 12/21/2005 9:20 AM Apples And Women, ME and Other Women
# re: Humour ed! 12/20/2005 12:45 PM Apples And Women, ME and Other Women
# For my Sikh brethren 12/5/2005 12:56 PM The Joke is on us
# Any suggestions? 11/9/2005 11:38 PM The Joke is on us
# re: The joke is on us. 8/17/2005 2:09 PM a mallu
DEAR KULVEER,
i understand ur pain,i myself a mallu,who has been staying in pune had to go through lot of racial remarks.madrasi is the fav word uttered, irrespective of the person is from karnataka,andhra,kerala or tamil nadu.any south indian has to be madrasi...
but such remarks how much ever pain full,would be used in more quantity if we try to fight or show anger....
the best way is to laugh at it.....and be happy...for if we start to fight on such matters soon 26 states would be 26 countries...much to the pleasure of pakistan...
but such remarks how much ever pain full,would be used in more quantity if we try to fight or show anger....
the best way is to laugh at it.....and be happy...for if we start to fight on such matters soon 26 states would be 26 countries...much to the pleasure of pakistan...
sardars have A rich culture and heritage,we all indians know about it,and are proud of the fact that most of you are serving the indian army....u would find rotten eggs everywhere who like to make fun for just time pass,just ignore them....and nikunj dear, u are one freek,but happy that in india people of ur type are very lesss..
Jai Hind.....
Jai Hind.....
# Excellent Post 8/17/2005 11:34 AM sevak
Great post and anybody who has countered your post is either in denial, or also discriminatory and uneducated. To tell you the truth, the people make these jokes - it has nothing to do with social class, or culture, or upbringing. They are just spiritually immature and they do not know what humanity is. It is their misfortune and they can only heal from it through counselling. Joke is on the jokers, not on you. Especially in the spiritual realm. Nindo Nindo, Mo Ko Log Nindo.
# re: The joke is on us. 8/17/2005 3:00 AM Kaushik
Well, I disagree that only one community is the butt of all jokes. In India and the world, people make fun of other communities.
Finally, except for your experiences as a child, which definitely is serious and needs to be corrected, I don't see why you need to feel bad about a community joke. You are an individual. You are not Santa. The joke is on santa. If you are not Sants, why feel so senti about it? I believe it is because you are identifying yourself as a community and not as an individual. You should know yourself first. Jokes are finally jokes. Why do you have to make them mean your parents or children? You are yourself and lead a confident life. What if sardars were really stupid? Would that mean you are also stupid? NO. Therefore, hope you get the point.
Finally, except for your experiences as a child, which definitely is serious and needs to be corrected, I don't see why you need to feel bad about a community joke. You are an individual. You are not Santa. The joke is on santa. If you are not Sants, why feel so senti about it? I believe it is because you are identifying yourself as a community and not as an individual. You should know yourself first. Jokes are finally jokes. Why do you have to make them mean your parents or children? You are yourself and lead a confident life. What if sardars were really stupid? Would that mean you are also stupid? NO. Therefore, hope you get the point.
# re: The joke is on us. 8/17/2005 2:44 AM Priyank
Since my childhood days, i hv never thought it as a sensitive issue. It may not be our fault, I believe the envornment around is created as such that no obdy sees it as a sensitive issue. But plz do believe u all.... nobody (of course the ppl i hv met and are/were around me) tells these jokes as laughing at someone....but they are just a media of laughing like others are!
But since i hv understood these do mean and makes some sense to someone, I am going to stop these around me fully.
In state of apologising,
Your Frnd.
But since i hv understood these do mean and makes some sense to someone, I am going to stop these around me fully.
In state of apologising,
Your Frnd.
# re: The joke is on us. 8/16/2005 5:13 PM Kulveer Singh
Dear Prakhar,
This is not about 'intolerance' or about 'big hearts'. This is about the fact that one community is the target of all jokes and is regularly being portrayed as a bunch of morons.
One can take a joke on oneself, like you can; but can you take a joke on your child, or your parents; especially when they dont deserve that joke.
These jokes often take the tone of sarcasm and sadism; especially in the hands of immature people who use them to settle scores. While an adult can be brave enough to take a joke laughingly, a five year old has no option but to cry and to feel helpless when the whole class of 50 starts laughing at him just because he is a Sikh.
I hope you gather the courage to be sensitive to others; just as you expect Sikhs to have to courage to laugh at themselves.
# re: The joke is on us. 8/16/2005 3:45 PM Prakhar
Well well well ,
Ever thought that only sikhs have this courage to let others joke on them. Its very good to see most of the Sikhs taking it in humor with no offence. Salute to them on on their big hearts and Tolarance.
The Article by you is good but it should not be intended to make sikhs intolarnt . If they can understand the humor there isnt any harm. By the way I never mind jokes on myself . Atleast I can give smiles.
The Article by you is good but it should not be intended to make sikhs intolarnt . If they can understand the humor there isnt any harm. By the way I never mind jokes on myself . Atleast I can give smiles.
Prakhar
# re: The joke is on us. 7/6/2005 6:46 PM neetu
DEAR KULVEER,
HI
u have done the right job.I have read all ur mails.Really ur point of view in ur every article is worth reading.I am very much impressed by all this.U SHOULD CARRY ON UR WORK U R DOING HERE.tusi great ho jee hor ki bolan.ankahi.
i personally feel that one shouldn't joke about any community,religion or a person rather we should respect everyone.Jokes lighten our minds so they should be made just to keep everyone happy.
You have a great writing skill.I ADMIRE U FOR THIS.Carry on ur work.ek na ek din toh yeh duniya samajh hee jaegi buddy.
HI
u have done the right job.I have read all ur mails.Really ur point of view in ur every article is worth reading.I am very much impressed by all this.U SHOULD CARRY ON UR WORK U R DOING HERE.tusi great ho jee hor ki bolan.ankahi.
i personally feel that one shouldn't joke about any community,religion or a person rather we should respect everyone.Jokes lighten our minds so they should be made just to keep everyone happy.
You have a great writing skill.I ADMIRE U FOR THIS.Carry on ur work.ek na ek din toh yeh duniya samajh hee jaegi buddy.
YOU HAVE TAKEN A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC.WE all r with u and try to make others to understand ur point of view.GOOD JOB MAS.
CARRY ON-------------------------------------------------------
WARM WISHES n BEST OF LUCK
CARRY ON-------------------------------------------------------
WARM WISHES n BEST OF LUCK
NEETU............
# re: The joke is on us. 6/13/2005 5:21 AM Sheera
I just wanna to tell that in Punjab, many people even do not know that there are such nasty jokes on sardaars unless they do not see on internet. No one dares to say something shit like this in Punjab. There are many hindus too. I am dead sure If U ever ask them that if Sikhs ever make fun of them, The answer would be NO. This is more popular outside the Punjab. Sikhs who live outside the Punjab actually suffer alot. Well, Thanks for bringing up this issue and letting us post our comments.
# re: The joke is on us. 6/13/2005 5:08 AM Sheera
What about the movies, where they always make fun of sardaars such as Kitna door Kitna paas, Mohabattein, shabad etc........... So, media is also responsible for it. I know In India, People do not sue others for humilation and discrimination. We all as community are responsible for it. Why do not make it legal matter. Why do not we file a case against these producers? If we do once, they all would realize. This is not going to help by posting these types of stories and comments.
# re: The joke is on us. 6/11/2005 4:26 PM Nair Kiranbabu
Dear Kulvirji,
I am deeply moved by your article on Sardarji Jokes that you have written in your Blog. I agree with you completely that although we must takes Jokes sportingly and without any malice, it is extremly difficult for the children to fathom the amount of pain that one goes through(pain for the Sikh childern, listening to such jokes. Pain caused by the other childern telling such jokes).
I am deeply moved by your article on Sardarji Jokes that you have written in your Blog. I agree with you completely that although we must takes Jokes sportingly and without any malice, it is extremly difficult for the children to fathom the amount of pain that one goes through(pain for the Sikh childern, listening to such jokes. Pain caused by the other childern telling such jokes).
I am only 19 hence deprived of any disheartended feeling a child may have since I have none but I sulrely can imagine what they must be going through. I have been personally been ridiculed throughout my childhood because of my dark skin(I'm of the darker Malayali varieties), or because I'm a Malayali (By generalising every South Indian as "MADRASI") or due to my not so good language proficiencies (I have to admit though that it was one of the things that made me work harder in and I came out of the school with "The Best Speaker Award" in English. So now I am greatful for the Ridicule that I then suffered)
I would like to add the fact that Sardaji's are the most wonderful people in the country. I have visited almost every part of the country and have found that Punjab was the Best of all. The poeple are so wonderful and helping that you just wish to live with them always. They are not only good looking but have a very big and kind Heart which makes them special. Agreed that my state is known as "Gods own Country" for all its scenic beauty, It's Punjab that takes the cake because of the even more wonderful Human Beings that it's able to produce.
I think that such jokes are never going to completely vanish from the face of the earth as people love having fun on someone else's expense and I think that it is in born. Anyways on my part, I promise never to propogate any such jokes ever in my life and have also acted in my small way by forwarding your text to all my friends on my address list. Perhaps I can persuade at least some of them to stop this inhuman Crusade!!!
Cheers!!!!
Kiran
Kiran
# re: The joke is on us. 6/11/2005 1:47 PM yawar
its true that not by only one or two guys realising this odd things will make a difference but if some of us realise this facts of the life that even a very small small things affect the whole life of a particular person we feel sorry for this things .
tha joking incidents just happens to be true sometimes but when it is with sardars its highlighted to the world making a famous joke
tha joking incidents just happens to be true sometimes but when it is with sardars its highlighted to the world making a famous joke
# re: The joke is on us. 6/10/2005 5:12 PM mayur
OH YES, i agree dat sucj jokes are really painfull for sikhs. and well who to blame this for. i guess all of us. we indians never live like indians and always are so quick to label ppl with religious and castious remarks, we dont even think b4 pointing at anybody and saying he is gujju or then mallu or wotever why its not needed at all but dats wot we have been hearing around ever since we are small and in this regard muslims suffer most in terms of pet names. they are called anything really anything and its smthing we cant even rite here. well everything has a limit and so the jokes on sikh community or rather any community.
as even in england its common to have several jokes on irish ppl and irish ppl being a different country do respond it with more jokes on english ppl and dats the way it goes there, but i guess back home we have got used to sardar jokes so much dat frankly, its not the sardar part which makes me laugh but actually the pathetic little things which are done by the ppl in those jokes and sardar happens to be the leader in such jokes, seriously i had made a attempt to tell more jokes taking irish ppl as the heros:-) but u know its just the same. it worked. the jokes were as well received as they were earliear but its all abt habit fellas. so lets try and make it even with all communities wot say??
as even in england its common to have several jokes on irish ppl and irish ppl being a different country do respond it with more jokes on english ppl and dats the way it goes there, but i guess back home we have got used to sardar jokes so much dat frankly, its not the sardar part which makes me laugh but actually the pathetic little things which are done by the ppl in those jokes and sardar happens to be the leader in such jokes, seriously i had made a attempt to tell more jokes taking irish ppl as the heros:-) but u know its just the same. it worked. the jokes were as well received as they were earliear but its all abt habit fellas. so lets try and make it even with all communities wot say??
# re: The joke is on us. 6/10/2005 1:38 PM srinivas
I, a Tamil brahmin, wish to assure the world that I, for one am a great admirer of sardarjis and the followers of sikh religion. I admire the gentleman who wrote this comment and am touched by his request not to prolong this disgraceful practice of jokes on any community. I do think this is not a civilised behaviour at all.
# re: The joke is on us. 6/10/2005 8:39 AM Infosahay
A TRIBUTE TO THE SARDAR.........
Sikh Origins:
No consensus exists on the origins of this religion.
No consensus exists on the origins of this religion.
Historians and specialists in Eastern religions generally believe that Sikhism is a syncretistic religion, originally related to the Bhakti movement within Hinduism and the Sufi branch of Islam, to which many independent beliefs and practices were added.
Some Sikhs believe that their religion is a re-purification of Hinduism; they view Sikhism as part of the Hindu religious tradition.
Many Sikhs disagree; they believe that their religion is a direct revelation from God - a religion that was not derived from either Hinduism or Islam.
Some Sikhs believe that their religion is a re-purification of Hinduism; they view Sikhism as part of the Hindu religious tradition.
Many Sikhs disagree; they believe that their religion is a direct revelation from God - a religion that was not derived from either Hinduism or Islam.
Sikhism does contain many unique postulates and principles that are quite different from both Hinduism and Islam. Joseph D. Cunningham (1812-1851), the author of "A History of the Sikhs" (1848), observed: "It has been usual to regard the Sikhs as essentially Hindu... yet in religious faith and worldly aspiration, they are wholly different from other Indians, and they are bound together by an objective unknown elsewhere."
Sikh History:
The name of the religion means learner. It is often mispronounced 'seek' It should be pronounced 'se-ikh', with the final 'kh' sound like the 'kh' in Mikhail Gorbachev.
The name of the religion means learner. It is often mispronounced 'seek' It should be pronounced 'se-ikh', with the final 'kh' sound like the 'kh' in Mikhail Gorbachev.
Its founder was Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538) who was born in the Punjab area of what is now Pakistan. At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He is responsible for the saying "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" which has since become one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste. Guru Nanak and Panth (his followers) later built the first Sikh temple at Katarpur.
A succession of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement during the period from Guru Nanak's death until 1708. At that time, the functions of the Guru passed to the Panth and to the holy text, considered the 11th Guru.
Mogul emperors ruled a large area of South Asia from the 16th century until the end of the 18th century. They attempted to convert the Sikhs to Islam, but were unsuccessful. It has been said of one of the Sikh Gurus (considered by many Sikhs to have been the last guru) that "Had there been no Guru Gobind Singh, the entire country would have gotten circumcised" i.e. been converted to Islam.
In 1801, the Sikh state of Punjab was founded in Northern India by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. According to a historian Vincent Smith, "The Punjab State was neither a traditional Indian territorial State and monarchy, nor merely a dictatorship of one community over another. There was an element of partnership with other communities."
An invasion by Great Britain triggered the Sikh Wars (1845-1849). The British successfully gained control over all of India. After independence in 1947, occupied India was partitioned on religious grounds into a mostly Muslim Pakistan and mostly Hindu India. A mass migration of Sikhs from Pakistan to India and a reverse migration of Muslims resulted, with immense loss of life. Some Sikhs have been seeking an independent homeland since the late 1940's.
Sikhs number about 22.5 million worldwide. 1 Most live in the Punjab. Close to 500,000 live in North America, 1 of whom about 150,000 live in Canada. 2
Sikh Holy Texts:
The holy granth, the Shri Guru Granth, was initially compiled by the fifth guru, Shri Arjan Dev Ji. Subsequently, it was updated to include the writings of the sixth to ninth gurus. The tenth guru, Gobind Singh Ji assembled his writings separately into a number of books, including "Dasam Granth"
The holy granth, the Shri Guru Granth, was initially compiled by the fifth guru, Shri Arjan Dev Ji. Subsequently, it was updated to include the writings of the sixth to ninth gurus. The tenth guru, Gobind Singh Ji assembled his writings separately into a number of books, including "Dasam Granth"
The holy granth consists of hymns and writings by the first nine Gurus, along with religious text from different Muslim and Hindu saints like: Kabir Ji, Baba Sheik Farid Ji, Bhagat Namdev, Bhagat Rav Dass Ji, etc. The Shri Guru Granth itself is considered the 11th and final Guru, and the Sikh's holiest religious text. It was made so by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
At least two English translations are available online:
"The Khalsa Consensus Translation [of the Guru Granth Sahib]...is regarded by some Sikh scholars as being among the finest and most accurate English translation currently available." It is available online at http://www.sikhs.org/english/frame.html
Srigranth.org allows people to search the Sikh scriptures in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Transliteration.
Srigranth.org allows people to search the Sikh scriptures in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Transliteration.
# re: The joke is on us. 6/10/2005 6:45 AM Sheera
I was only 14, when I came to U.S. Trust me, I felt that Some Dumbs make fun of sardaars. I feel very bad when I read junk and nasty kokes on sikhs. Why us??????????? may be we indians like to divide people, I believe it is part of our culture. Truth is always bitter.
# re: The joke is on us. 6/10/2005 6:42 AM Hneet
I was only 14, when I came to U.S. Trust me, I felt that Some Dumbs make fun of sardaars. I feel very bad when I read junk and nasty kokes on sikhs. Why us??????????? may be we indians like to divide people, I believe it is part of our culture. Truth is always bitter.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/27/2005 7:09 PM Amritpal Singh
Hi Kulveer ,
U really impressed me with ur writing skills & ur thoughts .... I guess U R a narrator ....
I was thinking that what is the root cause why did it all start ? ... Is it that because we are a minority , & it's Human tendency that we tend to dominate , let it be by any means ...(may be Just guessing) ... :-?
What do you do Kulveer , I'm a 21 & a Comp Engg in a telecom company here in CHD.
Hope 2 be in touch with U .
Amritpal Singh .
+919814814984
+919814814984
# re: The joke is on us. 5/27/2005 8:07 AM sandhya
hi.. just want to say that i dont encourage anyone to crack such jokes and also that i like vrything about your culture.. the language..the food..the colour.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/19/2005 1:37 PM Kulveer Singh
Dear Harpreet,
I have been repeating a point; which perhaps you missed.
YOU can be aggressive; I have been agressive too, so many times, beaten up people who made my sister cry...
BUT, can a 10 year old child be aggressive when a sardarji joke is being told in the classroom, in the presence of the class-teacher??
With people like Nikunj around, you dont know what his children might learn. I could have removed his comment; but I chose to let it stay as an example of the worst forms of Indian society.
Get real man, it is time we initiate a dialogue on the matter.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/17/2005 8:40 AM harpreetsingh
whatever this blog is about guys ...i dont understand .....people laugh at something which they dont understand ....I ve been in banglore and all kinds of sardar jokes float around ....but ....there are some hindu ones too...... best way to counter is to be offensive ...and now in my presence no body dares to start sardar jokes....:) any way whatever man ...i believe we are the best ....where we stand no body can move us ....and if it was not for sardars there would be no hindustan....only an extended pakistan!! ....anybody wants to differ ...then please think about it ...
heheheheh .................
and one more thing I'd like to say is that this blog is not required ...coz this will only go on to put the whole sikh community on the defensive and if someone's kid reads it ..it might start self pitty ...and we as sardars of hindustan deserve better ;) .....whatever guys ...for all of you who take this blog seriously ...."JUST DONT SHOW THAT IT BOTHERS U COZ THEN WE WILL HAVE A WEAKNESS IN PUBLIC "
heheheheh .................
and one more thing I'd like to say is that this blog is not required ...coz this will only go on to put the whole sikh community on the defensive and if someone's kid reads it ..it might start self pitty ...and we as sardars of hindustan deserve better ;) .....whatever guys ...for all of you who take this blog seriously ...."JUST DONT SHOW THAT IT BOTHERS U COZ THEN WE WILL HAVE A WEAKNESS IN PUBLIC "
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 8:23 PM joy
well mr.. while i do syppathise wit u, but be a sport man.. arent there jokes on bengolis too , being potyayed as cowards. You can never forget names of NETAJI and AUROBINDO who still stand as icons of bravery. But we take it, even laugh at it. Having a sense of homour is what seperates men from morons. Be a sport man. But i do agree that these comments shold not be used in cases where you want to demean somebody. Racial slur should bring on desired pusishment.
Joydeep roy.
Joydeep roy.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 7:21 PM gary gonzalves
hey man ...
why do you mind such crap things ....
dekho ae joke shoke sab chunga si ......chalda hai yaar .....tussi bus aise joke nu suno na bus .. kan baand kar lo .. bus ... ya do one thing laugh it out loudest ....common man .. be sport ....who said you ain't part of my country ... who's that f***$%$.....
just be sport such matters are not to be taken to ur heart ...
why do you mind such crap things ....
dekho ae joke shoke sab chunga si ......chalda hai yaar .....tussi bus aise joke nu suno na bus .. kan baand kar lo .. bus ... ya do one thing laugh it out loudest ....common man .. be sport ....who said you ain't part of my country ... who's that f***$%$.....
just be sport such matters are not to be taken to ur heart ...
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 6:53 PM nikunj
Pata hi chal raha hai.... Sardar ko Kyun Sardar bolte hai....
Akele hi blog lagya ja raha hai.......
Jeo Putter.. Tusi 100% Sardar ho....
Time dekhiyo jara...12 baje kya......
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Time dekhiyo jara...12 baje kya......
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.KA gussa aa gaya... 12 nahin baje.........
Samjhe beta..... is liye.... Sardar....... Sardar hi rahate hain Kabhi badalte nahin........
Samjhe beta..... is liye.... Sardar....... Sardar hi rahate hain Kabhi badalte nahin........
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 6:45 PM raj
you are right kulvir and so i agree.
and deepak is saying right also.
raj
and deepak is saying right also.
raj
# Food 4 thought. 5/15/2005 6:39 PM Deepak
Dear kulvir,
This was a real eye-opener 4 me. It was something, which was there all the time and all knew about it but still never gave it a serious thought ...till u brought up the point. And that 2 in such a wonderful way. I guess that it is a general perception that all the Sikh children, like adults, take it in a positive way. But this is wrong coz children woz always b children. And this really needs to STOP.
The story about "bara baj gaya " was also new to me and it has only made me more respectful and obliged to the Sikhs. Thanks.
But buddy, i suggest that u also look at the brighter side -ur our role model, protectors and we always look up to you in time of need. We also like and admire u 4 Ur jolly nature, business skills, carefree attitude towards life and big heart. Am not balancing it but still this is inside all of us and outwardly we at times joke about u...coz u have the courage to bear it .who else u think can do so?
Making fun of Hindu gods is not rare, even by Hindus. Can u do or expect the same for other religions, especially in the heartland/majority area??? We as a nation are a tolerant society and this is the main reason we have survived this far.... the other great civilizations were not this fortunate.
Making fun of Hindu gods is not rare, even by Hindus. Can u do or expect the same for other religions, especially in the heartland/majority area??? We as a nation are a tolerant society and this is the main reason we have survived this far.... the other great civilizations were not this fortunate.
My point is that pl do not add another problem in this already troubled nation. Our motherland is already burdened with so many woos and is bleeding to the delight of our enemy. So let us NOT create problems but try resolving the ones we have like brothers.
Yes the point u raised is understood and taken. I on my part will try to explain this to all the people around me specially the young ones who needs to inculcate the rt things.
And I unconditionally apologies for the joke that were targeted at u since Ur childhood because i was also one of them, but not anymore. Hope this will give u some relief and ease ur pains.
But please, do not expect over nit change in the mindset of the people coz it’s impossible. But try to b more tolerant and our soc will surely mature to find other ways of humor themselves.
i also admire the views of other friends and thank you all for educating me.
goodbye and good luck.
Deepak.
Deepak.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 6:30 PM George
I feel we shouldn't joke about Sikhs. We are one nation and any joke on sikhs is like joking about us Indians. We have to respect every culture, religion and anything diverse. You will never find a country as diverse as ours; blessed with everything but some spoiled brats spoiling the entire well being of our great nation....Jai Hind
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 12:48 PM Rahul
Hi all Indians!
I read all the post as well as the replies of our dear friends. But as many people have raised the issue about all the communites i will just ask a few questions who care to read them. how many times have we not seen or heard jokes on south indians as a whole or madrasis to be precise for someone who does not know geography. what is the plight of the children of south indians living in other parts of the country. they are each day reminded of the colour and their pronounciation. have you never(honestly) laughed at them for becoz of these. our fellow countrymen have not spared any of the Indian communities like for a few examples north eastern people promptly called chinky's western people called gujju's and last but not the least even on basis of religion muslims called as mullahs and many other names which i dont deem appropriate to write here. all of us at some point or the other have called some of these names for other people. do we care then about all these issues(of what pain we are causing) one just makes a comment laughs at it and moves on. many children are teased with these names becoz of which they are afraid or ashamed of their own identity. Is this not the environment that we ourselves have created? whenever children playing a 'war' (read as game) give themselves names of rival countries. havent we polluted the minds of these innocent children already? when they hear such things from their own elders what will be their idea? how can they decide if what is good n what is bad? it is OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY that we teach them what is good and leave the rest to them for them to decide. I know these changes may not be visible in a day or two but soon a day will come when we as INDIANS will be proud of our culture and diversity. till then remember one famous statement CHARITY BEGINS AT ONE'S OWN HOME FIRST.
BYE!
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 12:40 PM kirth
Thank you man..u got one more on u'r side..
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 12:01 PM Inderpal Singh
Hi Arun,
U make a very valid point abt the communal jokes being OK as long as they don't get personal. But the very fundamenatl point that Kulveer has raised here is that these jokes are indeed being used to make vicious personal attacks on Sikhs. Being a Sikh myself, and having undergone the same trauma as Kulveer, I can completely understand where is he coming from.
Having said that I too have participated enthusiastically in Sardar jokes sessions with friends, but when it gets paersonal it realy hurts. And it hurts particularly bad when it comes from people who have beenliving around you all your life and know u very well - Its not like a joke being cracked by an ignorant alien who has no idea abt our culture and religions.
Anyway, my point is simply that while we do have communal jokes abt 'madrasis', and 'ghatis' and 'bengalis' - these people do not have to undergo personal humiliation as result of these jokes. Whereas, we Sikhs, have to face upto same crap even as adults. It looks good on paper that jokes are fine as long they are not personal, but who draws the line.
Finally, Kulveer dude - very very well written buddy.
Regards
U make a very valid point abt the communal jokes being OK as long as they don't get personal. But the very fundamenatl point that Kulveer has raised here is that these jokes are indeed being used to make vicious personal attacks on Sikhs. Being a Sikh myself, and having undergone the same trauma as Kulveer, I can completely understand where is he coming from.
Having said that I too have participated enthusiastically in Sardar jokes sessions with friends, but when it gets paersonal it realy hurts. And it hurts particularly bad when it comes from people who have beenliving around you all your life and know u very well - Its not like a joke being cracked by an ignorant alien who has no idea abt our culture and religions.
Anyway, my point is simply that while we do have communal jokes abt 'madrasis', and 'ghatis' and 'bengalis' - these people do not have to undergo personal humiliation as result of these jokes. Whereas, we Sikhs, have to face upto same crap even as adults. It looks good on paper that jokes are fine as long they are not personal, but who draws the line.
Finally, Kulveer dude - very very well written buddy.
Regards
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 10:53 AM Aniket
Hey buddy.....
I thought a lot about what u said up there. Well buddy i agree with u to a certain extent. I agree that the attack on Sikhs (courtesy the jokes) is outrageous and is completely unacceptable.
Now some people will argue that jokes on their communities are also in circulation.....viz. Gujjus, Marvadis, Ghatis (Marathis), Malyali (Mallu jokes), tamils etc..
But what we need to think is the frequency of jokes on these communities. How often have u heard a joke on a marwari and not a sardarji???
The worst are Santa Banta jokes. Arent there "morons" in every community?? So why only Santa
Banta...bcoz they r Sardars.
The worst are Santa Banta jokes. Arent there "morons" in every community?? So why only Santa
Banta...bcoz they r Sardars.
Ok the mallu jokes are quite prominent. But aint 90% of the malyalis speak m as yum. And they dont challenge their mental capacity as opposed to Sardarji jokes.
So in my opinion, these kinds of jokes should be completely stopped.
Regards
Aniket.
aniket_dj@yahoo.co.in
aniket_dj@yahoo.co.in
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 8:50 AM AShok
Hey Kulveer,
Leave this rona-dhona which is not the trademark of Sikhs. Sikhs r suposed to be broad-hearted and laugh-at=themselves kind.
I know that in case of any difficulty and if I have to ask for direction when I am lost in the roads of Delhi- any Sikh is preferred becos they r aware n know what is going on around n r very helpful.
But then, we as a nation have to learn to laugh at ourselves and have fun. It is time we do not feel bad when jokes r made abt BAniya (I m one) or Marwaris, or Keralites n so on.
If u do not make fun, u will end up drawing all inferences towards yr religion n be mad and angry with others for that n ready to fight or kill others where no offence is even meant.
Do you want to be one spoilsport and a party-pooper?
We already hv Muslims in our country and throughout the world who are forever linking ANYTHIMNG with Islam n feeling bad and killing n dying for Islam. U can not hv fun with them n they become outcast and they alone r responsible for that state of affairs.
U want to become another Muslims?
U knpw how to njoy yrself with leg n peg. why hv such a thin skin on SArdar jokes?
Hypocrisy or sheer intolearance Vs. mainstream India.
U decide.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 8:45 AM Arun
As "Immaculate" says, people stereotype communities. Like he says, we do make fun of the "Madrasi", "Ghati","Bong", etc etc. I believe it is Ok as long as it is not personal. Sardarji jokes, per se, is OK. It is not directed at a particular person. Do you know how many George Bush jokes there are on the net? Newspapers, TV shows (Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Conan O'brien, the works). It is freedom of expression, and people should be allowed to crack jokes, as long as it is not personal.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 6:35 AM naveen balla
the sardarji jokes have become old and noone laughs at them nemore. my frends try to start one they just cant cuz noone wants to listen to tem
i guess the problem if any partially lies in the sardars. if they punched the guy who started this then there wouldnt have been the jokes in the first place. u cannot punch a guy here and get away with it. but i guess in india u can get away even with rape so why not hurt the guys who started this crap
cheers
i guess the problem if any partially lies in the sardars. if they punched the guy who started this then there wouldnt have been the jokes in the first place. u cannot punch a guy here and get away with it. but i guess in india u can get away even with rape so why not hurt the guys who started this crap
cheers
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 5:05 AM Immaculate
Hi Kulveer aka Sardarji,
While I recognise the point you've raised is serious in afflecting your community can I ask you if you've never laughed at joke poked on a Tamilian or Bengali. Haven't we all enjoyed characters in hindi movies from such region speak ridiculous hindi and been mocked as some form of ferret kicked about. You can count as many jokes about a Malayalee being made fun of his accent and Dubai fascination.
Now let's say that every community asks the same from other.... we then turn into 'dead poet's society'. One where no one can laugh at anyone but probably poor dumb animals. I feel laughing at oneself shows mental toughness rather than mocking obedience. Make your children known of this and they will laugh back them. Teach them few jokes on others and the laughter will move other directions. It's a cruel world but we can make it better by laughing.
Cheers
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 5:01 AM Abs
While I won't pretend that I haven't made any sardar jokes in the past (I have, but have stopped for a long time now), racism is a big problem all over the world. Although I didn't grow up a Sikh, I did grow up an Indian. I have lived outside of India most of my life, and from the outset have been the target of much racial humour. I can completely relate to what you must have went through during school times. Even though there may be many global leaders who are Indians, the international community hardly respects Indians as a whole. It's all an act. I'm sure, I'm not the only one who has recognized the fact. I have over time learned to grudgingly live with the fact, and deal with it the best I can. Hopefully, things will change in the future. We can all hope for the best. As a rule of thumb...all racists are ignorant and insecure. Or it could just be something personal for which racism is just an excuse. That's what I've experienced. Hey at least you have one supporter in me.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 2:33 AM Rajeev Kumar
Kulveer,
I must admire your writing prowess. For a while I felt as if I were a sikh (I wish I were)who had undergone those pangs of agony. It was very hurting to know that indiatimes.com has a section on sardarji jokes. How could they provide a platform to launch agony and humiliation on a community. I condemn it strongly. It is absolutely irresponsible on their part. Hope we as indians mature to be sensitive towards other's sentiments.
I must admire your writing prowess. For a while I felt as if I were a sikh (I wish I were)who had undergone those pangs of agony. It was very hurting to know that indiatimes.com has a section on sardarji jokes. How could they provide a platform to launch agony and humiliation on a community. I condemn it strongly. It is absolutely irresponsible on their part. Hope we as indians mature to be sensitive towards other's sentiments.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 12:36 AM abhijit
i c ur point and agree with it completely. i dont know y or how these jokes became so popular n widespread. but i think it has something to do w the indian crab syndrome. u mentioned about the warrior heritage of ur community. since the rest of us could not match the aggressive characteristics, the easiest thing cud hv been to cut jokes n trivialise the whole thing. but i'm certain no one means any harm.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/15/2005 12:04 AM Anurag
well, your blog does convey a strong message and does it so impeccably. i for myself am surely touched and my soul wont allow me to crack another such joke, the cost of which turns out to be so heavy for someone. But the truth remains that no matter how many people read this blog or even when this message passes thru other means,unfortunately such jokes will continue to prevail, the reason being that sardarji jokes have become an inherent and in someways an inseparable part of indian humour. It is indeed something gr8 to be able to laugh at oneself...which adult sikhs have been able to do. Well, everybody acknowledges that sikhs are only smart, brave, hardworking, loyal, honest...and infact as far as my experience goes, they are a community with most positive disposition.
But to prevent the damage being caused to sikh children, i think, adults must inculcate in them such values right from the beginning, that allow them to be a good sport, not just pretending from outside, but also from within. The truth is that all people simply love their sikh brothers and their motto of 'live life full size'.
I hope all those who read this blog do convey the message to as many people as they can.
# re: The joke is on us. 5/14/2005 11:26 PM sudhir malhotra
you have touched a very senstive issue, i agree, towards which most of the people are insensitive....its not easy to be the butt of the joke day in and day out,guess all need to understand that, this lil piece of blog creates enough understanding amongst all,,,thanks for opening my eyes,,,,,,,
# re: The joke is on us. 5/14/2005 11:10 PM ash mush
sardar ji...
i under stand ur feelings ...
i promise u dat i am gonna stop ma self n others 4m making fun of every body around me...
REMEMBER:A Muslim always keep his promise
i under stand ur feelings ...
i promise u dat i am gonna stop ma self n others 4m making fun of every body around me...
REMEMBER:A Muslim always keep his promise
# re: The joke is on us. 5/14/2005 10:56 PM Prashant
well I can feel your pain. Its really shameful for us to laugh at our own brothers.
I can feel the agony in your posting. Hope things would change.
Regards,
Prashant
Prashant
# re: The joke is on us. 4/30/2005 5:39 PM crap
hehhe..why do ya think i shud change my id ?
# re: The joke is on us. 4/30/2005 3:50 PM sardarji
Of course, with the sheer magnitude of the issue, nothing is going to change, but 'boond boond se sagar bharta hai'...If one person like you realises my point, that makes it one less tear for the Sikh children some day.
So thanks crap for your honest opinion. By the way, you should change your ID, I guess.
# re: The joke is on us. 4/30/2005 3:46 PM spark
hey buddy,
never thought it that way...will remove the lone sardar joke from my blog right now...sorry for that :(
never thought it that way...will remove the lone sardar joke from my blog right now...sorry for that :(
# re: The joke is on us. 4/30/2005 3:24 PM crap
i dont think anything i say is gonna change anything...but im really moved by what u wrote...i never thought something like that would affect people to such an extent.....i must say u write very well...cuz..i dnt think ive read another blog here...that has made me feel bad abt me action...made me think...i could visualise the pain n hurt u mite have gone thro....i jus hope no one else has to go thro the same thing......
welcome to o3 .... :)
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