Nanak Dev Singh – rishiknots

Amritsar c. 1983

rishiknots blog — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 22:39:00 +0000

Yogi Bhajan, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Nanak Dev Singh, a 3HO child who looks to be no older than ten years, another 3HO child probably a teen, and a 3HO woman. I can’t even begin to make sense of this scene. Can you? Do you have first-hand knowledge of it? Do you know?

There’s no deadline for grief

rishiknots blog — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 17:05:00 +0000

…Meaning, it might take a while. After years of keeping this blog, I have had the opportunity to speak with a number of ex-classmates, talk to people, and have real conversations about growing up in 3HO Sikh Dharma. When I do take time out of ordinary life to reconnect or have a conversation, what usually …

Continue reading "There’s no deadline for grief"

Can someone regret something even if they’ve never apologized for their role?

rishiknots blog — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 19:08:00 +0000

Last week, Dr. Dre issued a public apology to the women he beat up back in the N.W.A. times. While it reeks of PR, it’s still a step in the right direction. Perhaps now he can put his money where his mouth is and donate to causes that prevent domestic violence, and to those that …

Continue reading "Can someone regret something even if they’ve never apologized for their role?"

And so, here ends a senseless chapter

rishiknots blog — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 16:05:00 +0000

Nanak Dev Singh, the notorious tormentor of the 3HO children at G.N.F.C. boarding school, has died. Cause of death was apparently a massive heart attack. My initial reaction to news of his death was “I hope it was neither quick, nor painless“. But vindication does not come in the act of dying. Nevertheless, there are …

Continue reading "And so, here ends a senseless chapter"

Dirty Socks

rishiknots blog — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:03:00 +0000

What kind of sadistic (and moronic) fuck would punish kids by making them stuff filthy socks in their mouths and then TAKE A PICTURE OF IT? Nanak Dev Singh, that’s who! After seeing this photo I am of course reminded of my own filthy condition as a kid at GNFC, and how humiliating it often …

Continue reading "Dirty Socks"

GNFC circa 1983

rishiknots blog — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:40:00 +0000

Posing for group photos was agonizing! It always took the photographer forever to set up, and right when he’d get ready he’d say “Ready… Steady… …no hold on…” It was hot, we had be dressed in “bana”, but usually by the time a couple of frames were shot half of us were too loopy to …

Continue reading "GNFC circa 1983"

The “guides”

rishiknots blog — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Nanak Dev Singh wasn’t the only adult in India to inflict abuses on us children. The list of “guides” is long and exhausting, each person accountable for some loathsome memory of mine, be it neglect, indifference, public humiliation, emotional abuse or coercive tactics. I’ve spent many sessions with my family recounting the rediculous and immature …

Continue reading "The “guides”"

on forgiveness…

rishiknots blog — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Forgiveness, I am told, is an important part in healing, letting go and moving on. But I don’t think it’s fair to be “expected” to forgive when the individual perpetrators have not been available to take responsibility for their actions upon children. None of us know what currently goes on in the minds of the …

Continue reading "on forgiveness…"

Nanak Dev Singh

rishiknots blog — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:51:00 +0000

The winter of 1984 was particularly hard. Most children spent the winter break at Rishikesh in a dorm-style bungalow. The American Sikh converts who were appointed to live with us in India were referred to as “Singh-Sahib” (for the men) or “Bhenji”(for the ladies). These were “the guides”. The guides had little to no experience …

Continue reading "Nanak Dev Singh"