Heavy subject, light reading

It is an unusual book, difficult to categorise. It is a work of fiction. It is a treatise on the Sikh religion. It seeks to discuss the problems of Sikh identity. It seeks to educate the readers about the Sikh practices. It pretends to be biographical. It could as well be a book on the Sikh religion and its practices. Without seeking to pontificate, it blends history, religion and contemporary politics in a way the reader does not find it a heavy read. Much more than all this, it is unusual in the sense that it is futuristic. Written in the backdrop of Punjab militancy in the eighties, it seeks to show the Sikh community the way to meet the challenges of identity in the 21st century. It holds out the example of the Jews, who despite being so few, have created an exceptional image and place for themselves in the world, through their knowledge and financial clout.

The foreword by retired Justice Mota Singh, former judge of England, is a brilliant essay in itself. As the Foreword says: "Although the book is a work of fiction, the author adroitly uses different characters to articulate different crucial issues and raises a serious concept "" the concept of Virtual State. The Virtual State in his view is a state without geographically defined area, universal in character and all pervasive." Yet it is bound to come in conflict with the nation state. A Sikh virtual state cannot exist by itself unless the idea is universal. Are we at any time in the future prepared for the dissolution of the nation state? Unless this question is answered, the idea of virtual state will remain imaginary only. The author takes the story to the year 2032. It looks unlikely that in the next decade and a half it will be achieved.

The story is facile, but the message is powerful. Violence is a futile instrument to achieve glory. To preserve the history, culture, rituals, language and religion one does not need any more the geographical boundaries, which only restrict the area. Globalisation, conformism and mass-culture are the mantras of today. They call for new instruments to push through your identity. These are knowledge and excellence and the will to succeed by breaking the old barriers and established norms. As Mota Singh observes in his Foreword, "the advances in transportation, communications, information technology and currency movement will make it easier for a globally dispersed people, like the Sikhs to be one."

As any book of fiction would be incomplete without romance, the author has thrown in a dash of it. But in this story, unlike many other such fictional works, it is sublime, inspiring and inspirational. The author carefully chose his characters. The choice of a Jew feminine character is a smart one. It helps to uplift the storyline and provide the necessary inspirational input. The characters are well blended and in harmony with each other.

The language is racy and fluent. The canvas is wide, spread over three continents. The book is well produced with an excellent get-up.

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BEYOND IDENTITY

Preminder Singh Sandhawalia
Singh Brothers, Amritsar
Pages 334, Price Rs 450