By Jagdesh Singh | OPINION |

It was very unusual for me. This was the first time we all sat down at the dining table and talked like old friends. Mind you, my wife and I have always held conversations with our daughters at the dining table. Only this time the crowd was bigger and the conversations included thoughts from daughters of my dear childhood friend, now of adulthood age.

As we munched on vade and roti canai, the cacophony of shrieks from my youngest and even her younger brand new friend, was constant in the background as the played. But even heavier was the topic of our animated conversation. A part of me was impressed that these teenagers and my daughters could articulate their thoughts and awareness far better than I could have at their age. The other part of me was glad that they found comfort in being able to share deep and personal thoughts with us. As I said earlier, this wasn’t our typical chaa time conversation.

I was struck with their bravery to openly share with us their experiences. We could only listen, acknowledging with our nods as one of them talked about her battle with bipolar tendencies and how she went about thoroughly investigating the issue at hand. The others at the table never once flinched. In fact, they demonstrated maturity in acknowledging her plight. If I had traveled back in time, 20 years ago, I can’t have imagined myself reacting anyway to such taboo conversations amongst family members let alone uncles and aunties from another family. We live in interesting times.

I took away a lot of encouragement and picked up a new lesson. It was encouraging because our kids – the next generation – seem to have such heightened awareness on the trials and tribulations they are going through in today’s very different environment. And this gives them a better chance to figure out how to take care of themselves independently.

Note to self: Learn a little bit more about myself. I’ve had my ‘that time of the month’ where my mood was dark and I’m in a constant spiral into a deep hole of negative thoughts. Sometimes, I can virtually imagine myself digging deeper into the hole as I don’t get answers to my questions, instead throw up more questions. The old adage advise, “Live in the present, enjoy the moment” never makes sense as I constantly worry about the future. Are these signs of some mental health issues yet to be diagnosed? Something for me to ponder, as I listen to these young ladies talk about symptoms and methods to overcome.

But not every one is ready to talk so openly. Our friends and family members may still react differently. After all, mental health is always someone else’s problem. What makes it even worse is that it is associated to being a weak person. It would probably take a couple more generations to change this mind set. But alas, the next generation like these teenagers and my daughters have already begun the conversation.

Jagdesh Singh, a Kuala Lumpur-based executive with a US multinational company, is a father of three girls who are as opinionated as their mother

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

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 |

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia | EXPERIENCE |

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).

My visit to Nankana Sahib was so memorable. Reading from Siri Guru Granth Sahib installed at the Gurdwara where the first Sikh Guru Sahib was born was priceless. At Nanakana Sahib, I tried to talk with the local Sikhs there in Punjabi but was surprised to learn that they only speak Pashto or Urdu. Later I found out that most Sikhs who now live in West Punjab around historical Gurdwaras are not Punjabi Sikhs — they are Afghani Sikhs who migrated to West Punjab when the Taliban controlled Afghanistan. It was a sad feeling that I had to communicate with my faith’s brethren in Urdu and not our native language of Punjabi.

And then came the visit to Kartarpur Sahib — what an amazing interfaith gift of Pakistanis to Sikhs! I could not imagine such a beautiful place of worship — where Siri Guru Nanak Sahib settled after his travels, farmed here, and passed away here. The complex is huge with the old central shrine intact. I entered the Gurdwara and went upstairs to the worship hall.

Half way through the service upstairs I realized there were no Muslims inside the central shrine. On the way out, I approached the Sikh guard and inquired. His response floored me — no Muslims allowed inside the central shrine. I could not believe it — I responded this is not what Siri Guru Nanak Sahib would have wanted. He responded that Muslims take too many photos upstairs. To which I responded that some of the Sikhs who were upstairs with me were no better — they were intrusive in taking photos and videos walking around in between people and pushing and shoving. I felt that photo taking was being used as an excuse to exclude Muslims from entering the central shrine. Now I realized that my Muslim colleagues accompanying me from Lahore had politely volunteered to stay outside — they probably knew the bigoted rule and hence complied nevertheless but I was unaware. The solution is simple — don’t allow photography inside the central shrine as is the rule at Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and many other historical Gurdwaras in East Punjab. I walked out of the central shrine making a pledge to myself that I would not return here till people of all faiths, including Muslims, were allowed equal access as Sikhs — a line in the sand of my own conscience.

After visiting the central shrine at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, I ate and served langar and then headed to an exhibition hall. I was thrilled to see the writing of Afzal Saahir in Gurmukhi in artistic style– one of the best Panjabi poet of West Punjab. I had met him just a few days ago at Lahore’s famous Pak Tea House. Walking through the exhibit a huge kara (a bracelet which is one of the five articles of the Sikh faith) on sale caught my eye. I could not take my eyes off it. I bought the new kara. I removed the one I had worn for over 30 years and put on the new one. I offered my old Kara of 30 years to my friend Jahandad Khan who accompanied me on the trip. I offered it to him as a symbol of our friendship and brotherhood knowing well that our ancestors — the Tanoli and Butalia clans — had fought many battles in the early 1800s — on the opposite sides. This was my way of making peace with the past that can still haunt us emotionally. Jahandad graciously accepted it and put it on.

We all believe in stories — some good and some bad. We become the stories we believe in. If you believe in stories of hatred and revenge, that is who you will become. If you choose to believe in stories of love, forgiveness, compassion, and humility — that is who you will develop into. So let us be careful what stories we believe in.

Having been re-born in Lahore and with my journey of coming home to West Punjab ending, as I boarded my return flight, I felt that I was leaving a part of my heart there. And that is what home is — a place where your heart lives.

Borders are man-made arbitrary lines that exist but matter only if you believe in them. Let Punjab be no more divided into Indian Punjab and Pakistani Punjab. The line between East and West Punjab cannot break our friendship and trust of thousands of years — and this is where our hope and future lies.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia is a US-based interfaith activist who is currently the Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA and a trustee at the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions as well as Sikh Council for Interfaith Relations. The article first appeared here.

RELATED STORY:

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

My Journey Home: West Punjab — Part 2 of 3 (Asia Samachar, 18 June 2020)

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

Congratulations to SikhLEAD Alumni Naureen Singh — who graduated from the United States Air Force Officer Training School. This accomplishment makes Singh a second-generation Sikh American to serve in the armed forces as an officer, following her father, Colonel (Ret.) G.B. Singh, the U.S. Army’s highest-ranking Sikh American to keep his turban while serving active duty. #SikhAmerican #Sikh —- Text & photo courtesy of Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)

RELATED STORY:

West Point gets first observant Sikh cadet (Asia Samachar, 13 Jan 2020)

British armed forces commemorate Guru Arjan’s martyrdom (Asia Samachar, 30 May 2020)

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 | SINGAPORE |

RELATED STORY:

An opportunity to serve on wider scale, says Harminder Pal (Asia Samachar, 5 July 2020)

Pritam Singh all set for “a good fight” (Asia Samachar, 2 July 2020)

These Sikhs may get a ticket in next Malaysian general elections (Asia Samachar, 6 April 2018)

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 | SINGAPORE |

As Singapore prepares for its general election, there is naturally a buzz of activities on the ground. All the contesting political parties are mobilising their manpower to reach out to the voters as they prepare to cast theor ballot on Friday (10 July).

One of the volunteers on the ground is Jejhar Singh. The 23-year-old polytechnic student has been volunteering with the PAP since 2018.

And he has an interesting story to tell, as captured by Singapore media portal Mothership.sg.

This lad has a way with languages. He speaks seven languages, to different extents: English, Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi, Russian, Japanese, and Malay.

“My hua yu (Mandarin) is also very good, in my opinion,” he tells the portal, adding that Jejhar grew up speaking Punjabi and Hindi at home, and he learned Russian and Japanese through taking lessons.

He picked up Mandarin over the years from his friends, and from sitting in on Chinese lessons (although he didn’t take it as a class) during his school days, as his mother tongue Punjabi was only offered on Saturday.

“Everyone was speaking Chinese, and I was just absorbing all the Chinese words in my ears,” he added.

Jejhar is now serving PAP, the party which is expected to once again form the government, on the Youth Executive Committee at his local level. He also helps out at Meet-the-People Sessions.

In the course of his volunteering, Jejhar began working with the Kebun Baru team, where he met Henry Kwek. Kwek was the Member of Parliament in charge of Kebun Baru under Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) at the time, and is a candidate for GE2020 for the newly-formed Kebun Baru Single Member Constituency (SMC).

At the weekly Meet-the-People Sessions, which run from 7pm until around 10 or 11pm, Jejhar helps out with registering the residents, taking their temperatures, and greeting them.

See the full story, PAP volunteer, 23, speaks 7 languages: ‘To serve the community, I must understand the community’, here.

RELATED STORY:

Head count for Indian MPs in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 7 July 2020)

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 | SINGAPORE |

What are some of the lessons from the last few weeks as Singaporeans prepared for the General Election 2020? Personal leadership trainer Jasbir Singh pulled together four pointers from two seasoned political leaders – one from the Government and the other from an opposition party.

RELATED STORY:

Head count for Indian MPs in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 7 July 2020)

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 on 11 July 2020 (Saturday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Puchong | Malaysia

RAM SINGH KOROTANA A/L LATE RAJINDER SINGH (Abang Anda)

(12 Aug 1981 – 26 July 2019)

Village: Datta

Deeply missed and always remembered by:

Mother Chtin Kaur (Puchong)

Brother and Sisters

And relatives, friends and business associates.

Path da Bhog: 11 July 2020 (Saturday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Puchong

Contact: 019-6646400 Sham Singh, 019-3158975 Manjit Singh

| Entry: 9 July 2020 | Source: Family

By Asia Samachar Team | SINGAPORE |

Pritam Singh, one of the two Sikh candidates in Singapore’s general elections 2020, storms into parliament with a larger team of opposition lawmakers.

As anticipated, the dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) once again won comfortably to form the next government.

In the final tally of the 13th national polls, PAP won 83 seats while the Workers’ Party (WP) took 10 seats, including a surprise victory at the new group representation constituency (GRC) of Sengkang.

“Today’s results are positive but we have to hit the ground running. We should not get over our heads with the results, there is much work to do….It was a difficult contest,” Pritam said in his brief remarks after the official announcement of the results of the Aljunied GRC where he was one of the five members that won.

In his speech, PAP leader and caretaker Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that his party has a ‘clear mandate’ but the popular vote percentage was ‘not as high’ as he had hoped.

He noted the results reflected the ‘pain and uncertainty’ felt by Singaporeans with the Covid-19 pandemic and also ‘clearly show a desire for a diversity of opinions in Parliament’.

“Singaporeans want the PAP to form the government, but they, and especially the younger voters, also want to see more Opposition present in Parliament,” he said.

He said that he had congratulated Pritam who would be officially designated as the Leader of the Opposition.

Lee said: “I told Mr Singh that with 10 MPs, I think it is right that he, the Workers’ Party leader, be formally designated as the Leader of the Opposition, and that he will be provided with appropriate staff support and resources to perform his duties.”

The ruling party garnered 61.2% of the votes, down from 69.9% in 2015. WP received 50.5% votes in the seats it contested, probably the first time since the 1960s for an opposition party.

“It’s a night to be remembered. You’re going to have a much more boisterous parliament and the coming of age of the Workers’ Party and and the PSP,” Prof Bilveer Singh told the Straits Times live polling coverage after the full results were announced early morning today (11 July).

The opposition supporters were elated with the results despite initial trepidation of voter flight to safety in view of the fear of the fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s a liberating experience,” a WP woman supporter told MothershipSg live coverage of the election results. She was referring to vibrant presence of WP supporters at Hougang constituency which was again secured by the opposition party.

CLOSE CALLS

Once constituted, the opposition bench would be made up of 10 elected members and another two non-constituency member of parliament (NCMP) appointed members.

The opposition would have made a larger presence in the Parliament if not for two narrow defeats.

At East Coast GRC, WP slate loss to a slate led by deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat which garnered 53.4% of the votes. “Had Mr Heng not come to East Coast, there would have been a third GRC loss for the PAP,” said Bilveer.

The other close call for PAP was when incumbent PAP team led by S Iswaran held off the challenge of the Progress Singapore Party led by Dr Tan Cheng Bock after securing 51.7% of the votes.

SENGKANG UPSET

One pleasant surprise for the WP would be winning the new constituency of Sengkang GRC. The relatively young WP team faced a formidable PAP team led by senior minister of state Dr Lam Pin Min and minister Ng Chee Meng.

The WP included Jamus Lim who performed rather superbly in a TV broadcast debate and Raeesah Khan who was entangled in a controversy over some social media comments

The WP GRC team leader He Ting Ru thanked Sengkang voters for the ‘leap of faith’ in her team which also included Louis Chua.

“The number of young people who came out to walk with us, to volunteer, and expressed a hope for a better future for Singapore has really touched me. I feel this is really important for the future of the country and bodes well for us.

“To residents of Sengkang, we will work for all of you. Tomorrow, we start work,” she said after the official results were announced.

The new constituency with more than 120,000 voters include Compassvale, Rivervale and Anchorvale. WP received 52.1% of the votes in a constituency with 60% of its residents are below 45-years-old.

In his victory speech, Lim, an associate professor of economics at the ESSEC Business School, said: “We hope that we have inspired you, all of you, to believe that the dream of an alternative future is only as far away as the courage to seize the opportunities that come your way.”

The other Sikh candidates in GE2020 was Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) chief media officer Harmindar Pal Singh who lost in his third electoral attempt.

 

RELATED STORY:

Pritam Singh all set for “a good fight” (Asia Samachar, 2 July 2020)

Head count for Indian MPs in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 7 July 2020)

Singapore ruling party is safe till 2030 (Asia Samachar, 30 June 2020)

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 | SINGAPORE |

With the dust settles on the outcome of Singapore’s General Election 2020, let us look at how the results will impact the nation as it moves forward.

People’s Action Party (PAP), the only ruling party known to the electorate since Singapore gained independence, has once again won. In the 13th general elections, PAP grabbed 83 seats against Workers’ Party (WP) 10.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong went into the July 10 polls contesting his ninth general election, and his fourth as the PAP’s leader.

Along with him was his designated successor Heng Swee Keat and the younger so-called 4G or fourth generation ministers.

The polls were called as Singapore, along with nations the world over, are grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

Asia Samachar talks to National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Political Science deputy head Prof Bilveer Singh, who is also the author of ‘Is the People’s Action Party Here to Stay?’ released last year. Here is the short Q&A with him.

What is your initial take on the results?

A relatively new ‘political Singapore’: a strong PAP mandate, a strong Opposition presence since 1965 and a public wanting a more politically diverse and balanced Parliament – long way to go but important at a time when political transition taking place in Singapore.

What should be the priority response from the PAP now that we have the outcome of GE2020?

Still measures to contain and overcome COVID-19 with massive socio-economic impact; the worst is yet to come and with increasing community infection, another lockdown is possible.

Is the present 4G leadership on board on safe grounds?

There is no safe ground in politics; Heng Swee Keat saved the PAP from losing another GRC in East Coast. It took a long time to get this leadership and the 2020 GE should not short circuit the 4G. It depends on when PM Lee Hsien Loong steps down, the key transition puzzle as he may delay it to hand over once the Covid-19 crisis is over.

Within the Sikh community, there was some discussion on the fact that there were no Sikh candidates from the ruling party. What is your view on this?

Yes, no Sikh though there are many capable ones around. The PAP focussed on Malay renewal but this government is not anti Sikh. Let’s pray for a future Sikh candidate.

What’s next for Singapore?

Next; how PAP responds to public grievances and assure public of jobs. For the Opposition – with Pritam Singh as the official Opposition Leader – to work as a public voice in and out of parliament. For the public, it is coming to terms with the political realities in a crisis landscape. It is difficult and challenging but Singapore is a ‘can do’ nation and people. We will cross the line successfully.

RELATED STORY:

Pritam Singh leads a stronger Singapore opposition  (Asia Samachar, 11 June 2020)

Singapore ruling party is safe till 2030 (Asia Samachar, 30 June 2020)

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 | FRANCE |

Young, handsome and turbanned. Legal advisor Ranjit Singh made news when he was elected as the deputy mayor of a town 9km from the center of Paris.

The people of Bobigny elected Abdel Sadi as mayor and Ranjit as deputy in the municipal elections on 1 July.

The victory is all the more significant considering that French-born lad was one of three Sikh students expelled from a school for wearing the turban 16 years ago.

In March 2004, France adopted a law banning the wearing of ‘conspicuous’ religious symbols in schools as part of its securalism push.

“Sikhs need to up their involvement in local municipals. We have been involved in the gurdwara and our societies. Now it’s time to take responsibilities in local areas where you live,” he told the Sikh Channel in an interview last week. See here.

He said Sikhs in Europe must take that route to show the rest of the Europeans who they are and that they are very much part and parcel of the local community.

“Turban-bearing Sikhs still face discrimination in France,” he added. “We need more local Sikhs to take part in such elections to make a difference. It’s a long process.”

Ranjit’s parents came to France in 1970 together with many other first generation Sikhs to settle in the European nation. They live in Bobigny, also home to France’s oldest gurdwara.

In 2004, Ranjit and two other Sikh students were expelled due to the French law which banned turbans and Muslim headscarves.

In the next few years, people renewing passports and certain official documents were asked to remove the religious headgear for photographs. Those who did not want to comply were refused ID cards and passports.

United Sikhs, a humanitarian relief and human rights outfit, took up the plight of the three students.

In 2012, the UN Human Rights Committee ruled that France’s ban on the wearing of ‘conspicuous’ religious symbols in schools violated the Sikh student’s right to manifest his religion, protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

In the complaint by Bikramjit Singh in 2008, one of the three students, the committee accepted that the wearing of a turban is regarded as a religious duty for a Sikh and is also tied in with his identity; and that France had not justified the prohibition on the wearing of the turban.

RELATED STORY:

(Asia Samachar, 23 June 2020)

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 Lauren Frayer | UNITED STATES |

A poster-size photo of a little girl in a frilly pink tutu has pride of place on the wall of her grandparents’ stately home on the fertile plains of northern India. An album of baby photos is propped on a side table, alongside a gigantic plush pink teddy bear.

They’re all that Gurmeet Singh and his wife, Surinder Kaur, have left of their 6-year-old granddaughter. She died on June 12, 2019, of heatstroke in the desert near Lukeville, Ariz., some 8,000 miles from home.

It was 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The girl, Gurupreet Kaur, and her mother had just crossed illegally into Arizona from Mexico, part of a group of Indian migrants. Gurupreet’s father had gone ahead to the U.S. in 2013, a few months after his daughter was born, and was waiting for them. Mother and daughter left home in early 2019.

“I cry now when I look at her picture. I keep remembering how I used to hoist her up onto my shoulders,” says Singh, a sinewy farmer in his 70s with a long white beard and wearing an orange turban.

“I tried to stop them from leaving. We have a big house. We could provide for them here,” recalls Singh, speaking with NPR at his home in the village of Hasanpur, in northern India’s Haryana state, in late January. “They didn’t need to go abroad.”

But Singh says his son didn’t want to be a wheat and rice farmer like him. His son and daughter-in-law kept their emigration plans a secret, he says, and left without warning.

In a statement issued last year from New York City, where the couple now lives and has applied for asylum, they said they left India because they were “desperate” and wanted “a safer and better life” for their daughter. But they have never explained why they felt unsafe in India and made what they called an “extremely difficult decision” to embark on such a risky journey.

“No mother or father ever puts their child in harm’s way unless they are desperate,” the statement said. “We will carry the burden of the loss of our beloved Gurupreet for a lifetime, but we will also continue to hold onto the hope that America remains a compassionate nation grounded in the immigrant ideals that make diversity this nation’s greatest strength.”

Their lawyer tells NPR that they are preparing for trial in U.S. immigration court.

The vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to cross from Mexico into the U.S. each year come from Latin America. But Gurupreet and her parents were among a growing number of Indians risking their lives to cross that border too.

Read the full story, ‘The Long, Perilous Route Thousands Of Indians Have Risked For A Shot At Life In U.S.’ (NPR, 9 July 2020), here.

RELATED STORY:

Vancouver city council formally apologizes for historic, racist actions around Komagata Maru (Asia Samachar, 12 June 2020)

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 |

PATH DA BHOG: 19 July 2020 (Sunday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru | Malaysia

MR SANT SINGH BHAL S/O LATE HARCHARAN SINGH (Santi – Ex Amateur Jockey)

(12.11.1948 – 9.7.2020)

Wife: Karam Kaur (Sween) d/o Late Bhagat Singh

Daughter: Shreenpal Kaur Bhal

Son: Shivraj Singh Bhal

Grandchildren:

Sachleenpal Kaur

Tanisha Kaur Bhal

Path da Bhog: 19 July 2020 (Sunday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru

In view of the RMCO, the family will comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as set out by the relevant authorities for places of worships, immediate family and relatives will be prioritised.

Contact:

Shivraj +60135950276

Shreen +60167856357

Message from the Family: Santi was a dedicated husband, an amazing father who was more of a best friend to his children and a loving Nana to his Jaan and Dada to his Jaanu. He was a simple, honest kind soul and lived his life on his own terms. His passion for horses always left a sparkle in his eyes when he talked about them.
Santi touched the lives of many with his smile, laughter and unconditional love. His loss has left a void in the lives of his family, siblings, relatives, friends and colleagues, that can never be filled.
“Always loved… never forgotten… forever missed”

| Entry: 13 July 2020 | Source: Family

By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |

Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet, a former Malaysian sessions court judge and deputy public prosecutor (DPP), has been appointed as a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Ipoh, effective 10 July.

The 57-year-old law graduate, who began his career as a legal advisor at the Ministry of Works in 1992, was most recently the chairman of the Parole Board since March 2013.

Born in Pahang, Bhupindar completed the law degree at Universiti Malaya in 1988.

He began his career as a legal advisor at the Ministry of Works in 1992 before being appointment as a magistrate in 1995.

In November 1997, he was made a DPP in Sarawak. He was also a senior assistant for drafting parliamentary laws between 2000 to 2009, with a short stint as a session courts judge in Tawau in between.

He chaired the Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims from July 2009 to September 2011 before being made Negeri Sembilan prosecuting unit head in October 2011.

Bhupindar is married to Kulvinder Kaur and has two children.

RELATED STORY:

Singapore gets a Sikh high court judge (Asia Samachar, 8 April 2020)

Malaysia’a highest ranking Sikh federal counsel now a judicial commissioner (Asia Samachar, 4 May 2019)

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 |

A Sikh is spotted in a poster donned as a backdrop for what seems like a political rally for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in the 1960s. Seen speaking is Ibrahim Singgeh.

A number of Sikhs have played prominent roles in the Malaysian political party, with the late Karpal Singh taking the pole position.

RELATED STORY:

Karpal Singh, The Tiger of Jelutong lives on (Asia Samachar, 28 June 2020)

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 | UNITED STATES |

A New Jersey police chief has stepped down after allegedly making derogatory and racist comments about an Asian-American former county prosecutor and the state’s first Sikh attorney general.

An undated audio surfaced in which several people can be heard talking. One person describes Attorney General Gurbir Grewal as ‘that f****** guy with the turban,’ and adds: ‘I want to pull him like a top.’

The person on the recording is alleged to be Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo who goes on to refer to former Union County Prosecutor Grace Park as being ‘pretty hot’ adding, ‘she got wide ones,’ before then describing her as ‘Chinese’, reports Daily Mail. Park is a member of the Council of Korean Americans.

The recording surfaced on YouTube last week although it is not clear where or when the comments were allegedly made.

The Union County prosecutor’s office announced that Chief Trigo had notified the town’s mayor and council Friday night that he would step down effective Monday.

RELATED STORY:

US radio hosts suspended after calling Sikh attorney general ‘Turban Man’ – Report (Asia Samachar, 27 July 2018)

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 |

PATH DA BHOG:  19 July 2020 (Sunday), from 5.00pm-7.00pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya | Malaysia

 ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

SARDAR BHALDEV SINGH S/O LATE AMAR SINGH GILL (MEHNA)

(15.6.1937 – 10.7.2020)

Ex-MINDEF of Damansara Heights

Passed away peacefully on 10th July 2020 at the age of 83

A loving father, husband and grandfather who provided and guided well, yet allowed his children to choose their own paths.

You were loyal and cared deeply for the closest and dearest to you.

You lived a fulfilling life on your terms.

An uncle who hosted many lively and memorable get togethers, your presence, amazing stories and the occasional punch line will have a special place in our memories.

Leaving behind beloved:

Wife: Late Balwant Kaur (Nikki) d/o Late S. Chanan Singh

Sons: Late Jagdev Singh Gill, Perth & lshdev Singh Gill, Melbourne

Daughters-in-law: Mary Gill & Cathy Gill

Grandchildren: Melanie and Matt & Akasiah and Anise

Path Da Bhog: 19 July 2020 (Sunday), from 5.00pm-7.00pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya

We are deeply appreciative of the support and love shown by relatives and friends during our recent loss. 

Special thanks to the medical staff at IJN & HKL and the caregiver, Mayleen.

Contact : 011 314 50844 (lsh) & 012 619 4939 (Gurdip)

| Entry: 15 July 2020 | Source: Family

By Asia Samachar Team | SINGAPORE |

As the dust settles on Singapore’s 2020 general election, one hero has emerged almost singing.

Pritam Singh overcame numerous obstacles to emerge head over shoulders amongst the political players in the city-state that jumped into a general election in the middle of a novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Pritam is a hero,” a Singapore lawmaker told Asia Samachar when asked to comment on the elections results in the morning after. He singled out the Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general.

As expected, long-time ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) won the 13th general elections, cornering 83 seats against WP’s 10.

In his victory speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the new government would appoint Pritam as the Opposition Leader, with an office to boot. This is new for Singapore that has been known to treat almost with disdain lawmakers from the opposition ranks.

“Nothing worthwhile is easy,” Pritam tells Asia Samachar when we asked him why he joined an opposition party. See our interview below.

Married to Singaporean theatre practitioner Loveleen Kaur Walia, the couple has two daughters. In an Insgragram post two days ago, the 43-year-old lawmaker underscored the importance played by spouses.

He wrote @pritamsingh76: “Making our vote count in GE2020! Everyone who attended my wedding dinner in 2012 knows that I cried at one point when I delivered my wedding speech. I did so exactly at the point when I verbalized the fact that my wife would make sacrifices because of my decision to enter politics and my position as a Member of Parliament. I felt it was an unfair imposition. And I felt it was asking for a lot for a person to make such a commitment, supporting a spouse who would be absent during certain stretches and worse – mentally at work even if he was physically at home. And I have had my fair share of challenges, obstacles and doubts about my chosen path in the intervening years as an MP. But my dear wife walked with me, and did so much more. It has been almost exactly what 8 years since we tied the knot. Two beautiful daughters later, she continues to be my pillar of strength, the wind beneath my wings. There is nobody else who rocks my world, and who has done so much to make me a better person. As our older daughter, and in time, our younger one will say, I love you to the moon and back. Looking forward to the many many more miles to come my love. #iloveyou.”

Pritam has also won the hearts of the voters. One Facebook posting captures the emotions of many voters, who cherished his manners.

“Listen to his tones and humility,” said the Facebook yser. “He does not talk down. Even when sharing , he does not try to lecture. Such a refreshing listen. This is what we have been missing for far too long.”

Pritam graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 2000. He then won a Chevening Scholarship for postgraduate studies at King’s College London where he completed a master of arts degree in war studies in 2004. In the same year, he completed a juris doctor degree at the Singapore Management University (SMU) and also got himself qualified to the bar.

Pritam served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from 1994 to 2002, commissioned to the rank of Major.

In politics, his big break came in 2011 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament along with the team that won the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) of Eunos.

In 2015, he was made chairman of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council, the only town council cornered by the opposition party in General Election 2015.

He kept on rising in politics. In April 2018, he was elected as WP’s secretary-general to succeed Low Thia Khiang. It was a major change in the opposition party as it prepared for the next general election and as ruling PAP worked out its 4G leadership transition.

But the next phase of the challenge has just begun for Pritam and fellow lawmakers from the opposition slate, as well as the whole of Singapore, as they confront the Covid-19 and other issues.

He captured the sentiment in his remarks immediately after the GE2020 results were announced.

He then said: “Today’s results are positive but we have to hit the ground running. We should not get over our heads with the results, there is much work to do.”

ASIA SAMACHAR Q&A WITH PRITAM SINGH

Why are you in politics?

To make a contribution towards a more democratic Singapore.

It’s surely not easy being in the ranks of an Oppositon party in Singapore politics. What keeps you going?

Nothing worthwhile is easy. I am passionate about what I do. I may not have all the answers, but I do invest time and energy in the effort to serve the community I represent. That sense of purpose keeps me going.

Are you able to encourage others from the Sikh community to join active politics?

As a citizen in a multi-racial country, I would encourage not just members of the Sikh community, but every community to step up to politics and make a difference. As long as our people are motivated by the right reasons, they should participate actively in the community and society. However, as citizens in a multi—racial country, active participation also means walking in the shoes of our brothers and sisters from other races. Such an approach promotes a greater tolerance in our approach towards Singapore politics.

What are your hopes for this general election?

That we succeed in giving a reason/s for Singaporeans to vote for the Workers’ Party.

What Sikh values, if any, do you hold dear?

My values are enshrined by how I interpret and apply the pillars of the Sikh faith in my daily life. Kirat Kaarni – to earn an honest living; Wanda Chakkna — To live charitably and share with others and Naam Japna — to reflect and mediate on the word of one God who looks after all of us, regardless of race or religion.

RELATED STORY:

Election results may delay Singapore leadership handover, says political analyst (Asia Samachar, 11 July 2020)

Pritam Singh leads a stronger Singapore opposition  (Asia Samachar, 11 June 2020)

Singapore ruling party is safe till 2030 (Asia Samachar, 30 June 2020)

Pritam named Aljunied-Hougang Town Council chairman (Asia Samachar, 3 Oct 2015)

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 |

SEHAJ PATH DA BHOG: 25 July 2020 (Saturday), from 9.30am to 12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, Jalan Haji Salleh, Kuala Lumpur  | Malaysia

ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

NIRMAL SINGH A/L B INDER SINGH

(13.03.1949 – 15.07.2020)

Wife: RANJIT KAUR A/P RATTAN SINGH

Children / Spouses:

Narvinderjit Kaur

Parvinderjit Kaur

Manvinderjeet Singh / Paramjit Kaur

Grandchildren:

Jeslyn Kaur

Rajveer Singh

Sehaj Path da Bhog in his loving memory will be on 25th July 2020 (Saturday), from 9.30am to 12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, Jalan Haji Salleh, Kuala Lumpur.

Contact:

Manvin 0192082436

Narvin 0162175114

MESSAGE FROM FAMILY: The family would like to accord our sincere appreciation to all relatives and friends who have supported us during our bereavement – a heartfelt thank you.

| Entry: 16 July 2020 | Source: Family

By Samrith Kaur and Rammit Kaur | OPINION |

Every community that has survived the test of time and existence must have incorporated their unique approaches to dispute and conflict resolution. Scholar John Burton describes dispute as being a short term disagreement that is easy to resolve whilst conflict are long term deep rooted issues where there is much less motivation for parties to seek resolution. It requires external assistance for resolution.

A brief history of dispute resolution in a Sikh Community?

Sikh community as in many other communities of the Indian subcontinent uses the panchayat system to deal with resolution of various issues in the community including poverty, illiteracy, women abuse, child abuse and other social evils. The Panchayat system that has been prevailing in India was introduced during the Vedic time or perhaps even pre-Vedic times.(1) The goodwill of all the classes of people were assured as the system is based on secular ideals. The people of the village will choose their respective leader to be part of the Panchayat. The main function is to govern namely to ensure that records of the village is kept including a land registry which is carried out by the clerk also known as the Patwari and each village had a watchman, the Chowkedar, responsible for keeping an eye on the members of the community and to report to police when situation necessitates.

Spiritually, one of the source of authority in Sikhism has been the panj-pyarey. The institution of panj-pyarey holds a unique status within the Sikh Panth. It is instituted by the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, in 1699. The panj-pyarey were the first amritdhari Sikhs, who are believed to have received Guru’s authority by virtue of the act of offering their lives to the tenth Guru to create the Khalsa brotherhood. The significance of the institution of panj-pyarey is evident from the way it is respected within the Sikh tradition. Occasionally, the panj-pyarey are asked to resolve disputes among members of the management committee of Gurdwaras. There is depth of literature on the democratic functions and values that the panj-pyarey brings to the Sikh community.(2)

Other methods of resolution of disputes within the Sikh Community has been effected through references to family elders, village head or the Granthi in Gurdwaras.

These various methods of resolution, however, have always rested on some form of decision being made for the parties. The Panchayat operates in an inquisitional and authoritarian fashion which convenes in a public location, usually the village square. The Panchayat allows one disputant at a time to state his or her case. Questions are then asked by the Panchayat members (and sometimes by the audience). Then the second disputant states his or her case, and questions are asked. Sometimes third parties are heard and may be quizzed, too. The first disputant maybe allowed to speaks again (if needed) for clarification.

During the open discussions, the Panchayat can suggest parties to consider concessions or agreement on issues raised. The parties may also be asked to consider certain suggested solutions. After hearing the parties and having the open discussions, the Panchayat members withdraw to discuss the disputes and issues raised. Once they have come up with their decision, the leader of the Panchayat announces the suggested solution or the decision in public together with their opinions or reasoning of the Panchayat.

The enforcement of the decision very much depends on the community will and social pressure. Defiance by any member of community could lead to one being excommunicated.

As the community progresses and assimilate in other communities and cultures around the world, the Sikh community confront multi-dimensional social, religious and political issues both internally and externally. The influences of the community itself reduces as people start to reason and develop a more individualistic perspective to life.

In recent times, therefore, mediation has gained more prominence as the method of resolution that is most suitable for community disputes or conflicts as it rests upon mutual consent, agreement and is able to retain the sanctity of relationship.

Most recently on the 27 February 2020, Hindustan Times reported that a mutual settlement between a Sikh and Muslim community successfully resolved decades old land dispute in Uttar Pradesh. The settlement was initiated by a District Magistrate.(3) This was seen as an example of harmony and that issues may be resolved through meaningful dialogue in mediation.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial person (the mediator) facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist the parties in reaching an agreement regarding a dispute.(4) It is an informal and flexible dispute resolution process.

The mediator’s role is to guide the parties toward reaching their own resolution. He or she helps both sides define the issues clearly, understand each other’s position and move closer to resolution through joint sessions and separate caucuses (private sessions) with the parties.

Community Mediation

Community dispute resolution existed in many different cultures throughout the world. In some cultures, the dispute resolver is a “sacred” figure worthy of special respect and whose role sometimes overlapped with that of the traditional “Wiseman” or “Chieftain”. Due to the respected position of these local leaders or wise men, members of the communities feel safe and comfortable bringing their disputes before them in the hope of resolving their conflicts or disputes.

In Malaysia, the Government through the Department of National Unity and Integration (DNUI) introduced a community mediation program by training community leaders as community mediators in a pilot program referred to as the Peaceful Neighbour (Rukun Tetangga). This trained local volunteers serving as community mediators, generally focus on community and neighbourhood conflict and often serve those who cannot afford to go through court processes or professional alternative dispute resolution providers.

Typical types of community mediation are disputes between landlords and tenants, members of homeowner’s associations and small businesses and consumers. Many community mediators offer their services for free or at a nominal fee.

Process of Mediation

The mediator manages the process and helps facilitate negotiation between the parties. A mediator does not make any decisions nor force any party into accepting what he or she thinks is a fair solution to the dispute. The parties are encouraged to participate directly by engaging with each other with the assistance of the mediator. The parties are also responsible for generating options and negotiating their own settlement or agreement. The role of the mediator is therefore only as a facilitator and he or she must remain impartial and neutral at all times throughout the mediation process.

The mediation session begins by the mediator describing the process and the ground rules to the parties. Each party will have equal opportunity to present their views of the dispute in turn. The mediation process helps each side understand better the other’s point of view.

If parties reach a mutually acceptable solution, it will then be translated into a Settlement Agreement. Here parties may consult with their lawyers prior to finalizing the agreement to be sure that they have made fully informed decisions and that all their rights are protected (if there are lawyers in attendance). However, if lawyers are not involved, the mediator drafts the Settlement Agreement and gets the parties to check and verify the contents and the agreed terms. The parties then execute the agreement and the mediator signs as the witness to the said agreement.

However, if parties are not able to come to an agreement, they can always terminate the mediation process at any time.

It is crucial to note that a mediator’s role is only to facilitate communication between the parties, steering them towards a mutual acceptable solution and should never be confused by evaluating the dispute, advising the parties, supporting the parties or taking sides or counselling.

Simply put, the mediator’s role is to separate the people from the problem; focus on interests not positions of the parties; invent options for mutual gain and insist on objective criteria.

When and How Mediation Is Used?

When parties are unable to negotiate a resolution to their disputes by themselves, or do not want to litigate for fear of the complex legal system or wish to avoid the stress of appearing in court, or perhaps due to financial constraints, they may want to explore mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Parties may seek the assistance of a mediator who will help them explore ways of resolving their differences by helping them reach a mutually acceptable solution or agreement. Parties may choose to go to mediation with or without a lawyer depending upon the costs involved or type of problem or dispute they have.

Disputing parties may choose to submit to mediation at any time, either before or during and even after the court proceeding.

Mediation can be used in most conflicts ranging from disputes between consumers and merchants, landlords and tenants, employers and employees, family members in such areas as divorce, child custody and visitation rights, eldercare and probate as well as simple or complex business disputes or personal injury matters.

How mediation can assist in resolving issues in Sikh Community?

The Sikh community has always been very progressive with strong cohesive community values. However, like any other community, there are bound to be conflicts and issues. The disputes can range between the community members, gurdwara committee members to family issues, inter-religion, inter-racial issues within the community. To preserve the strong communal values instilled in the Sikh culture, mediation is the perfect way forward in resolving these Sikh community disputes in an amicable way.

The key component in any mediation is parties’ participation. The mediator should encourage disputing parties to participate and be actively involved in discussion that affects, thereby creating responsibility rather than opting for a third party to resolve their issues.

Confidentiality is the next key component to a successful mediation. It must be emphasis to the parties throughout the mediation process that all that is discussed in the mediation will always be kept confidential not only by the parties but also the mediator. This assurance to the parties is very important for parties to have trust in the mediation process.

However, community mediation must not be confused with counselling. The mediator can never stop being impartial and neutral, and must never perform the functions involving evaluation, supervision, integration, advice, support or act as counsellor. A community mediator’s role is to resolving conflicts and to restoring relations among community members and restoring social unity within the community. In other words, his or her role is to establish a harmonious society and stable community relations through a friendly resolution of disputes.

It is important for the mediator to make the mediation process a safe haven for parties in the community to come forward to mediate their disputes/problems/conflict without the fear of being shamed or judged by their members or peers. The importance of confidentiality must be stated to not only give comfort but to ensure that parties feel safe with discussing their personal feeling and emotions and being able to have open discussions. Mediators must never judge any parties coming forward to mediate their dispute but encouraged to have taken this step in resolving a conflict or dispute.

Some of the suggestions that could make mediation work in Sikh community are as follows:

• Training the Granthi (Priest) in every Sikh Temple
• Training committee members or people in the community who are interested in the training to be mediators
• Coming up with a Code of Conduct for Sikh Community Mediation and emphasising on confidentiality
• Provide talks and literature to the community to cause awareness of this process called mediation
• Make mediation as being part of the service / ‘seva’ to help families, friends, associates to resolve their differences.

It is the authors’ view that mediation in the Sikh Community should be encouraged as mediation helps parties to mend broken relationships in making parties understand the other person’s perspectives. It has a win-win outcome, and it saves time, money, and anxiety of going to court. It is also a process where parties are assured that whatever is discussed in the mediation process remains private and confidential. Further, as parties decide their own outcome, mediation empowers the parties in coming up with a mutually acceptable settlement or decision.

• The authors are practising advocates & solicitors and accredited mediators. They co-authored the Practice and Procedure of Mediation book published by Sweet and Maxwell in 2020. They have extensive experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution. They have successfully trained a few batch of community mediators for the state of Penang including the Justices of Peace and were integral to the setting up of the Penang JP Mediation Bureau.

FOOTNOTES

1 Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars by Mohindra S Chowdary

2 Guru Gobind Singh: Historical and Ideological Perspective by Madanjit Kaur

3 https://www.hindustanitimes.com/india-news/sikh-muslim-resolve-decades-old-land-dispute-in-up/storySM262DZp7N1D4pfARtfPUO.html

4 Section 3 Mediation Act 2012

RELATED STORY:

Malaysia finally gets its mediation ‘treatise’ (Asia Samachar, 25 May 2020)

Rammit Kaur speaks on arbitration at KL law conference (Asia Samachar, 27 April 2016)

Harbans’ second edition of engineering, construction contracts book (Asia Samachar, 1 May 2015)

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 |

Court of Appeal judge Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal was elevated to the Federal Court last week, making him the only Sikh in Malaysia’s top court.

The 61-year-old judge took the oath of office on 10 July. Born in Negeri Sembilan, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal in March 2016.

He joins the 14-justices strong Federal Court led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. With eight women justices, this is the first time women outnumber men in the nation’s top court.

“He is a well respected judge,” a senior lawyer told Asia Samachar.

Sikh judges who made it to the top Malaysian court, at one time also known as the Supreme Court, in the past were justices Sarwan Singh Gill (popularly known as SS Gill) and Pajan Singh Gill, and Ajaib Singh at the Court of Appeal.

In 1974, Sarwan rose to the rank of Chief Justice of the High Court in Malaya (Hakim Besar Mahkamah Tinggi di Malaya), making him the first Indian to land the position. He held it till 1979.

Sarwan started his career as the Senior Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ipoh, in May 1956 and became the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Federation of Malaya in 1957. On 1 Sept 1962, he was made the a judge of the Supreme Court.

In the same recent oath-taking ceremony last week, Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet, a former Malaysian sessions court judge and deputy public prosecutor (DPP), was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Ipoh. See here.

The 57-year-old law graduate, who began his career as a legal advisor at the Ministry of Works in 1992, was most recently the chairman of the Parole Board since March 2013.

In May 2019, Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh, who was then the highest ranking Sikh federal counsel, was appointed as a JC. See here.

He was then heading the civil division at Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and was a household name in Malaysia for appearing on behalf of the government in various high profile cases.

RELATED STORY:

Singapore IP ace lawyer Dedar Singh Gill made judicial commissioner (Asia Samachar, 28 June 2018)

Canada appoints Palbinder Kaur Shergill as Supreme Court judge (Asia Samachar, 24 June 2017)

Pahang-born Sikh made judicial commissioner (Asia Samachar, 14 July 2020)

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 |