Questions & answers

A Granthi is the caretaker-reader of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the eternal holy scripture that Sikhs recognise as the living Guru. A Granthi performs the daily Parkash (opening ceremony) and Sukhasan (closing ceremony), leads prayers, and recites from the scripture during religious events. In smaller Gurdwaras, especially in rural India, Granthis often receive little or no regular payment despite performing a full-time lifelong service.

A Kirtani Jatha is a group of musicians and singers who perform kirtan — the devotional singing of Gurbani (sacred hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib). Kirtan is central to Sikh worship; it is not optional or supplementary, it is the heart of the Gurdwara service. A Kirtani Jatha in a smaller or rural Gurdwara often travels long distances and performs without payment.

“Dasvandh” literally means “a tenth portion” in Punjabi. It is the Sikh practice of giving a tenth of one’s time, earnings and service in voluntary contribution to the community — rooted in the third teaching of Guru Nanak, Vand Chakna (“share with others”). At GNNLS, we channel the dasvandh of our community in Italy to people in need in India.

“Sewa” means selfless service — one of the core practices of Sikhism. It is service given without expectation of reward, for the benefit of others. All work done by GNNLS’s team in Italy is sewa — unpaid, voluntary, and motivated by the Sikh teaching of Kirat Karni (“earn your living through honest work”) and Vand Chakna (“share what you have”).

The three core teachings of Guru Nanak are: ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣਾ (Naam Japna) — remember and meditate on the name of God; ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰਨੀ (Kirat Karni) — earn your living through honest work; ਵੰਡ ਛਕਣਾ (Vand Chakna) — share what you have with those in need. These three teachings are the foundation on which GNNLS is built.