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SikhNet Vision and Mission Statement

To serve humanity through networks dedicated to supporting a Sikh lifestyle, to elevate individual and community consciousness.

SikhNet is a global virtual community for Sikhs and all those interested in the Sikh way of life. We offer the Daily Hukamnama from the Golden Temple, the largest online collection of Gurbani Kirtan, Sikh-related news and inspirational content, as well as animated Sikh stories and online courses on the teachings of Sikhism. SikhNet broadcasts temple services and devotional music through the SikhNet Play radio. We provide these spiritual education and resources in a non-judgmental, neutral environment intended to inspire and uplift all who participate. SikhNet is a tax exempt 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation in the USA operating exclusively for religious, charitable and educational purposes.

SikhNet's leadership

Our policy for the SikhNet News is "good news, good will". We avoid posting political news or news that's negative in nature, rather we focus on what can inspire and inform. We do our part to create unity instead of division, we do not take sides and we do not promote or condemn any Sikh group. Our ideals are to be universal, uniting, inspirational, uplifting and neutral, and that's why we focus more on what can inspire us to be more spiritual human beings rather than on controversy and politics. 

How SikhNet is funded

As an educational non-profit organization, SikhNet has a strong commitment to make the resources on our website free and available to everyone. We do not charge fees for our services nor do we sell advertising. SikhNet relies on funding from users, sponsors and grantors. SikhNet uses these funds to employ a 100% virtual, globally diverse team. We currently have 16 staff members who are a combination of full-time and part-time employees and contractors located in the United States, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Peru. Our staff is as diverse as our user base. Donations also fund the necessary technological infrastructure to keep our website, apps and related services in good working order.

What SikhNet does

SikhNet is one of the largest Sikh websites in the world, receiving approx 1.6 million visits per month. The most popular feature is SikhNet Play, followed by the Daily Hukamnama and many other services such as the SikhNet News, SikhNet Animated Stories, Inspirational Videos, Sikhiwiki, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib online and our downloads (Bani files, kirtan audios, Gurmukhi Fonts etc.). Explore the World of SikhNet.

It is the policy of SikhNet to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and to make employment decisions consistent with the principles of equal opportunity.

SikhNet expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

At SikhNet we couldn't do it without volunteers. The SikhNet staff and the international "cybersangat" deeply appreciate the English Hukamnama translators and transcribers, the SikhiWiki article contributors, the "voices" for the SikhNet Animated stories, and  the many members of the SikhNet family who send us news articles, comments and feedback. Thank you so much to our donors who make this all possible. Donate Now!

Before the World Wide Web 

SikhNet is truly a labor of love.  In the early personal computer days, in 1983, the first incarnation of SikhNet was a Bulletin Board system (BBS) started by Guruka Singh Khalsa, as the first computer presence for Sikh Dharma. Some of us used clunky Teletype terminals that printed slowly - we had no computer screens to look at. Others used early computers like the Kaypro (anyone remember CPM?). The whole thing was run on a server through GEnie and we connected at 300 baud! Harbhajan Kaur and Mahan Singh in Millis, Massachusetts were the coordinators. The technology we used then seems primitive now, but at the time it was very exciting to us cyber-pioneers. 

From February 1986 until October of 1994, SikhNet was online as a computer bulletin board system (BBS) running on a 10 Mhz IBM XT clone computer with a 1200 baud (later 9600 baud) modem. Guruka Singh used an early version of open-source BBS software (RBBS v.15) which I had hacked severely to customize it for SikhNet. We had about 100 users, 20 of whom were quite active. The logon screen consisted of a large kanda done in ASCII art.

Ravi Har Singh Khalsa stayed up late many a night, with his recently broken leg propped up on cushions, writing a dedicated Clipper program for accessing SikhNet. It was called "SikhNet-Zapper". We didn't have "live chat" at that time, but we had an early discussion forum and announcements from 3HO & Sikh Dharma International were posted for all to read. We could download files and transcripts of the Siri Singh Sahib's talks all over the world, and each day a new quote from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, or the lectures of Siri Singh Sahib Yogi Bhajan greeted each member who logged on to the system. These were simpler days before the internet, and required a separate physical phone line for each user to "dial in", so wasn't yet as interactive as what we are used to in today's internet.

During this time, SikhNet's host computer moved from Columbus, Ohio to Yosemite, California to Espanola, New Mexico as Guruka Singh and his family moved from place to place.

For ten years, SikhNet was up and online 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, but it finally stopped in October 1994 when Guruka Singh was no longer able to serve as the Sysop (System Operator) and it was taken offline.

The Birth of the SikhNet website

The website and organization that you now know of as "SikhNet" was founded by Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa and launched on the internet on Vaisakhi day (April 15th) in 1996.  The chosen name of "SikhNet" was inspired by the BBS system that Guruka Singh had pioneered and run from 1983-1994.

In his early 20’s, Gurumustuk Singh had a fascination with Internet technology. He built the original HTML SikhNet website pages intending to establish an online platform where Sikh youth from around the world could connect, support and dialogue with each other.

From its inception, SikhNet.com provided an educational environment where its audience could learn about the Sikh faith, ask hard questions and engage in a new kind of community experience: one that brought Sikhs from different countries in contact with each other, outside of the traditional family and Gurdwara structures.

As the years unfolded and its audience grew, SikhNet had to continually re-invent itself, responding to the changing educational needs of its audience. When Sikh youth got married and had children of their own, for instance, new services were born, like the SikhNet Children’s Animated stories. (www.sikhnet.com/stories). Through the years, SikhNet’s longevity as a “cyber sangat” owed much to its ability to adapt itself to the ever-shifting realm of cyberspace.

 With Guru's blessing, this Web site, and all of SikhNet's many services, will continue to serve us all and give us all an opportunity to connect and grow. 

 

 

1986 (BBS System)

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2001

Surf Sikhnet in the Past using the "Wayback Machine"

Make a contribution to Sikhnet

 

Our SikhNet Staff
 

Dass Atma Singh— Executive Director
Originally from the UK, Dass Atma Singh is a dynamic and results-driven leader with extensive international experience in business development, marketing, and team building. With an MS and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Rice University and a BA/MA from King’s College, Cambridge, UK he blends deep technical expertise with strategic business insight to drive innovation and growth. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dass Atma Singh has been practicing yoga and meditation since his college years, cultivating a lifelong commitment to personal and spiritual development. As a Qualified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Level 1 Sat Naam Rasayan Healer, he brings a holistic, mindful approach to leadership. With a deep passion for Sikhi and a dedicated daily meditation practice, he leads by example, inspiring others through his actions and presence
 

Amanpreet Singh — Digital Marketing & Analytics Lead.
Amanpreet is taking SikhNet to a new level, helping us to become more effective in our marketing, analytics, social media presence and digital strategies, so we can reach more people around the world and increase our impact.

 

 

Annette Clarke— Marketing and Content Manager
Annette lives in Peru and leads the SikhNet Content Department, overseeing content strategy, communications, marketing campaigns, and the News section. She holds a BA in Media and Communications and a postgraduate degree in Public Relations, with over 15 years of experience in communications. 

Manraj Singh Hallan — Engineering Lead
Manraj Singh lives in Calgary, Canada with his wife Neelam and kids Baani Kaur, Guruki Kaur and Tegh Singh. After working for the University of Calgary for 10 years I joined the SikhNet family as an app developer. My background is a full stack developer and my passion is to use technology to solve problems. Aside from IT, I really love listening to and performing Kirtan.

 

Jagjeevan Singh — SikhNet Play Director & Strategist
Jagjeevan Singh looks after planning, designing, creating, editing, and publishing relevant content based on business objectives and users' needs required by SikhNet Play service. He develops content strategy that helps to achieve business goals. He has over 10 years  experience and technical knowledge. Video creation is another area that he supports whenever a need arises.

Kiranpreet Singh Bajwa - Software Engineer & Technology Support
Kiranpreet completed his BSc in Computer Science at the University of Calgary in 2016 and later went on to complete his BSc in Electrical Engineering in 2019. After completing both degrees, Kiranpreet joined Manraj in developing iGurbani where he familiarized himself in Android and iOS development, worked with frameworks such as React Native, Flutter and backend systems using NodeJS and TypeScript. With this diversified exposure to software development and a thorough knowledge in Sikhi, Kiranpreet joined the SikhNet team to advance the company’s mission!
 

Harpreet Kaur- Fundraising Associate & Finance Assistant
Harpreet Kaur, born and raised in Kolkata, India, holds an MBA in HR and has worked for MNCs in both India and Canada. She works part-time with SikhNet as a Fundraising Development Associate. Harpreet finds her work fulfilling, knowing it supports Sikh teachings globally and brings positivity into many lives. She’s passionate about Gurbani Kirtan and she loves to offers voluntary yoga lessons to all ages in her community.

Simranjot Kaur- SikhNet Stories Manager
Simranjot Kaur is a marketing and community engagement professional with a background in IT engineering and over seven years of experience in the nonprofit, education, and technology sectors. As SikhNet’s Stories Manager, she combines her creative vision and lifelong Sikh faith to develop animated storytelling content — making Sikh history, values, and Gurbani accessible to the next generation.

Ikjot Kaur- Product Manager
Ikjot  Kaur lives in San Francisco and serves as the Product Manager at SikhNet. After completing a BA in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, Ikjot built a career in product strategy, user experience, and cross-functional collaboration. Passionate about creating technology that uplifts and connects people, Ikjot brings a thoughtful, user-centered approach to every project. Outside of work, Ikjot enjoys family time, photography, traveling, and exploring ways technology can inspire and strengthen communities.          

 Gurjeet Kaur-Finance Manager 
 With over 14 years of experience in tax preparation and a background in education and business management, she is committed to providing trusted, client-focused service with professionalism and integrity.

 

 

Sanjam Chawla - HR Manager
Born and raised in India, Sanjam Chawla now lives in California. She is an experienced HR professional with over 10 years of expertise in payroll, workforce planning, employee engagement, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. She specializes in aligning people strategies with business goals and using data-driven insights to enhance HR processes and the overall employee experience.