Thaminder Singh Anand
Thaminder Singh Anand is a well-known Sikh based in the United States who has dedicated his life to promoting Sikh heritage and literature.[1] He is the founder of sikhbookclub.com and sggsonline.com, which offer free access to a vast collection of Sikh literature and spiritual works.[2]
Early Life and Education
Born on 30 September 1957, Thaminder Singh Anand grew up in a family with a rich legacy of fighting for Sikh causes. Both his grandfather, Sardar Hira Singh Anand, and father, Harbhajan Singh Anand, were Akali leaders who fought for Indian independence and the Punjabi Suba Agitation. These experiences inspired Anand to preserve and promote Sikh heritage.
Anand received his schooling from Guru Harkrishan Public School in New Delhi and later attended the Indian Institute of Technology. His academic background and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for his future ventures.
Career
Anand's love for Sikh literature and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Sikhbookclub.com.[3] The website boasts a vast collection of Sikh literature, including rare handwritten copies of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious text of Sikhism. The collection has over 650 different volumes, making it the largest. Anand's dedication and hard work have made Sikhbookclub.com a reliable platform for Sikh literature enthusiasts around the world.[4]
Anand's contribution to the Sikh community extends beyond his website. He has translated the Guru Granth Sahib into eight different languages, including French, English, Arabic, Telugu, Oriya, Gujarati, and Hindi. This is the first time in Sikh history that the spiritual translation of the Guru Granth Sahib has been made available in these languages. The translation project involved a team of 50 translators, comprising Sikh academicians and volunteers from all over the world, who worked tirelessly to spread the divine word by translating the message of the Gurus.[5]
Anand's involvement in promoting the teachings of Sikhism includes his work on a project to correct and publish the Guru Granth Sahib, which was made available on the Sikhbookclub website. He was also involved in a court case against a private school that had expelled a Sikh student. This case went to the California Supreme Court and was decided in favor of the school.[6]
Despite his significant contributions to the Sikh community, Anand faced controversy when he was expelled from the Sikh religion by Akal Takht, one of the highest authorities in Sikhism. However, this did not deter him from continuing his work, and he remains dedicated to promoting the teachings of Sikhism and sharing the divine message of the Gurus with the world.[7]
Thaminder Singh Anand's contributions to the Sikh community, including his translation of the Guru Granth Sahib and his non-profit work at educationwithoutboundaries.info, have made a significant impact in promoting the values and teachings of Sikhism. His dedication and hard work have been a source of inspiration for many and will continue to inspire future generations.[8]
References
- ↑ "Akal Takht calls meet over Gurbani ‘distortion’ by US-based man". https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/akal-takht-calls-meet-over-gurbani-distortion-391247. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "US-based ‘tankhaiya’ Sikh writes to Akal Takht, targets SGPC". 20 May 2022. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/us-based-tankhaiya-sikh-writes-to-akal-takht-targets-sgpc/articleshow/91674863.cms. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "Akal Takht Sahib Orders Californian to Stop Printing and Distribution of Guru Granth Sahib Saroops". https://www.sikh24.com/2014/12/02/akal-takht-sahib-orders-californian-to-stop-printing-and-distribution-of-guru-granth-sahib-saroops/. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "Akal Takht forms Sikh scholars’ panel to probe Gurbani distortion on website" (in en). 25 March 2022. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/akal-takht-forms-sikh-scholars-panel-to-probe-gurbani-distortion-on-website-101648153283063.html. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "Sleazy video row: After 5 years, Akal Takht pardons ex-Akali minister Langah" (in en). 26 November 2022. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/sleazy-video-row-after-5-years-akal-takht-pardons-exak-101669479525648.html. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "Akal Takht likely to declare verdict against US Sikh publisher for distortion in gurbani" (in en). 25 April 2022. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/akal-takht-likely-to-declare-verdict-against-us-sikh-publisher-for-distortion-in-gurbani-101650826598005.html. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib stressed, center should fulfill every promise made to the Sikhs". https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/punjab/news/jathedar-sri-akal-takht-sahib-stressed-center-should-fulfill-every-promise-made-to-the-sikhs-164048. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ↑ "तनखैया थमिंदर सिंह का SGPC पर आरोप:ई-मेल के जरिए भेजा जवाब, मांगी माफी- तख्त पर पेश नहीं हो सकता". https://www.bhaskar.com/local/punjab/amritsar/news/thaminder-singh-anand-replied-to-jathedar-of-sri-akal-takht-sahib-pointed-towards-sgpc-129828790.html. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
