Cortege timing: Cortege leaves 54 Jalan Rumpai, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, KL at 2.30pm on 26/1/2017 (Thurs)
Saskaar/Cremation: 3pm on 26/1/2017 (Thurs) at Gui Yuan Crematorium, Jalan 229, Petaling Jaya
Path da bhog: 10am-12pm on 5 Feb 2017 (Sun) at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya
Contact: Surin 010.2305821
Asia Samachar | Entry: 25 Jan 2017, 16:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
28-30 Jan | MALAYSIA: Penang | 26th Penang Mini Samelan |
A three-day Gurmat camp organised by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) Penang at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang. This is an annual camp held during the Chinese New Year holidays. Contact: Harjinder Singh 016.4424502, Harbans Singh 016.4909097.
SOURCE: ASIA SAMACHAR EVENT LISTING (25.1.17)
JANUARY 2017
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FEBRUARY 2017
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MARCH 2017
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APRIL 2017
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MAY 2017
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JUNE 2017
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JULY 2017
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AUGUST 2017
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SEPTEMBER 2017
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OCTOBER 2017
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NOVEMBER 2017
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DECEMBER 2017
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2018
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ARCHIEVE
5 Jan (Thurs), SUNGAI BESI, KL: Talk by Dr Karminder Singh, 7.30pm
Dr Karminder Singh speaking on ‘Leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Sahib Sungai Besi (Shaapa), Kuala Lumpur on 5 Jan (Thurs), 7.30pm-8.30pm.
6 Jan (Fri) | Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road), Ipoh | Talk by Dr Karminder Singh, 7.15pm-8.15pm
Dr Karminder Singh speaking on ‘Leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road), Ipoh on 6 Jan (Fri), 7.15pm-8.15pm.
8 Jan (Sun) | SINGAPORE | Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha | Panj Pyare: Concept and History | 1.30pm-2.30pm
Inaugural lecture series on ‘Panj Pyare: Concept and History’ by Dr Jaswinder Singh at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha from 1.30pm-2.30pm on 8 Jan (Sun). Dr Jaswinder is the Sikhi Lecturer at the Sikh Centre, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board (CSGB). Facebook page: Central Sikh Gurdwara Board
7 Jan (Sat) | MALAYSIA | Tambun | Nagar Kirtan | 6.30pm
Gurdwara Sahib Tambun in Ipoh, Perak, holds Nagar Kirtan (kirtan procession) in conjunction with 350th anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth on 7 Jan 2017 (Sat). It starts from Sunway City, Tambun (near Giant) at 6.30pm. Related programmes: Asa di Vaar 6.30am, 6/1. Akhand Path starts 9.30am, 6/1. Contact: Kiranpal Singh (secretary) 017.5591698, Hardev Singh (president) 016.5299961, Bhola Singh (granthi) 011.26387264
7 Jan (Sat) | Gurdwara Sahib Muar, Johor | Talk by Dr Karminder Singh & launch of Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada campaign, 10am-11am
Sahej Paath da Phog on 7/1/17 @ 9.45 am Avtar Dihara of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji followed by kirtan/khata vichar on Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Dr Karminder Singh. Sewa Guru Ka Langgar. The gurdwara will also launch the launch of ‘Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada’ campaign. Contact: Baldev Singh Randhawa (committee president) 019-663 9060
11-15 Jan | MALAYSIA: Kampar | 4th Grand Dasmesh Pita Semagam |
The five-day annual Kampar Sikh festival, now in its fourth year celebrating the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, starts today. Among the jathas taking part is the Nirvair Khalsa Jatha from the UK. Programme: 11/1: Kirtan 6.30pm-10pm; 12/1: 6am-9am, 6.30pm-11pm; 13/1: 6am-11pm; 14/1: 6am-11pm, Amrit Sanchaar 6pm, Medical check up 2pm, Kids tea party 2pm; 15/1: 6am-2pm.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com
Sukhbir Singh Dhillon and his son Sam after the Australia day awards and citizenship ceremony in Gympie, – PHOTO / THE GYMPIE TIMES
“As the ceremony finished, we felt this incredible sense of belonging…To finally be Australians, it’s awesome.”
These were the words of Sukhbir Singh Dhillon, a Malaysian born who was one of 11 new citizens who took part in the Australia day awards and citizenship ceremony in Gympie, a regional town in Queensland.
Since arriving in Australia from Malaysia to work, Sukhbir has raised his family in Gympie. Having recently moved to Victoria, they made the trip back as a mark of respect for the town that welcomed and embraced them.
“We’re doing well, my daughters Neha and Rhea are at Monash University now, studying biomedical science and engineering. They got in because of their education at St Patrick’s,” he was qouted bthe local newspaper The Gympie Times.
Located about 160km north of Brisbane, Gympie is famous for its gold field and has a population of about 20,000.
“It feels really good, I’m really excited to be an Australian,” said his 12-year old son Sam. “I love going to school and the friends that I’ve made there.”
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Uttam Dhillon: Tapped by Trump administration as special assistant and associate councel
President Donald Trump has appointed Indian American attorney Uttam Dhillon as his special assistant and associate councel.
Uttam, an expert in ethics and law, would be part of the legal team to serve under White House Counsel Donald F McGahn with respect to compliance and ethics matters, reports American Bazaar Online.
The appointment made Dhillon the second Indian American on President Trump’s White House staff, and he will have an important role in ensuring that problems do not arise from the businessman-turned-President’s extensive businesses.
Earlier, Trump appointed strategic communications and political research expert Raj Shah as his deputy assistant and research director on the White House staff.
The President also appointed three other India American persons to senior administration positions – Nikki Haley as the ambassador to the UN, Ajit Pai as the head the Federal Communications Commission that regulates all wireless and electronic communications, and Seema Verma as the head of the government health insurance programs.
The report added Trump’s extensive empire of over 400 companies that span the globe has raised ethical issues because of the intersection of business and government. It is the job of the compliance team to ensure that ethics problems do not crop up, or are doused as soon as they come up.
A lawyer with broad public and private sector experience, Uttam joined Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl after serving as chief of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, according to a press releases in 2013 when he was named Chief Oversight Counsel for the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.
He previously worked as an Associate Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice, Chairman of the Attorney General’s Anti-Gang Coordination Committee, Chief Counsel for the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, and Policy Director for the House Policy Committee.
He graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley in 1987. He earned a Master of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 1984 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from California State University, Sacramento in 1982 the same statement added.
At Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl, Mr. Dhillon focused on complex commercial litigation, federal criminal law and appeals for a variety of firm clients.
Other members of the team are Stefan C Passantino, who has been commissioned to serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel to the President, along with Scott Gast and James D Schultz, who have been commissioned to serve as Special Assistants to the President and Associate Counsel to the President.
The White House spokesperson Sean Spicer on Wednesday described the team members as “esteemed” lawyers of “high caliber.”
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Saskaar: 2.00pm on 28/1/17 (Saturday) at Cheras Crematorium, KL|Malaysia
Shivcharan Kaur (1946-2017), Malacca
Shivcharan Kaur, an ex-lecturer and a founding member of the Sikh Women’s Awareness Network (SWAN), passed away today. She was 70.
She was formerly a lecturer at UiTM Melaka, an active member of the Toastmasters Club and Melaka Drama Club. She was also an active supporter of the Istri Satsang of Gurdwara Sahib Melaka, Isteri Satsang.
Shivcharan Kaur a/p K. Pritam Singh
Born: 25/02/1946
Departed: 27/01/2017
Cortege timing: Cortege leaves Ludher Villa at 28 Jln Vethavanam, off 4th Mile, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur at 12.45pm on 28/1/17 (Saturday)
Saskaar / Cremation: 2.00pm on 28/1/17 (Saturday) at Cheras Crematorium, KL.
Children: Dr Guru Dhillon & Dr Devsharan Singh Dhillon, daughter-in-law Jasveen Kaur, grandson Dylan Singh Dhillon, and family.
Sisters: Rajwant Kaur, Rajpal Kaur, Dr Amarjit Kaur, Dr Kiranjit Kaur, Dr Manjit Kaur and late Charanjit Kaur
Brothers: Swaranjit Singh Ludher, Dr Inderjit Singh Ludher; Baljit Singh Ludher, Jagjet Singh Ludher, Ajit Singh Ludher and late Dr Menjit Singh Ludher
Path Da Bhog: 9.30am on 4 Feb (Sat) at Gurdwara Sahib Melaka (main darbar)
Contact:
Dr Guru Dhillon: +60 17 338 8789
Dr Devsharan Singh Dhillon: +6012 611 2479
Ajit Singh Ludher: +60 12 396 7174
Asia Samachar | Entry: 27 Jan 2017, 19:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Sukhmani Sahib Da Path :- 3.00 pm – 5.00 p.m. Sukhmani Sahib Da Paath at Residence at address at Lot 8204 Jalan Kolam 8, Expo Tambahan 34600 Kamunting, Perak
Path da bhog: 10am-12pm on 5 Feb 2017 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Taiping, Perak
Contact: Swinder Singh (017-5926973)
Asia Samachar | Entry: 27 Jan 2017, 17:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Sikh veterans and others present at the maiden prayer at Gurdwara Sahib Kampar on 22 Jan 2017 in memory of the Battle of Kampar (1941-1942) – PHOTO / MAFSVA
The Battle of Kampar – where Sikh soldiers gallantly stormed the Japanese lines with their bayonets between 30 Dec 1941 and 2 Jan 1942 – will be remembered with an annual prayer prayer on the third Sunday of every year.
The first formal prayer, organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA), took place at Gurdwara Sahib Kampar on 22 Jan 2017.
Plans are also underway to preserve the Green Ridge site where the battle took place 75 years ago and also to build a monument in memory of the battle. Kampar is located about 40km to the south of Ipoh, the present state capital of Perak.
“The association has made the Battle of Kampar monument as their signature project. We are all working hard towards making it happen,” Major (Rtd) Bhagwant Singh Virik tells Asia Samachar.
Bhagwant, who served in the Malaysian Army from 1965 to 1990 as a logistic officer in the Service Corps, now known as Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja Malaysia, was initially chairing Battle of Kampar project team.
After MAFSVA was formed, Bhagwant handed over the reigns of the project to the association. MAFSVA held its inaugural meeting meeting at SSU Kelab Aman in Kuala Lumpur on 31 July 2016.
“I thought I had better hand over while I can still do it, and let the younger carry on. The new team is good and they working very hard for the project,” he said in a telephone conversation.
In one media report entitled ‘Special prayers to be annual affair‘ (The Star, 27 Jan 2017), Battle of Kampar organising chairman Major Tara Singh said: “In conjunction with this year’s prayers, which marks the 75th anniversary of the battle, we have also detailed the chronology of the battle in the form of an exhibition.
“The exhibition includes the various initiatives taken by Khalsa Diwan Malaysia throughout their journey in championing the commemoration of the battle.
“Commemoration efforts are still an ongoing project that dates back to the very four days the battle took place. Our association is currently spearheading the initiative.
“With a plethora of information collected from historians and Khalsa Diwan, we have thousands of pictures, videos, paper cuttings and books for visitors to view at the gurdwara.”
Around 500 people attended the prayers, including over 200 veteran members of the Malaysian armed forces. Following the prayers, Khalsa Diwan Malaysia president Santokh Singh presented a synopsis of the Battle of Kampar, the report added.
Speaking on the progress of the erection of a monument, a gallery and the preservation of the Green Ridge site where the battle took place, MAFSVA secretary Major Swaran Singh Dhillon said the blueprint for the project is ready.
“We have been briefed by the state government and the Indian High Commission in Malaysia on the paperwork that have been finalised.
“We are in the process of talking to the state on the land preservation, as it is pending land ownership approval for the gazetting of the site,” he said, adding that the entire project would cost around RM10mil,” he was quoted in the report.
Once the site has been gazetted with the monument and gallery fully constructed, Major Swaran and Major Tara expressed hope that the place has the potential to become a tourist attraction.
Last February, MetroPerak reported that Kampar residents want the Green Ridge site to be gazetted as a heritage site and turned into a war memorial.
It was also reported that the 4.85ha piece of land, sandwiched between two equally historically significant sites, Thompson Ridge and Cemetery Ridge, does not belong to the state government, the report added.
Also present at the prayers was Chief Coordinator of Non-Muslim Affairs of the Perak Mentri Besar’s Office Keshvinder Singh, who later presented a cheque of RM10,000 to association president Major Baldev Singh.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Bibi Inderpal Kaur: Former teacher who is passionate about Gurbani – PHOTO GRAB FROM YOUTUBE
Bibi Inderpal Kaur, a Canadian-based lay Sikh preacher who was once bedridden for several years, will be in Malaysia for a series of family camps starting with Seremban on Saturday (4 Feb 2017).
Inderpal, a teacher for 13 years in India before migrating to Canada with her husband in 2002, will be coming to Malaysia for the first time.
“I firmly believe that whom so ever reads gurbani and falls in love with its depth will automatically start sharing their experience with the world. Its too big to be contained in one vessel (khave karche ral mil bhai, tot na avai vadhdo jayee ….),” she says in a note obtained by the Asia Samachar.
Critical thinking and problem solving skills guided by the Sikh teachings will be key elements at the family day camps series entitled Leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji oeganised by the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) in collaboration with various gurdwaras.
Inderpal has been actively conducting Gurmat classes in Toronto, Canada, and also appears on Masti TV, a Toronto-based Sikh station, discussing issues from the Gurbani perspective. Readers can find numerous recordings of her discussing Gurbani on the Youtube.
But Inderpal does not see herself as a professional pracharrak (preacher).
As a teacher in India, she taught children of all ages about nutrition and science.
Her passion for Gurbani stems from the early days with her father, Jodh Singh, who not only guided her on this path but instilled the love for Gurbani at an early age. This passion helped her get through a major spinal surgery that she underwent in the early years of her marriage which left her bedridden for several years.
At this low point in her life, she started reading Gurbani and its teachings on a daily basis with the intention of empowering her daily life.
She started her journey at the Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad Naam Mission. But she quickly realised that it was just a starting point and that to really understand Gurbani she would have to deep dive into the reflections of Shabad and create her own way in the vast and profound word of the Guru. As she walked on this path, her enthusiasm grew and she started sharing her learning with the people around her.
Now passionate to empower people by simply explaining the basics of Guru Granth Sahib, she said she uses her teaching background to create an environment of conversation rather than that of a lecture.
“This creates positive learning environment making it easier to learn and apply those messages in our daily life,” she says.
She is currently practicing as a natural vision coach, using nature’s principles to help people reclaim their innate power to see clearly.
LEADERSHIP OF SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI FAMILY DAY CAMP
4 Feb 2017, Sat | Gurdwara Sahib Seremban | 9.45am-4pm
5 Feb 2017, Sun | Gurdwara Sahib Kajang | 10am-4pm
9 Feb 2017, Thurs | Gurdwara Sahib Klang | 10am-4pm
4 Feb 2017, Sat | Gurdwara Sahib Seremban | 9.45am-4pm
11-12 Feb 2017, (Sat-Sun) | Tatt Khalsa Diwan Malaysia, KL | 10am-4pm
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
SPECIAL MOMENT: Jesse Singh shaking hands with President Trump at the inauguration prayer session at the Washington National Cathedral – PHOTO / REUTERS
Sikhs globally did not miss the presence of Sikh-American Jesse Singh at the inauguration prayers at the Washington National Cathedral the morning after Donald Trump took the oath of office as the US President.
Sikh media prominently ran clips of the Jesse who said an ardas at the event on 21 Jan 2017.
Jesse, one of the 26 faith-based representatives, was listed as the chairman of the Board of Sikh Associations of Baltimore, Md.
But his presence there was more due to the support he threw behind Trump at the early stage of his campaign, going against the grain of real politics as Trump had predominantly relied on white support base to win the election.
“I was always confident that he would win. But I also realised that when he wins, our community will be nowhere on his radar. So, despite all the hate messages I decided to stick with him,” Jesse was quoted in a BBC article (See: Trump’s Hindu, Sikh and Muslim power brokers, BBC, 24 Jan 2017).
Jesse was branded a “traitor” for supporting Trump and claims to have been subjected to “personal attacks at community gatherings”, the report added.
Now, after Trump made the extraordinary journey to the White House, Jesse and Tarar have been approached by community members with resumes, looking for jobs in the new administration, the report said.
In March 2016, a group of Sikhs and Muslims mostly from South Asian countries had joined the Donald Trump bandwagon in the US state of Maryland, asserting that the Republican presidential frontrunner is “not against” their communities.
Under the banner of “Sikh Americans for Trump” and “Muslim Americans for Trump” scores of Sikhs and Muslims held their first meeting in a suburb of Washington DC in Maryland, wherein a representative from the Trump campaign addressed them.
Organisers of the event – from both the Sikh and Muslim communities – argued that the view of Trump about minority community has been “twisted” and “taken out of context” by the mainstream media and claimed that the 69-year-old billionaire real estate magnet would create more jobs in the country which would benefit he minorities, reports IBNLive.
“He (Trump) is not at all against the Sikhs or the Muslim community. What he says is given spin. The mainstream media gives a spin. Because they are scared of him. He is not the status quo. He is not taking anybody’s money,” said Jesse, whose real name is Jasdip Singh, who helped organised the “Sikh Americans for Trump” in Maryland.
“When he talks about Muslims, he does not talk about all Muslims or American Muslims. He spoke in the context of the refugee crisis that was happening in Syria. We (Sikhs) agree with him. Muslim (Americans) agree with him that we should not bring people into this country before we can vet them. And this was a temporary measures proposed by him,” he said.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Path Da Bhog: 9am-12pm on 5/02/2017 (Sun) at Gurdwara Sahib Tronoh Mines, Kampar, Perak |Malaysia
Sarawan Kaur (1963-2017), Tronoh Mines, Kampar
Sarawan Kaur A/P Jaib Singh Sidhu
Village: Bagha Purana, Moga
Born: 10 June 1963
Departed: 25 January 2017
Path Da Bhog: 05/02/2017 (Sun) at Gurdwara Sahib Tronoh Mines, Kampar, Perak from 9.00am to 12.00pm
Message from Family: Daughter of late Sardar Jaib Singh Sidhu and Madam Harbans Kaur (Tronoh Mines, Kampar, Perak). May her beautiful, kind, caring and noble soul be blessed with eternal peace. She would be dearly missed, fondly remembered and forever cherished by her loved ones.
Contact: Mohindar 010.3891175, Ahtar 012.3617863
Asia Samachar | Entry: 30 Jan 2017, 13:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Saaskar: 2.30pm on 31/1/17 (Tues) at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh crematorium at Jalan Gurdwara, Ipoh, Perak |Malaysia
Pooran Singh (1961-2017), Bercham, Ipoh
Pooran Singh s/o Sadhu Singh (Bercham)
(Son in law of Gian Singh)
Born: 21/3/1961
Departed: 30/01/2017
Wife: Amar Kaur a/p Gian Singh
Children: Nirmal Kaur, Preetvinder Kaur
Cortege timing: Cortege leaves from No 757, Lorong 3, Kampung Bercham, 31400 Ipoh Perak at 2.00pm on 31/1/2017 (Tues)
Saaskar: 2.30pm on 31/1/2017 (Tues) at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh Crematorium at Jalan Gurdwara, 30100, Ipoh, Perak
Any message from family: We love you a lot dad. You will be forever in our hearts. No words can describe the amount of sacrifices you have done for us. May your soul Rest In Peace. Waheguru.
Contact: Paul 016.5981054 , Manjit 016.5017754
Asia Samachar | Entry: 30 Jan 2017, 23:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Cortege timing: Cortege leaves from No 5, Lorong Mohd Tahir 2, Taman Angkasa 2, Off Jalan Sungai Jati, Klang on 2/2/17 (Thurs) at 3.30pm
Saaskar: 4.00pm on 2/2/17 (Thurs) at Simpang Lima Crematorium, Klang
Path Da Bhog: 10am-11.30am on 12/02/2017 (Sun) at Gurdwara Sahib Klang followed by Guru Ka Langgar
Contact: Indran 016.2090901, Baljit 016.3421609, Jack 014.6002300, Harjit 012.3584941
Asia Samachar | Entry: 31 Jan 2017, 23:00 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Bhai Manjeet Singh, a retired lawyer and active Sikh parcharak, talking to someone at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya – PHOTO / ASIA SAMACHAR
Bhai Manjeet Singh, a retired Malaysian lawyer, has been doing Gurbani vichar (discourse) for more than 15 years. What started as a private session in his home in Kuala Lumpur among five Sikhs has evolved into several weekly sessions in various locations.
In 2013, a group of youth began recording the discourse sessions. For several years, the content was distributed to a wider audience via various channels, locally and abroad.
Contemplation of Gurbani Shabads is an integral part of Sikh living. To make the discourses more accessible, a new website –www.manjeetsinghmalaysia.com – has been created. It will go live on 1 Feb 2017.
The website content is being disseminated as Guru’s sewa and it is hoped that many people will have access to Shabad Vichar.
Although the site carries his name, and mostly the vichar is by Manjeet, the website project is really by the members of the sanggat. It is sponsored and maintained by some well wishers, according to people involved in the project.
There are over 500 Shabad Veechar audio and video recordings available on the website, categorised according to Raags, Banis and Angs, for easy search.
Manjeet’s discourses over the years have covered a wide range of topics, including Sovereignty of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), Life and Times of our Gurus, Sewa by Parbandaks, Simran, and Family life as seen from the point of the SGGS.
“An important aspect of Veechar by Bhai Manjeet Singh is that, he quotes a lot of Gurbani Shabads from the SGGS and gives observations as to how they can be applied to us in our practical lives,” according to introduction at the website.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
| Rio De Janeiro, Brazil | 1 Feb 2017 | Asia Samachar |
BATTLING THE WINDS: Surinder Pal Singh on his bike at Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile in January 2017. – Photo / YemPaul Antonio
Surinder Pal Singh, an avid big biker from Singapore, crossed six countries in South American in his latest adventure on bike.
The 13,188km journey over 40 days – from the great heights of the Andes, to the vast deserts and great desolation of the Patagonian region – ended on 31 Jan 2017.
In 2015, the 38-year-old biker and a companion rode 12,220km in a 23 nation Europe adventure over 37 days. In both adventures, they clocked an average of 330km a day.
“I underestimated South America. It was no walk in the park compared to my European tours. There were days when I questioned myself as to what I was doing there when the harsh climate got to the better of me,” Surinder logged in a Facebook update at the end of the journey.
At times, Surinder admitted that the harsh climate got to the better of him. Then there was a time when he got rear ended by a car on the outskirts of Quito and almost coming head on into a Lama on the Andes.
“South America is where the real adventure lies as of now till I come across something else that would top this. The people here are very friendly and warm. Always willing to help at any instance,” he wrote.
The phohograph accompanying this story was taken by his fellow biker YemPaul Antonio while they were crossing the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile.
“Patagonia trashed us with its strong winds day in and day out.. Holding on to the handlebars for our dear lives as the winds attempted to push us into the path of oncoming cars and praying that the next gust of wind would be favourable. Hundreds of kms were spent riding a tilted bike while fighting the winds. Temperatures of 13 degrees felt as if they were 3 degrees with the wind chill factor,” he jotted then.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Through research conducted in early 2015, it has been verified that when Americans learn about the key tenets of the Sikh religion, their feelings become far more positive, a media release said. (Reuters)
A United States Sikh group has hired FP1 Strategies in their latest efforts to bolster the community’s image in what has been described as possibly the first time that Sikhs have ‘undertaken a major, proactive effort to reach out to Americans nationwide’.
FP1 is the latest PR agency engaged by the National Sikh Campaign (NSC), a subsidiary of Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE).
NSC has hired FP1 Strategies to develop and implement an effective strategy to improve the perception of Sikhism throughout the US in order to raise the awareness of the Sikh religion and the contributions of Sikh Americans in the US.
In a statement, NSC said its confidence in FP1 is rooted in the firm’s strong track record for assisting immigrant and minority communities since they are one of the lead strategists for Facebook’s immigration reform advocacy group, FWD.us.
As a nonprofit dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the Sikh community in America, NSC will be partnering with FP1 to launch a major marketing campaign that will focus on increasing the Sikh American community’s presence in national and local news outlets, as well as social media, NSC said in a statement.
“Engaging FP1 was a crucial decision in making our entire strategy complete, and their expertise in reaching conservative Americans will be valuable in expanding our reach beyond our target audience of millennials and progressives,” said Dr. Rajwant Singh, Co-founder and Senior Advisor of NSC, in the same statement. “This is perhaps the first time that any U.S. Sikh community has undertaken a major, proactive effort to reach out to Americans nationwide.”
FP1 is a conservative-leaning Washington, D.C.-based communications firm specializing in public relations and advocacy campaigns, helping major brands, organizations, and nonprofits to help achieve their mission.
FP1’s relationship with conservative media and organizations will also help NSC reach and educate Republican and right-of-center audiences.
NSC has assembled a bipartisan team of agencies and experts that have worked on the Obama, Clinton, Bush, and Romney campaigns, which includes AKPD Message Media, Hart Research Associates, Yellow Line Digital, Skyrocket, and now FP1 Strategies, to raise awareness of Sikhism among the general public in the United States.
NSC is working to launch this campaign in Spring 2017, utilizing tested television advertisements, an innovative website, public relations efforts, targeted digital media, and community events to affect change, the statement added.
“Every step in our plan has been tested to have maximum effectiveness in shifting the perception and driving positive awareness of Sikh Americans,” said Shawn Singh Ghuman, Communications Director of NSC. “We plan to use every tool, channel, and capability in the marketing communications industry to engage our society with the values Sikhism extolls.”
NSC was created to reduce the hate crimes and violence Sikh Americans have faced since 9/11, and their mission has become increasingly important in today’s political and social environment. Through research conducted in early 2015, it has been verified that when Americans learn about the key tenets of the Sikh religion, their feelings become far more positive.
“The professional approach of our different advisors to tackle this difficult issue facing the Sikh American community is very impressive,” said Inderpal Singh, National Outreach Director of NSC. “Hiring agencies like FP1 Strategies is offering us a new way to understand and explain our religion among our neighbors.”
NSC has organized several fundraisers in 2016 in cities throughout the United States, including San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, Durham, NC, Visalia, CA, and Fresno, CA. The organization has raised over $900,000 to date and hopes to grow that amount in 2017.
“We are extremely thankful to the Sikh community for their support, and we are making sure that we maintain our donors’ confidence in this project by using the funds as best as possible,” said Surinder Singh, Treasurer of NSC. “All funds are strictly being used to pay for the campaign and all donations are being professionally handled and audited by two reputable financial entities.”
NSC said it has continued to gain momentum in the past few months as it steadily reveals its sophisticated ads, website, and cutting edge research to select cities across the country. These materials will lay the foundation for their new, public education initiative set to launch in 2017.
What lies behind the strategy? In one video posting on its website, Dr Rajwant speaks to Isaac Baker of AKPD, described as President Barrack Obama’s media team.
“I think the barriers that sometimes people react to when they see a turban can be overcome when we explain to them the shared values that Americans and Sikh Americans have,” said Baker.
“Television ads are very powerful because they will allow mainstream Americans, from all backgrounds and all geographical locations, to identify with what they are seeing on TV in other Sikh families across the country. In a static billboard or fliers, they are not able to see that interaction. We are to able to see parents attending their kids’ softball games or music recital. We are able to break down some of the barriers of foreignness and differentness.”
Baker believes TV and digital advertising will help the community to ‘show dynamics of family and values at play’.
Founded in 1998, SCORE is dedicated to creating awareness of the Sikh religion and the Sikh people; promoting the positive role of Sikhs in America as well as globally; and upholding the values of religious freedom, civil rights, human dignity, justice, and nature preservation from the perspective of Sikhism. SCORE’s mission is to represent the Sikh viewpoint in public forums, interfaith discussions and throughout governmental agencies to promote community understanding and a just society for all.
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MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (right) with Prime Minister Bill English – PHOTO / Bakshi Facebook
Three-term Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi has been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary by New Zealand Prime Minister Bill England.
Kanwaljit, one of the five backbenchers from the National Party to be appointed to the roles, will assist Police Minister Paula Bennett.
“These are important roles that help ensure strong links between the Minister and caucus and help ensure communities are better served by the Government,” said English says. “Keeping all of our communities safe is a priority of this Government and Mr Bakshi will help the Minister of Police in this regard.”
The private secretary positions were important roles which helped ensure strong links between ministers and the Parliamentary caucus, said English.
Parliamentary private secretaries cannot be delegated statutory roles or functions but they can represent ministers at public events, or deliver speeches. They will assist ministers, but are not part of the executive and do not get a pay rise, according to a NZ Herald report.
“I’m very excited to be given this opportunity by our Prime Minister” and is looking forward to making a significant contribution in the new portfolio, Kanwaljit told SBS Punjabi, an Aussie-based radio station.
He said the crime rate in New Zealand is the lowest its been in 40 years, but there are some issues that need to be dealt with, like an increase in the number of family violence cases.
Kanwaljit said the NZ Police workforce is quite diverse, with many people from migrant communities joining up as Police officers. “There is no discrimination in New Zealand; there are many turbaned Sikh Police officers and other Punjabi members in the Police force as well,” he said.
Talking about the upcoming elections in Punjab, Kanwaljit told SBS Punjabi: “This is probably the first time that all major political parties in Punjab have engaged directly with members of the Punjabi diaspora, including in New Zealand and Australia. And Punjabis settled overseas are also taking a very keen interest. Even so, the results are extremely difficult to predict; although current polls show either the Congress or the AAP ahead.”
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Asia Samachar | Entry: 2 Feb 2017, 07:00 | Source: Family
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| Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | 2 Feb 2017 | Asia Samachar |
Balwant Singh: Malaysian lawyer and former president of Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya and SSU Kelab Aman
Balwant Singh, among the two dozen senior Malaysian lawyers who practiced law into their late 80s and 90s, passed away today. He was 95.
Balwant, who carries the title Datuk and lives in Petaling Jaya, became well known when he fatally shot a dispatch rider in in Bangsar in 2002 in a road bully incident. In July 2003, the High Court found him not guilty of a charge of murdering the despatch rider, with Justice S. Augustine Paul ruling that Balwant had proved on a balance of probabilities that he had acted in the exercise of the right of self-defence.
Balwant had also played a role in some Sikh organisations. He was a former president of Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya (GSPJ) and also a former president of Selangor Sikh Union (SSU) Kelab Aman.
“He was the first president after GSPJ had its new building in 1970s,” said Manmohan Singh, an active member of the GSPJ.
Fellow lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu, who had known Balwant for many years, said the senior lawyer had lived life to the fullest.
“He had showered me a lot of guidance, kindness…always available when you need to talk. In the legal fraternity, he was probably amongst the two dozen lawyers still practicing law into their 80s and 90s. Up to the end, he was still practicing. He kept going to the office,” Baljit, who is the present SSU deputy president, tells Asia Samachar in a telephone conversation.
On the final day of his murder trial, The Star reporter Charanjeet Kaur captured the following observations in its report:
Balwant Singh, who had kept his eyes closed during the proceedings, immediately opened his eyes when the court announced his acquittal. He then heaved a sigh of relief, walked over to his lawyers, thanked and hugged them.
When met outside the courtroom, Balwant Singh, 81, said he was “sorry for the life that has been lost”.
“I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. But I must say that I, too, had undergone a traumatic period over the last 13 months. “It has not been easy for me either,” he added almost in tears.
When asked about Balwant, Charanjeet told Asia Samachar: “He was a man of a few words. When he approached me and another Sikh reporter, he would occasionally speak in Punjabi. The other reporters were worried that we would scoop them (small laughter).”
In the 99-page judgment, Justice Paul said Balwant had done everything possible to pacify the deceased’s aggression.
“He tried to explain matters to the deceased who was not bothered, he showed his gun to the deceased who became more aggressive. He then fired a warning shot which did not deter the deceased.”
Saskaar / Cremation: 1pm on 5 Feb 2017 (Sunday) at the Gui Yuan Crematorium at Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya.
Cortege timing: Casket leaves from No 2, Jalan 5/31, Off Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya (near EPF building) on 5 Feb 2017 (Sunday) at 12pm.
Paying respects: Those wishing to pay their respects to the family can visit the residence from 7pm on 3 Feb (Friday) till 5 Feb (Sunday).
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Amreet Kaur Chahal has been made Sales Manager for Asia Pacific at All3media International which distributes TV programmes to broadcasters and media platforms.
Amret, who reports to All3media EVP Asia Pacific Sabrina Duguet, will be based in Singapore.
Her role will encompass representing all3media International’s catalogue for Formats and Finished Programming in South East Asia and India.
Amreet brings extensive experience in the distribution of international content to the Asian market to this newly-created position, having previously worked as Sales Executive at NBCUniversal International Television Distribution and as Account Executive at BBC Worldwide Advertising Sales, the company said in a statement.
All3media International marked the opening of its Asia office at the recent Asia Television Forum, hosting a packed event at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, the statement added.
“I’m very pleased to announce the growth of our Singapore team, which reflects the huge potential here for our outstanding portfolio of formats and finished content,” said Sabrina.
In the same statement, Amreet said “Joining such a dynamic and forward-thinking global company is a great honour and I’m looking forward to working with the team to bring all3media’s international content to Asian broadcasters. Initiatives such as the ATF Formats Pitch underline the company’s strong ambitions for growth across this diverse and vibrant region.”
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
