Little work has been done to date to look at the social impacts of this revolutionary technology on Sikhs and their religion. Having launched the Internet's first Sikh website in 1994 has allowed me to develop a unique perspective. I have been able to observe the trends in the application of Internet technology as well as assess the ramifications of that technology on Sikh society from the vantage point of an early start in the field.

The information technology revolution has unleashed a virtual Pandora's box of issues that the community has never had to face before as well as causing a reexamination of old issues from a new technological perspective. Through a series of articles I'll look at the changing attitudes and approaches of Sikhs towards their religion with emphasis on how this change is being precipitated by the Internet. I'll look at how Sikhs are using the Internet today, it's potential use and possible future directions.

The Internet as a global information media is bringing about a change in the way that Sikhs view their religion. The Sikh Gurus always had a global outlook, never considering their religion as one meant only for a specific people or a regional faith. Five hundred years later perhaps Sikhs are finally beginning to catch on to that profound yet simple idea.

Over the last century Sikhs pioneers leaving the land of the five rivers have spread to every corner of the globe. The Sikhs have become a global people, but not traditionally a people with a global outlook. They have maintained a very regional specific outlook regarding their religion and it's practices. This 'Punjab-centric' outlook is starting to develop cracks, especially among the newer generations of the Diaspora Sikhs. This change is being further facilitated and accelerated by the advent of the Internet A traditional Punjab-centric approach to the presentation of the religion is no longer necessarily a valid model for Sikhs of the 21st century. Traditional learning resources about Sikhism have always presented the religion in a very regional light focusing on Punjab and cultural practices relevant to that part of the world. The online presentation of Sikhism has instead tended to focus more on the philosophical aspects and principles of the religion, the Sikh lifestyle and its more global relevance in today's world. That changing global outlook is the frame of reference of the Diaspora Sikhs and it comes across in the presentation of the religion on the Internet. As there is no way to limit the audience to only a specific region on the Internet, the presentation of information focuses more on the language and idioms understandable and of interest to a wider and culturally diverse audience.

Today for the first time we are seeing the beginnings of a clear delineation between Punjabi culture and the Sikh religion. By far the majority of the religious websites and newsgroups on the Internet have been created and are maintained by the Diaspora Sikhs. These websites and newsgroups are the leading learning and discussion forums of the Sikhs online. The Sikh Internet initiatives from the Indian subcontinent meanwhile has tended to focus less on religion and more on showcasing Punjab and Punjabi culture. Whether this is their choice or something being mandated by the Indian government is not clear. But what does become clear is the clearly visible distinction between the two communities and their approach to the Internet. Granted there are numerous international websites about Bhangra music and Punjabi culture, but the dominant voice of the Sikh religion online is an international one less focused on the traditional Indian interpretation of the religion. The leading Sikh religious institutions based in India have online presences, but their track record of commitment and vision are substandard at best.

Will Sikhism follow the Buddhist model and become extinct in the land of its origin only to flourish in other lands? Perhaps, the religion is facing tremendous social and political pressures in India and its long-term survivability in the land of its origin is uncertain at this time. The advent of the Internet has helped to at least insure that should such an eventuality arise the religion will a global footing that will allow it to survive and flourish in other parts of the world unrestricted. The Sikhs of the Diaspora if they are to be the caretakers of the religion tomorrow need to build a strong foundation based on understanding their religion and it's relevance today. Of those still interested in professing the Sikh faith and following its practices today they have more easy access to a wealth of information about their spiritual heritage than ever before.

A Sikh renaissance seems to be taking place in different parts of the world, a renaissance in large parts due to the Internet where Sikhs are seeking to reclaim their spiritual heritage before it is lost. There has been an explosion of Internet related websites, discussion forums and online resources around the world where the pride of a new generation of Sikhs is shown through their pioneering efforts. Their online presence, exchanging of ideas, vigorous debates and mannerisms seem to indicate an underlying developing sense of assuredness of being Sikh while growing up in different cultures and societies from their forefathers. While their number is small in comparison to the larger number no longer interested in practicing the religion at all, it is growing at a rapid pace and becoming more vocal. Whereas past generations had the excuse of the lack of available resources and information about the religion, the Internet has released a virtual digital cornucopia of resources available for those interested in perusing them.

Sandeep Singh (Brar) is an Internet technologist and developer of the widely acclaimed website www.sikhs.org.