Walking with pride means something unique for every single individual. I walk with pride while wearing a Sikh turban commonly referred to as a Pagri, a piece of cloth dating back centuries, representing sacrifice and honor. My decision to wear my turban every day reflects my identity but is also a tribute to my ancestors and the sacrifices they made. What I tie on my head is not a hat or a cap, it is a Pagri, and it has rightfully earned that name.
In the Sikh religion, children often adorn Patkas, whereas adults adorn Pagris. Many Sikh families celebrate transitioning from the Patka to the Pagri in a Dastaar Bandi ceremony.
Following the tradition, my Dastaar Bandi ceremony occurred at the Paonta Sahib Gurudwara. Paonta Sahib is also where Baba Ajit Singh Ji had his Dastaar Bandi ceremony. He was the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru. All four of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s sons sacrificed their lives for Sikhi, the two oldest sacrificing their lives at the Battle of Chamkaur, and the two youngest sacrificing their lives by getting bricked alive within a wall. All of this could have been avoided, if they willingly converted their religions, however, they did not. Standing in the place where Baba Ajit Singh Ji had his own Dastaar Bandi, really created a strong connection within me, not only because he was the son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, but also because he dedicated his life to fighting for righteousness. This is just one example of a sacrifice made for the Sikh faith, however, numerous examples in history show similar sacrifices, all for the turban I tie today.
Following the ceremony, I knew that I wanted to start tying my turban more frequently as a way to honor what my ancestors fought for. Learning how to tie the turban was quite difficult because several components go into tying one. The most important component is the length of the turban. I tie a 7.5-meter-long turban. Whilst tying the turban, I try over and over again to make sure each layer is neat, every fold is crisp and as perfect as possible. This is not just to look presentable, but all the bits of effort I put into the turban reminds me of what my ancestors went through so that I could tie this turban proudly. As I layer the turban on my head, each layer tightens the overall structure of the turban and gives me a sense of responsibility and security.
For me, walking with my turban is both a form of expressing myself and a statement of who I am and my representation of the Sikh faith. When I walk with my turban, I am not walking for myself, but rather for my Sikh community. I walk to show the values of Sikhism, including, equality, justice, seva (selfless service), Simran(mediation), and Chardi Kala (the concept of high spirits). When I walk with my turban, I find the most true sense of pride, which connects me to my history, my values, and my purpose.