The Story of Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri
When science and religion are in harmony
When science and religion are in harmony
medical, and economic development. Well-known for their business leadership and intellectual pursuits, the Sikhs are focused not only on
education and economic progress of their own families, but also of others. Helping those in need is as natural as breathing air to them. And
respect of others, regardless of their station in life, is most important in how Sikhs relate to one another, because to them, all people are born equal.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a man (of color) wearing a turban, sporting a beard, with thick eyebrows, and dressed in
traditional clothing unfamiliar to you? If you’re like many people one meets on the streets of Madison, Wis., you might think without pause, “Oh, he
must be an Indian,” or “Oh, a Middle Eastern guy,” or “Oh, a Muslim,” or “Oh, an Arab,” or other labels resulting from very limited knowledge of the
world and its people.
This limited knowledge and understanding about others has caused instances of misidentification of Sikhs in the U.S. that sometimes led to not-
so-happy endings. “I personally didn’t face any problems,” Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri said, on whether he has encountered challenges in the
American society as a Sikh. “But after 9/11, my friend and many others faced discrimation.” Dr. Miranpuri quickly added, “This is not a common
problem in Madison, but after 9/11, I have seen some of it happening. That time wasn’t good for the Sikhs; and wearing our turbans wasn’t good for
us then because people were mistaking us for Muslims. We are not Muslims. Sikhs are descendants of Hindus.”
Sikhism
“The Sikh religion was founded more than 500 years ago,” Dr. Miranpuri explained. “It was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1538), the first guru,
and is the fifth largest religion in the world.” Sikh teachings and traditions are deeply rooted in the social fabric of Punjab in India.
According to Sikh history, the spirit of Nanak was passed on through generations of gurus. There were significant achievements during the reigns
of several gurus, notably Amar Das (3rd guru, 1552), who preached equality to women; Ram Das (4th guru, 1574), who established the city of
Ramdaspur, later known as Amritsar; Arjan Dev (5th guru, 1581), who built the Harimandur Sahib (Golden Temple) and prepared the Adi Granth
(the first book, with the writings of the first five gurus). Arjan Dev was killed by the Mughals (Muslims) in 1606 for refusing to make changes to the
Granth. Conflict with the Mughal rulers intensified with the execution of Tegh Bahadur (9th guru, 1665), for helping Hindus who were condemned
to death for refusing to convert to Islam. His son, Gobind Singh (10th guru, 1675) founded the Akal Khalsa (community of the pure), inspiring
courage among his followers to fight the oppressive Mughal rulers. The event is now known as Vaisakhi Day. Gobind Singh also decreed the Guru
Granth Sahib, the Sikh’s Holy Book, as the final guru. No other human guru succeeded him.
Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. Sikhs follow the
teachings of the 10 gurus, plus the Guru Granth Sahib, which contains scripts and songs of Sikh holy men (similar to the Christians’ Bible).
The Five Ks
Baptized Sikhs wear the “five Ks” that represent their articles of faith.
“The 10th guru, Gobind Singh, gave us the five Ks,” Dr. Miranpuri explained while drawing the items on a notebook for me to clearly understand
what he’s talking about. “Sikhs are supposed to wear these five Ks: Kes, which means uncut hair; Kangha or small comb, made of wood; Kara, a
circular heavy steel bracelet; Kirpan, a short sword; and Kaccha, a pair of shorts.”
Showing his tied hair on top of his head and under his turban, Dr. Miranpuri said, “See, I tie my hair; and Sikhs are not supposed to be
bareheaded. Anywhere we go, our hair should be covered. A Sikh should treat his hair as a gift from God, and this confirms a Sikh’s belief in the
acceptance of God.” He uses the Kangha (comb) whenever he takes off his turban, which, apart from its practical use, is a symbol of cleanliness.
The Kara (bracelet), similar to a wedding ring, symbolizes an unbreakable link with God, he said, while the Kirpan is a ceremonial sword. “The
Kaccha is like a pair of shorts,” Dr. Miranpuri said, adding that its purpose is to show high moral character. “Wearing it is an act of self-discipline.”
The Turban or Daastar
Sikhs wear a turban, or daastar, as the single most visible article of their faith, a tradition that started when Sikhism was formed. Aside from its
spiritual meaning, the turban symbolizes certain values reflective of a person’s self-respect, dedication, and courage. The modern times have not
changed the meaning of the turban to the Sikhs. In fact, it further strengthened the Sikhs’ commitment to their gurus’ teachings while adjusting to
new environments and other cultures. The color of the turban has added some temporal meanings, too.
“Today I’m wearing this (burgundy) turban with a matching tie,” said Dr. Miranpuri. “And this is fashion! But there are different colors of the
turban. Saffron color is a religious color; blue or black may represent the color of a political party; and a white turban may be worn when our
parents have passed or as we age.”
When Sikhs are out in public, it is mandatory to don a turban. “When I go out publicly, or like now, when I’m sitting with you, it is my ethical
obligation to wear my turban,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “When I’m wearing a turban, I’m giving respect to you, while maintaining the respect of my
religion.”
Equality and service to others
Sikh teachings focus on equality and helping others. “Sikhs believe in equality,” Dr. Miranpuri stressed. “Everybody’s equal, everybody sits
together and eats together. We give women respect. In the traditional Indian culture, for example, the women were very oppressed. But our 10th
guru taught Sikhs to treat women as equals. This is the holy duty that Sikhs people have: equality for the women. Sikhs don’t follow India’s caste
system either.”
“One should live for others,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “For example, if you have a problem, I should be the first one to come and help you. If I’m not
going to help you, then I’m not Sikh. I’m supposed to help you as a friend, as a fellow human being.”
The Sikh community in the U.S.
There are roughly 2,000 Sikhs in Wisconsin, estimates Dr. Miranpuri, a small percentage of the more than 20 million Sikhs worldwide. The
largest Sikh populations in North America reside in New York, California, Toronto and Vancouver.
Anywhere in the world where potatoes can grow, Sikhs can survive, Dr. Miranpuri stressed. “At the turn of the 19th century, many Sikhs began
arriving to work on California farms. Many of them later became landowners and successful farmers. Sikhism is a very hardworking religion,” he
said. “Sikhs take pride in achieving success. Sikhs are not lazy; they believe that becoming prosperous — by working hard — is an essential goal.
Among the successful professionals in this country – doctors, engineers, industrialists, lawyers, or businessmen — many Sikhs are at the forefront.”
Helping one another in the community comes naturally for the Sikhs in Wisconsin. “It’s not a question of affordability,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “Rather, it’
s a question of courage, and how much you can do to help others. We simply help each other. We lead in hospitality because we believe in
sharing. I am supposed to offer you a meal instead of saying ‘You buy your lunch and I’ll buy my lunch.’ We believe in sharing, so it would be
wrong for you to spend your money in front of me! If I have a loaf of bread, I’ll be more than happy to share it with you. Sikhs eat their meal after
offering to others first. And if we fail to ask, then we have disrespected you. Even though this describes the fundamentals of human kindness, it is a
basic tenet in Sikh tradition.”
A message to ethnic immigrants and Americans in general
“We are all equal here now. We should work hard. But it doesn’t mean that we need to work hard to compete. We are an equal partner in
building a civilized American society. We all want to provide our children the best opportunities and education they deserve, and when they
succeed, we can tell ourselves, ‘It was really worth coming here.’
“To parents, we should take care of our future generations and ensure that our heritage and culture are maintained,” Dr. Miranpuri said with
concern. “This is a prime need of the times. As we Sikhs learn about the values of all other cultures and respect them, including their religions, so
should others respect ours. Everybody should respect each other. This is the way to a harmonious society.”
education and economic progress of their own families, but also of others. Helping those in need is as natural as breathing air to them. And
respect of others, regardless of their station in life, is most important in how Sikhs relate to one another, because to them, all people are born equal.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a man (of color) wearing a turban, sporting a beard, with thick eyebrows, and dressed in
traditional clothing unfamiliar to you? If you’re like many people one meets on the streets of Madison, Wis., you might think without pause, “Oh, he
must be an Indian,” or “Oh, a Middle Eastern guy,” or “Oh, a Muslim,” or “Oh, an Arab,” or other labels resulting from very limited knowledge of the
world and its people.
This limited knowledge and understanding about others has caused instances of misidentification of Sikhs in the U.S. that sometimes led to not-
so-happy endings. “I personally didn’t face any problems,” Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri said, on whether he has encountered challenges in the
American society as a Sikh. “But after 9/11, my friend and many others faced discrimation.” Dr. Miranpuri quickly added, “This is not a common
problem in Madison, but after 9/11, I have seen some of it happening. That time wasn’t good for the Sikhs; and wearing our turbans wasn’t good for
us then because people were mistaking us for Muslims. We are not Muslims. Sikhs are descendants of Hindus.”
Sikhism
“The Sikh religion was founded more than 500 years ago,” Dr. Miranpuri explained. “It was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1538), the first guru,
and is the fifth largest religion in the world.” Sikh teachings and traditions are deeply rooted in the social fabric of Punjab in India.
According to Sikh history, the spirit of Nanak was passed on through generations of gurus. There were significant achievements during the reigns
of several gurus, notably Amar Das (3rd guru, 1552), who preached equality to women; Ram Das (4th guru, 1574), who established the city of
Ramdaspur, later known as Amritsar; Arjan Dev (5th guru, 1581), who built the Harimandur Sahib (Golden Temple) and prepared the Adi Granth
(the first book, with the writings of the first five gurus). Arjan Dev was killed by the Mughals (Muslims) in 1606 for refusing to make changes to the
Granth. Conflict with the Mughal rulers intensified with the execution of Tegh Bahadur (9th guru, 1665), for helping Hindus who were condemned
to death for refusing to convert to Islam. His son, Gobind Singh (10th guru, 1675) founded the Akal Khalsa (community of the pure), inspiring
courage among his followers to fight the oppressive Mughal rulers. The event is now known as Vaisakhi Day. Gobind Singh also decreed the Guru
Granth Sahib, the Sikh’s Holy Book, as the final guru. No other human guru succeeded him.
Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. Sikhs follow the
teachings of the 10 gurus, plus the Guru Granth Sahib, which contains scripts and songs of Sikh holy men (similar to the Christians’ Bible).
The Five Ks
Baptized Sikhs wear the “five Ks” that represent their articles of faith.
“The 10th guru, Gobind Singh, gave us the five Ks,” Dr. Miranpuri explained while drawing the items on a notebook for me to clearly understand
what he’s talking about. “Sikhs are supposed to wear these five Ks: Kes, which means uncut hair; Kangha or small comb, made of wood; Kara, a
circular heavy steel bracelet; Kirpan, a short sword; and Kaccha, a pair of shorts.”
Showing his tied hair on top of his head and under his turban, Dr. Miranpuri said, “See, I tie my hair; and Sikhs are not supposed to be
bareheaded. Anywhere we go, our hair should be covered. A Sikh should treat his hair as a gift from God, and this confirms a Sikh’s belief in the
acceptance of God.” He uses the Kangha (comb) whenever he takes off his turban, which, apart from its practical use, is a symbol of cleanliness.
The Kara (bracelet), similar to a wedding ring, symbolizes an unbreakable link with God, he said, while the Kirpan is a ceremonial sword. “The
Kaccha is like a pair of shorts,” Dr. Miranpuri said, adding that its purpose is to show high moral character. “Wearing it is an act of self-discipline.”
The Turban or Daastar
Sikhs wear a turban, or daastar, as the single most visible article of their faith, a tradition that started when Sikhism was formed. Aside from its
spiritual meaning, the turban symbolizes certain values reflective of a person’s self-respect, dedication, and courage. The modern times have not
changed the meaning of the turban to the Sikhs. In fact, it further strengthened the Sikhs’ commitment to their gurus’ teachings while adjusting to
new environments and other cultures. The color of the turban has added some temporal meanings, too.
“Today I’m wearing this (burgundy) turban with a matching tie,” said Dr. Miranpuri. “And this is fashion! But there are different colors of the
turban. Saffron color is a religious color; blue or black may represent the color of a political party; and a white turban may be worn when our
parents have passed or as we age.”
When Sikhs are out in public, it is mandatory to don a turban. “When I go out publicly, or like now, when I’m sitting with you, it is my ethical
obligation to wear my turban,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “When I’m wearing a turban, I’m giving respect to you, while maintaining the respect of my
religion.”
Equality and service to others
Sikh teachings focus on equality and helping others. “Sikhs believe in equality,” Dr. Miranpuri stressed. “Everybody’s equal, everybody sits
together and eats together. We give women respect. In the traditional Indian culture, for example, the women were very oppressed. But our 10th
guru taught Sikhs to treat women as equals. This is the holy duty that Sikhs people have: equality for the women. Sikhs don’t follow India’s caste
system either.”
“One should live for others,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “For example, if you have a problem, I should be the first one to come and help you. If I’m not
going to help you, then I’m not Sikh. I’m supposed to help you as a friend, as a fellow human being.”
The Sikh community in the U.S.
There are roughly 2,000 Sikhs in Wisconsin, estimates Dr. Miranpuri, a small percentage of the more than 20 million Sikhs worldwide. The
largest Sikh populations in North America reside in New York, California, Toronto and Vancouver.
Anywhere in the world where potatoes can grow, Sikhs can survive, Dr. Miranpuri stressed. “At the turn of the 19th century, many Sikhs began
arriving to work on California farms. Many of them later became landowners and successful farmers. Sikhism is a very hardworking religion,” he
said. “Sikhs take pride in achieving success. Sikhs are not lazy; they believe that becoming prosperous — by working hard — is an essential goal.
Among the successful professionals in this country – doctors, engineers, industrialists, lawyers, or businessmen — many Sikhs are at the forefront.”
Helping one another in the community comes naturally for the Sikhs in Wisconsin. “It’s not a question of affordability,” Dr. Miranpuri said. “Rather, it’
s a question of courage, and how much you can do to help others. We simply help each other. We lead in hospitality because we believe in
sharing. I am supposed to offer you a meal instead of saying ‘You buy your lunch and I’ll buy my lunch.’ We believe in sharing, so it would be
wrong for you to spend your money in front of me! If I have a loaf of bread, I’ll be more than happy to share it with you. Sikhs eat their meal after
offering to others first. And if we fail to ask, then we have disrespected you. Even though this describes the fundamentals of human kindness, it is a
basic tenet in Sikh tradition.”
A message to ethnic immigrants and Americans in general
“We are all equal here now. We should work hard. But it doesn’t mean that we need to work hard to compete. We are an equal partner in
building a civilized American society. We all want to provide our children the best opportunities and education they deserve, and when they
succeed, we can tell ourselves, ‘It was really worth coming here.’
“To parents, we should take care of our future generations and ensure that our heritage and culture are maintained,” Dr. Miranpuri said with
concern. “This is a prime need of the times. As we Sikhs learn about the values of all other cultures and respect them, including their religions, so
should others respect ours. Everybody should respect each other. This is the way to a harmonious society.”
Part 2 of 2
By Heidi M. Pascual
Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri is a senior scientist at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Neurological Surgery, School of
Medicine and Public Health, while his wife, Satya, is a research specialist in
the same school. The Miranpuris, including their two sons and daughters-in-
law (who are medical doctors), all work to save lives. They are Americans,
yes, and they are also Sikhs. The first installment of this article was about Dr.
Miranpuri’s roots and the circumstances that took him to many parts of the
world until he finally settled in Madison, Wisconsin. This second and last
installment is a look at Sikhism and how its values influenced the life of Dr.
Miranpuri — a reflection of its similar influence on thousands of Sikhs who
are now living in the U.S. It is also meant to promote understanding of this
religion and its followers, because understanding is the first step towards
tolerance and acceptance of others’ differences.
Sikhs in the U.S. have contributed greatly to the country’s scientific,
By Heidi M. Pascual
Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri is a senior scientist at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Neurological Surgery, School of
Medicine and Public Health, while his wife, Satya, is a research specialist in
the same school. The Miranpuris, including their two sons and daughters-in-
law (who are medical doctors), all work to save lives. They are Americans,
yes, and they are also Sikhs. The first installment of this article was about Dr.
Miranpuri’s roots and the circumstances that took him to many parts of the
world until he finally settled in Madison, Wisconsin. This second and last
installment is a look at Sikhism and how its values influenced the life of Dr.
Miranpuri — a reflection of its similar influence on thousands of Sikhs who
are now living in the U.S. It is also meant to promote understanding of this
religion and its followers, because understanding is the first step towards
tolerance and acceptance of others’ differences.
Sikhs in the U.S. have contributed greatly to the country’s scientific,
(Above) Dr. Gurwattan Singh
Miranpuri
Miranpuri
| With wife, Satya, a research specialist at UW-Madison |