Asia Samachar – Asia Samachar

PATH DA BHOG & ANTHIM ARDAS: 28 June 2020 (Sunday), at 10.00am at Gurdwara Sahib Subang Jaya, Selangor | Malaysia

CHARAN KOUR D/O LATE MULLA SINGH AND LATE BALWANT KAUR (SINGAPORE)

7.12.1939 – 19.6.2020

Husband: Ir. Harbans Singh (Rtd. TNB)

Children / Spouses:

Sukhwinder Singh/Prem Kaur
Kulwinder Singh
Nalinder Kaur/Gurjit Singh

Grandchildren:

Rajveer Singh
Roshanveer Singh
Priyasha Kaur
Jateender Singh
Dilsimar Kaur
Alvinderjit Singh
Malvinderjit Kaur
Sabreenderjit Kaur
Ashreenderjit Kaur

Brother, brothers-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Cremation was held at Nirvana Memorial Park, Shah Alam on 20 June 2020. Due to Covid-19 situation, the funeral service & cremation was held among immediate family members.

Path da Bhog: 28 June 2020 (Sunday), at 10.00am at Gurdwara Sahib Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The family wishes to express their heartful thanks to everyone who provided their utmost love, support and advice during the recent bereavement. Our sincere appreciation and heartful thank you.

May Waheguru Ji Bless her soul.

Contact:

Sukhwinder -0133669381
Harjit-0123399868
Harbans-0193347790

| Entry: 21 June 2020 | Source: Family

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

MADAM LATE JOGINDER KAUR W/O LATE ANOKH SINGH

(4 Feb 1940 – 22 June 2020)

Mata Ji passed away peacefully on 22 June 2020. Deeply missed by children & spouses, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

Children & Spouses:

Saraman Singh & Kaldip Kaur
Amarjit Singh & Franch Kaur
Amerjit Kaur & Surjit Singh
Parminder Kaur & Late Jagindar Singh
Gurdip Kaur & Late Baldev Singh

Path Da Bhog: To be updated.

Contact:

Saraman Singh +60123876640

Amarjit Singh +60142242536

Gurdip kaur +60122055037

RMCO: This announcement is meant to inform relatives and friends of her demise. As it is still RMCO, the cremation is limited to immediate family members. The family will abide and strictly comply to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Only 20 people are allowed at any one time.

| Entry: 22 June 2020 | Source: Family

Mystik Kaur brandishing ‘KAUR – Breaking Barriers’ T-shirt

By Mystik Kaur | OPINION |

KAUR , that’s my last name. It means Princess. I was bestowed this name when I was born and I am lucky that my parents decided NOT to add a family name after the ‘Kaur’, because now my family has become much bigger as I am a sister, daughter and mother to millions of KAURs around the world and not just to my own family.

One of the many reasons why I chose to come out publicly in the way I have especially for Devotional music is that I have always found it disturbing that in this space, ‘Devotional Music’, continues to be heavily male dominated. Don’t get me wrong. I have deep respect for my fellow male/Singh musicians, but I do see the large disparity in numbers where we say that women are equal if not greater then men but yet the numbers paint a different picture.

And this applies to all aspects of the world where today in such a ‘progressive society’ we still see ladies or KAURs being underrepresented in almost every area….

So here I am, 1 Kaur trying to make a difference in the area I am in: music and art. Devotional music, Bollywood covers and Punjabi/Hindi music, trying to pave the way for many other of my peers and younger sisters who wanted to venture forth but were suppressed for whatever reason (family pressure, societal expectation, low self esteem etc).

It’s time to rise my sisters! And you are not alone. I’m so happy that many sisters have reached out to me to show love and support, like my sisters at @akaurbrand who designed this awesome T-shirt which says ‘KAUR – Breaking Barriers’. I will be wearing more of their Kaur designed apparel so check them out and support them if you can!

It’s time for the KAURS!

(The article has been adapted from Mystik Kaur’s social media sharing)

Kirtan: Mool Mantar track by Amrita Kaur & Yadvinder Singh (Asia Samachar, 12 March 2020)

Gurmukh Singh and his family kirtan jatha

By Dya Singh | OPINION |

My talented shotay veer (lawyer) Gurmukh Singh of Malaysia is arguably the most accomplished exponent of raag based gursangeet in Malaysia. This is in no way belittling the ‘kirtan‘ and ‘kirtan perchar‘ abilities of a number of other similar shotay veers in Malaysia who are all a credit to Sikhi in Malaysia.

I single Gurmukh out because he is not only a kirtania and kirtan percharak (proponent), but also a Guru-based ‘artiste’. A category of gursangeet for which, up till now there was no platform to showcase such talent.

Over my lifetime I have witnessed the general Gurdwara psyche concerning ‘kirtan’ narrow. There was a time when gurdwara-based Punjabi schools encouraged their students to write dharmic kavetas (religious-based poetry) and the good ones were presented from gurdwara stages to the Sangat.

Kirtan students had the stage platform to showcase their renditions in raag, from any Sikh dharmic source. There was kavisheri (poetry), persaang (ballads of episodes from our dharmic history) renditions, dhad sarangi renditions, patriotic uplifting bani from Dasam Granth, besides ‘straight’ kirtan.

Over 30 to 40 odd years I have witnessed gurdwaras imposing restrictions. Today ‘they’ do not allow dharmic kavetas under the pretext of ‘kechi bani‘, nothing from Dasam Granth, no Deh Shiva for Nishan Sahib ‘salami‘ – only anything directly from Guru Granth Sahib Ji preferably with two vajas and tabla.

Then came Maha-Mari which I call the ‘Grand Coming’! Gurdwara stages have been relegated to a level playing field with those who are talented enough to display other aspects of our vibrant Sikh life philosophy, online.

Gurmukh would have probably not been allowed to showcase this rendition of 11 raags with bani from Dasam Granth in any gurdwara of today. But no one can stop him to display his and his family’s talent online. A ‘guldasta‘ in honour of our spiritual father dhan dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji maharaj.

To others who have the talent of writing good dharmic renditions and singing shabads from Dasam Granth, I say – now you have the ability of letting ‘us’ hear and see you online, let it be Facebook, YouTube, etc. There are at least thousands listening and globally. Go for it. Showcase your talents!

Khalsa Ji, enjoy Ragi Gurmukh Singh Ji and family from Malaysia. Click here for the Facebook link.

Malaysian-born Dya Singh, who now resides in Australia, is an accomplished musician and a roving Sikh preacher. The Dya Singh World Music Group performs full scale concerts on ‘music for the soul’ based on North Indian classical and semi-classical styles of music with hymns from mainly the Sikh, Hindu and Sufi ‘faiths’. He is also the author of SIKH-ING: Success and Happiness. He can be contacted at dyasingh@khalsa.com

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

Corona maha-mari: A period of transformation? (Asia Samachar, 8 April 2020)

Malaysian Sikh family keeps up Vaisakhi tradition (Asia Samachar, 14 April 2020)

By Asia Samachar Team | SINGAPORE |

After a short interlude, Harminder Pal Singh is all set to return to the campaigning circuit as Singapore prepares for a general elections on July 10.

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) chief media officer was hospitalised last night (22 June) after feeling giddy during a walkabout in Pasir Ris. He was discharged this morning.

In a statement, SDA chairman Desmond Lim Bak Chuan said the doctors have confirmed that he was good to go after putting him through various tests, and he is now recovering well at home.

“Mr Singh has been working hard to help the SDA put up a good fight during the coming General Election, often burning the midnight oil, and skipping meals to conduct more walkabouts and house visits.

“Fatigue caught up with him this time. Even as he was put in the ambulance, he was apologising and asking to continue with the night’s walkabout. He’s a fighter, and after a day’s rest he’ll be back with us pounding the ground tomorrow,” he said in the statement.

In a short response to Asia Samachar, Harminder Pal said: “I’m getting much better.”

This will be the third consecutive general election that will be contested by the 48 year-old Harminder Pal.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today advised President Halimah Yacob to dissolve the parliament to set the stage for the nation’s 14th national polls. Nomination Day has been set for June 30 to be followed by a nine-day campaigning period.

In a televised address, Lee said he has decided to call the general election now, while the Covid-19 situation is relatively stable, to “clear the decks” and give the new government a fresh, full five-year mandate.

The move has been criticised by some quarters as the incumbent taking advantage of the uncertain ground due to the novel coronavirus battle at hand globally. The Singapore Democratic Party, one of the opposition parties, have said earlier that calling an election at this point of time would “needlessly jeopardise the safety and health of Singaporeans”.

In a report yesterday, SDA’s Lim was quoted by the Straits Times as saying that the party would focus its campaigning efforts on Pasir Ris-Punggol.

“We would rather concentrate our resources to focus on one constituency that we can actually serve better,” he said. “If we are going to dilute our resources, then, honestly, we will not be able to serve (residents) that well.”

Sikhs can’t expect ticket in every Singapore polls (Asia Samachar, 4 Sept 2020)

Sikhs at the Khalsa Care Foundation prepare 3500 meals for seniors and the disabled on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at their Pacoima gurdwara. Five days a week volunteers, not all Sikh, prepare the meals for those who have been in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

By Ryan Carter | UNITED STATES |

“Seva” is alive and well in Pacoima.

Every day it’s what fires up the giant cooking containers full of rice and pasta. It’s what powers the assembly lines of volunteers from all over Southern California who package meals — curry, thai, pasta and a sweet treat with a bottle of water — atop rows of tables.

It’s what gets those meals to households from Palmdale to Long Beach to Pasadena and Los Angeles, where the pandemic still draping the region has crushed livelihoods, left families struggling and kept seniors and disabled isolated.

Seva — or “selfless service” — is happening at the Khalsa Care Foundation Gurdwara — a Sikh temple that’s served the area for 15 years.

The massive amount of food prepared and distributed every day here is nothing new for a community of faith whose tradition of selflessness goes back centuries. They know how to feed the world, and it’s happening from New York to India. Amid the chaos of COVID-19, and even among deep social pain and unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd, local Sikh Americans have found renewed energy, across the Southland and also just off Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

One day, it’s preparing and serving up meals to waves of protesters on L.A.’s streets. The next, providing much-needed meals to struggling families in Palmdale.

And so on, every day of the week. No strings attached.

No proselytizing. No preaching. No preference for a person’s position in life. Just goodwill and a sticker on the lid of each meal’s plastic tray that reads: “Sikh Community Lending a Helping Hand.”

The goodwill was recently tapped by LA leaders, who teamed up with the Gurdwara (translated as temple) for a new goal. The center was already hosting a once-a-week drive-thru hot meal program, and since its beginnings 15 years ago it was preparing hot meals for homeless shelters and other non-profit organizations.

Read the full story, ‘In LA’s pandemic moment, Sikh community taps an ancient specialty: Feeding the masses’ (Los Angeles Daily News, 21 July 2020), here.

(Asia Samachar, x June 2020)

PAATH DA BHOG: 28 June 2020 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Mainduab, Jalan Pudu Lama, KL, 9.45am – 12.00 noon | Malaysia

BHAG SINGH S/O TEJA SINGH

Advocate & Solicitor | Formerly of Alor Setar

(13 Jan 1946 – 13 June 2020)

Village: Abhipur, Dist: Ropar

Wife: Beahro Kaur @ Mukhtiar Kaur

Children:

Meijinder Kaur

Ashvinder Kaur

Siblings / Spouses:

Tara Singh (Port Dickson)

Ajmer Kaur (Deceased)

Master Ajmer Singh (Ex-HM)

Charan Kaur (Charno)

Gian Kaur (Deceased)

Mohendra Kaur (Deceased)

Gurmukh Singh (Deceased)

Nasib Kaur

Capt Gurdev Singh (India)

Piara Singh

Also remembered by nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and a host of relatives & friends.

Saskaar / Cremation: Funeral took place on 13 June 2020 at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Lumpur

Paath Da Bhog: 28 June 2020 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Mainduab, Jalan Pudu Lama, KL, 9.45am – 12.00 noon

Contact:

012 9102055 (Ajmer)

012 9898940 (Harinder)

Message from the family:

His articles “Law for everyone” which appeared in ‘The Star’ newspaper on a regular basis helped to educate the common man in matters of law. – Master Ajmer Singh

Our dear father is missed very much. We’d like to thank everyone for your kind wishes and support during this difficult time. – Meijinder & Ashvin

As it is still RMCO, the family will comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for places of worship. Only immediate family and relatives are encouraged to attend.

| Entry: 24 June 2020 | Source: Family

By Asia Samachar Team | UNITED STATES |

An Asian marriage website promising the ‘ultimate partner search experience’ has dropped a skin tone filter after an online petition against the option.

This is certainly one step forward in the fight against colourism in the Asian communities.

Shaadi.com has dropped the option, citing it as a blindspot, at a time when colourism in South Asia has come under the spotlight following global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while being arrested by a white cop in the United States.

The response from the marriage and dating website came swiftly as the petition initiated by Hetal Lakhani from Dallas, US, caught fire online.

“The obsession with fair skin is still notorious within South Asian communities. The notion that fair skin makes a better bride/husband is still of significance. Whilst completely ignoring the personality, experience of life and the ability to make a good partner and son/daughter in law,” she said in the petition.

She noted that Shaadi.com had a colour filter that asked users to indicate the colour of their skin using descriptors like “Fair”, “Wheatish”, and “Dark” and allowed users the ability to search for potential partners on the basis of their skin colour.

“Now is the time to re-evaluate what we consider beautiful. Colorism has significant consequences in our community, especially for women. People with darker skin experience greater prejudice, violence, bullying, social sanctions, and all kinds of skin-lightening treatments are recommended to them under the guise of “making them desirable” or “making them more beautiful”,” wrote Hetal.

She added: “This kind of constant discrimination affects our self-esteem and mental health, with consequences as extreme as social exclusion and physical harm. Colour is only skin deep. The idea that fairer skin is “good” and darker skin is “bad” is completely irrational. Not only is it untrue, but it is an entirely socially constructed perception based in neo-colonialism and casteism, which has no place in the 21st century.”

In an update, Hetal noted that the website’s removal its colour filter did not change the reality that people will continue to anchor desirability and suitability onto people’s skin colour.

“But it will stop giving users the option to discriminate on the basis of something so shallow and arbitrary,” she said.

What drives mixed marriages? Here’s the answer (Asia Samachar, 15 Aug 2017)

GurJeevaan Singh Balrose – Photo: Via Youth.sg

By GurJeevaan Singh Balrose | SINGAPORE |

I am supposed to graduate in August, but that’s not happening. With the economy so badly hit, I don’t know how or when I can start working. All my plans for the future have gone out the window. I’ve worked very hard to attain my degree in film. All the hard work and prep to build relationships with companies has all gone.

Nobody wants to hire anyone in this time of crisis. I can’t pay my student loans and phone bill. It’s very difficult to move forward. All I can do is hope for the best and take small steps.

Since you arrived, I am most worried about my family’s well-being. My grandmother is getting depressed not being able to go out, while my mum has to leave the house for dialysis every other day. It scares me as I do not know who she might meet on the trains or buses.

My time at home has taught me patience and my perspective of life has changed a little. I want to be a better version of myself. You have given me more time to reflect and map out my next move.

Read the full story, ‘Dear Covid-19: All my plans after graduation were wrecked’, (24 June 2020, youth.sg), here.

Fighting Covid, the Sikh way (Asia Samachar, 6 June 2020)

By Asia Samachar Team | GLOBAL |

Unilever is joining a number of global corporations in putting some distance to being accused of exploiting colourism when selling their products. Moving forward, things won’t be all ‘fair and lovely’ for this company.

In an announcement today (25 June), Unilever said it will remove the words ‘fair/fairness’, ‘white/whitening’, and ‘light/lightening’ from its products’ packs and communication. As part of the decision, it added that the Fair & Lovely brand name will be changed in the next few months.

“We recognise that the use of the words ‘fair’, ‘white’ and ‘light’ suggest a singular ideal of beauty that we don’t think is right, and we want to address this,” one of its top officials said in the statement.

In 2019, it said its Fair & Lovely pack in India had removed before-and-after impressions and shade guides that could indicate a transformation.

The move to tinker with the melanin-suppressing face cream, a top selling products in many markets, comes as the backlash against branding that trades off racial stereotypes in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests in the United States.

Triggered by incidents of police brutality against Black people, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction around the world and spurred companies to reassess their businesses and marketing for signs of discrimination.

Johnson & Johnson said last week that it would retreat from its skin-whitening business, which includes the Clean & Clear Fairness brand in India and its Neutrogena Fine Fairness line in Asia and the Middle East, reports Bloomberg.

In Asia, where lighter skin can be associated with wealth and status, cosmetics companies — including L’Oréal SA, Shiseido Co. Ltd., and Procter & Gamble Co. — have long devoted a big part of their business to marketing creams and lotions that promise to lighten skin tones. Some refer to their products as skin brighteners instead, and promote the idea they can help hide freckles and cover dark blemishes, the report added.

Asian matrimonial website removes skin tone filter after backlash (Asia Samachar, 25 June 2020)

By Kamal Preet Kaur | OPINION |

Post-George Floyd, the idea of identity, diversity and equality of human life has become part of everyday conversation.

#BlackLivesMatter continues to trend and people around the world have joined protests, despite pandemic, to make their voices heard in support of people of colour. It is heartening to see glimpses of humanity triumphing against all odds even as I wish they had kept their social distance! It is also nice to witness Sikhs standing together with the protestors at many places and lending their voice, and of course Langar, when and where it is needed.

However, I am a little uncomfortable with the phrase #BLM. I am not saying, not even as a passing thought, that white privilege doesn’t exist or that there’s a need for it to be questioned. However, as a Sikh, I am guided by ‘Manas Ki Jaat Sabhai Ekai Pehchanbo’ (recognise all human races as one). For me all life is holy, and all life matters, not just Black, or White, or Asian, or Native, so on and so forth.

I believe that #BLM projects and pits people of colour to ‘the other’. The phrase seems more divisive than uniting. So, should they not protest? Of course, they should. We all should. To remain silent during such atrocities is to be complicit in the crime and would give strength to perpetrators of gross injustice.

So, what do we do? We need to rethink and rephrase #BLM to ALM, meaning All Lives Matter, equally, irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, region, gender and economic status. Anyone who becomes a victim of injustice — such as George Floyd from Minneapolis — is someone’s child, sibling, parent, lover or friend, and injustices happen to people all the time, all over the world. We need to stand united against injustice and raise our voice every time we witness it so that it doesn’t come to a point where a precious life is lost.

I also believe that time is ripe for Sikhs, too, to brush under our own carpets, to practice Gurus’ teachings of embracing equality and face uncomfortable truths. Diaspora Sikhs have peculiar challenges, and many prejudices Sikhs face around the world, including India, are due to our unique identity. Many institutions, groups and individuals are making efforts to help us navigate these challenges by lobbying our respective governments and sharing information and knowledge about our faith, culture and religious traditions.

As we want the rest of the world to empathise with us, and accept us as human with equal rights, we need to work on our own empathy quotient. Sikh community in Punjab and anywhere we call ‘home’, is still marred by elitism, casteism, colourism and region-ism against members of our own community, and at times comes across more prejudiced than the host communities of the countries we face racial abuses in.

Degree of expression may vary from blatantly obvious to nuanced and subtle, but there is no denying that many of us still take pride in our last names that reflect our castes; we are still building gurdwaras based on castes; our weddings are still based on prejudices of caste, colour complexions, class and financial status; we are still doing Majha, Malwa, Doaba. Snobbery about educational qualifications and spoken English is also not uncommon. Not to mention homophobia. People from other races who have embraced Sikhi, especially from African/African-American backgrounds too have been victimised by many mainstream Sikhs.

The list of prejudices I have seen eating away at us knowingly and unknowingly can go on further. We serve the world in calamities and pandemics and raise our voices and give our lives to save the vulnerable where necessary in the spirit of Sarbat Da Bhala. However, we need lessons in tolerance and acceptance of our own people, of our own differences, of our own community needs because charity must begin at home. Sarbat Da Bhala cannot and should not exclude those who identify as one of us. The sooner we deal with it, the better, brighter and kinder future we leave for our children.

Kamal Preet Kaur is a London-based freelance journalist writing diaspora stories for various publications in India.

We are all racists (Asia Samachar, 17 June 2020)

When a Sikh boy gets bullied by white girls (Asia Samachar, 14 June 2020)

By I.J. Singh | OPINION |

Recent days have seen much on S. Tarlochan Singh (the former Indian MP) and his prominent, meaningful political voice and record of activity.

I, too, have commented on the events of 1984 and for many years continued to write a column or more every year. My critical views remain unchanged. I still write on those times but less often because I don’t come across much new material or matters that haven’t been ably parsed by others over the years.

There was a time in the 1980’s when for some years I was on India’s official blacklist for travel visa to India. Many Sikhs have faced such meanness. I have encountered two kinds of reactions – equally passionate but opposing – from many Sikhs. The diaspora Sikhs with few exceptions proclaimed Indira Gandhi and the Indian government as absolutely evil in such encounters; the opposite view came from Sikhs who still had a vested stake in India and were mostly residents of India. Often, they were visitors, businessmen and/or politically connected. They saddled the blame almost entirely on diaspora Sikhs, mostly living in Europe and America, including people like me. These were mostly Hindus and some Sikhs as well, their views largely rigid, aided and abetted by the Indian government persona and press, often sans evidence.

Nevertheless, by my writings I became connected to the editorial boards of both The Sikh Review (Kolkata) and Nishaan (New Delhi), two of India’s most prominent publications in English on and about Sikhs and Sikhism; luckily these connections continue today. Many Sikhs from India accused my writings and speeches, as unrealistically critical of the Indian government that were making life of Sikhs living in India more difficult. They demanded that I change my ways so as not to hurt the Sikhs.

I met Tarlochan Singh on his many visits to America and these matters came up. We agreed that Sikhs will disagree on fundamental matters and have the right to do so. Think a moment: for example, in the early Castro years, many Cubans abandoned Cuba and become Americans, like many Russians, or Vietnamese who left their land of birth as their opinions about the politics likely evolved and became entirely different. Don’t people have the right to change their political opinions?

Why must Sikhs in India suffer because of the opinions of Indian Sikhs who have left India? Sikhs living in India have different societal, cultural and political realities to contend with. If Sikhs visit India, they are subject to Indian laws. Surely, their relatives in India must not be singled out in a civilized country because some of their kin left India, walking away from its ways or laws.

In discussions on or with S. Tarlochan Singh (and others in his position), keep in mind that as Indian citizens they have to respond to the politics, laws, realities and culture of India. We, on the other hand, are guided by American or other national realities. And we should not brand other Sikhs so casually as being traitors to Sikhi.

Believe me, it would be a poorer world if, in any conversation, our goal is hundred percent agreement. Strength and power emerge from diversity of ideas. Be a little tolerant of India-based Sikhs and others in different realities.

The two are worlds apart. Hence the adage: Think globally act locally.

I.J. Singh is a New York based writer and speaker on Sikhism in the Diaspora, and a Professor of Anatomy. Email: ijsingh99@gmail.com.

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

SARDAR JAILA SINGH SANDHU @ MOKHTAR SINGH (PJK, PMC, PPN)

(16.11.1941 – 27.6.2020)

Dip. Nutrition (Indonesia), Bachelor of Laws (London)

Retired Assistant Director, Co-Curriculum, Education Department, Negeri Sembilan

Son of late Sardar Soba Singh Sandhu s/o Natha Singh

Village: Rattian, Moga, Punjab

A loving husband, caring father/father in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend to all.

Leaving behind:

Beloved Mother: Madam Bachint Kaur d/o Chanan Singh

Loving Wife: Madam Gurdial Kaur d/o Sardara Singh

Sons / Spouse:

Harry Jaila @ Harminder Singh Sandhu (Prince Court Hospital, KL) / Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mona Sidhu (IMU, KL)

Kelvin @ Kelminder Singh Sandhu (SBM Offshore, KL) / Abhilasha Bhargava (UM, KL)

Daughters / Spouse:

Jaswinder Kaur Sandhu (Jessy), (Teacher) / Baljit Singh Randhay (Safeguards, Asia)

Ravinder Kaur Sandhu (Teacher) / Jaspal Singh Jaj (Tampin)

Amarjit Kaur Sandhu (Lecturer ELTC, MOE) / Baljit Singh Gill (UOB, KL)

Grandchildren:

Dr. Balwin Singh Randhay Belreena Kaur Randhay

Dr. Jasmesh Singh Sandhu Harveena Kaur Gill

Dr. Jasmine Kaur Sandhu Manvir Singh Jaj

Dr. Simran Kaur Jaj Gobind Raj Singh Gill

Hushil Singh Sandhu Banisha Kaur Sandhu

Arjun Singh Jaj Trisha Kaur Sandhu

The cortege will leave the house at No. 46, 5^thMile, Kuala Sawah Road, Mambau, 70300, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan for Jalan Templer Crematorium, Seremban, on 28^th June 2020 (Sunday) at 12.30pm.

Sahej Path Da Bhog will be held on Saturday, the 4^th July, 2020 at 10.30am at the Gurdwara Sahib Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Please treat this as a personal invitation.

Contact:

Harry 019-2828698

Kelvin 012-2548051

Achievements:

Mr Jaila Singh began his humble journey in his career as a school teacher in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He then strived forward and became the Assistant Director, Co-Curriculum, Education Department, Negeri Sembilan for 22 years (1974-1996) until he retired, and was one of the longest serving officers in this department. Before he retired, he pursued a Diploma in Applied Nutrition which was conferred by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia in 1981. He was awarded a degree of Bachelor of Laws by Ealing University, London in 1996.

He was also extremely active in sports and was himself a marathon runner and had won numerous medals. At the age of 53, Mr Jaila hiked 4095 metres up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. He was also active as a Treasurer at the National level of 4B Majlis Belia, Malaysia. He was also awarded the Anugerah Sukan from Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Negeri Sembilan, (MSSN) for uplifting sports in Negeri Sembilan. He helped and guided the National Sports Championship (NSC), Malaysia in 1992.

He was bestowed the awards Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) and Pingat Khidmat Cemerlang Masyarakat (PMC) at the state level. He was further awarded the Pingat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) by the Federal Government for his outstanding and exceptional contribution throughout his career.

He was committed to the Negeri Sembilan Sikh Union (NSSU) where he helmed as the President for 9 years. He received the “Maan Pattar” award in 1993 from NSSU. With great esteem and privilege, this was an award for his outstanding, exemplary, invaluable leadership services in the Sikh community. In 1993, he was also awarded the Recognition of Royal awards by NSSU.

After he retired from government service, he worked in the INTI International University for 18 years till the ripe old age of 72 years old where he received numerous excellent service awards for his outstanding performance at work. Mr Jaila Singh received an esteemed recognition for his long service award in 2014 for his 15 years contribution he had rendered to INTI, International University.

| Entry: 27 June 2020 | Source: Family

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia | EXPERIENCE |

More than 120 hymns of Baba Fariduddin Ganjeshakar are enshrined in Siri Guru Ganth Sahib — the scripture I believe in. As Sikhs we consider his Bani in our scripture to be the Word of God.

Visiting his shrine in Pakpattan last December was ecstatic. My journey there was made more meaningful because history has documented that my ancestors visited Pakpapttan in 1256 AD and held a one year long langar (community kitchen) there, for which Baba Farid blessed the family with the honorific title of Bhandari.

I listened to the qawalls there in an open courtyard sing on top of their voices a Shalok from his Bani: apnarae giraewan mai sir niva kar dekh (look humbly into your own self first).

Qawwals sing at the shrine of Baba Fariduddin Ganjeshakar in Pakpattan – Photo: Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia

Then was time for langar — we were graciously invited to eat. We sat on the floor in lines on mats (as in Sikh Gurdwaras) and were served a simple meal by volunteers — just as my ancestors did more than seven centuries ago. We ran short of plates to eat in and I ate with our driver Nawaz — some of my fellow Indian family and friends would have been mortified to see me eat out of the same plate with a Muslim.

As a kid, my grandmother told me the same story many times: how during the bloody partition of 1947 they left our ancestral haveli (mansion), which had a black peacock painted outside it, in village Butala near Gujranwala — never to ever return.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia at his ancestral home

Last December when I reached our village with a mix of emotions of joy and sadness at the same time, I was perplexed. There were 3 havelis of the family. I was keen to visit the one in which my grandparents lived. And then I saw on the front wall of one of the havelis — a fading black peacock made of black bricks! (see peacock on wall in photo above). My heart melted and reminded me of my grandmother’s stories and her warm touch. My grandparents had walked out through these very doors 72 years ago never to return.

I was here to complete the circle of life — so with tears in my eyes and prayers on my lips, I kissed the door floor beam and entered inside. The haveli is very well maintained and is now an Islamic school for girls — a place normally men are not allowed in. The Mullah of the village accompanied me in an interfaith spirit inside the building and gave me a guided tour.

While visiting my family ancestral home, I pledged to not let the hate of the partition eclipse the love of humanity. Hate is like taking a poison pill that kills you but not does nothing to the object of hate. I learned this lesson late in life but better late than never.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of 3 next week!

Gujranwala: This is a grand old town of West Punjab best known for its longterm association with Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his Sukerchakia misl ancestors. I visited the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Sheranwala Bagh. This Bagh contains an old Baradari and tomb of Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. – Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia is a US-based interfaith activist and scholar with deep roots in East and West Punjab in South Asia. He currently serves as Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA and is a Board Trustee of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions as well as Sikh Council for Interfaith Relations.

Tarunjit visited his family ancestral home near Gujranwala in 2019, seventy-two years after his grandparents left in 1947, never to return. His ancestors lived there for many generations, including during rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They owned 42 jagirs (42 means batali in Punjabi hence my family name and name of this village are the same Butala or Butalia). The article first appeared here.

My Journey Home: West Punjab — Part 1 of 3 (Asia Samachar, 18 June 2020)

Experience pin drop silence at Pakistan gurdwaras (Asia Samachar, 9 April 2020)

1989: Karpal Singh waving to friends after leaving the courtroom with his wife Gurmit Kaur and son Jagdeep (2nd from right).

Letter to the Editor | MALAYSIA |

“Noble and able defender of the defenceless.” So reads a plaque given to him by his client.

“He knows the law and is not afraid to use it,” many describe him.

“99% of lawyers give others a bad name,” an old joke goes. For many, he is in the 1%!

Politicians that are highly adored and loved by the people are few. He was one such.

A Malaysian with high principles and reputation for righteousness.

He may not have his articles of faith on him but he had people’s faith in him.

Kar means do, pal means good and singh means lion. His name translates as a do-good or merciful lion.

Always the one who fights for fairness till the end, alas his own was a very unfair end.

April 17, 2014, a date in history when many Malaysian hearts were shattered and tears flowed, as he began his long rest.

Yes, Karpal Singh!

Patriotic and no nonsense Malaysians miss you very much.

As much as we are sad to lose you, we are happy you happened to Malaysia.

Your legacy for justice for all Malaysians is still alive and may we continue to cherish you forever by celebrating every June 28, your birth anniversary day, as Karpal Singh Day!

A PATRIOTIC MALAYSIAN
Penang

Karpal Singh’s arrest 31 years ago in Operasi Lalang (Asia Samachar, 28 Oct 2018)

#EditorsPick | MALAYSIA |

Wearing face masks is now part of our daily lives amid the Covid-19 pandemic but it can get tricky for those who wear head scarves and turbans.

Eleven-year-old Sikh boy, Karan, who is deaf and mute, saw his father struggling with his mask and designed an extender to help make daily wear more comfortable. – TheStarTV (27 June 2020). Click here.

Physically challenged Sikh boy designs facemask holder for turbans, tudung (Asia Samachar, 12 June 2020)

By Oindrila Mukherjee | BOOK REVIEW |

It has been nearly two years since the last installment in this series about lost, forgotten, or underrated books with an Indian connection was published. What better time to return to your bottom shelf and dust off those old volumes than during a global lockdown when you are confined to your home and isolated for weeks? While the world is being ravaged by a deadly virus, natural disasters, and social upheaval, I decide to turn to my favorite companions for solace.

If this is to be the year of hindsight, it’s fitting to resume this series with a book that won the Commonwealth Writers Prize 20 years ago for Canada and the Caribbean. Shauna Singh Baldwin’s debut 2000 novel What the Body Remembers has all the ingredients of a literary blockbuster – romance, history, suspense, and political intrigue. Its themes are as relevant today as they were two decades ago or in British India in the first half of the 20th century. But what I fell in love with, just a few pages in, was the lyrical, sensuous prose.

WHAT THE STORY REVEALS

The book begins with the birth of a baby in India under British rule at the turn of the 19th century. The baby, a girl, despite all the rituals and prayers offered in the previous life, laments her fate. After all, to be born a woman in this world meant to be resigned to one’s kismet.

What follows is the story of two women who on the surface, could not be more different. There is Satya, the grey-eyed 42 year old wife of the wealthy, Oxford-educated landowner known as Sardarji. She is fearless,outspoken, and refuses to lower her eyes when she looks at her husband. Shrewd and practical, she runs his business affairs efficiently despite the fact that she cannot do the Git-mit Git-mit talk, that is to say, speak English. However, Satya has a bigger problem; in all her years of marriage, she has failed to deliver a child.

The Anglophile Sardarji wants sons who “will start a clean race…a new race from the Best of Both Worlds.” Unbeknownst to Satya, he marries a young village girl and brings her home to his haveli in Rawalpindi. His new bride’s name, Roop, means physical form, but also refers to beauty. If Satya’s fate is to speak the truth, Roop’s fate is to use her body to deliver babies. “Learn what we women are for,” her grandmother had told her when she was a child witnessing her mother give birth. “Learning,” said Gujri, the maid who helped raise her, “is just remembering slowly, like simmer coming to boil.”

While the novel alternates between the perspectives of the two women, it is Roop’s life we follow more closely through the years. We watch her grow up in a village with a charming name – Pari Darwaza, or the Doorway of Fairies. Roop is beautiful even as a little girl, beautiful enough to be vain and long for a life of luxury. But she is deaf in one ear, a disability she promises to keep a secret. Her father is poor and her options, limited.

To save the family from ruin, she is married off at 16 to the powerful Sardarji who is 25 years older. When he gives Roop her first presents – dazzling gold jewellery that once belonged to Satya – Roop is mesmerised. But what she doesn’t understand yet is that in this marriage, she is destined to be Choti Sardarni – the second, younger, less important wife. And yet, it is her bedroom that Sardarji goes to at night. Satya hears his footsteps, and when she learns that Roop is pregnant, she asks herself – “How to bear this?”

It is impossible to pick sides. I found my sympathies oscillating between the two women. Whom to root for? The strong-willed Satya who has been betrayed? Or the innocent and submissive Roop, whose father’s parting words were “Above all, give no trouble”?

Read the full story, ‘This novel of Sikh lives during the Partition won the regional Commonwealth Prize 20 years ago’ (The Scroll, 27 June 20209, here. Oindrila Mukherjee is an Associate Professor of creative writing at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. She can be found on Twitter.

Jagir Kaur survived bloody Punjab partition in her 20s (Asia Samachar, 30 Aug 2016)

SASKAAR / CREMATION: Funeral took place on 23rd June 2020 at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Lumpur. PATH DA BHOG: 5th July 2020 (Sunday) at residence.| Malaysia

HAKAM SINGH TIWANA A/L SHAMSHIR SINGH

(11.5.1954 – 21.6.2020)

(residing Ampang Jaya, Selangor/from Chenderiang, Perak)

Wife: Surender Kaur a/p Karam Singh

Children:

Amardeep Singh Tiwana

Nimraat Kaur Tiwana

Hasneeth Kaur Tiwana

Siblings / Spouses:

Rajinder Kaur / Dharam Singh (UK)

Baldev Kaur / Late Atar Singh

Late Sarban Singh / Jaswant Kaur

Dr Ranjit Kaur / Dr Gajan Singh

Sarjit Kaur

Surjan Singh / Manju Ohri (UK)

Jesbeer Kaur / Late Nirmal Singh

Jasbeer Singh / Sukhvir Kaur

Baljit Kaur / Mike Muston (UK)

Also remembered by nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and a host of relatives and friends.

Saskaar / Cremation: Funeral took place on 23rd June 2020 at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Lumpur.

Path da Bhog: 5th July 2020 (Sunday) at residence.

As it is still RMCO, the family will comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for places of worship/residence. Only immediate family and relatives are encouraged to attend.

Contact:

60163322091 (Amrick Singh @ Ricky)

60125808230 (Amardeep Singh)

| Entry: 28 June 2020 | Source: Family

The late Karpal Singh (centre) with Anwar Ibrahim

By Lara Ling | OPINION |

When Karpal Singh died in a car accident on 17 April 2014, his untimely death rocked the nation. A light went out in Malaysia that day. Malaysians from all walks of life deeply mourned the tragic passing of a great man and felt unspeakable loss, for few men were more well-loved than this one.

If Karpal were still alive, he would have turned 80 years old today. Despite the fact that he’s no longer around, his tireless contributions and heartfelt sacrifices for Malaysia are still felt up to this day.

He was a man of honour and integrity, a true hero of the people. He was uncommon for the common man. A friend to the oppressed and the marginalized, his heart always went out to the last, the lost, and the least.

Karpal fought tirelessly for the disabled. Being paralysed himself since 2005, he personally understood and experienced what it was like to live under a government that cared and provided so little for the disabled. He championed their rights to be treated equally, to be given opportunities just like everyone else.

Karpal fought relentlessly for our civil rights and democratic liberties. He stood up for the destitute and the downtrodden, for those who were helpless to defend themselves. Rich or poor, he took on court cases without choosing clients based on their financial ability. In many instances, he represented them on a pro bono basis.

Karpal fought tooth and nail against the abuse of political and judicial powers. Throughout his life, he fiercely battled against a legal system that often failed terribly at protecting the rights of ordinary Malaysians. Laws have changed because of him. In the literal sense of the word, he was a lawmaker.

Karpal also fought long and hard to abolish the death penalty. He took up numerous cases on capital punishment, saving many death row inmates from the hangman’s noose. Former International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) president Karim Lahidji once said, “When Malaysia eventually abolishes the death penalty, much of the credit will have to be given to the courageous work of Karpal Singh.”

Amazingly, he never expected anything in return. Not fame, not power, not position, not recognition.

A legend and a political giant, he was fearless in fighting for justice, human rights, and democracy. Even in the face of intense persecution, he never wavered and always boldly stood up to injustice. And he paid dearly for it.

However, his sense of justice was so strong that nothing could stop him. Not detainment without trial, not fines, not prosecution, not systemic harassment by the then Barisan National government. Not even a debilitating car accident that robbed him of physical mobility and confined him to a wheelchair could break his spirit.

Even though the 73-year-old statesman suffered greatly for his principles, he was always undeterred. “We cannot be discouraged, as that’s exactly what our enemies would want.” In our current political climate, these words couldn’t ring more true. While deep darkness has fallen over our beloved motherland, let us be that light that shines bright especially when all around us is night.

Karpal never gave up. Neither should we. For that is what the great warrior would have wanted — for us to carry his hopes and dreams for a better Malaysia into the future. May his lifelong pursuit not be left unfinished.

For all the reasons above and many more, he will always have a very special place in our hearts. Thank you Karpal, for leaving us such a powerful legacy. You were committed to justice and equality, even until the very end.

Passionate and unbreakable, your life has truly been such an inspiration to all of us. We could never forget someone like you.

As you once poignantly said six years ago, “The fight goes on. You knock out one Karpal Singh, a hundred Karpal Singhs will rise.” Indeed, the Tiger lives on. Malaysia, rise for what is right! Happy birthday, Karpal!

* This article was written in tribute to Karpal Singh whose birthday is today.

**This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

The article, ‘Karpal Singh, The Tiger of Jelutong lives on — Lara Ling’ (The Malay Mail, 28 June 2020), first appeared here.

Celebrating June 28 as Karpal Singh Day (Asia Samachar, 28 June 2020)

SASKAAR / CREMATION: 2pm, 29 June 2020 (Monday), at Eternal Memorial Park, Mukim Selandar, Lot 411, Daerah Jasin, 77500 Selandar, Melaka. Cortège leaves residence at 46, Taman Woon Estate, 73000 Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, at 1pm. PATH DA BHOG: 11.45am, 5 July 2020 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Tampin | Malaysia

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

PUNJAB KAUR D/O BALA SINGH

14.6.1937 – 28.6.2020

Village: Moga

Husband: Late Pritam Singh (Retired Station Master Tampin)

Children & Spouses:

Paramjit Kaur & Jaspal Singh

Manjit Kaur

Ranjit Singh & Pal Kaur

Sugvender Kaur

Selendar Kaur

Isher Kaur

Amarjit Singh & Sharanjit Kaur

Jasvender Kaur

Grandchildren:

Jasminder Kaur

Simran Kaur & Vikram

Nirmaljit Kaur

Hargobind Singh

Jagdev Singh.

Saskaar / Cremation: 2pm, 29 June 2020 (Monday), at Eternal Memorial Park, Mukim Selandar, Lot 411, Daerah Jasin, 77500 Selandar, Melaka.

Cortège timing: Cortège leaves residence at 46, Taman Woon Estate, 73000 Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, at 1pm

Path da Bhog: 11.45am, 5 July 2020 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Tampin

Contact:

Amarjit 012-682 5751

Manjit 017-610 2230

| Entry: 28 June 2020 | Source: Family

PATH DA BHOG & ANTHIM ARDAS: 28 June 2020 (Sunday), at 10.00am at Gurdwara Sahib Subang Jaya, Selangor | Malaysia

CHARAN KOUR D/O LATE MULLA SINGH AND LATE BALWANT KAUR (SINGAPORE)

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

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SASKAAR / CREMATION: Cortege leaves residence at No. 46, 5th Mile, Kuala Sawah Road, Mambau, 70300, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan for Jalan Templer Crematorium, Seremban, on 28 June 2020 (Sunday) at 12.30pm. SEHAJ PATH DA BHOG: 4 July 2020 (Saturday) at 10.30am at Gurdwara Sahib Seremban | Malaysia

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SASKAAR / CREMATION: Funeral took place on 23rd June 2020 at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Lumpur. PATH DA BHOG: 5th July 2020 (Sunday) at residence.| Malaysia

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SASKAAR / CREMATION: Cortege leaves residence at No. 46, 5^thMile, Kuala Sawah Road, Mambau, 70300, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan for Jalan Templer Crematorium, Seremban, on 28 June 2020 (Sunday) at 12.30pm. SEHAJ PATH DA BHOG: 4 July 2020 (Saturday) at 10.30am at Gurdwara Sahib Seremban | Malaysia