By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Rakhvinder Singh emerged as the shining at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) graduate cadet officers’ training.

And it was no less than the Malaysian constitutional monarch who presented him the award as the Overall Best Graduate Cadet Officer for the 26th batch.

The Ipoh-born 25-year old cadet officer was appointed as the commanding officer of the 26th batch based on his commitment and dedication throughout the training session, according to a write-up shared at the RMN Facebook page.

His father Gurbanjan Singh is a moulder at an Ipoh-based factory while his mother Naranjan Kaur is a housewife.

After finishing schooling at Anderson school in Ipoh, Rakhvinder then pursued a marketing degree at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Sultan Abdullah officiated the commissioning ceremony for MAF cadet officers at the Perdana Camp in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, on 16 March 2019. At the event, he consented to commission 504 MAF cadet officers who completed their bachelor degrees at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia and other public higher institutions of learning, reports Bernama.

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Sikh bros light up NYC with American-flag turbans, matching light-up sweaters (Asia Samachar, 21 Dec 2018)

PRESS STATEMENT | LONDON | 

Another #FreeJaggiNow related statement from Redress,  London-based human rights group that deploys  the law to seek justice and reparation for survivors of tortur

REDRESS is calling once more on India to urgently investigate the serious allegations of torture in the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, as Monday 18 March marks 500 days of his imprisonment in India.

REDRESS also urges India to respond to an appeal made by three United Nations experts in Mr Johal’s case more than a year ago, and to ensure that no evidence obtained by torture is used against Jagtar in his ongoing trial.

As far as REDRESS is aware, India has yet to respond to the urgent appeal and has not provided Mr Johal with an independent medical examination.

Plain-clothes police officers seized, hooded and abducted Mr Johal, a British national from Dumbarton, on 4 November 2017 while he was in India to get married. Mr Johal alleges that he was subsequently subjected to torture.

In a handwritten account detailing his treatment that his family made public last year, Mr Johal stated:

“The torture took place intermittently, numerous times each day. Electric shocks were administered by placing the crocodile clips on my ear lobes, nipples and private parts,” and that “threats of taking me to a remote location where I could be shot dead were also given. At one point, petrol was brought into the room and I was threatened with being burnt.”

Mr Johal remains in prison in India, where he is facing charges for offences under the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in cases brought by the Punjab police and the Indian National Investigation Agency. As far as REDRESS is aware no evidence has been presented against Mr Johal in any of these cases.

“Time is running out to investigate the extremely serious torture allegations in Jagtar’s case. A swift and independent investigation is crucial for ensuring that anyone responsible for torturing Jagtar is brought to justice, and for making sure that any evidence obtained by torture is not used against Jagtar,” said Rupert Skilbeck, Director of REDRESS.

The widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in India during investigations or to extract confessions has long been reported by human rights groups. Amnesty International documented 894 deaths in judicial custody and 74 deaths in police custody during a period of just eight months in 2017. India is the only major democracy that has not ratified the UN Convention against Torture. REDRESS has long advocated for India to do so.

For more information or an interview, please contact Eva Sanchis, REDRESS’ Head of Communications, on eva@redress.org, +44 (0) 20 7793 1777 or + 44 (0) 7857 110076 (out of hours).

Notes to editors:

1. The urgent appeal by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and the Vice-Chair of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention from 29 January 2018 is available here. The urgent appeal was made following a complaint by REDRESS and Ensaaf to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in December 2017.
2. A letter signed by over 70 MPs raising concerns about the alleged torture suffered by Mr Johal from 2 July 2018 is available here
3. Background information about the case is available here
4. Human rights organisations have long documented the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in judicial and police custody in India, including in Amnesty International’s Report 2017/2018

Read original statement here.

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

FIRST BARSI-PATH DA BHOG: 30 March 2019 (Saturday), 9am-11.30am, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor | Malaysia

MATA CHARAN KAUR D/O LATE NAHAR SINGH

(1934 – 2018)

and widow of the late Kartar Singh (Tapah); Village: Tanda, Amristar

We think of you in silence

We often speak of your name

Now all we have are memories

And your picture in a frame

There will always be heartache

And often a silent tear

But always a precious memory

Of the days when you were here

Sadly and dearly missed by:

Sons / Daughters-in-law:

Rajinder Singh (S. Inspector) / Ranjit Kaur

Harpal Singh (AIA) / Jaswant Kaur

Late Daljeet Singh

Daughters / Sons-in-law:

Sitwan Kaur / Late Dalbinder Singh Sandhu (Changkat Tin)

Ravinder Kaur / Satwant Singh Malhi

Grandchildren / Spouse:

Surinder Kaur Sandhu / Sukvinder Singh Gill

Jasvinder Kaur Sandhu / Sarinder Singh Gill

Balvinder Kaur Sandhu / Mankiran Singh Phinder

Harwant Kaur Sandhu / Teljit Singh Sumal

Dharampal Singh Sandhu

Rajwant Kaur Sandhu / Harvinder Singh Uppal

Harvinder Singh Mand, Tejvinder Singh Mand, Malwinderpal Singh Mand, Deepak Singh Mand, Gurvindar Singh Malhi, Eshminder Singh Mand, Taranpal Singh Mand, Gurdas Singh Mand, Ajitpal Singh Mand

Great Grandchildren: Harleen Kaur Gill, Simran Kaur Gill, Gurraaj Singh Gill, Neeraj Singh Phinder, Manraaj Singh Gill, Jasreen Kaur Sumal, Pavenraj Singh Phinder, Ashreena Kaur Uppal, Ashleena Kaur Uppal, Raajveer Singh Gill , Gurveer Singh Sumal

Path Da Bhog: 30 March 2019 (Saturday), 9.00am-11.30am, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor followed by Guru Ka Langgar

Kindly treat this as a personal invitation.

Contact: 019-333 3329 / 016-262 7765

By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

If all goes to plan, Putrajaya will have a partially-functioning gurdwara towards the end of 2021.

The plan is to build a ‘national’ gurdwara that will also attract visitors to Malaysia’s administrative capital.

“The architect presented the conceptual design, which was approved by the house,” Major (Rtd) Jagindar Singh told Asia Samachar.

Jagindar is the committee president of the Gurdwara Sahib Putrajaya Society (GSPS), the registered society that has taken the lead to build the gurdwara complex.

“If it goes our way, the team would like to see something [gurdwara building] up by November 2021,” he said. “We will have a resort-setting type of accommodations. We also envisage it to be a tourist attraction for those coming to Putrajaya.”

Putrajaya is a planned city and the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 1999.

Being in the nation’s administrative capital, Jagindar said they intend to create a ‘national’  gurdwara that would promote the history of gurdwaras in Malaysia. It has been ear-marked as one of the objectives of the gurdwara in the making.

The gurdwara is located at the intersection of Precincts 5 and 20, bordering Dengkil. It is about five-minutes drive from the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

The proposed gurdwara complex – a single-story building with a circular darbar sahib – is expected to cost about RM3 million. The land size allocated for the gurdwara is about 30,000 sq ft, slightly less than an acre.

GSPS membership is open to all Malaysian Sikhs, including those living abroad. However, voting is limited to members living within a 50km radius of the gurdwara, which includes the Klang Valley which is home to the largest Sikh community in Malaysia. Life membership is fixed at RM101.

At its annual meeting on 9 March 2019, the house also elected its committee. It comprises deputy president Paramjit Singh and three vice presidents Dr Harshinderjeet Singh (development and fund raising), Dr Mahinder Singh (education and sports) and Dr Sangeeta Kaur (secretarial and communication). The committee also includes secretary Harjit Kaur, assistant secretary Shivcharan Singh, treasurer Manmeet Singh and assistant treasurer Manjeev Singh.

Registered in 2016, GSPS first pro-tem committee, also led by Jagindar, was formalised in June 2016. Jagindar, 70, believes he is one of the first Sikhs to live in Putrajaya.

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‘Gurdwara of learning’ coming to Shah Alam (Asia Samachar, 5 Dec 2015)

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By Hayley Miller | HUFFPOST | US |

Jessica Moore, a comedian who also goes by the name Jess Hilarious, apologized Monday following backlash over a series of since-deleted videos she posted to Instagram in which she claimed to feel “threatened” by a group of Sikh men who were on the same plane as she was.

“I’m sorry to the Sikhs. I’m sorry to the Muslims. I’m sorry to every person on the plane,” she wrote in a video posted to her Instagram account. “I am ignorant to a lot of shit. … I will do better.”

It all started on Sunday when Moore, who stars on the Fox sitcom “Rel,” posted a video showing what appears to be a man wearing a turban ahead of her in line as she waits to board a plane.

Moore, who has over 4 million Instagram followers, can be heard gasping loudly in the video as she spots the passenger. “Where are you going?” she asks in a quiet and rhetorical question.

After Instagram users called her out for racially profiling what turned out to be a group of passengers, she posted another video defending her behavior.

“If I’m scared, I’m scared,” she said. “F*** y’all. F*** how y’all feel. Y’all mad at me because I don’t side with every other black person, ’cause I don’t side with every other race. F*** y’all. I feel how I feel. I felt threatened and that was it.”

Moore then said that the plane had been evacuated with no explanation, implying that perhaps the turban-wearing passengers played a role in that.

Sikhism, the fifth largest religion in the world, is not a sect of Islam. It’s a monotheistic faith founded in the Punjab region of India about 500 years ago. Sikh means “seeker of knowledge” in Punjabi and followers of the religion believe everyone has equal status before God, who created the universe and all faiths.

Sikhs avoid cutting their hair as a symbol of their love and respect for God. Men ― and some women ― cover their hair with turbans to keep it neat and clean.

SEE full story, ‘Comedian Jess Hilarious Apologizes After Racist Rant Against Sikhs On Her Plane’ (HuffPost, 19 March 2019), here.

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Instagram comedian accused getting passengers with turbans removed from her flight (Asia Samachar, 18 March 2019)

The movie Kesari starts showing globally today (21 March 2019), including in Malaysia and Singapore.

Starring Akshay Kumar, the movie is based on a true courageous story of 21 Sikh soldiers who fought valiantly and bravely against 10,000 invaders at Saragarhi.

In Malaysia, the movie will be playing in Kuala Lumpur (TGV KLCC, TGV Jaya Shoping Centre, GSC Nu Sentral and GSC Quill Mall), Subang, Cyberjaya, Penang, Ipoh, Taiping, Johor Bahru, Sungai Petani and Kota Kinabalu.

Synopsis: The year is 1897 and the mighty British empire having conquered most of India, is now trying to infiltrate Afghanistan. Fort Saragarhi, in the NWFP (North Western Frontier Province) is a small communication post used to relay messages between two major military forts – Gullistan and Lockhardt. To be posted at Saragarhi is no matter of pride for the newly formed Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army. Marked in color KESARI (saffron), the Sikhs symbolize valor and pride and to die doing one’s duty. Ishar Singh (AKSYAY KUMAR), a proud warrior who prefers to live by his community rules, is often found in direct conflict with the orders of his British officers. As a punishment, Ishar is sent to Saragarhi where a bunch of 20 unruly, undisciplined Sikh soldiers await him. And it is this bunch of cheeky but lovable rouges that Ishar leads into the battle when an army of 10,000 Pathans turns up at Saragarhi on the 12th of Sept 1897. It’s now 21 Sikhs vs 10,000 Afghans on the battle field. KESARI the true story of one of the bravest battles ever fought – the Battle Of Saragrahi.

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British Army second commemoration for Battle of Saragarhi (Asia Samachar, 16 Sept 2015)

A group of civil rights and faith leaders are demanding a meeting with FBI Director Christopher Wray in the wake of the New Zealand terror attacks that killed at least 50 people as they prayed in mosques. The killer was a white nationalist who named President Trump as an inspiration in his online racist screed.

The groups want the FBI to address “the threat to public safety” and to their communities “by white nationalist violence.”

Leaders from Muslim Advocates, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Sikh Coalition all signed a letter sent to Wray on Tuesday, urging the FBI to take the threat seriously.

“Attacks against houses of worship in the United States have been far too common in recent years,” the letter says.

The letter cited a spate of attacks by white supremacists on houses of worship in recent years, including the killing of six people at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., in 2012; the murder of nine African Americans as they worshipped at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015; and the slaying of 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., last year.

“What we’ve seen unfortunately over the last few years from federal law enforcement is a dismissiveness of this threat or sometimes even a deflection,” says Farhana Khera, the executive director of Muslim Advocates, a civil rights organization and a signer of the letter.

“After the horrific attacks in New Zealand last week, we decided that we as faith and civil rights leaders can no longer just stand by,” she says. “We need to start demanding action from federal law enforcement officials beginning with the director of the FBI. It’s time to prioritize the threat of white nationalism.”

Read full story, ‘Civil Rights And Faith Leaders To FBI: Take White Nationalist Violence Seriously’, here.

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(Asia Samachar, 11 Dec 2015)

By Gurmukh Singh OBE | PANJAB TIMES |

PART ONE: Introduction

In Sikhi tradition the Guru Jote (Divine Light) was in Guru Nanak Sahib. Jugat was the way or the method for Sikhi living shown by the Guru. He laid down the foundation of Sikh ideology and institutions on the three pillars of Sikhi living: Naam Japo, Kirat Karo & Wand Shako (Constant Waheguru remembrance while living an honest and productive life, and sharing with those in need).

Thus, started the Guru tuition period of Sikhi living from 1469 to Vaiskahi 1699. As we celebrate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Parkaash this year we trace the progress of the Guru Jote-Jugat from Guru Nanak Sahib to the emergence of the Khalsa in 1699. I propose to devote a few columns to this important topic leading on to Vaisakhi 2019 celebration in April. Some repetition is unavoidable and maybe even desirable.

The challenges which Sikh ideology, institutions and distinct theo-political Qaumi identity face, are many. In Sikhi, Jote is the Divine Light (the Universal Spirit) and Jugat the way. It is the guiding principle in Sikhi living or the Sikh reht (code of conduct). Jote and Jugat go together and manifest as the Miri-Piri (temporal-spiritual) twin track Sikh way of life. Sikhs are guided by the teachings enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib as interpreted by the lives of the Ten Guru-persons from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh. Jote-Jugat is an unbroken continuity in Sikh tradition from Guru Nanak Sahib through the nine other Guru-persons who followed, to Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

For the above reason, Gurbani interpretation is only possible with reference to the Sikhi reht lived by the Ten Guru persons. There are attempts to separate Sri Guru Granth Sahib from the lives of Ten Guru Sahiban and the collective interpretation of Gurbani by the Guru Roop Khalsa Panth. Such attempts by ‘hijackers of Sikhi’ — an apt expression coined by Dr Karminder Singh of Malaysia – are divisive and dangerous.

Those who hold that Sikhi(sm) is a religion only that the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib are universal and that they prefer to follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib only, tend to deny the interpretation of Gurbani in our practical lives. That interpretation of Gurbani into lived Sikhi was done by the Guru-persons and the Guru Khalsa Panth with great sacrifices. The Sikh Reht Maryada (SRM) is the interpretation of Gurbani into a Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions as the final outcome of Jote-Jugat twin track approach to Sikhi. Denying the Sikh Reht Maryada amounts to denial of Guru and Khalsa history (ithaas) and tradition.

The collective authority for correct interpretation of Gurbani resides in Guru Roop Khalsa Panth. That authority was bestowed on the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh. The approach to the interpretation of Gurbani is holistic with reference to ALL the Bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Otherwise, selective quotations of Gurbani to suit own thinking (manmat) lead to divisive gurudoms and deras at one extreme and self-appointed interpreters of Gurbani and Sikhi according to own biases at the other extreme.

PART TWO: Definition of a Sikh

ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ ॥

They shared the One Light and the same way the King just changed His body.

It was stressed in the introductory that approach to the interpretation of Gurbani should be with reference to Sri Guru Granth Sahib — the Divine Light or Jote — and the Jugat or the living way (reht) as shown by the Ten Guru-persons by own example.

Otherwise, we get diverse interpretations which mislead and give rise to deras and gurudoms while modern Sikhs have a free for all preaching their own version of universal Sikhi! We even get different definition of who is a SIKH! These elements deny the Sikh Reht Maryada and the great Sikh institutions and Sikh identity based on a holistic interpretation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and as lived and taught by the Ten Guru persons.

During the Vaisakhi 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh ji revealed the identity of the ideal/perfect human being guided by the teachings and lives of the Ten Guru-persons. So, claims by some that they are guided by the universal teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib only while they deny the great miri-piri Sikhi institutions built by the Ten Guru-persons by own examples and shaheedis, and defended by the Khalsa Panth over the centuries, do create doubts about their true motives. More so as we face so many challenges to independent Sikh ideology and institutions. We cannot ignore the Sikhi as lived and taught by the Ten Gurus by own example and go back to square one.

Therefore, the definition of a Sikh in the Sikh Reht Maryada is an important assertion of the Sikh identity derived by the Guru Jote-Jugat during the Guru teaching period from 1469 to 1699. The Sikh Reht Maryada describes a Sikh as: Any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib The Guru Granth Sahib the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the Amrit Initiation bequeathed by the tenth Guru and, who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.

Let us be clear: Sri Guru Granth Sahib is universal. It is for all humanity to seek guidance from. However, the path of Sikhi based on the correct interpretation of Gurbani as lived by the Ten Gurus is for committed Sikhs – no matter at which rung of the Sikhi ladder they stand. They must believe in One Immortal Being and the Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. They must believe in the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus only and none other. They must have faith in the Amrit Initiation bequeathed by the tenth Master. They must not owe allegiance to any other religion. They must be Sikhs of the Guru.

Next, we look at the contribution of each Guru-person to the ultimate revelation of the Khalsa – the ideal human being – on the Vaisakhi Day in 1699.

PART III: Contribution of each Guru-person 

In Sikhi, there is only One Guru – not many. Each Guru-person from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the embodiment of the same One Jote-Jugat. Thus, the Guruship succession process is described as ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ ॥ (They shared the One Light and the same way the King just changed His body.)

Today the Jote resides in the Shabd Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, while the Guardian of the Jugat – the way of living or reht (code of conduct) in accordance with Gurbani, is the Guru Khalsa Panth represented through the sovereign institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Office holders at Sri Akal Takht Sahib must be seen to be independent of any outside influence, or they lose the trust of the Guru Khalsa Panth and become unworthy of the office they hold. The Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib itself remains the Sovereign Miri-Piri focus of every Sikh.

Continuing from Part Two, we need to understand how each Guru-person contributed to the Jote-Jugat process and progress up to Vaisakhi 1699 when the New Age human being, the Khalsa, was revealed by Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) laid the foundation of the Path of Sikhi (ਸਿੱਖੀ ਮਾਰਗ) and the egalitarian institutions in 974 Shabads in 19 Ragas including Japji, Sidh Gost, Dhakhani Onkar, Asa Di Vaar and Barah Maha. He revealed the Basic Qualities and Virtues of the One Creator being. He stressed universal human rights, values and that all are equal before the One Creator Being. While preaching these universal truths he confronted the invader Babar and the Sikhi Miri (temporal) principle. The rule from Delhi was conditional on the observance of the universal human rights.

He started the basic institutions of Sangat and Pangat in a free Sikh socio-political environment at Kartarpur. Thus, with the Jote in Him, he laid the foundation for Sikhi miri-piri living (the Jugat).

Guru Anagad Dev Ji (Guruship 1539-1552) composed 63 Shabads and Shaloks and introduced the Gurmukhi Alphabet, stressed good health and physical fitness as part of Sikhi life. He continued with the Sikhi institutions which promoted human equality as an essential part of Sikhi life (the Jugat).

Guru Amar Dass Ji, (Guruship 1552-1574), composed 869 Shabads in 17 ragas including Anand Sahib. He vastly strengthened the Sikh organisation with Goindwal Sahib as the centre. Based on the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib, He further raised the equality status of women and continued to promote human equality and service with humility (seva) through the Sikh institutions.

Guru Ramdas (Guruship 1574-1581) composed 688 Shabads and established Amritsar as a Sikh trading town. Amrit-sar (literally pool of nectar) was dug and He continued developing the Sikh institutions. It needs to be remembered that during this period, the Emperors at Delhi kept themselves informed of Sikhi Sangat progress in India.

Part IV: Development of Sikhi institutions and Qaumi identity

In earlier parts we have seen how each Guru-person contributed to the Jote-Jugat process from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Ram Das. In this part, we continue from Guru Arjan Dev Ji, while keeping in mind that the Guru Jote (Divine Light) was One and the same. The Jote manifested Itself in Ten Guru-persons from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh. Each Guru-person developed the Jugat or the Sikhi way (Sikh rehni) by own example.

It is only by learning from the lives of the Ten Guru-persons representing the progress of the Jote-Jugat sytem that we can correctly interpret the Gurbani in Guru Granth Sahib as the foundation of Sikhi Miri-Piri (temporal & spiritual) Sikhi System. The system and way of life so derived is the Sikh Reht Maryada which also defines who is a Sikh.

By the time of Guru Arjan Sahib (Guruship 1581-1606), the development of the Sikhi institutions was nearly complete. The revolutionary Sikhi ideology preached and practised by the Guru-persons, had started attracting the attention of the emperors at Delhi. The Gurbani composed by the Guru-persons taught practical living and a distinct theo-political Sikh community was emerging.

There were Sangats, first established by Guru Nanak Sahib, in many parts of India and Amritsar was a prosperous trading town. The sarowar or pool – Amritsar (literally, the pool of nectar) – from which the town derived its name, had been dug. Guru Arjan completed the project by building Harmandir Sahib in the centre of the Sarowar. Guru Arjan composed 2312 Shabads in 31 Ragas and compiled the Adi Granth Sahib by also including the Bani of earlier Guru-persons and (selectively) that of many Bhagats from diverse backgrounds. He completed the Sarovar and the Darbar Sahib complex (later known as the Golden Temple).

From Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Arjan Dev, the rulers at Delhi were getting increasingly concerned about the emergence of the Sikhs as a sovereign theo-social and political people. That rankled with the emperor Jahangir and Guru Arjan Dev was martyred as a result.

As directed by Guru Arjan Dev before his shaheedi (as witness to the sovereignty of the Panth of Guru Nanak), the next phase of Sikhi Miri-Piri progress started with the investiture of Guru Hargobind Sahib (Guruship 1606-1644). The Guru now openly wore the swords of the two worlds of Miri-Piri (temporal and spiritual). It is clear from events that followed Guru Arjan the He had already designated the place for Sri Akal Takht Sahib opposite the Harmandir. The Akal Takht project was completed by Guru Hargobind Sahib within a matter of days of the Guru Arjan Dev ji’s martyrdom.

Guru Hargobind strengthened the combination of worldly and spiritual (miri-piri aspects of Sikhi) and introduced armed defence of human rights as a last resort. The final phase of the mission of Guru Nanak Sahib had started, which would lead to the emergence of the Khalsa in 1699 as Akal Purakh ki Fauj. (To be continued).

Gurmukh Singh OBE, a retired UK senior civil servant, chairs the Advisory Board of The Sikh Missionary Society UK. Email: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk. The article first appeared at The Panjab Times, UK

* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.

RELATED STORY:

Antam Sanskar (Last Rites) in Sikhi – Sikh Reht Maryada guidance (Asia Samachar, 24 Jan 2019)

Khalsa Panth: A Sovereign Nation (Asia Samachar, 7 Jan 2019)

SASKAAR / CREMATION: 3pm, 25 March 2019 (Monday) at Cheras Crematorium, Jalan Kuari, KL. Cortege departs residence No 50, Jalan Dato Haji Harun, Taman Taynton View, Cheras 56000 KL at 2pm | Malaysia

MATA SUWARN KAUR W/O LATE SARDAR RAM SINGH KLER (Ex-Police), Batu Gajah

“Be a good human being before being a Sikh or Muslim or a Christian or a Hindu,” said a New Zealand lawmaker in the aftermath of the terror attacks on Christchurch mosques.

In an interview with a Malaysian news portal, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, the first Sikh MP in NZ, added: “As a practicing Sikh, I believe that humanity is more important than anything else. That was the message from Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith.”

Talking to Star TV, he noted that the March 15 terror incident had shocked all New Zealanders as well as its agencies and things ‘have definitely changed’.

In the incident, a gunman opened fire on defenceless Muslims during the Friday prayer, claiming 50 lives so far.

The fourth-term MP is also the National Party’s shadow spokesman for internal affairs and justice.

See the report, Let’s return the love in NZ, says MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (The Star, 21 March 2019), here.

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Banker turned corporate treasurer Pavan Kaur and her team from UMW Holdings Bhd bagged the ‘Musharakah Deal of the Year’for a sukuk issuance.

The award from from Islamic Finance News (IFN) recognised their work for a RM1.1 billion issuance under UMW’s RM2 billion perpetual sukuk musharakah program.

Pavan is UMW Group’s General Manager for Group Finance & Treasury. She oversees the group’s funding (both debt and equity) and hedging needs while maintaining critical liquidity levels to ensure investor confidence and day to day running of the group.

Until August 2017, she was the treasury solutions (global markets) head at Hong Leong Islamic Bank. Prior to that, she had stints at HSBC Bank Bhd Malaysia, CIMB Investment Bank Bhd and ING Investment Management Bhd.

At Hong Leong, she was instrumental in setting up the Islamic global markets sales desk to provide comprehensive solutions to clients across various underlying assets classes.

Pavan had gained experience in derivatives and structured products working for HSBC and CIMB Investment for more than 6 years.

Her earlier experience as fixed income manager with ING Investment saw her involvement in managing fixed income portfolios for insurance and unit linked funds, in accordance with investment mandates.

Pavan started her career with Rating Agency Malaysia Bhd (RAM) as a credit analyst evaluating credit profiles and assigning ratings based on risk profile for both banks and local companies interested in raising debt via capital markets.

She holds a Bachelor degree in Law with Honours from University of London, and a MBA Degree from Griffith University Queensland Australia.

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Malaysian sardar ji making waves in Islamic finance (Asia Samachar, 20 July 2018)

By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Sikhs and other north Indian communities raised more than RM1.5 million at a fund raising dinner today for a shared crematorium in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

An air of bravado and can-do spirit permeated the evening function as gueats mingled with the nation’s first Sikh federal minister who was present to lend his support.

The event once again reflected how the minority communities have put their heads and hearts together to chart their common future.

The subject at hand – the Jalan Loke Yew Sikh-Hindu crematorium which was believed to have started operating in the late 1890s. It badly needs a makeover.

The Shamshan Bhoomi Parbandak Society (Selangor & Federal Territory) manages the crematorium for Sikhs, Gujrati, Sindhi and other North Indian communities.

Going on stage, former Malaysian Sikh top cop Amar Singh could sense the excitement of the more than 200 guests at the fund raising dinner held at a Kuala Lumpur hotel.

Since December 2018 and at the dinner function, he said the team has raised RM1.586 million from 177 individuals.

“I think this is the biggest single collection ever. I’m amazed how they managed to do it,” said Amar, the former Malaysian Federal Police Commercial Crime Director Commissioner. He was also at one point the Kuala Lumpur police chief.

“You will be surprised to see who came forward to give. Many chipped in,” he later told Asia Samachar. “Even today, some have come forward to donate. No collections today, I toldthem.”

Then came the turn of Malaysian Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo to take on the stage.

“As we celebrate life, we also have a responsibility to respect those whose journey in life comes to an end.

“This is the reason I stand here as a Minister. I congratulate the commuity for what they have done. This is a great cause. It impacts us all,” he told the audience.

“We must also acknowledge the role of the previous government as well,” he said, noting that it had contributed RM500,000 in terms of infrasturcture and other works.

He singled out the role played by former deputy minister M Saravanan and former senator Daljit Singh, both from MIC.

Gobind announced pledges totalling RM200,000, hinting that the present government would come back with more.

The pledges Gobind made were RM50,000 each from DBKL, Federal Territory Ministry, Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and the family of the late Karpal Singh. Gobind is the son of Karpal, the legendary lawyer and parliamentarian.

Most the guests at the dinner were elated to be part of the crematorium’s redevelopment.

“This is one way to honour the departed,” said education enterpreneur Dr Parmjit Singh who helms Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU).

On 5 Aug 2018, Gobind and community members got together for the laying of the foundation stone for a planned complex for the crematorium.

The Sanatam Dharam Sabha Kuala Lumpur, which manages the Shree Lakhsmi Narayanan Mandir Kuala Lumpur, then pledged a RM500,000 donation towards the project which is expected to cost RM5 million.

“That is the single largest donation,” said Amar. It is not part of the RM1.5 million he announced earlier.

The fund raising dinner tonight allows the first phase of the project to move unhindered.

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

The Racial Harmony 4-a-side football tourney by Young Sikh Association Singapore (YSA) is back again. This is the 15th edition. Singapore Education Minister Ong Ye Kung will be the guest of honour at the event on Saturday (6 April 2019). Closing date for registration: 27 March.

The oldest standing gurdwara in North America is to be found in Abbotsford, Canada. This is what is written on its signboard (Photo: Jasjit Singh):

Abbotsford Sikh Temple: In 1911, determined Sikh pioneers from India built this temple, or Gurdwara, with lumber carried from the nearby sawmill where many of them worked. Blending traditional Sikh and Western frontier designs, the temple includes a prayer hall and a community kitchen. Not only a place of worship, it also became a centre for the social and political life of South Asian immigrants, helping them forge a vibrant community. Today, this oldest surviving Gurdwara reminds us of the immigrant experience of Sikhs in Canada, and continues to be a sacred symbol of their spirituality.

RELATED STORIES:

Roles and functions of a gurdwara (Asia Samachar, 11 Dec 2015)

By Amy Reid | CANADA |

A non-profit dental clinic that provides discounts on dental care to those in need has opened in Newton, and it’s said to be the first of its kind in Surrey.

Located at the corner of 88th Avenue and 128th Street, the clinic’s mission is to “provide affordable and accessible dental care to under-served and socially disadvantaged families.”

It’s been eight years in the making and is the brainchild of Dr. Harpreet Dhillon and Dr. Belrup Patrola, who say it’s their way of giving back.

While the dentists say there are other models that provide discounted or free dental care in the region, they say the others are mostly student-driven and dentist-supervised.

Strive Dental, on the other hand, is run exclusively by professional dentists.

“We know that there’s a tremendous need for dentistry, generally speaking,” said Dhillon. “It’s not covered by general provincial health care, you either have funding from work-related insurance or you have to buy private insurance and most people can’t afford it. So if they’re not with a good job, they’re either paying out of pocket or looking for subsidized care, or not going at all.”

The clinic will offer a 20 per cent discount to those who can’t afford dental treatment.

“There’s a large immigrant population here so with that a lot of them don’t have coverage,” said Patrola. “We ask them verbally, and we take them for their word.”

Patrola himself was unable to pay for dental care while he was in university. He was looking at a large bill for a root canal and crown, or, for much less money, have the tooth pulled. He chose the latter due to his financial limitations at the time.

“That kind of made me realize how many other people must have to make the same decision. It was tough on me. When I got into dentistry, I was talking to Dr. Dhillon and said once we’ve established ourselves, we have to find a way to give back.”

Read the full story, ‘Non-profit dental clinic opens in North Surrey’ (Surrey Now Leader, 4 March 2019), here.

Sri Saheb Production Sdn Bhd is looking for a Malaysian Punjabi speaking TV host as well as other talents.

Talents Required:

1. Host (TV magazine show). Punjabi speaking (script provided) female and male

2. Singers (Individual or group). Punjabi Song (original track or cover)

3. Kirtan – Raagi group with musical instruments of all ages and gender

Contacts:

Email : srisaheb@yahoo.com

WhatsApp : +60169077555

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here 

Manmeet Kaur, founder of a medical-related social enterprise, has been recognised as one of the rising business stars in New York.

The 36-year old founder and CEO of City Health Works has been named in Cairn’s New York Business 40 Under 40 2019 list.

The Harlem-based City Health Works is a social enterprise that bridges the gap between the doctor’s office and the everyday lives of people living with preventable chronic illnesses.

It makes community health workers an integral part of the health system, reports the publication.

During a human rights fellowship in South Africa, the report noted that Manmeet was inspired by the nongovernmental organization Mamelani Projects, which trains community members to educate others on chronic conditions.

She worked on bringing that idea to New York City at Columbia Business School, which she treated as a sort of incubator, using class assignments to hone her plans. Supportive professors connected her to potential investors, and after graduating in 2012, she raised US$200,000 while pregnant with her first child. But after five years, Manmeet realised the nonprofit model was a hindrance to her plans to grow City Health Works to scale, so she began converting her company to a for-profit venture and pitching early-stage investors, the report added.

Founder Manmeet Kaur’s theory is that patients with long-term chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are not getting the education they need to stay healthy—and keep costs down. For various reasons, doctors are failing to get the message across.

The company, which is paid by insurers, brings education to patients where they are: at home or at a coffee shop. It uses trained health coaches, not doctors or nurses, from the same communities as patients to conduct one-on-one sessions. A registered dietitian or nurse supervises the coaches.

“Most of these patients have had these conditions for years and it’s the first time they’re understanding what that blood pressure indicator really means,” Manmeet said.

See the full story here.

SASKAAR / CREMATION: 4pm, 27 March 2019 (Wednesday) at Simpang Lima Crematorium, Jalan Bukit Kubur, Kawasan 1, 41000 Klang, Selangor. Cortege leave residence No 26, Lot 646, Jalan Mat Raji, Padang Jawa, 41300 Klang at 3.20 pm | Malaysia

MADAM DALJIT KAUR W/O LATE SARJIT SINGH

(1941-2019)

As the world was deep in slumber, our treasured Mdm Daljit Kaur / Billo (w/o Late RETD ASP Sdr Sarjit Singh) of Padang Jawa/ Klang passed on peacefully in her sleep. She was 77 and lived life with courage and elegance. A vessel of laughter and an epitome of love, she will be deeply missed by all the hearts she has touched. Although her physical presence will be missed, we will honour her legacy always. We hope to hold the pockets of wisdom that she has left behind.

All are welcome to her beautiful residence of 43 years at No 26, Lot 646, Jalan Mat Raji, Padang Jawa, 41300 Klang, Selangor to pay respects, say goodbye and give her the send off she deserves.

Saskaar / Cremation: 4pm, 27 March 2019 (Wednesday) at Simpang Lima Crematorium, Jalan Bukit Kubur, Kawasan 1, 41000 Klang, Selangor. Cortege will leave residence at 3.20 pm.

AKHAND PATH: Commences at 5pm, 27 March 2019 (Wednesday) at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, with Path Da Bhog on 29 March 2019 (Friday) from 5pm onwards.

The family wishes to thank all for their best wishes, prayers and love for our beloved Billo.

Contact:

Jasdeep: +6 019 235 5577

Ravjit : +6 016 985 6847

SASKAAR / CREMATION: 3.00pm, 28 March 2019 (Thursday) at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Luimpur. Cortege leaves at 1.30pm from residence No 12, Jalan Lorong Hijau 1/1, Green Park, 48000, Rawang, Selangor | Malaysia

ਜੇਹਾ ਚੀਰੀ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇਹਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

Jayhaa cheeree likhi-aa, tayhaa hukam kamaahi. Ghalay aawah naankaa, saday othe jaahi (SGGS, 1239)

SDR JAGJIT SINGH SIDHU BRAR (JACK) S/O LATE SDR JARNAIL SINGH DEMRU OF RAWANG

Age: 54 years

Born: 25 April 1964

Departed: 27 March 2019

Leaving behind:

Mother: Harbans Kaur

Mother In Law: Harbans Kaur Gill

Wife: Gurjit Kaur Sidhu

Children / Spouse:

Rashjit Singh Sidhu

Jagmit Kaur Sidhu / Harnil Singh Randhawa

Karanjit Singh Sidhu

Saskaar/Creamation: 3.00pm, 28 March 2019 (Thursday) at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Luimpur

Cortege timing: Cortege leaves at 1.30pm from residence: No 12, Jln Lorong Hijau 1/1, Green Park, 48000, Rawang, Selangor

Path Da Bhog: To be announced later

Contact:

Jagdev Singh – 016-350 6993

Gurdip Singh – 019-229 1513

Rashjit Sidhu – 016 – 521 6525

By Jasbir Kaur | JAIPUR, INDIA |

Jaipur, a city of colour. Rich in its cultural and architectural beauty. It’s the largest city and capital of Rajasthan, India.

This introduction was enough to get me on-board for my maiden solo trip despite my past travels which favoured beaches. Jaipur offered many well kept palaces. Palaces that are open to public and that’s the closest I am ever getting to experiencing a royal life. So visiting Jaipur is a must.

India is an amazing place. Given my numerous trips here, every journey feels like my first because there is always something new to experience.

Jaipur isn’t like it’s northern neighbours. Many speak Hindi here but you would notice the difference in their dressing, make-up and mannerism. For one, people in Jaipur start their day pretty late in the morning and many shops close for couple of hours on Fridays, for namaz.

Let’s rewind and start from the beginning.

Flights to Jaipur are generally empty. So if you are as lucky – as I was – you get to lie down for about ¾ of the journey, in the quiet zone; dimmed lights, no young children and first to be served your meal. This was a bonus given the late departure flight.

“Beep-beep”, “honk” and a mixture of musical honks alerted my sleepy state as soon as I walked out of the airport. “Ergh! Complained one of my travelling companion. “I’m gonna be deaf by the end of this trip!” he exclaimed.

“Ram Ram. Welcome to Jaipur”

Jaipur is the first planned city of India. Its layout, which was overlooked by Maharaja Jai Singh II, was built with heavy focus on security aspects due to foreign threats. Till today you’ll be able to see huge fortification walls around the city.

One impressive fort is Amer Fort. You get a glimpse of the Rajputana architecture here. It boasts the unique blend of Hindu and Rajput elements and is a town with an area of 4 square km. So come with your tummy full and large water tumbler filled when visiting this place.

Amer fort looks less like a fort and more like a palace. There are two ways to get up to the fort; elephant ride or walk up. Just be sure to start your day early if you plan to visit.

Amer palace is constructed with red sandstone and marble. It consists of four diwans, each on a different level, each boating its artistic stylish elements, and is divided into six separate sections with their own entry gate. It’s seriously big and you can easily get separated if travelling in a pack, like I did.

The thing about being lost in an enclosed palace has its advantages. It gives you the time and space to admire things that call out to you.

MIRROR PALACE

Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) called out to me. It’s a private courtyard built for the Maharaja and his family. The whole courtyard is embellished with white mosaics and sculptures. Each sculpture has a story to tell, as demonstrated by one of the local tour guide. Even the ceiling and wall panels are a work of art, dressed up with tiny glass inlaid.

“The Maharanis must have been very vain to need so much mirror all around them,” I joked a little too loud.

“These multi-mirrored ceilings and panels play an important role, ma’am. They glitter bright under a candlelight and brighten up the whole courtyard,” The guide lamented as a matter of factly.

Red cheeks. The price you pay for being cynical.

Jasbir Kaur, an editor at Asia Samachar, was on a trip to Jaipur sponsored by Air Asia X. The budget airline flies to Jaipur four times a week. She has more to share. So stay tuned for more updates on her trip to the Pink City. More photos at Asia Samachar Facebook page