In 1995, my work on digitizing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was recognized globally, with prominent newspapers covering the story extensively. One article, published on the cover of the Mercury News on September 9, 1995, particularly stood out. The Mercury News, being a pioneer in online journalism, ensured that the news spread rapidly, making me and my partner, Bhupinder Singh, well-known in the Sikh community worldwide.
However, not everyone was pleased. A complaint was lodged by one Singh resident of San Jose to the visiting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Professor Manjeet Singh. He expressed concerns that digitizing the Guru Granth Sahib would lead to acts of beadbi (disrespect) to the sacred Bani. The first concern was that once digitized, people might print the Bani and mishandle it, resulting in it being disrespected or ending up on the ground. The second objection was regarding the translation I used, was done by Param Bhushan Professor Gurbachan Singh Talib, who, it was alleged, worked under the influence of alcohol.
Prof Gurbachan Singh Talib
When Jathedar Sahib visited San Jose, he invited me to meet him at the residence of Sardar Jeet Singh Baniwal, the president of the San Jose Gurdwara. At the meeting, I, assisted by David Brown of my company AMS, addressed both complaints head-on. I explained that my intent behind digitizing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was to bring the sacred Gurbani into the hearts and minds of countless devotees around the world. By making it accessible in English, I hoped to open the floodgates of Guru’s wisdom to those unfamiliar with the original Gurmukhi script, thus spreading Guru’s divine message universally.
Prof Manjeet Singh Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib
I also shared a historical perspective: the Guru Granth Sahib was initially compiled in four separate parts. At that time, some Sikhs resisted merging it into a single volume, fearing it might be misused or copied. Yet, when it was eventually compiled as one Granth of 1,430 pages, it allowed Guru’s words to spread as intended. I argued that digitizing the Bani was simply another step in ensuring the Guru’s message reached every corner of the planet.
The same set of books still stacking up in my home Liabrary
Regarding the translation by Professor Talib, I suggested that if there was an issue with his work, efforts should first be made to approach universities and governments to ban the book officially, rather than malign my efforts. However, I believed this objection was more about targeting me personally than any genuine concern.
Jathedar Prof Manjeet Singh
To further validate my work, I informed Jathedar Sahib that I had previously presented the digitized Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee (DGPC) in 1993, as well as to the intelligentsia at the Punjabi University, Patiala. Both organizations had appreciated the hard work and dedication that went into the project.
A copy of historic CD
Jathedar Sahib was immensely pleased with my explanations and appreciated my vision of spreading Guru’s word. The complaint against me was dismissed, and I felt vindicated. This experience strengthened my resolve to continue working towards making Guru’s divine wisdom accessible to all.
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