Popularsing the turban

Amritsar: The Akal Purukh Ki Fauj, a Sikh organisation, has decided that it is time to popularize the Sikh Turban.

The organisation planned the first ever Mr Singh International at Amritsar on Sunday evening to promote a positive image of the Sikh youth with a turban.

Forty-four participants from India and abroad participated in the event, which was judged by film star Raj Babbar and music director Uttam Singh.

The different rounds at the event included best turban, best physique and best smile. It was for the first time that many of the participants had taken to the ramp and modeling.

Jagjitpal Singh, a participant, said, "This is a very good initiative undertaken by the Akal Purukh Ki Fauj. Sikh boys have an inferiority complex that with the appearance that they have to don, they will never be able to make it to the fashion industry. This event has given them the opportunity to enter the industry without changing their Sikh look."

Bollywood has been a popular promoter of the Sikh image through movies. However, the Sikhs have always appeared in comical roles and cameo appearances.

Raj Babbar said, "This typecasting is something that should be done away with. Sikhs should instead be presented in serious and powerful roles. Whenever I get the chance to play a Sikh character, I never accept a non-serious role. I have always insisted that in my movies nobody should play the role of a comedian Sikh."

The organisers of the event believe that such events will give a distinct and respectful recognition for the turban not only in India but in the rest of the world too.

The whole event assumes additional significance following the protests that took place in France over the turban issue.

The organizers now plan to make it an annual event to help prevent the erosion of the Sikh identity amongst youth, many of who are getting rid of their turbans.

One of the organizers, Jaswinder Singh, says, "Our main objective in organising this function is to prove that even with the turban we can make our mark in the world of glamour. People who wear turbans in movies and pretend to be Sardars destroy our image. We want to correct that."

The winner and the runners-ups are slated to promote Sikhism as global ambassadors of the Sikh community.

The promoters are going to groom and polish these youths to further an accurate image of the community.