Jaginder Singh | Opinion | 6 July 2015 | Asia Samachar |
Many more are dying in small accidents where the helmet could have saved lives…I have wondered whether in hindsight, how ferociously a mother, sister, brother, father, friend or lover of those dead motorcyclist would have insisted that their loved ones wore a helmet if they were given a chance to turn back time.
By Jaginder Singh
If you see a turbaned man in a western country there is a 98% chance that he is a Sikh and not Muslim. A ‘staunch’ Sikh wears his turban because he and a lot of the time, she believes that Sikhism demands it.
So, asking a Sikh to remove his or her turban is equivalent to asking someone to give up say, his freedom of movement. I know the comparison may sound a little ridiculous to some but I am open to other comparisons if you have any.
Therefore, it’s not surprising to see turbaned Sikhs in countries like India, Malaysia and Singapore riding a motorcycle without a helmet. However, this is becoming a contentious issue in countries where Sikhs are only beginning to make a major appearances like here in Australia where the laws are rather strict.
Putting aside our differences on whether or not a Sikh should be allowed the exemption of riding with a helmet on, I would like to invite the readers to view this issue through another lens.
I grew up in a Malaysia where motorcycle helmets were never really regarded as compulsory especially if you lived in a small town. It was viewed with scorn, as another avenue for the police to make money either through the summons they issued or the bribes they so readily took and it was natural during early youth to be rebellious and that this was another stupid law. Then, going through what many young Sikhs go through in search of spirituality I too kept my hair and wore a turban. Hence, it became a non-issue because like I mentioned earlier, turbaned Sikhs are exempted from wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle in Malaysia. So he or she goes on his merry way of happily ever after.
Except it’s not that simple. Every now and then, I breath a sigh of relief when I recall the number of times I have had near misses during my bike riding days. I have been very fortunate. But not some of my friends. Rarely a month passes without hearing about a so and so Sikh individual’s demise involving a motorcycle accident. The injured and deceased were predominantly young Sikh males in the prime of their lives.
Accidents involving motorcycles are much less forgiving than most other vehicular collisions not because the damages done to the machines but the vicious direct impacts that can cause irreparable damages and too often, deaths. A motorcyclists has zero protection during impact compared to say the driver of a car. There are no steel frames or seat belts to protect or retain you, trust me I have done a couple of somersaults myself and they were not pleasant.
The only protection that you can really have on is your head. Hence, the motorcycle helmet. Many will argue that the helmet will not save you in a major collision and most of you are probably right. But the thing is, many more are dying in small accidents where the helmet could have saved lives.
I have wondered whether in hindsight, how ferociously a mother, sister, brother, father, friend or lover of those dead motorcyclist would have insisted that their loved ones wore a helmet if they were given a chance to turn back time. Not forgetting those whom are paralyzed due to severe head traumas that could have been avoided if he or she had a helmet instead of a turban.
I have also wondered what if those young and vibrant youths were still alive had they wore a helmet. Would they have become the doctor, teacher, scientist or the world traveler they had dreamed of? Would they have become fathers and be happily raising a family like I am now? We will never know. I can only imagine a loved one still shedding tears whenever the thought of them comes to mind. How the light of a family’s happiness was turned off in such horrific manner. Safety begins with us but when that safety is neglected, it’s those we leave behind that suffer the most.
I don’t wear a turban anymore so you can argue that I am an atheist or a mona (cropped hair individual) who don’t know what I am talking about but you can still wear a helmet without compromising your faith. And, don’t you think it’s better to practice your faith by being alive and healthy?
Often we become so enthralled in insisting and fighting for our rights that we cannot see that our stubbornness is killing our brightest.
Ego sometimes come in very deceiving camouflages. Are you fighting for a right or a mere victim of your own maya (illusion)? If giving up this ‘right’ has the potential of saving just one life perhaps both your swords of righteousness should remain sheathed.
Thank you for reading my two cents worth of thoughts. I hope this article has been helpful to you. Do you know someone that was taken away in a motorcycle accident?
Do you feel like sharing that story to ease the pain? Please feel free to leave a comment if that helps. Please share this article if you think if might save a life.
[Born and raised in Malaysia, Jaginder a.k.a Jinder is an multi award winning screenplay writer now living in Australia. The article first appeared here. Follow him at: @jaginder88; Instagram handle: myenglishnogood]
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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Is there any helmet large enough to be worn over a turban? None that I know of. If a helmet requires removing the turban then where does one keep the turban especially the starched ones which needs a few hours to tie again?
As is commonly known a turban is between 6 to 7 yards long and thus does provide protection. It is for this reason that turban wearing Sikhs are exempted from wearing helmets in many countries. Some Sikh women and the Muslims wearing a ‘sarban’ tried to get exemption but this was rejected by the Authorities in Malaysia as the short lengths were considered not to provide any head protection.
Shorter head coverings or phatakas or Chunnies are not considered to be turbans. Turbans originally had two functions the first being to cover the hair and also kept the head unaffected by climatic changes as the temperature was either constant or with minor variations. This was applicable at all times.
The second reason was that the turban was a form of head protection gear when horse riding and during battles. Thus the turban was the original ‘helmet’
SADLY MANY SIKH MEN CONSIDER THE TURBAN AS OUT-OF-DATE AND NOT FASHIONABLE. However now many Bollywood movies are proving that Turbaned Sikhs can be fashionable and this is evident in several movies such as SINGH IS KING and several top Bollywood Heroes have played parts of turbaned Sikhs.
Similarly many top Bollywood heroines have started having plaited long tresses with parandas and are not only feminine but also look very fashionable. Women with long smooth silky tresses were praised in Punjabi poetry where long tresses were equated with dark clouds [bringing coolness], shades [for lovers] just to name a few. I still get nostalgic when I hear the romantic duet song ‘Kale Rang Da Paranda sung by Surinder Kaur and Narinder Kaur’ expressing the pangs of loneliness when the lover is not around but a gift of ‘paranda’ is received. I asked one poet why there were no songs on the long tresses of women and his response was WHERE ARE THE WOMEN WITH LONG TRESSES. Sadness came to my eyes.
Asian Women follow the Western women and call it Fashion even if it may not be compatible with the skin color of the Asians. Asian women color/tint their God given black hair to copy the West but have they seen any Western women coloring their original hair color with black. Black is sign of Youth and that is the reason why women color their hair black when their hair turns white with age. This does not apply to most men.
Apologies if anyone feel offended as no offense if intended.
K Lumpur 6019-2927178 >gursharan38@gmail.com<
You stated!
both your swords of righteousness should remain sheathed?????
I’m am not arguing about wrongs or rights about riding a motorbike with adequate protection but the above statement clearly shows this is a political statement with a manevolent intent. No explanation or apology is required. We understand clearly your intent by the use put away your swords. A snake always reveals his forke tongue.
Yes we should protect our selves when using any vehicle but we don’t need need a political agenda talking about swords with a clear agenda of subversiveness to deviate with political rubbish. One god . Waheguru.
Sikhs are not allowed to wear helmets it an evident fact derived from te commands of Guru Gobind Singh recorded during His time by His close companions. ‘Sikh hoe Sir Topi Dherai Sat Janam Kusti Hoe Merai’. Sikh have fought fiery battles from Guru Hargibind Sahib Ji’s time right until today. They would rather take bullet then going against the Guru’s command. However history is the witness of the achievements. So instead of helmets Sikhs should learn to do have their turbans to be more robust. It is our fault as seen that most of the Sikhs today are wearing a scaft or a keski while riding their motor bike.
Excellent rebuttal, Sardar Gurcharan Singh Ji. Always love your responses, which are solidly backed up always. Great reply.Guru Rakha
Gurcharan Singh ji … wow. Simply awesome.
khoob teri pagri meethe tere bol
Thank you Sr Giani Jarnail Singh ji.Something, I have always observed around Malaysia.It also makes a very comical sight, when one sees fully grown Sikh adults, with small patka and the tressknot[joora] sticking out to the front! There is a difference between bandana, patka, and a small keski type covering.These do NOT qualify as protective head gear, let there be no illusion, as some may wish to believe.
About 8 years ago, a Malaysian Sikh Police officer warned the Sikh motocyclists, following a comparative rise of casualities among Sikhs, to heed the law and wear a full length turban, which is 7 or 6 yards in length.In Punjab,and many western countries these are often doubled in width.
It was made very clear that the small keski, bandana and patkas are loopholes, used by Sikhs to escape the law legalities,or summons in layman’s words, and it is not safe to do so.But for many,this has fallen upon deaf years.It has continued.Sikhs have ignored that advise.Thus, more accidents may have caused Sikh deaths.
With all due respect,not heeding to health & safety advice, has cost many unnecessary deaths.These deaths to a degree were caused by making the wrong choice to wear over the head what is NOT a proper turban.I think, the blame can go squarely back upon these people and their families.
As I see it, many of these Sikhs abused the law, which exempts Sikhs from wearing helmets, by choosing to play with head coverings that do not at all qualify as PROPER Sikh turban.
I would not go as far as First and Second world wars, because there is more ample evidence both in pictures, and writings of non Sikhs, that speak of Sikh soldiers in first world war, plucking bullets out of the turbans.
Recent wars too see Sikh army men in action under the Indian Army or UNO auspices wearing their proper turbans fully intact.
No casualties, figures or ratios from any of the world wars or current wars that India, including from UNO, conducted, show or prove that an increased number of Sikhs died because they wore turbans!
Thus I would not buy such suggestions with a pinch of salt,whatever it’s worth on the market is, or based upon heresay.
Let me take the scenario back to 1975/6, when the Sikh struggle against the helmet law in United Kingdom heated up.I had the privilege to be a pillion rider upon a motor cycle ridden by Sr BaldeV Singh Chahal,in Trafalgar Square. one of the first Sikhs to be convicted for excercising his right to wear a turban and ride.
The British Government was determined that for protection of all helmet was necessary.The number of visible Sikhs was small then, about 100,000.[with 50% mona]
Sikhs insisted their proper turban was sufficient to protect their head.They had the figures and long list of historical facts, along with testimonies from past British leaders, Generals and Officers who had commanded Sikh units in action, to back them up.They also challenged the Govt to provide statistics, which showed the rate of death/injuries for Sikh motor cylcist which the govt agencies failed miserably to come up with.Though they came up with the numbers of white and non white casualties.The non white casualty list was very specific, but it did not indicate Sikh casualties were higher, because of their turbans.
After, not a long struggle, but having done deep research, the Government revaluated their own position, and exempted the Sikhs from wearing the crash helmet.
Interestingly, in this period, a health and safety experiment was carried out at The HESTER ADRIAN Research Centre in Shefield where the full six yard turban was tested against the helmet!
Surprisingly, the result went in favour of the turban.It was scientifically proven through practical experiments that the cushioning effect of a fully sized turban was far greater than that of a helmet.
The report said, different settings were tried taking, impact, speed, wind factor, exposure to natural elements like drains , road and trees rain conditions, using a motocycle against a lorry, truck and car -in each of the events tried the turban returned a BETTER cushioning and protective effect for the safety of the head, than the helmet.
This news was shared with Malaya Samachar in Malaysia by me back then.
Currently, there is a larger Sikh population, around 800,000.Sikh motor cyclist are seen more frequently than in 1976.
Only late last year, the last Government withdrawn a ruling, which required Sikh industrial /building site workers to sign an exemption form for insurance.Now Sikhs can work without hinderence, and also insurance companies can longer insist on exempt certificates.This decison is not simpoly based upon Sikh rights.
To date, no alarm has been raised that because Sikhs wear turbans there has been a rise in casualties in any sector.Thus, I believe it is a red herring apology,to suggest if only a helmet was worn!.
I think, the turban is being used as an excuse, Sikhs themselves need to re think,what they wear upon their heads.Instead of trying to by pass the law and avoid summons, and for ease, as said, they should resort to wearing a proper turban.
Many western countries, like Danmark, Holland, Germany, Italy, Canada, US and Spain have lawfully exempted Sikhs, not because it is their right, but these governments are fully confident and conversant that the turban does act as a great protective head gear.
Instead of chasing shadows,Sikh parents, sisters and mothers fathers or brothers should INSIST their close one wear the full turban, instead of in the process of making mockery of the law, stake their lives on the extreme edge by wearing bandanas keskis or patakas.
Majority of “Turbans” worn by “Sikhs” in MALAYSIA..are actually a small triangle of Cloth (patka)….that doesnt even weigh 10Grammes. Its a covering simply to avoid being summoned for not wearing a Helmet.
…..the remainder of Sikhs who wear Turbans wear the round type which are about 4ft long at most.
A Proper Sikh Turban used to be more than 7 YARDS of cloth..and those worn by Sikh Soldiers in the World wars were almost DOUBLE that length and even more.
So a “dastaar”..a turban…and a Patka..and a bandanna…are essentially different… Most worn and seen on Malaysian Roads are bandannas/patkas…hardly see a propwer 7yard dastaar…
Maybe that explains the deaths..of course a Bandanna is NOT going to offer any protection…compared to 7 yards of tightly worn dastaar with another 5 ft long chhottee dastaar under that…
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