First and foremost I feel that there ought to be more impact-ful programs. What do I mean by that? I feel whenever a grand event is had in Gurdwara's with international raagis gracing it, its more often in the same Gurdwara again and again. I mean this may not be the correct word but shouldn't Gurdwaras be sharing raagis, instead of hoarding all of them in one event exclusively? One way would is to have Semagams that span different Gurdwaras, over a week or 2. This way it would warrant different Gurdwaras to be able to get involved as well as I feel to help them increase donations to fund their costs or Gurdwara activities, especially if they are held in Gurdwaras which have relatively smaller sangat.
Another project I feel all Gurdwaras should and must invest in its youths. Ideally each Gurdwara should invest in having a PEC (Punjabi Education Centre), some musical classes and a physical activity program, be it sports or a martial arts training program. We need to invest in these programs to enhance and empower our youths to be physically and mentally healthier or else a lot of their potential will be lost let alone not found!
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The PEC should be had to safeguard our mother tongue, A simple enough ideal that I believe will not get much opposition.
Music wise the most common option would be to have kirtan classes, so that the gift of kirtan is passed down and not lost in generations especially since lesser local kirtanis are performing at local Semagams giving way to jathas from overseas. Nevertheless it ought not stop there only, but can extend to many types of music, especially in Malaysia we are blessed to have such a organised musical community. I mean we have the world renowned Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band who themselves started in Parliament Gurdwara, then the newly formed Sri Darvesh Pipe Band of Sunway Gurdwara, and how about dhol classes being held in Tatt Khalsa Gurdwara and Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan. All of these instances show that we have a well established love for music and many well qualified musicians who can be requested to train students in the respective Gurdwaras.
Finally the physically activity be it an official football, hockey, netball, bowling, badminton or martial arts program be it gatka, tae kwon do or karate! If actually seen sports interest within the Sikh community peaks at the start of the year with Holla Mahalla, Vaisakhi Sports Carnivals and Gurdwara Cups being venues where sportsmen and sportswomen take center stage, but the the remaining year (off season) these athletes are left on their own. I mean there should be consistency within our training of teams for these events so that loyalty and professionalism can be inculcated not only so that they can improve. This is so that jumping teams by individuals would be reduced which is prevalent every year, more over so that teams each year improve from the previous cause as far as I see its usually the same teams with same players who are good hoarded together that win these events.
We should also start moving to make Gurdwara's in a way a community centre, especially since our "langgar" (open kitchen) concept is well renowned to serve everyone regardless of faith, race, status or affiliations. Therefore I think it would be only in good interest if Gurdwara's build rooms within its compounds to house the homeless and those in dire need instead of only expanding and enlarging Darbar Sahibs to the extend that it doesn't even get filled on a normal program, thus going to much waste. Set up teams of social workers, ideally youths to help such individuals who seek help by giving them advice or directing them more capable individuals or groups. I mean the potential of Gurdwara's being much more is big, without effecting its sanctity and cleanliness.
Though almost all these ideas will remain ideas if the root of the rot of many gurdwaras isn't addressed. Politics.I mean the bureaucracy and red tape in many Gurdwara's is mind boggling! Like seriously, the level nepotism is at time embarrassing, like come on its things like this which our Guru's shunned! It's a shame at times, therefore the sanggat should take a an active role in pointing out shortcomings and unfairness carried out by the committee members, take them to task! Even more so involve more youths in the decision making process as well as the execution if not elect some into the committee itself!
Small steps like this will help improve our community so that we are a much solid unit as well prepare our youths in a holistic manner to face the further toughening future!
