Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

He co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, envisioned the Kaur and Singh Academy, and organized the Free Akal Takht campaign.

He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions. He has authored several books and numerous articles integrating the political and the spiritual. He consults on curriculums, exhibitions, and films and is featured in many documentaries on the Sikhs, the Panjab, and South Asian matters.

His current focus is on developing critical thinking for Sikh institutions via the State of the Panth report series and developing open-source decoding of Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary Panjabi and English for a global audience.

He has served on the National Conference on Community and Justice boards, The Fellowship of Activists to Embrace Humanity, The Nanakshahi Trust, among others. He looks for culturally-specific things to experience and a light roast pour-over coffee to sip during travels, reads and binge-watches to stay in touch with what the world is up to, and listens to sabads, poetry, Hir, jazz, and political rap.

Harinder Singh resides with his family in the United States.

Videos

Monday
,
20
November
2023

What does "Chardi Kala" mean?

If you want to follow the ideas in the house of Guru Nanak Sahib, then it is Nam; it is identifying with that force, identifying with that One, that produces what? Chardi Kala, which is Rising Power. You rise.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
31
October
2023

1984 Genocide: Relentless Pursuit of Justice in Indian Courts

Harinder Singh’s conversation covers a range of themes with Mr. Harvinder Singh Phoolka from Sikh, Panjabi, Indian, and International perspectives.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
23
October
2023

Why does it seem that only men lead Sikh prayer services?

What has happened is there are cultural influences and personal biases; the larger hegemonic culture plays a role. This is not a product of Sikh ethos when women are either not allowed or are not being empowered to take certain leadership positions.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
9
October
2023

What is Nam Simran?

Nam Simran holds significant importance in Sikhi, extending far beyond mere identification with the Divine. ‘Nam’ goes beyond identification, and ‘Simran’ signifies remembrance.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
29
September
2023

Understanding Canada-India Disharmony in the Sikh-Panjab Context

Join Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss the larger context around the latest events in Canada. What is the background needed to make sense of current events? What does this mean for Sikhs globally?

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
25
September
2023

Why do Sikhs recite the same daily prayers?

“The question really is in the spirit form: why do we recite them? Because this is how we learn to relate with IkOankar, the one divine Force, the one All-Pervasive and Creative force..."

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Tuesday
,
19
December
2017

Enticer Enticed My Mind

The Sabad opens with the Guru's profound declaration of being a "maiden-slave" of the Divine Ruler, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
26
December
2017

Ep65 - “On the platter are placed three things...”

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Ik Oankar

IkOankar (1Force, The One, Divine, Creator) is Guru Nanak Sahib’s offering to humanity, and the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Har

Did you know that "Har" is the most used word in Guru Granth Sahib?

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
4
September
2018

Words of Faith - Nam

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib. Nam is Identity. Nam is the culture of Sikhs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O_rtTswxyM --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
11
September
2018

Words of Faith - Guru

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib Is Guru perfection? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnx400HuVxU&t=25s --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

watch now ⟶

Articles

Sunday
,
10
May
2009

Mothers in My Life

I realized the divine gift of human life through my biological mother, Kamaljit Kaur, in 1972. I thank Guru Sahib (perfection beyond prophets) for blessing her to bring me into this world.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Thursday
,
5
November
2009

Maharaja of Firangi

Last week I walked into the first exhibition to comprehensively explore the extraordinarily rich culture of the maharajas. “Maharaja – the Splendor of India‘s Royal Courts” is the feature exhibit at the Victoria & Alberta Museum in London...

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Thursday
,
18
February
2010

Celebrating the Lover

The magnificence of Prof. Mehboob’s poetry heartened my faith; his magical words and transcending love arouses an unquenchable hunger in me.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Saturday
,
20
March
2010

Holi: Color Me What?

I have taken some time off to be Mr. Mom while my wife is on a work assignment in India. In preparing to make the move to Bangalore, I was excited about being in the land of MS Subbulakhsmi (renowned Carnatic vocalist) and Kalmane coffee.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
20
July
2010

Republic in 20 Months

A world was waiting to be born.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Saturday
,
31
July
2010

Life at Thirty-Eight

On 31 July 1972, I was given a graceful opportunity to land on earth. Being of the Creator and Creation, I am to experience the Divine freedom while enjoying and living life to its fullest.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶

Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jan 12

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Deakin University, Building LC

Join Harinder Singh as he discusses Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Medicine For Life.

Learn More ⟶