Damn mine is 2023 county district meet <| sep |> Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ! The word kirpan has two roots the first root is kirpa , which means mercy , grace , compassion or kindness the second root is aanaa , which in turn means honor , grace or dignity . The biggest misconception that I have heard for the Kirpan is that it has to be an Indian Sword Style with the curved blade . The Kirpan is not a ceremonial artifact that is never supposed to be unsheathed , the purpose of the Kirpan is to be used as a functional tool to be used for self defense and justice . As long as it has the potential to fulfill its basics needs it is irrelevant what style , metal , or length the Kirpan is . Technically a kirpan can be anything from a Katana , Scimitar , Longsword , Machete , or even a Survival knife . It is sad to see the Punjabi Sikh community restrict this timeless almighty weapon of destruction to a simple small curved blade . Im currently working on a custom crafted Kirpan for my Amrit Sanchar this April 2017 , my Kirpan will be made out of carbon fibre and will look really badass . Im gonna start a new trend , and make it cool to have functional and unique kirpans from all kinds of cultures and time periods . There are a lot of conservative Sikhs that will tell you that the kirpan must be a certain style , length , metal , and worn a certain way . However these same people forget that traditionally Kirpans were full sized swords . When Guru Gobind Singh Ji ordered Sikhs to wear the Kirpan he did not specify its characteristics . The Kirpan needs to adapt to the changing times in order to maintain its functionality . Throughout Sikh history during times of warfare the Guru has always made an attempt to stay up to date with technology . When Guns were invented , the Guru equipped his army with Guns and did the same when other cutting edge technology released at the time . In the current age the Guru would want us to adapt and move towards stronger metals and more functionalpractical kirpan styles . On to the topic of Kachera . Can it be ordinary shorts ? Depends . The underlying purpose of the Kachera is to maintain a level of formality , maneuverability , and require its user to divert a certain level of attention while putting it on and taking it off . The Kachera requires formality to maintain dignity , modest , honour and something you can wear freely outside , around the house or if your really into it , at an event . Maneuverability for superior speed and flexibility to maintain fight or flight capabilities . However in my opinion the most important function of the Kachera is to make the person wearing it put in effort to put it on or take it off . The reason for this is to make Sikhs think twice before they engage in adultary , rape , or sxual assault . Surprisingly this actually works , a few months ago when I started wearing my kachera I noticed it really made me think about what I was about to do when I went to take a piss , alternatively someone else could be about to rape someone but while they struggle to undo the Nala knot it will force them to concentrate on their current task and this question their motives . As long as a piece of clothing fulfills the functional role , I would deem it acceptable to wear as a Kachera . The main purpose of the Kara is for identification , offensivedefensive protection , and also making one question their actions . In modern times a Kara is one of , if not the only thing that differentiates an average Sikh from a nonSikh . No matter how religious you are almost all Sikhs baptized or not wear it . The Kara acts as a wrist guard and among many other uses can also act as a knuckleduster for handtohand combat . Perhaps the most important aspect of the Kara is that it reminds you of your commitment to God and the Guru , it acts as handcuffs constantly reminding you of your commitment . The Kara makes you question what you are about to do with your hands and also forces you to second guess yourself while taking part in unsikh actions . A friend of mine was a recovering sex addict who was addicted to masterbation after his girlfriend broke up with him . After taking Amrit he stopped masterbating becuase eevry time he would attempt to do it , his kara would inevitably get in the way . The Kara can be made of any metal , have any style , inscriptions , or any lengthweightthickness as long as it fulfills its basic functions . As a Student , a Sikh must always question everything . Never blindly follow anything or take part in empty rituals you do not understand . Continuously make an effort to critically think and question the world around you . Realize why you wear these 5 Ks , if you dont understand something dont be afraid to ask . Try to understand the logic behind something instead of following what your friends , family , or local gurdwara baba tells you . The instant you stop learning , evolving , and becoming stronger is when you have hit a dead end on your path to becoming One with God .