Gurdwaras are central to the Sikh ethos. In the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs pray, listen to Gurbani, and strive to understand its message. The spirit of Sikhism is manifested through various rites and activities that take place in a Gurdwara—the recitation of Bani from Guru Granth Sahib, kirtan, katha, sewa, and langar. Gurdwaras are abodes of the Guru.
Guru Nanak Dev and his successor Gurus envisioned a life where spirituality and daily living coalesce seamlessly. They expected the Sikhs to embody moral conduct, earn an honest living, and share their rewards, all while maintaining a deep spiritual and ethical foundation.
Gurdwaras is a meticulously curated collection of 51 Sikh shrines from India and around the world, each selected for its unique impact on its community. It explores the profound connections between social reality and spiritual consciousness that these Sikh institutions represent. Roopinder Singh paints a vivid word picture of these spiritual sanctuaries, their history, and heritage. The exquisite paintings by Allan Quesada complement and enrich the text.
Roopinder Singh is an experienced journalist and accomplished author with a deep passion for Sikh history, religion, and heritage. With a career spanning several decades, he has contributed as a journalist, writer, and photographer.
A graduate of St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, with a BA (Hons) and MA in Philosophy, he began his writing journey in school, crafting short stories that he initially shared within his family. His passion for storytelling led him to a career in journalism, working for over 36 years.
Roopinder served as a reporter-editor in New York and Chandigarh, and retired as Senior Associate Editor of The Tribune, Chandigarh, in 2020. Notably, he was on the editorial board for 20 years and launched the Internet Edition of The Tribune in 1998. He played a key role in the newspaper, overseeing weekly supplements, including the Sunday magazine, and serving as the book reviews editor.
Roopinder has been an editorial writer, feature writer, and columnist. He wrote his first article on computers for The Tribune in 1991, which led to his column Computer Chat, introducing readers to the emerging cyber world. He also headed Log In Tribune (2001–2004), a supplement on information technology. Over the years, he contributed hundreds of opinion pieces and articles to The Tribune, covering international affairs, information technology, and Sikh history and culture. His interviews and contributions to The Last Word column were particularly well-received. Roopinder continues to write for newspapers and magazines, including The Tribune, The Indian Express, and Taj magazine.
An accomplished author, Roopinder has written, co-authored, and edited numerous books, most of which focus on Sikhism and its rich cultural heritage. He was a consultant for Sikhs: The Story of a People, Their Faith and Culture (2023), which explores the spiritual journey and global impact of Sikhism. His significant works include Delhi ’84 (2014), a poignant novel about the 1984 anti-Sikh violence; and Guru Nanak: His Life and Teachings (2004), a widely regarded biography of the founder of Sikhism, later published in Hindi as Guru Nanak Jeevan Aur Shikshayen (2007). His book Sikh Heritage: Ethos and Relics (2012), co-authored with Bhayee Sikandar Singh, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., explores Sikh culture and relics in private collections, and has been published multiple times. His debut book MIAF Arjan Singh DFC (2002) is a biography of the distinguished Marshal of the Indian Air Force.
He has also edited bilingual works such as An Inspiring Journey: Inderjit Kaur Sandhu (2021), a biography of a pioneering woman educationist, who was his mother, and Giani Gurdit Singh 1923–2007 (2008), a festschrift honouring his late father, a noted scholar.
A keen photographer who learned darkroom techniques in school, his photographs have featured prominently in his books and are part of private collections in India and abroad.
