It all started in the early 1950s, when some learned Sikhs lived in the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata) started meeting once a month and discussing ‘Gurmat’ amongst themselves. This led to a “Study Circle” wherein interaction and discussions started on “Gurbani” and “Gurmat Vichar”.
This Study Circle then thought of an English monthly and went on to herald its first issue in September-October 1953. To its good fortune, the WW-II hero, Capt. Bhag Singh, MBE, became its Editor, guided by Ms. Marguerite Allen Randhawa as well as the Oriental Scholar, Dr. Hira Lal Chopra who was equally at home with Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Punjabi, Among those who contributed with heart and soul were Sirdar Kapur Singh, ICS, Dr. Trilochan Singh, Ph.D., D.Litt., and Sr. Kulraj Singh (Comm. of IT), followed by eminent writers Dr. Harbans Lal, Dr. J S Neki, Dr. I J Singh, Dr. Nikki Girinder Kaur, Dr. Muthu Mohan, Dr. Nirvikar Singh, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Khuswant Singh, and others) A notable fact is that, even in the difficult decade of the 1980s, when almost all Sikh journals and newspapers in India were scrutinized, censored, and some were forced to stop their publication or distribution; The Sikh Review struggled but kept up the publication, thanks to the arrival in 1983–84 of Sardar Saran Singh, I.A.S, secretary government of India, who had then retired as Adviser to the Governor, Assam, he was ably assisted by Dr. I. J. Singh as its Overseas Editor. In November 2020, one year before the passing away of Sardar Saran Singh, DIG Partap Singh assumed the role of the editor while Dr I J Singh continued as the overseas editor.
The Journal seeks to provide its readers with a sense of pride and gratitude: Pride in its incredible resilience; Gratitude also for the fact that Sikhs can create successful institutions to serve the new generation, provided we are determined. Gratitude also that it is the Sikh awakening and blazing the cultural renaissance of the early 1900s that brought our Faith back to its transcendental realm. “The Sikh Review” is one such example of that dynamic. Today, “The Sikh Review” forges ahead as a major intellectual resource for Sikhs worldwide, even as the Sikh Diaspora spreads far and wide, the journal has helped global Sikhism stay connected with the core of their theological, educational, and socio-cultural ethos.
As we complete 70 years of publication, what makes “The Sikh Review” go on and thrive when many have come and gone? Two factors: The mission and the inspiration combined with voluntary service.
The team remains steadfast in its mission: To spread the light of Gurbani and its matchless course of Sikh history—in a way that is appealing to the younger generation honed in the English language, and to cover all aspects of Sikhism in a new idiom. Scholars and specialists from around the globe, contribute their writings as a labour of love
An editorial board, with the best minds worldwide, works smoothly to select and streamline the articles. The dedicated volunteer representative body reaches out to Sikhs in every country they live in, with the sole intent of disseminating Guru Nanak’s mission to people of all ages on every continent. With the global spread of Diaspora in large numbers, our search for unrepresented regions continues, and new Volunteers are welcome to join us for this SEWA.
A typical issue of “The Sikh Review” is a little under 100 pages long and does not boast fancy paper or graphics, just good contents. Contents that range from the philosophical to the practical day-to-day aspects of Sikhi, from graphic glimpses of History to current concerns that challenge Sikhs anywhere they call home; from reviving the Classics to the review of the latest happenings in the fields of fine arts, cinema, music, and literature. It is in simple English, supplemented with Gurmukhi fonts when needed. The content is easy to read and digest, and covers aspects that appeal to a wide range of thoughts and lifestyles centered on Sikhi. The Sikh Review is now available on our website www.silkhreview.org — (some left over issues from the inception 1953 are under process of digitation) and freely available to read/download article of choice by the Research Scholars as well as all readers worldwide.
One could get involved in this noble mission by giving away subscriptions, either Hard copy or a digital version, as gifts to family members, friends, and Gurdwara libraries. For libraries, bound volumes of the journal’s prior issues are available for collection.
What is remarkable is the team’s mode of operation, which has kept the journal on an even keel. No profit. No personal ego, No politics, A Truly, it is a Panthic endeavour, free from pettifoggery and dedicated to humanitarian goals. Even during the COVID lockdown, the team of publishers and printers relentlessly worked hard to mail The Sikh Review during the most challenging times.
Besides the regular publication, The Sikh Cultural Centre has, from 2022–2023, started the sponsorship of the education of merited Sikh Children for Higher Studies of their choice. The objective is to groom our young generation for cracking competitive exams for joining Central as well as State services including IIT, IIM, NDA where a visible Turban is missing. By the grace of Waheguru and the support of well-wishers we have managed to sponsor 28 students during the years 2022–2023, and 70 students for the session 2023–24 in Pan India. The process for ONLINE admission for the next sessions shall continue as per mission statement formulated and loaded on website (www.sikhreview.org)
Keeping in pace with time, Sikh Review has ventured into the publication of books on Special occasions, such as the anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Teg Bahadur, where the highly acclaimed “Nanak The Guru” was printed in 7 Indian languages and 2 foreign languages, Spanish and German, with illustrations by Internationally known artists Arpana Caur and Mala Dayal. This was followed by the Coffee Table Book on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and 400th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, printed at Thomson Press, authored by Sardarni Harminder Kaur.
After seven decades journey, the Sikh Review is still moving forward to fulfil its mission of promoting peace, harmony, and international fraternity in line with Sikh morality and philosophy. It has seen many ups and downs over its existence, but it has persevered despite all the odds thanks to the enormous support that it still receives from subscribers, philanthropics and contributors all around the world.
The current generation of Sikhs, including our enlarge diaspora, has an obligation to join the mission and assist the magazine in achieving its objective of disseminating gurbani for the benefit of humanity, as Sikhism has already gained worldwide recognition.
The Sikh Review has already established itself as a major panthic institution, therefore, both Sikh institutions and individuals should step up to support the journal in terms of readership, funding, and of course with writings to its regular columns.
EDITOR (OVERSEAS): I.J. Singh, Prof. Emeritus, NYU.
EDITOR: Partap Singh, DIG (Retd.).
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Avtar Singh
Publisher: Narinder Pal Singh
THE SIKH CULTURAL CENTRE
THE SIKH REVIEW,
116 Karnani Mansion, 25A Park Street, Kolkata 700 016
Office Phone Nos: 91-33-2229-9656 / 4604-6462
Mobile Nos. 9313290538, 9331035297, 9903701011
Email: sikhreview@gmail.com,
INTERNET EDITION: http://www.sikhreview.org