Surgeon Rajinder Pal Singh Calls for Unity in New Book

Rajinder Pal Singh, a distinguished transplant surgeon and filmmaker, has unveiled a poignant new book, ‘Journey Across Boundaries’, which seeks to convey a powerful message of unity and harmony across all faiths and walks of life.

“Please don’t let us be divided in the name of religion and humanity. Let us all stay united and not divide one another.” This is the heartfelt message of the Sikh surgeon’s latest work, which is divided into three sections.

“My book is essentially a call to all communities to sever the chains of hatred and build bridges of friendship. Whether you are Hindu, Sikh, Christian, or Muslim, the ultimate truth remains: we are all the same,” Dr Singh shared with Pukaar.

Picture credit: Pukaar News

Currently practising as a transplant surgeon in the UK, Dr Singh was born and raised in Odisha, India – the land from which Himmat Rai journeyed to Anandpur Sahib to become Himmat Singh, one of the Panj Pyare of Guru Gobind Singh.

In the first part of his book, Dr Singh reflects on the emotional scars left by the Punjab militancy and the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide, particularly on Sikhs living in Indian states outside Punjab. 

Against this sombre backdrop, he recounts how, despite personal tragedies and challenges, he was supported by friends and colleagues from diverse backgrounds – Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Punjabi alike. Their unwavering support enabled him to rise above adversity and carve out a career as both a transplant surgeon and filmmaker.

“When I was born in Odisha, I was embraced by the love of the Hindu people,” he recounts. “I came from a very humble background, and when my father fell ill and we faced financial hardship, the people who came to our aid were not just from my Sikh community but from all communities – Hindus, Muslims, Christians – they all stood by us.”

He continues: “I realised that, when it comes to friendship, we are all the same. At the time, Punjab was grappling with militancy, and emotions were running high. I found myself at a crossroads, questioning why, on the one hand, people from other faiths loved and embraced us, while, on the other, some of our own brothers and sisters were killing each other and sending back their bodies. Why was this hatred spreading? What was the root of this political unrest?”

Dr Singh’s journey later took him to the United Kingdom and the United States, where he observed a universal truth: “Everywhere, people are the same. I worked alongside white colleagues who upheld humanity as the highest virtue. It was then that I resolved to write this book – to show that while boundaries exist, humanity transcends them. Most importantly, Hinduism and Sikhism are like siblings of the same family. They share the same soil, the same origins, and there is no fundamental difference between them.”

In the second part of the book, Dr Singh delves deeper into the historical and political catalysts that have caused rifts in Hindu-Sikh relations. He highlights the misunderstandings that have widened the divide, providing a comprehensive overview of Sikh history. 

Drawing from his personal experiences, he offers thoughtful solutions to bridge these differences, while shedding light on the genuine love and ethos shared by Hindus towards Sikhs – both in the far-flung corners of India and abroad.

The third part of the book takes a more profound turn, exploring the intersection of science and spirituality in understanding the soul. Dr Singh emphasises the importance of combining knowledge with the martial-spiritual ethos imparted by Guru Gobind Singh – Shakti (power) and Bhakti (devotion) – as the ideal path forward.

“Sikhism promotes humanity, but its message cannot be fully realised by severing ties with Hinduism, as is increasingly happening in the Western world today,” he remarks. “We are witnessing demonstrations against Hindu temples and practices, which is deeply troubling and should not happen.”

“I wanted to share my story with my Sikh and Hindu brothers and sisters to say: ‘Look, I am a Sikh, born and raised in Odisha, and I have never faced discrimination. I have received the love of all communities. The way to propagate our message is through charity, through living virtuously, through doing good for others, and by rejecting violence.’”

In addition to his illustrious career as a transplant surgeon, Dr Singh has undertaken several noble projects, achieving success as a filmmaker. He is also a staunch advocate for organ donation awareness within South Asian communities, striving to address the disparities and challenges surrounding this issue. He hopes to release a promotional film on the topic in the near future.

Dr Singh’s film, Wheels of Civilisation, was released in UK Vue Cinemas last year, as well as at the Phoenix in Leicester. The film explores the intricate interplay between indigenous, xenophobic tribes from Odisha and accomplished young British female doctors. It promotes harmony between modern and traditional ways of living and thinking, further reflecting Dr Singh’s commitment to fostering unity and understanding.

For more information on ‘Journey Across Boundaries’, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DZGBBB6Y?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_TWTG0AXJNGPZ3HHBYBM0&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_TWTG0AXJNGPZ3HHBYBM0&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_TWTG0AXJNGPZ3HHBYBM0&bestFormat=true&language=en-GB&dplnkId=1cfca8d9-7976-46b1-942c-5c025195d38e&nodl=1