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Sikh Youth Awareness Program |
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Best Essay Contest : Spring 2003
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ka Fateh
Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read this; this is a forum made for you. The idea for this is to provide a social and intellectual interaction amongst Sikh Youths from around the Globe. There is a long tradition of Sikhs excelling in the many spheres of academia. You may have noticed that Sikhs are some of the most educated, intelligent, and scholarly people world-wide.
Sikh Youth today are challenged by the rapidly changing world in front of them –questions like what is the Sikh position on genetic engineering? or whether some medical procedures are antithetical to the Sikh Paradigm? are just a few of the many questions this generation will have to account for. To bring these issues and others to the forefront of the debate every Spring and Fall new essay questions will be posted online. Question 1 will be subjective, and since it constitutes your own experiences there is no right or wrong answer. Question 2 will be a research question and will ask you to apply what you’ve learned to issues confronting Sikhs Worldwide. You may choose to do either or both, the choice is yours.
With this preamble, we present the essay questions:
What Does It Mean to be a Sikh in the 21st Century?
Discuss the traditional role of the Gurudwara as an institution of religious teaching, higher learning, and moral guidance. Then, evaluate the current state of your Gurudwara – are its guiding principles consistent with the Gurus’ intentions? In what ways has the Gurudwara changed? How would you improve your Gurudwara? Etc.
How to enter: Entries must be submitted by July 8, 2003. Sikh Youths of all ages are encouraged to submit their work. Essays should be submitted by email: sikh411@aol.com or post: Kawal Singh , Union College · Schenectady, NY 12309-0937 and can be written in English, Punjabi, French, Italian, Hindi, German, Spanish, and more so feel free to write in your native tongue!
The Prize: For Spring 2003, the prize for the best original essay will be a Sony Clie (PEG-SL10). Runners up will also receive a prize and essay winners will be notified by email or telephone.
Who may enter: The contest is open to everyone. However, only Sikh Youths 15-25 are eligible to win the prize. If the best essay is written by someone ineligible, we will select the best essay from the eligible pool, to whom the prize will be awarded; both people will be identified as contest winners.
Happy Writing!