The Sikh Nari Manch UK

In 1998 the renowned Sikh scholar, author and musician, Bibi Gurdev Kaur was inspired to form a group for Sikh Women in UK, which would have the purpose of empowering and educating them in the greatness and depth of Sikhism, and enabling them to address all issues affecting their lives as Sikhs in the UK. Hence the Sikh Nari Manch UK (SNM) was established.

Bibi Gurdev Kaur strongly believes that "If you educate a man, you educate one individual but if you educate a women, you educate the whole family and in the long run the whole socitey benefits". It is crucial that as modern day women we should assess our role as Sikhs as well as our knowledge of Sikhism and realise the potential we have in shaping the lives of our families and children as British Sikhs, keeping our identies but developing community cohesion according to the Sikh tenet of "Surbut Da Bhalla" (Welfare of All).

In the last ten years of its existence the Sikh Nari Manch has developed into an action group of women that aims to empower and raise the self esteem of all women from different cultures and backgrounds and develop community cohesion through various activities such as weekly bilingual devotional singing class, yoga and meditation classes, ESOL classes for women, Computer classes including one-to-one tuition, information, advice and sign-posting, events, conferences, residentials, celebration, seminars and well being workshops at its newly opened centre in Erdington. The SNM Choir is pro-active at breaking barriers and building bridges in our multi-faith community through bilingual (Punjabi/English) devotional performances.The SNM also organises annual interfaith events such as "Spiritual Weekend Retreat", "Interfaith Mothers Day" "Sikh Awareness Day" and Multi-faith Senior Citizens Luncheons" and participates in interfaith events organised by other organisations.

The SNM is  a registered charity, and is therefore constantly looking for sponsorship to continue its community projects. If you can support us in any way or have any comments about our work please contact info@sikhnarimanch.com or write to us at our contact address.

Thought of the Week

Positive Thinking

Life is what you make of it. It can be bright or gloomy according to the pattern of your thoughts, as it is your thinking and your mental attitude that colours everything you do and see. “The glass may be half full or half empty” because “thinking makes it so”. It is the light of positive thinking that shines in your mind, makes your days bright and helps you to have a wonderful life. It is your inner sunshine that helps you smile in the adversity and enables you to see the silver lining of the dark clouds of problems.
Do not be disheartened in the face of adverse circumstances that are keeping you from not advancing as much as you would like to, because it is not the speed that matters. Be content to jog along on a good and steady pace as “slow and steady wins the race” and always try to look for the goodness in each situation and be positive. The Sikhs whenever they pray, whether individually or in the congregation, they end their prayer, praying to be blessed with "Churdee Kalla" i.e. positive thoughts.

Bibi Gurdev Kaur

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