AMRITSAR – Following in the footsteps of his famous grandfather Dr Raghbir Singh Bains, the author of Sikh Encyclopaedia on CD-Rom – 13-year old Bikramjit Singh Bains from has penned down a book on Sikh tenets and Sikh religion.
Introduction to Sikhism, the book in English by Bikramjit Singh Bains was released on Thursday by Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh in Amritsar. The Akal Takht chief was all praise for the big initiative at a small age by the young writer.
Bikramjit started work on his book when he was 10 on the occasion of Baisakhi in April, 2009. He got so inspired with the Sikh tenets as he researched for the contents that he got baptised (became an Amritdhari Sikh) in Surrey last year, amid carrying out the task of completing the book.
A grade 8 student, Bikramjit said that he used to spend hours in the libraries of his grandfather, who used to tell him the stories about Sikh warriors and Sikh Gurus. “From there, I got my inspiration to write a book,” he said.
“At many places, a number of Sikhs have fallen out of line when it comes to following Sikh principles and tenets. Many of them are taking to addiction, getting their hair trimmed and indulging in other activities that are not allowed in Sikhism. My book is an attempt to bring such Sikhs back on the track,” Bikramjit said. The book throws light on the hardships faced by Sikhs and the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus, besides other historical events related to Sikhs, he added.
As many as 5,000 copies of the book have been printed. Among these, Bikramjit will carry 500 copies to Canada and rest will be distributed among religious institutions, schools and colleges in Punjab and India. “We have already distributed 250 copies in various institutions here,” said Dr Raghbir Singh Bains.
