Dr Gurnam Singh’s Post

Here is my humble attempt bridge the gap beween 'belief' and 'non-belief'. Have a read and judge if I have managed to square the circle! Apologies if the article is less lucid than my usual approach. I had to adopt a more academic approach to navigate the complex arguments involved. https://lnkd.in/eEPEC98W

If you are in any doubt that Trump is a racist and fascist, then please have a read of this terrifying yet accurate analysis of the rhetoric that he spews week in week out by Sidney Blumenthal in todays Guardian entitled “Donald Trump’s Hitlerian logic is no mistake” After providing ample evidence of his Nazi orientation, he offers a stark warning which we must all heed. “When Trump says immigration, he means race. When he says crime, he means race. When he says communism, socialism, or Democrat, he means race. When he says America is declining, he means race. When he says “American First”, he means race. When he says blood, he means race. When he says poison, he means race.” When he says race, he means Black people. When he says race, he means Hispanics. When he says race, he means Muslims. And when he says race, he means other white people, too, some less white, less pure, less clean, less acceptable depending on their ancestral origin, than others. When he says race, he means the replacement theory.” If you haven’t already done so, please do have a read of the eye opening article.

Really looking forward to delivering an online talk at UCL on Wednesday entitled: “Race Equity, Higher Education and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Possibilities.” You can get more details from the below link, though I think participation may be restricted to UCL staff. I know it’s going to be recorded so will share links when they are available.

In response to Donald Trumps claim that divine intervention saved him from the assassins bullet, I explore the relationship betweenpolitics and God. Have a read and share your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/eQgiq4in

Here is my latest article which discusses how nature becomes associated with religions festivals and rituals.

The Power of Poetry Until now, my writing has largely been confined to academic and journalistic endeavors. I have always held a deep admiration for those who write poetry, recognising it as a more efficient and creative form of expression. Unlike a lengthy academic paper, which tends to engage only a small circle of experts, a well-crafted poem has the power to penetrate the hearts and minds of many with far fewer words. There is a Punjabi saying that speaks of how a great poem can ‘capture the ocean in a pot’—a truth that resonates with the essence of poetry. A poem can leave an indelible impression that other forms of literary expression often cannot. However, poetry has its own conventions and techniques, making it far from easy to master. Great poetry emerges from the heart and lived experience; it cannot be composed by merely stringing together random words from a dictionary. The art of poetry is akin to that of a sculptor who carefully carves a block of wood into a beautiful object. Similarly, a true poet takes the raw material of language and skillfully combines words to carve out meaning. One of my favorite poets is the German Marxist, Bertolt Brecht. Brecht was deeply troubled by social divisions, elitism in art and culture, and society more generally. Brecht’s poetry often challenges social and political norms, employing sharp, didactic language to provoke critical thinking and inspire change. His works blend stark realism with biting irony, emphasizing the struggle for justice and the necessity of questioning authority. Aware of my limited ability to write poetry and risking potential ridicule, I nonetheless offer this humble piece. It attempts to capture my growing concerns about the destructive aspects of identity politics and the rise of authoritarian religious nationalism. I would love to receive considered critical feedback which will help me to decide whether I should stick to academic writing or whether I should delve further into the poetic form. The Ballad of the Unburdened Soul Human beings, they say, are social creatures. They seek the warmth of the tribe, The shelter of the group— Power in numbers, they claim. But I ask: at what price? These bonds, these chains of belonging, They offer protection, yes— But also sow the seeds of conflict. Neighbour turns on neighbour, For what? A flag? A faith? A face in the mirror? True peace, they whisper, is found elsewhere. Beyond the marketplace, beyond the temple, In the stillness where no name is called. There, where the soul stands alone— No race, no religion, no class, no caste, no clan. So, break the chains, my friend, Forsake the comfort of the crowd. For what is a true spirit? Nothing that can be counted, Nothing that can be divided, labeled, or owned. Human beings, they say, are social creatures. But the soul, the soul— It knows no borders. It belongs to no one. It is the essence of divinity.

Though today many Indians will be celebrating their Independence Day, sadly for Panjabi’s the day signifies the division of our homeland and the deaths of millions of our fellow citizens as a result of British divide and rule policies. Great background details providdd by Jagdeep Singh Lall FIA

Here are my thoughts on flags and nationalisms and the recent decision taken by Sikh’s to resist Hindutva and its policy of saffronisation in India. #hindutva #sriakaltakhatsahib #sridarbarsahib #sriharmandirsahib

Here is a recording of last evenings fascinating analysis of the current Far Right racist violence taking place in the UK. Great contributions from Stephen Cowden , Dr. Savi Arora,MBA,PGDMS,PhD and Dr Satkaran Shergill. Great educational resource. It’s all in English.

We know there is a major financial crisis in higher education. Here is a 10 point plan that I came up with today. I guess reactions may be largely mute; some may agree with some of the suggestions, but not all, and some will disagree totally. 1. Reduce Marketing Budgets and Refocus Communication Efforts: - Reallocate funds from marketing campaigns to more essential areas. - Shift focus to clear communication about the value and opportunities of higher education, emphasizing education as a transformative experience rather than a commodity. 2. Reevaluate and Streamline Administrative Structures: - Conduct a thorough review of all non-student-facing administrative roles to assess their necessity. - Eliminate unnecessary managerial positions and titles, especially those disconnected from direct teaching or research responsibilities. 3. Empower Academics in Teaching and Research: - Decentralize management of teaching and research, giving more control to faculty members actively involved in these areas. - Create structures for faculty and students to influence decision-making processes related to their work. 4. Promote Inter-Institutional Collaboration Over Competition: - Foster a culture of collaboration among universities to share resources and knowledge. - Develop joint programs and research initiatives to reduce duplication and enhance innovation. 5. Implement Critical Pedagogy and Experiential Learning: - Design curricula that incorporate critical thinking, experiential learning, and practical applications. - Develop live, creative assessments to address the challenges posed by AI in education. 6. Revise International Recruitment Policies. - Reassess international recruitment strategies to ensure they are equitable and not exploitative. - Develop policies that prioritize ethical engagement with international students and partners. 7. Rationalize Undergraduate Programs and Emphasize Foundational Skills: - Simplify the range of undergraduate courses by introducing a common first-year curriculum within the major subject areas. - Focus the first-year curriculum on critical thinking, cooperative learning, and social justice issues. 8. Champion Inclusivity and Resist all Extremisms. - Position universities as beacons of hope and resistance against hate, violence, and oppression. - Actively uphold democratic principles and challenge directives from government bodies that compromise these values. 9. Enforce a Moratorium on Capital Projects: - Halt all new capital and vanity projects, particularly those driven by vice-chancellors. - Redirect funds to maintain and improve existing facilities and support academic programs. 10. Review and Adjust Staff Wages: - Conduct a comprehensive review of staff wages to ensure fair compensation across all levels. - Implement wage increases for lower-paid staff and significant cuts for top earners, including vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors.