In every school, students are taught to follow rules, memorize lessons, and achieve academic success. But what about the values that shape character? What about the traditions that connect us to our roots? These questions inspired me to write “Say No to Good Morning: A Teacher’s Mission to Revive Sikh Values Among Youth.”
This is not just a story about a school or a teacher; it is the story of a vision—a vision to reconnect young minds with the timeless wisdom of Sikh philosophy. In a world where imitation has become the norm, I realized that schools, even those rooted in Sikh values, were unintentionally copying routines from elsewhere, leaving the essence of our culture behind. Students greeted teachers with generic English phrases like “Good Morning” and “Good Afternoon,” unaware of the profound history and respect that our traditional greetings carry.
Through this book, you will follow the journey of a teacher who dared to challenge the ordinary. He faced opposition, skepticism, and countless obstacles, yet he persevered, guided by faith, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of values. From subtle changes in classroom routines to instilling the practice of greeting each other with Sat Sri Akal and Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, this story demonstrates how small actions can lead to meaningful transformations.
I have written this book with the hope that it will inspire educators, parents, and students alike to rethink what education truly means. It is a call to embrace our heritage, to teach our children not just to speak, but to live with respect, humility, and pride in their identity.
As you turn these pages, you will witness challenges, resistance, victories, and a community slowly awakening to its own strength. Most importantly, you will see how one teacher’s mission can spark a movement—a movement that can transform not just a school, but an entire generation.
May this story inspire you to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: how can I bring values into my life, my work, and my world?