Being a sikh

Last week I had an interesting conversation with the grocery uncle(in India all elderly men are uncles)But first some background to it. All sikhs are reqiured to use a middle name which defines their gender-'Kaur' for females and 'Singh' for males.It is also like a symbol of religion, so anyone with a 'Kaur' as their middle name is a sikh.(But the same cannot be said for males as many rajputs and haryanvi jats also use 'singh').The origin of this is very different than its present application. The intention was that all sikhs-male and females would not use their sirnames,but only Kaur or Singh.This effort was to eradicate the caste system.Sadly now it has become more like a fanatic identity issue.

Uncle:what is your name
Me:Manmeet
U:no full name
M:Manmeet
U:are you sikh?
M:...................
U:why don't you use 'kaur'?
M:coz my parents never did.
U:don't you think you should use it?
M:no,I don't think so

He gestures me to come behind the counter and sit next to him,but I refuse.
So he asks me .
U:do you go to the gurudwara?
M:no
U:why?
M:I don't feel the need to
U:what are you saying?
M:you know uncle this gurudwara down the street, have you seen the ladies going to the gurudwara in rickshaws?the moment they get off the rickshaw they start haggling with the rickshaw walla over the price he asks.How does that make sense?
Ignoring my response uncle continues.
U:do you do 'paath'(reading of daily scriptures)?
M: 'paath' nahin pyar kardi han.(not 'paath' but love)

Uncle becomes silent for some time,while I continue with my shopping.Then again.

U:How many Gurus can you name?
M:Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind,Guru Angad Dev, Guru Arjun Dev...................
U:Do you know their teachings?
M:not entirely but I know ,none of them ever put a boundation of going to the gurudwara daily...
U:what is the harm in going to the gurudwara?
M:there is no harm,but I think if I practice their thoughts and teaching it will be more meaningful.
U:oho...let me give you an example-I have this shop where I sell all sorts of things.......
Cutting him short I say
M:do you know when Guru Nanak was made to sit in his father's shop,he gave away all the things for free?
U:(without trying to get irritated,he says very calmly) no you listen please.....
M:sorry uncle I have to go home,I will meet you again next month.
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