22-year-old Harman Singh, did not think twice before breaking Sikh religious protocol by removing his turban in order to save an injured child, who was lying on the street, bleeding.
The five-year-old boy was making his way to school in New Zealand when he was knocked down by a car. Harman Singh heard the accident take place outside his home and he came rushing out to see what had happened. He states, “I saw a child down on the ground and a lady was holding him. His head was bleeding, so I unveiled my turban and put it under his head. I wasn't thinking about the turban. I was thinking about the accident and I just thought, 'He needs something on his head because he's bleeding'. That's my job- to help.”
Singh's quick-thinking and selfless gesture has made him a hero across the globe, however, he does not see himself as one. “And I think anyone else would have done the same as me.”
Singh, along with many public members stayed with the injured boy until the ambulance came.
Another Sikh gentleman, Gagan Dhillon was also there at the scene to help. He commended Harman Singh. “There was enough help as there was, but being a Sikh myself, I know what type of respect the turban has. People just don't take it off- people die over it. He [Harman Singh] didn't care that his head was uncovered in public. He just wanted to help this little boy.”
The young boy is currently stable in hospital.
The Sikh turban symbolises discipline, spirituality, humility and integrity and Sikh men and women cover their heads at all times as an expression of respect to their Gurus. Turbans become a part of a Sikh’s body and are usually removed only in the privacy of their own house. Normally it is only in the most intimate of circumstances that the turban is removed, such as when bathing the head or washing the hair.
There are people who are extremely protective and strict when it comes to their religion and in no circumstances whatsoever will they compromise their beliefs. However, Harman Singh's example has restored many peoples faith in humanity, where they would willingly put aside their faith in order to save a person's life.
Jasvir Singh, the Chairman of the City Sikhs Network expressed, "It was heart warming to see Harman Singh acting as he did and use his turban to help an injured child. I would hope that all Sikhs would do the same if in his position, including myself. Many people can become caught up in the protocols of a religion when immediate action is required, and I'm glad that Harman was able to look beyond that and do the right thing. Sikhs are taught that serving others is a form of prayer, and this is a good example of such seva in action."
