Chandigarh. Well-known environmentalist Samaan Kaur has urged a young Sikh volunteer to exercise humility and avoid portraying an individual experience as an issue involving the entire Sikh community.In a strongly worded message, Kaur said that doing seva (selfless service) is a noble act, but it should be performed without expectations of recognition, gratitude or special treatment.“Firstly, you’re not a representative of the Sikh community, so kindly do not make it a Sikh issue,” Kaur said, emphasising that an individual’s actions or disagreements should not automatically be presented as reflecting the Sikh community as a whole.
She further stressed that seva carries a fundamental principle of selflessness. If someone chooses to help others, she said, the focus should remain on the service itself rather than on receiving appreciation or a public “thank you.”“If you’re doing seva, then do it humbly without any expectations,” Kaur said, adding that complaining about a lack of recognition can undermine the very spirit of selfless service.
Kaur also made an important point about respecting cultural differences, particularly in relation to Nepalese people. She noted that Nepalis have their own strong sense of dignity and self-respect and that different countries and cultures have different ways of expressing gratitude, accepting assistance and interacting with volunteers.
“Every culture and country is different. Understand and respect them,” she said.Her message also sought to draw a distinction between being Sikh and speaking on behalf of Sikhs. Being a member of a faith community does not automatically make an individual its representative, she suggested.“You happen to be a Sikh, but you are not a representative of the Sikh community,” Kaur said.
She cautioned against turning every personal disagreement, criticism or uncomfortable experience into a Sikh-community matter. “Every issue relating to you isn’t a Sikh issue,” she emphasized.At the same time, Kaur acknowledged the positive contribution made by the young volunteer. She did not dismiss his efforts, instead recognizing that he had done meaningful work.“You have done great work. Respect your efforts and learn humility,” was the essence of her message.
The broader issue raised by Kaur goes beyond one individual or one incident. Seva has traditionally been associated with humility, compassion and service without expectation of reward. When service becomes connected to demands for recognition or gratitude, questions can arise about whether the focus has shifted from helping others to seeking validation.Kaur’s comments therefore appear to be a call for both appreciation and self-reflection: good work should be recognized, but the person performing it should also understand that different communities may respond differently, and cultural differences should not automatically be interpreted as disrespect.Most importantly, she argues that individual conduct should not be used to create unnecessary friction between communities.