Kanpur’s turban bank helps Sikhs hold their head high
Marking the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and to motivate Sikhs to take pride in their turban, a unique initiative has been taken by Gurdwara Banno Sahib in Kanpur.
The gurdwara has established Uttar Pradesh’s first turban bank, where Sikhs, who cannot afford a turban, can go and get one for themselves for free. The bank became functional 10 days ago and already 28 people have got turbans from it.
The setting up of the bank paves the way for like efforts in other cities of the state, said Gurdwara Banno Sahib manager Kanwaljit Singh Manu.
“People can register with the bank and they will be given turbans for free. Many Sikh families have donated turbans to the bank, which has also added to the stock through its own resources,” said Manu.
The gurdwara has members spread all over the world and is deeply committed to making this project successful. The positive response it has evoked in the last one week will see more banks coming up in next six months in Kanpur and other cities,” added the gurdwara manager.
The monetary aspect of identifying with one’s Sikh identity was also a compelling factor in setting up and in getting the bank up and running. A six-metre “pagri” costs about ₹600 excluding the tailoring cost.
“The thought behind setting up the bank was to motivate Sikhs to wear turbans instead of wearing their hair in a bun (like young Sikh boys do), which, seemingly, is more in vogue, because of the steep prices of turbans,” said Harvinder Singh Lord of Guru Singh Sabha.
“Not everyone can afford turbans. This is why this bank has been opened to provide turbans for free. We started this project on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak,” he said.
Apart from making the turbans available to those unable to afford them, the larger idea was to motivate Sikh and youngsters to take pride in turbans.
“It (the turban) signifies honour, piety, courage, self-respect, spirituality, and it is integral to our faith,” Singh said, urging the needy to contact the gurdwara on 8317065446 and get a brand new turban for free.
On the day the bank became functional, some 12 men received turbans for free. Since then, 16 others who had registered earlier, received turbans from the ‘bank’.
BUS WITH ARTICLES USED BY GURU ARRIVES IN KANPUR TODAY
The bus carrying articles used by Guru Nanak will reach Kanpur on October 6 as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations. The bus, which will be coming from Nepal, will be received in the Rama Devi area.
People accompanying the bus will rest in the area’s gurdwara. It will visit the Gumti Gurdwara and Ranjit Nagar Gurdwara on October 7.