Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan is Pakistan's first Sikh professor. He is an Assistant Professor in the Punjabi Department at Government College University in Lahore. His research on the Punjabi script is included in the syllabus. Former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Hassan Ameer, has stated that Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan is an excellent representative of his university among his community and the people of Nankana Saheb.
He created a booklet in which he simplified the study and learning of the Punjabi Gurmukhi script for students. This booklet is utilized in all educational establishments that teach Punjabi.
Early life; Showcasing Sikh upbringing
Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan was born in Nankana Saheb on December 12, 1979. He had his early education at Government Gurunanak High School, where students of all religions studied. He attended college in Nankana Sahib. His forefathers worked as sevaks (servants) at the gurudwara. His mother Taran Kaur prepares prasad, the devotional offering at gurudwara, every morning and evening. She has been there for around 47 years. His father, Sardar Isher Singh, has been the Head Sevadaar there for many years. Kalyan's personality offers love, peace, and unity; it is a sign of interfaith harmony, much as the four gates to the Gurudwara symbolize the oneness of four religions.
Higher Education:
Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan completed his education, earning a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of Punjab in 2017 and 2007, respectively. In 2016, he also received an M Phil in Punjabi. In 2005, he graduated from Government Nankana Saheb College affiliated with Punjab University in 2005. He worked at Gujranwala and Gulberg Colleges after getting selected through the Public Service Commission.
In June 2003, Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan graduated from the Quaid-e-Azam Institute of Computer Sciences with a certificate in Flash & Internet Tools, followed by DCA and WPD. This additional characteristic aided him in his studies of Punjabi script. His command of the Punjabi (Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi), Urdu, Pushto, and Hindi languages is exceptional. Among his published works are 'Gurmukhi Ustad’ in Shahmukhi, Gurmukhi, and Sindhi languages, published in 2015, and 'Life of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, released in 2016. This content was warmly appreciated.
As Pakistan’s First Sikh Citizen to get a Ph.D.:
In 2022, Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan received his doctorate (Ph.D.), making him the first Pakistani Sikh to accomplish so in the country's history. He is Pakistan's first Sikh assistant professor, having completed a 600-page dissertation titled "The Philosophy of Humanity in Guru Nanak's Teachings after his Mother" and successfully defended his study to get a Ph.D. from the University of Punjab. He completed his research work under the supervision of renowned Punjabi language researcher Prof Dr. Naveed Shehzad.
Activism:
Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan is an activist who was instrumental in getting the family laws bill passed by the provincial assembly. In one of his talks with Urdu Point, Kalyan revealed that minorities in Pakistan were not being issued marriage certificates. Lack of it created problems in identifying the legal descendants. His efforts, which began in 2007, are already bearing fruit. Pakistan is currently leading the campaign to pass the Sikh Marriage Act. In India, Hindus and Muslims have separate family laws, but Sikhs, who number around two crores, have been treated unfairly under Hindu laws. Everyone is treated the same way under family law in other countries.
Sardar Kalyan graciously invites all Sikhs living abroad who want to marry to come to Pakistan for their marriages so that their registration can be completed. Kalyan, who was born in Nankana Saheb, has siblings, nephews, and relatives who all work for the Army, Rangers, Health, Police, and other organizations. He claimed that Sikhs are fully integrated into Muslim culture. He stated that there were initial challenges due to rioting during the partition (which were justified), but that the situation has improved over time. (At the time of writing this post, the establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor and the installation of the Hindutva Doctrine in India by the BJP Government has pushed Sikh sympathy towards Pakistan).
Career:
Initially interested in law, Kalyan's attention shifted to the Punjabi language because all of his friends and acquaintances wanted him to be fluent in Punjabi due to his Sikh heritage. As a result, he devoted all of his efforts to this subject, believing that education was the best way to serve his mother tongue and that he was the only one in Pakistan who was familiar with the Gurmukhi script. He was urged to pursue this profession by Syed Sibtul Hassan Zaigham. He became a sub-editor for Dr. Akhtar Hussain Akhtar's Punjabi journal 'Lehran' on his advice. Eventually, he became the editor of this publication. Kalyan believes that a child's brain develops in accordance with the mother tongue spoken at his home during his infancy. If he or she is forced to learn another language, it can lead to mental illnesses that are difficult to treat later on.
Ideology:
Sardar Kalyan Sigh Kalyan asserted that while Punjab was united prior to its division, Maharaja Ranjit Singh made Punjabi the official language, which was not followed during and after the British Raj. By imposing Urdu and English in our homes and educational institutions, there is confusion among children. They have been separated from their native language, and thereby their roots.
Kalyan Singh cited Japan, China, and Iran as examples. Their whole structure is built on their original language; the former two have historically dominated technical advancement and continue to do so, and their education is conducted in their own tongue. Kalyan used the example of Lahore Grammar School, where students were asked about their mother tongue. Some responded that it was the language of beggars and servants. Some asserted that it was their grandparents' language. This is an untenable state of affairs, and the younger generation has become alien to their culture and customs.
Kalyan asserted that on February 2, 1833, when the British were preparing to establish their control in Punjab, they concluded that to undermine the Punjabis and their pride, their language, and culture had to be destroyed in order to divide the society. They intended to split the society along religious lines.
In a statement, he said, "Our society is hollow from within now. The only way to survive with dignity is to revert to our language and culture.”
Regard for other languages:
Kalyan was exposed to inhabitants of Nankana Saheb who spoke Pushto. So, he eventually learned the language.
Research, published and unpublished works:
To introduce literature in Gurmukhi, Kalyan carried out the following translations:
- ‘Sachi Khushi’ novel in Urdu – December 2006
- Sikh Zabita-e-Hayat (Sikh Code of Conduct in Urdu) – April 2007
- Sikh Culture (in Punjabi) – December 2007, Republished 2012
- Masie Diyan Kahaniyan – 2018
The list of unpublished books are:
- Sikh Culture (Urdu)
- Ki Sri Guru Nanak Saheb Ji Di Pooja Butt Parasti Hei? (Punjabi)
- History of Pakistani Sikhs (English, Urdu, Punjabi)
- Sardar Kalyan got famous for his research articles ’Nanak Bahu Sanjiwalta’ – Parakh Research Journal in December 2018, and ‘Pakistan Vich Gurmukhi Da Vikaas’ _ Parakh 2018, December 2018.
He has a total of thirteen research studies on the lives and works of Sufi Saints that have been published in a variety of literary publications.