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.
In this episode of Ask SikhRI, we go deeper into the meaning, the choice, and the everyday practice of wearing a turban.
Sikhs cover their heads when they feel the presence of the Divine. The larger idea is that we feel the Divine is in every place, but we may not feel that presence all the time.
In April, Indian National Congress (INC) party member Rahul Gandhi stopped at Brown University for a speaking engagement. During the Q&A, Sidak Alumni Gurpartap Singh asked him what the INC is doing to reconcile with the Sikhs, and their interaction...
Harinder Singh is the Co-Founder & Innovation Director at SikhRI. He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions.
There is a deepening crisis within the Sikh community—centered on the control and integrity of Akal Takht Sahib. On March 22, 2025, at Gurdwara Sacramento Sikh Society (Bradshaw), Harinder Singh delivered a powerful and timely talk—in Panjabi—on what must
Join Harinder Singh at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi, as he explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history on 25 September 2024.
When we look at the two meanings as they existed at the time (in Sanskrit and in Pali) and incorporate them into what we now call Sikhi, it actually means learners who are of the Guru. Guru is a mentor, Guru in Sikhi is Perfection.
The initiation of community development with Guru Nanak Sahib marked the introduction of protocols aimed at organizing and highlighting the essential roles of governance and unity in any community.
Delve into the profound essence of "Chardi Kala" in this enlightening podcast episode. Discover how embracing Nam and forging a connection with a potent force converge to bring forth the manifestation of Chardi Kala—Rising Power.
It has been 39 years since the 1984 Sikh Genocide orchestrated by the Indian government. Why is the legal course of action still necessary? What outcomes have been achieved so far, and what else is being pursued?
In Sikhi (commonly known as Sikhism), women's fundamental equality exists in both private and public spheres and within personal and corporate relationships. Women possess the freedom to lead in any capacity without predefined roles.
Nam Simran holds significant importance in Sikhi, extending far beyond mere identification with the Divine. ‘Nam’ goes beyond identification, and ‘Simran’ signifies remembrance.
Father’s Day reflection spanning earthly and Divine fathers—blending emotion, ritual, and the unseen presence of the 1 in a world of distractions.
This essay explores the origin of Ghallughara. Why were they orchestrated, and who enacted them? How are they intrinsically linked to the Raj?
This essay attempts to answer a few questions related to Guru Nanak Sahib’s birth anniversary from primary and secondary sources, as well as the early traditions and the evolving culture to date. What does Purab mean?
This report aims to understand and explore caste and race within a Sikh worldview, the complexities of their intertwined developments, and the varied responses to practices and structures of casteism and racism from dominant and marginalized groups.
Women’s issues and the issues of gender as it applies to all gender identities are being grappled with globally. These issues have existed throughout history, and as time goes on, they change shape.
At all times, especially amid chaos, crisis, and warfare, the ten founder Guru Sahibs — Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh — reminded the seekers and the Sikhs to invoke the living remembrance of the 1 for calm and clarity.
Join author Harinder Singh for a talk on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, exploring the idea of sovereignty that shaped the life and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
Join author Harinder Singh for a conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom.
This gathering invites seekers, thinkers, and readers to consider how the Guru’s sovereign spirit calls us to stand for universal justice and human dignity.