Thank you to the Sikh Education Service for sending me a copy of this book to read and to offer some thoughts on the contents.
‘The Guide’ by Gurmit Kaur is a short book which provides a walkthrough for females on what to expect pre and post marriage.
Having now completed my studies, I look to set my gaze upon what life has next to offer.
As with many of my peers, we all tuned in to watch the Netflix series ‘Indian Matchmaking’,which in itself was quite educational,in the sense that it makes ones mind think about a stage in life that one would deem to be very far away especially at my young age,but in reality we all know that time does not wait for anybody or anyone.
There were many triggering aspects in this series which I will not discuss for the South Asian Solidarity Collective held a panel discussion last weekend where they evaluated the programme and analysed the true realities of ‘Indian matchmaking’, all of which seemed to be overlooked in this series.
Following this, I decided to gain an understanding of the Sikh rites of marriage and hence tuned in to a 12 episode series which looked to explain the Anand Karaj ceremony in detail.
This book by Gurmit Kaur stresses the importance of being a ‘good person’ embodying ideas such as respect, humility, compassion,love for all and oneself - all ideas which are of importance in the Sikh doctrine.
Myself and two of my companions later watched a number of episodes of a series titled ‘your saheli’ which aimed to discuss the ‘taboo topics’ prevalent in the Panjabi community such as ‘marriage breakdowns’ and ‘divorce’. Gurmit in her book describes on how to potentially avoid these scenarios with providing what she calls ‘Massi’s summary points and reflection.’
In summary, this book rekindles these ideas of knowing oneself, loving oneself and understanding ones wishes during existence.
Sima (Indian Matchmaking) often talks about compromising and adjusting and I think the latter point is stressed widely in this book for in any sort of enactment, ‘changes’ must be welcomed and forthcoming.
The beginning of any ‘path’ is often difficult, but with time, things begin to settle for dreams can become reality.
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