tooň hari bhaj man mere pad nirbaan. bahur na hoi teraa aavan jaan.
O my mind! Contemplate on the Divine, the giver of the state of nirvana. Thus, you will not have your coming and going in misery again. – Bhagat Namdev, Guru Granth Sahib, 525
Message: Coming and Going
In Hinduism, after death, a person is reborn to pay for his bad actions or to enjoy the rewards of good actions in the previous life. The goal of life is to become free from the cycle of birth and death or attain nirvana.
It is in this context that, Bhagat Namdev asks his mind to revere and have faith in the Divine, in all circumstances, good or bad.
Pleasure and pain are part of life. This is the way of the world. Accept it and do not allow your mind to waver and be in doubt. By leading our lives with the awareness of the Divine consciousness, we will realise the one Almighty pervading everywhere.
We will learn to live on a higher spiritual plane akin to the state of nirvana, here and now. There will be no delusion or fear of any misery or coming and going, hereafter.
You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity. -Thomas Wolfe, novelist, 1900-1938
Etymology: From Sanskrit nirvaaṇ (blowing out, extinguishing, extinction; final emancipation), from nis (out) + vati (blows). Ultimately from the Indo-European root we (to blow) that is also the source of wind, weather, ventilate, window and wing.
Summary of the Week:
Guru Nanak and the succeeding Gurus spoke to the masses in their lingo. Thus we have terms and words from other cultures and traditions in Guru Granth Sahib.
The Gurus may have used the same words, but that does not mean they identified with the original meanings that the people used to believe in.
Infact, the Gurus gave new meanings to old words and terms of references. This can be seen when the Gurus were not concerned with delusions of the afterlife though they did speak about the doubts of their devotees regarding notions of afterlife.
Let’s revisit and more deeply ponder the real message of Gurbani. Let us read Guru Granth Sahib with a view to understand and grasp the real message inherent in it – rather than superficially.
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[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]
| Malacca, Malaysia | 18 Aug 2017 | | Asia Samachar |
Dr Taranjeet Singh and his wife Sunita Bhullar
Malacca-born Dr Taranjeet Singh has ventured into the world of enterprise when he opened up a private medical practice, fulfilling the dreams of his father in law.
The clinician in the field of general medicine with more than eight years of experience has opened Klinik Sunita in the commercial district of Ayer Keroh, about 10 minutes from the Ayer Keroh toll booth.
“It all started with a dream. It was the dream of my late father-in-law, Mr. Harjit’s Singh’s (Baba Bakala). My wife and I have worked hard to make this a reality,” he told Asia Samachar. The clinic is named after his wife, Sunita Bhullar.
“We did not hire consultants nor did we hire any specialised clinic contractors. We did everything ourselves from the ground up…With Waheguru’s Blessings, we managed to get the task accomplished.”
The dream took many years to be fulfilled. Over some drinks at the Royal Selangor Club many years ago, Harjit had told Dr Taranjeet: “If you can dream it, if you can believe it, then you can achieve it!”
Looking back, Dr Taranjeet said: “That statement still reverberates in my ears to me today even though he has passed on. It is not just his words, but rather his vigour and roar in his voice when he said it.”
His father Sarmokh Singh was an engineer while his mother Manmeet Kaur was a teacher. She is also the secretary at Gurdwara Sahib Malacca (GSM).
The only Punjabi-run clinic in Malacca has been entrusted the task of providing medical services to the staff of GSM.
“To me, that is priceless,” he said. “We are doing our level best to bring the Punjabi name to bigger, brighter, more successful heights.”
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| History | Singapore | 19 Aug 2017 | Asia Samachar |
On this day in 1961, more than 6,000 Sikhs gathered in Singapore for the first Asian ‘Punjabi Mela’ organised by the Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA). It would have been an amazing sight to see Sikhs from Singapore, and probably from neighbouring Malaya, as well, gathering in such huge numbers.
“MORE than 6,000 people thronged the May North and South School in Jalan Kebun Limau last week to see the first South East Asian “Punjabi Mela” (open air culture show and fun fair). The show was organised by the cultural and social section of the Singapore Khalsa Association. It was opened by its president, Mr Choor Singh,” according to a report in the Singapore Free Press (22 August 1961) entitled ‘6,000 flock to see first “Punjabi Mela”‘.
“Many exciting items were presented, including a colourful Punjabi folk dance and the “Ghatka,” the Punjabi art of self-defence. A spokeman for the organising committee said it was a great success, and they hoped to make it an annual event,” the report added.
SKA, established on 8 May 1931, is still at work for the community and had finished organised a major cultural and sporting event for Vaisakhi in April.
The association was the brainchild of a few schoolboys of Raffles Institution during the mid-1920’s. In the absence of a Sikh organisation for sports and culture, these sports enthusiasts took it upon themselves, with the backing of several adults, to establish Khalsa Association, according to information at the SKA website.
In the 1960’s, SKA got its cultural aspect when a group of Sikh youths, enthusiastic in organising cultural activities, affiliated themselves with the association. Amongst the activities conducted were talks emphasising Sikh religion, culture and education, the information added.
The Singapore Free Press, Singapore’s second English-language newspaper after Singapore Chronicle, was published for the first time on 1 October 1835 until 1869. In was revived in 1884. In 1946, it was bought over by The Straits Times and merged with The Malay Mail in 1962.
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| History | Malaysia, Singapore | 20 July 2017 | Asia Samachar |
Dr. Laksmi Sehgal with Subhas Chandra Bose inspecting a parade – Photo source: To be identified
A note from the author: I had just finished reading a few books on the Indian National Army. In all these books, only Dr. Laksmi Sehgal’s name is mentioned together with Janaki Devar and another woman. There is no mention of Sikh women. This regiment went up to Burma with the INA in a non-combatant role. The women in the regiment provided medical and nursing services under trying circumstances. After the reconquest of Burma by the British, members of this regiment had a trying time making it back to Malaya. This article is meant to make our young Sikhs aware that our women had not shied away in lifting up the sword when the occasion demanded such an action.
By Rajindar Singh Bedi
In July 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore to take over the Indian Independence League and to revive the Indian National Army (INA) which had been inaugurated on 17 February 1943 by Captain Mohan Singh but which had been disbanded in November 1942 after Captain Mohan Singh realised that the Japanese were not sincere in their dealings. As a result Mohan Singh was kept under house arrest on Pulau Ubin.
Subhas Chandra Bose renamed the force the Azad Hind Fauj.
During this period he met Dr. Lakshmi Swaminadhan a practising obstetrician with a clinic in Geylang and a member of the Indian Independence League. Subhas Chandra Bose encouraged Dr. Lakshmi to form a women’s wing of the Azad Hind Fauj. Influenced by the fiery and inspiring speeches of Bose she set out to form such a force which was named the Rani Jhansi Regiment.
Her initial success netted only 20 females who volunteered. But she did not give up and went on a recruitment drive exhorting Indian women to volunteer. By the end of 1943 at the passing out parade of the force numbered 500 women. The majority of the volunteers of this force were of south Indian origin. They were from a broad spectrum of the local Indian society. Among these were women from the Sikh community.
Sikh women, too, answered the call to fight for Indian Independence and joined the force. They came from the Straits Settlements, Malaya and some came from Siam. The number of Sikh women and their identities is not known as all records of the Rani Jhansi Regiment were lost or destroyed.
However some names have come to light.
In December 1943 a Mrs. Gurudayal Kaur arrived in Singapore from Bangkok with eight other women to join up.
There was also a Gian kaur a daughter of a very wealthy Bangkok landlord who joined up.
From Kelantan 16 years old Jaswant Kaur joined in May 1944. She was married to a soldier of the Indian army. She is reported to have collected money and clothing for the war effort.
Deep Kaur daughter of Shamir Singh a driver of the Singapore Traction Company was also a volunteer.
At the passing out parade of the first batch of volunteers there is mention of a Sathiawant Kaur who came first in nursing course and Gurdit Kaur who was placed third in rifle shooting contest.
Guru Updesh Kaur the daughter of a Police Interpreter from Seremban joined in August 1943.
It is regrettable that no written record of the experiences of the Sikh women exist. There must be photographs, documents and other items including uniforms that could be in the possession of the families of these women which can be collected to form an exhibition.
If any of these members of the Rani Jhansi Regiment are still alive they would be in their late eighties or nineties. It would be wonderful if their experiences could be recorded as oral history of the Sikhs in Malaya and Singapore.
SOURCE FOR THE ARTICLE: Some of the information in the article were gleaned from newspapers published between February 1942 to September 1945, especially the Syonan Shimbun.
Rajindar Singh Bedi, a retired medical assistant who lives in Penang, Malaysia, has been keenly interested in history, especially Indian and Punjab history, since young.
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| Flashback | Washington, US | 20 July 2017 | Asia Samachar |
By Dr Rajwant Singh | Facebook Entry
CNN’s Don Lemon talks to me about the Sikh religion immediately after the shooting at the Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin [in 2012]. A white supremacist gunman, Wade Michael Page, attacked worshippers on August 5, 2012 and killed 6 Sikhs. This year is the 5th anniversary of this tragedy.
The six victims killed included one woman: Paramjit Kaur, 41; and five men: Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, the founder of the gurdwara; Prakash Singh, 39, a Granthi; Sita Singh, 41; Ranjit Singh, 49; and Suveg Singh Khattra, 84. All of the male victims wore turbans as part of their Sikh faith.
America lowered its flags in honor of these victims. Millions of Americans poured love and support to the Sikhs for which the community will always remain grateful.
Sikhism, the 5th largest religion in the world, has originated from India. Since 9/11, Sikhs have often been made the target of hate and violence in America due to ignorance about our outer identity of turban and beard. People think that Sikhs belong to the Middle East, Isis or that they are part of anti-American groups.
Sikhism preaches racial & gender equality, respect for all religions and that one should share one’s blessings with the less fortunate and underprivileged in society. Sikhs have been part of America for the last 100 years and yet most Americans have no clue about the religion and its practices in which the males and some females wear turban as a symbol of equality and royalty. It stands for justice and love for all!
We also believe that America’s strength is due to its diversity and no one person or community should be made the target of hate or violence.
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’.
Extracted from Dr Rajwant Singh’s Facebook entry. Dr Rajwant is also leading the National Sikh Campaign (NSC) which has engaged a professional PR agency to proactively bolster the Sikh image in the eyes of the citizens of the United States
[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]
Sikhs form neighbouring towns of Kunak, Semporna and Lahad Datu joins Sikhs in Tawau for a congregational programme – Photo / Sarjit Singh
By Sarjit Singh
Getting a right Granthi can make a world of a difference to smaller gurdwaras. This was aptly demonstrated by the new granthi at Gurdwara Sahib Tawau, a small town in the southern tip of Sabah.
The granthi had organised a programme for the birthday of his two old son today (20 Aug 2017) which attracted Sikhs from neigbouring towns of Kunak (some 80km away), and Semporna (100km) and Lahad Datu (150km). This is not something that happens all the time.
“I’m so happy attending this function today. It brings people together, it creates goodwill,” said Lahad Datu gurdwara treasurer Bebah Kaur, popularly known as Aunty Nicky, who attended the programme.
Tawau gurdwara secretary Baljeet Singh Mann said the granthi, whom most people refer to as ‘Giani Ji’, is “young and dynamic and children and youth like his approach. Twelve kids are studying Punjabi at the school here.”
Sabah is a Malaysian state located on the Borneo island. It neighbours another Malaysian state, Sarawak.
Tajinder Pal Singh from Punjab, India, took up the role of granthi at Tawau about a year ago.
A granthi literally means a reader of the Sikh scripture of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. However, in many places outside Punjab, India, a granthi acts more like a full time gurdwara caretaker. In Malaysia, a granthi is usually a stay-in hired staff who manages the overall affairs of the gurdwara. However, larger gurdwaras are able to employ additional staff taking on roles like managers and cleaners.
“It was also good that as the secretary Cikgu Baljeet Singh Mann suggested that we should have exchange functions like this at Gurdwara Sahib Lahad Datu Gurdwara too whereby the Sangat from Tawau, Semporna and Kunak will join,” said Bebah.
Hence, the programme clearly underlines the importance for gurdwaras in Malaysia, and elsewhere, to engage young and dynamic granthis to get the Sikh youth participating in gurdwara programmes.
On the whole, Tawau gurdwara committee president Ajaib Singh Maan said the state government has been supportive of the Sikhs.
In December 2016, Asia Samachar reported that Tawau Sikhs had received a RM30,000 state grant to renovate the only gurdwara in the city located more than 500km from Kota Kinabalu. The state of Sabah had also approved a two-year granthi permit for the gurdwara.
Associate Professor Dr. Sarjit Singh Gill from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) was a former Head of Department of Social and Development Science, Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM. His PhD fieldwork was on Sikhs in Sabah, mainly in Kota Kinabalu. His thesis was entitled ‘Role of Gurdwaras in Constructing Sikh Identity in Malaysia: Comparative Study‘ (2005).
[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]
The was a crowd gathered at the gurdwara at Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur, popularly called Parliament Gurdwara. It was a mixture of young and old, similar faces and new faces. But the energy from each of them was the same: vibrant. At a bright warm Sunday noon, the weekend still alive for all of them.
They were gathered here to rehearse for the upcoming Bhai Mardana Sangeet festival. I was an innocent passerby, who happened to be there to witness something so artful, thriving and shining. Actors, directors, script writers all working hard to bring alive their version of Bhai Mardana’s journey as the earliest true friend of Baba Nanak, aptly named ‘Marjaana To Mittar’.
I won’t say anything about the play now, because I’m pretty sure it’ll be a blockbuster, from the little I’ve seen. And I stand accused of being biased as most involved are dear friends of mine. So, we’ll leave it at that.
But what really struck me during this small window of opportunity was that the arts of our Sikh community here in Malaysian diaspora is alive! This play is proof. Sure, we’ve got kavita, syair and debates in the successful Bhasa Melas (Punjabi language carnivals organised by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia), but a play of this scale is something to shout about. The barometer of how a community is maturing and advancing is the health of its arts. Interpretation of history and how it molds us as people has always been through the eyes of arts.
There’s a distinction between Punjabi arts – thanks to Bollywood, isn’t showing any signs of dying a natural death – and Sikh arts. We’ve seen our martial arts getting the limelight, with many from our youth entranced with the valor displayed at every demonstration. But the more gentle arts of written, drawn, painted and playwrights were always beyond our social radars. A play, about someone so integral to the seeds that were sown into our Sikh psyche, is a refreshing progress.
And what’s even more profound, the arts like this play is a powerful tool for the younger and more impressionable generation to absorb our values through creativeness and organic innovation. It is heartening to see our youth labouring hard for this beautiful and engaging story. Youngsters and young adults embarking on such an ambitious project can only be inspiration to all in our community.
The youth will be gifted with this treasure. The irony is this gift was beautifully crafted by the youth themselves.
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 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]
IN MEMORY: Path-da-Bhog 5pm-7.30pm on 26 August 2017 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru, Selangor| Malaysia
Inderjite Kaur Bal (1935-2016), Selayang
Late Mataji Inderjite Kaur Bal w/o Late Sardar Gurdial Singh Bhatt
Village: Batala, Punjab
Born: 1s Feb 1935
Departed: 12 Oct 2016
Husband: Late Sardar Gurdial Singh Bhatt (Munda Pind) Selayang Baru
In Memoriam: Path-da-Bhog 5pm-7.30pm on 26 August 2017 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru, Selangor
Message from the Family: In loving memory of our beloved mother, we, the family of the Late Mataji Inderjite Kaur humbly invite all family members, relatives and friends to the Path-da-Bhog in her memory.
Additional Information:
The Late Mataji Inderjite Kaur was born in Buntong Ipoh and after her marriage lived in Sentul and Kg Pandan before permanently settling down in Selayang Baru. She was an accomplished ‘pathi’ and took part in numerous akhand paths on all occasions in gurdwaras as well as in homes of friends and relatives, at times.
She passed-away peacefully on 12th October 2017 after having suffered a stroke in June 2017 leaving behind her beloved 8 children, 20 grand-children, 4 great grand-children, daughters and son-in-law, a brother, a host of relatives and friends. Our mother and grand-mother, Bee, as we called her, sweet memories of you Bee, of how you brought us up shall always be fondly remembered. You will always remain in our hearts. We miss you dearly Bee!
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| History | Malaysia | 23 Aug 2017 | Asia Samachar |
The Sikh, Vol 1 No 4, Aug-Sept 1965, published by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), then based in Seremban
What were the activities like for Sikh organisations in the 1960s? For Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), an outfit catering for the Sikh youth in Malaysia, they seemed busy.
The youth in Kampar and Taiping were talking about Sikh seminars. Boys from Seremban and Klang were engaged in a hockey duel while Malacca Naujawans were elated with the return of Baba Sohan Singh, the granthi at the Malacca gurdwara and an advisor to the SNSM.
Here are some activities as captured in the SNSM magazine The Sikh covering the August to September 1965.
NEWS OF SABHAS
MALACCA: – The Naujawans in Malacca are now happy for Sant Sohan Singh Ji has returned from India. He Will be able to guide and protect them. The Naujawans here are under the able guidance of Bahen Dhram Pal Kaur and Brother Raghbir Singh are doing a wonderful work.
SEREMBAN VS KLANG:- On the 10th and 11th of August the Klang Naujawans came down to Seremban. Two games of hockey were played with great vigour. The first game was a draw 1-1 and the was in favour of Klang, 2-0.
The next day both the teams went down to Port Dickson, where they were able to listen to a wonderful lecture on Sikhism by Mr. Gurbachan Singh. Later they prepared their own food and went swimming in the sea. There was no doubt that both sides had a wonderful time together. It is only right if more of such gatherings are encouraged between sister Sabhas.
TANJONG MALIM:- Sardar Joginder Singh has left for U.S.A. on Government scholarship to do M.Sc. in Education. He boarded the plane from K.L. a on 4 th August. Another occasion for him and his family and all of us is the birth of his son Swaran Singh.
Now Sardar Wazir Singh, Headmaster, English School, Slim River is acting as adviser to the Naujawans of Tg. Malim.
(THANK you Sardar Wazir Singh).
IPOH:– The cost of printing this issue has been borne by Ipoh. Well done and thank you Naujawans!!
Ipoh has also taken the lead in making “khandas”. All Sabhas that require them, may please, get in touch with Ipoh. The cost is $40.00 for 100 or $20.00 for 50. Orders should come in with cash and please address your letters to:- Sardar Taran Singh, 7, Watson Road, Ipoh.
KAMPAR COURSE:- (2nd to 6th August 1965) This report has already being given in the editorial. We, however, take great pride to let you all know the result of the course, Our brothers whose names are listed below have found a new light in Sikhism. They have in compliance with the tents of Sikhism vowed to keep their hair and become: true sons Of Guru Gobind Singh.
Pritam Singh of 18, Jln. Post Office, Kampar vowed not to trim his beard again.
There were a Number of unassuming, quiet and sincere youngmen at Kanpur seminar who vowed to become good Sikhs. They shunned publicity but have come back to the Sikh Fold and are practising a Sikh Way of life.
TANJONG RAMBUTAN:- The Naujawans here are doing a really good job for they are holding lectures regularly and many of our brothers have in fact rediscovered Sikhism.
The Naujawans of T.R. intend to hold a SEMINAR in April holidays 1966. The cost will be $ 5.00 per member. Forms will be sent out to all Sabhas as soon as possible. Dates and other particulars will be made known later.
STOP PRESS:
===========
THE ANNUAL SIKH YOUTH SEMINAR AT PORT DICKSON. This is the news you have been anxiously waiting for. It has been decided to hold two courses.
Course No.1 :— for children under 12 years of age.
DATE:– 4 th. to 7 th. December 1965 COST:- $3.00
Course No. 2:- for those over 12 years of age.
DATE:- 8 th. to 16 th. December 1955 COST:- $10.00
Other particulars will be made known later. Keep yourselves free for we are sure that you would not like to miss this wonder time!!
Source: The Sikh, Vol 1 No 4, Aug-Sept 1965, published by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia c/o Sikh Temple, Seremban, N.S.
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Karan Singh Thakral in the front seat with former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong – Photo / SG50 book
“I should have gotten a doctoral degree. That is a regret that I have in my life. I feel if I had university education, my thinking and perspectives would have been different.”
These words would evoke some degree of regret and a feeling of lost hope for any other person but, in this case, the person is none other than Mr Karan Singh Thakral – successful entrepreneur, respected diplomat and a well-regarded member of the Sikh community in Singapore. It may come as a surprise to many that someone like Karan has regrets. Well, that just goes to show the man’s desire to aim as high as possible in life and be the complete man.
Born in Singapore and raised in Thailand, Karan joined the business started by his grandfather that was eventually transformed by his father into the massive enterprise of the Thakral Group today. It used to deal mainly in the export and import of textiles and electronic appliances. Now, it has grown into a diversified business conglomerate with numerous business activities, including life-style products, information technology products and services, manufacturing and export of yarn and branded ready made garments, luxury watches, hospitality, real estate development and management and infrastructure services, among others.
Karan represents Thakral Group as an Executive Director. Recollecting the massive strides Singapore has made over the last five decades, Karan said: “Singapore has changed from a small village to a global city. Business wise, it is one of the most attractive places for people to do business and invest. As a business concept, Singapore has done very well. We did not have malls then; we had small shops. High Street was one of the main places to shop at. Now, 50 years later, there are no more such shops left on High Street. It is more of a tourist attraction. The Thakral Group has been able to remain viable because we evolved with the changing times and adapted accordingly.”[1]
While the activities of the Thakral Group occupy a considerable amount of Karan’s time, he has still managed to find time to contribute to various national and community initiatives. One of his key contributions is the revival of the Singapore chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE).[2]
Karan took over the leadership of TiE Singapore in 2008 and totally revamped the once exclusive organisation. He opened its membership to individuals of non-Indian origin based in Singapore. He strongly believed that this would allow the organisation and its members to gain from the wider and more diverse networking possibilities.
Karan is a dynamic, eclectic, energetic and astute leader who is well known for being successful in both the private business sector and for his invaluable contributions to public service.
He has played key roles in the Thakral Group, the South Asian Business Group of the Singapore Business Federation and TiE Singapore. He currently serves as Singapore’s NRA to Denmark, and previously as the NRA to Sri Lanka. He has served with distinction in all his posts and we owe him a debt of gratitude.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Singapore
Under Karan’s tenure, TiE Singapore also became more prominent worldwide. The parent chapter in the Silicon Valley was quick to acknowledge the tremendous progress made by TiE Singapore under Karan’s leadership. The fact that Karan is an internationally known businessman and that he had strong business ties with many global personalities at a personal level certainly provided the fillip in transforming TiE Singapore into an entity far greater than its size and status could justify.
Also, apart from reaching out and serving the needs of local businesses, Karan also worked with academic institutions such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and SP Jain School of Management to promote entrepreneurship among students. “When I took over as Chairman, we decided to have a booth at the annual meet of TiE in the Silicon Valley and NUS participated in the booth. It showed the level of interest and trust our local university had in TiE Singapore.”[3]
The ambitious overhaul of TiE Singapore, with its diverse membership base and global emphasis spearheaded by Karan made the organisation an important partner of the Singapore government in its efforts to promote entrepreneurship here. At the same time, it provided far greater avenues for TiE Singapore members to explore business opportunities through regular networking sessions, events, business trips and meetings with international business personalities.
Karan stated: “I wanted to develop TiE Singapore into a grouping that was more representational and heavily focused on entrepreneurship education. The key goal was to nurture a whole new generation of potential entrepreneurs and grant them access to business opportunities previously unavailable.”[4] Today, Karan is Chairman Emeritus of TiE Singapore and Member Emeritus of TiE’s Global Board of Trustees.
In his efforts to further promote entrepreneurship locally and regionally, Karan served as one of the judges on the reality TV series Angel’s Gate, which began broadcasting on Channel NewsAsia in February 2012. The show provided the opportunity for budding entrepreneurs in Asia to pitch business ideas to investors. Karan’s desire to share his entrepreneurial acumen led him to mentor young entrepreneurs. He soon established Singapore Angels Network Pte Ltd to invest in start-up enterprises. Karan’s son works full time with him on this venture. To-date, the company has invested in about 80 start-up enterprises.
When Karan took over the helm of the South Asian Business Group (SABG),[5] a unit under the Singapore Business Federation (SBF),[6] in 2010, he was involved in ensuring the organisation, which already boasted of a firm and solid foundation, continued its growth. Particularly, he helped to boost the SABG’s ties with the South Asian nations through business trips and missions that opened business possibilities for SBF members. His understanding and knowledge of the South Asian and Singaporean markets, and socio-economic and politics landscapes have been extremely relevant to the SABG.
However, the national role that gives Karan most pride is that of being Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador (NRA), first to Sri Lanka during a period when the country hosted the Commonwealth Games and currently to Denmark. He said proudly: “It is indeed a great honour.
In my life, I could not imagine taking this on. When the Singapore government asked me to become Singapore’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I could not say no. I felt it is my duty to serve the country. The government now has appointed me Ambassador to Denmark. It has been an enriching experience for me.”[7]
Karan is a firm believer in God and his philosophy of life, as well as that of his family, is to extend assistance to the needy and less fortunate in society.
He said: “I grew up in a ‘giving’ family so this was my natural path. Giving back is a part of my family’s tradition. My grandfather, father and brothers – all of us have served or are serving in different roles in different countries.”[8]
Among his many community roles is serving in the committees of Tanjong Katong Girls School and St Hilda’s Primary School. In addition, Karan has served or is serving as Chairman and/or Trustee of a number of charitable/not-for-profit organisations in India.
Whether it is focusing on the wider national economic landscapes, serving the country, fostering a conducive business environment to nurture entrepreneurial minds or just helping his community, Karan has proven that the lack of educational qualifications is no impediment at all. At the end of the day, one must have the desire to want to serve. One must be determined and most importantly, one must want to give back to society and do one’s best.
In Karan’s words: “The person who knows how to give is a happy person when compared to a person who takes.”[9] Looking at his accomplishments, Karan is certainly a happy and contented man.
Karan Singh Thakral
Endnotes
[1] Interview with Mr Karan Singh Thakral, June 15, 2015.
[2] TiE was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. There are currently 13,000 members, including over 2,500 charter members in 61 chapters across 18 countries. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, education, incubating, and funding. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE’s focus is on generating and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. See http://tie.org/about-us/ for details. 3 Interview with Mr Karan Singh Thakral, op cit.
[3] Interview with Mr Karan Singh Thakral, op cit.
[5] he SABG is part of the Global Business Groups at SBF. It is a platform for the Singapore business community and their counterparts in South Asia to share business-related information. See http://www.sbf.org.sg/ about-us/business-groups-committees for details.
[6] SBF is the apex business chamber championing the interests of the Singapore business community in the areas of trade, investment and industrial relations. It represents 21,500 companies, as well as key local and foreign business chambers. See http://www.sbf.org.sg/about-us/ overview-about-us for details.
[7] Interview with Mr Karan Singh Thakral, op cit.
[This article is courtesy of SINGAPORE AT 50: 50 SIKHS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, a book published in 2015 by the Young Sikh Association, Singapore (YSA) in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday]
[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]
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The UK Charity Commission has issued an ‘official warning’ to a Coventry gurdwara for supposedly exposing its members and its trustees to ‘an undue risk of harm by virtue of repeated disruption on charity premises such that a police presence has been required on a regular basis’.
This was one of the four reasons listed in its two-page letter issued yesterday (24 Aug 2017) against the Charity Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash, Coventry. See here.
Among others, the commission has asked the gurdwara trustees to ensure its premises is not exposed to undue risk and is managed in accordance with the charity’s policies and regulations.
“The Commission has engaged with the Charity and has provided regulatory advice and guidance which has not been followed,” it said in the letter.
Last year, the same commission announced that it had opened a statutory inquiry into the education charity, Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar, after it failed to file any accounts for the last two financial years.
The commission registers and regulates charities in England and Wales to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence.
Third Sector, a UK publication the voluntary and not-for-profit sector, quoted an unnamed gurdwara spokesman as saying: “We are working with the Charity Commission to rectify any concerns that have been raised and once that has been turned around we are hoping to work with them to support other charities.”
In the Coventry incident, one of alleged ‘breach of trust or duty or other misconduct or mismanagement’ levelled against the gurdwara was that the trustees had failed to work collectively and to implement agreed decisions.
The commission also said the trustees had also failed to make decisions which are in the interests of the charity only.
The commission also said the trustees have failed to manage charity property responsibly or in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
In particular it listed out the following four points: a. Failing to use Charity premises in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures; b. Failing to ensure proper and fair access to its premises; c. Undertaking unauthorised expenditure on activities and failing to take adequate steps to address the risks posed to charity’s assets; and, d. Failing to take adequate steps to prevent the circulation of views or material that were or could be seen to be inappropriately political or extremist in nature on its premises.
The commission has listed out a number of actions that it ‘considers should be taken to rectify the misconduct or mismanagement or breach of trust’.
The commission expects the trustees to make and implement collective and lawful decisions about the management and administration of the charity in the interests of the charity only. They are also to ensure that the charity’s assets are managed responsibly.
Among others, the gurdwara has been asked to regularise the use of, and ensuring fair access to, the its prayer hall and associated facilities, having particular regard to the legal duties under the Equalities Act 2010.
The gurdwara has also been asked to regularise any unauthorised activity or payments made by or on behalf of the charity.
It also been asked to ensure that ‘any premises held or used by the Charity, any online facilities and any other material used or provided by the Charity, are not or do not appear to be in support of any inappropriate political or extremist ideologies or organisations.’
[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]
When Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947, the state of Punjab probably suffered the most in what has been called the Partition. Sikhs living on the now Pakistan side of Punjab migrated towards the Indian side of Punjab, while millions of Muslims moved the other way. In the process, numerous atrocities were reported. At the same time, there were also many heroic stories where people assisted each other, going beyond their religious identity.
Sanwal Dhami, a teacher from Hoshiarpur, has been going door to door to document the stories of survivors of Partition, which he shares via the Youtube.
“Many people have told me that I am the first one who came asking for their stories in 70 years. The worst thing about these stories is how humanity was completely forgotten at that time. And yet there were a few who risked their lives to help others,” he told CNN-News18 in an interview.
This month marks 70 years since the division of British India, a move which created an independent India and Pakistan and is known as the Partition. At the stroke of midnight between August 14 and 15, 1947, British rule ended and the two separate nations were created, reports ITV.
“The partition was outlined in the Indian Independence Act 1947 and, as a result, millions of people were forced to leave their homes to move to the other state in the largest mass migration in human history. As more than 10 million people sought to cross into the other state, an unprecedented refugee crisis was created.
“This also had the affect of sparking violence and riots between Hindus and Muslims, with up to one million people being killed. The western region of Punjab was particularly badly affected, as this had been cut in two by the new border, which became known as the Radcliffe Line, named after its architect, Sir Cyril Radcliffe. This border was not officially unveiled until two days after partition, on August 17, 1947. Many believe the rushed nature of the partition process was a reason for the violence,” according to the report.
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Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: Dera Sacha Sauda head – Photo / Dera Facebook
Controversial religious figure Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was yesterday (25 Aug 2017) convicted of raping two women followers in 2002 in a case that gripped India, especially the states of Haryana and Punjab.
The head of the Dera Sacha Sauda has been arrested and will be sentenced on Monday (28 Aug), according to reports.
At least 30 people have died in riots and arson attacks that have broken out across two states in northern India after a flamboyant spiritual leader was convicted of raping two of his female followers.
The Indian army was deployed in the city of Panchkula on Friday shortly after the court found the self-styled “godman” guilty of sexual assault.
Electricity supplies, mobile internet and cable television had been cut in parts of Haryana and Punjab states before the verdict as up to 200,000 members of the sect massed in Panchkula in a show of defiance and support.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim, said to be one of the most powerful men in India, runs the 69-year-old sect from its ashram headquarters on a sprawling, 400-hectare (1,000-acre) Haryana property that includes a hotel, cinema, cricket stadium and schools. He claims to have 60 million followers worldwide.
He is one of the 36 people in India who get a VVIP Status and a Z-plus level security cover. In India, security is provided to high-risk individuals by the police and local government. Z category, which is one step below the highest category of Z+, has a security cover of 22 personnel.
His annual income is estimated to be over Rs 60 crore, reports Jansatta. According to an income tax data, in 2010-11 Dera’s income was Rs 165,248,455. In the year 2011-12, it grew to Rs 202,099,999. Moreover, in the 2012-13 year, it touched Rs 290,818,760.
The cult enjoys tax exemption from Income Tax Department under Section 10(23) in The Income Tax Act.1995, according to one media report.
He has used his position to launch an acting and singing career. Also known as Rockstar Baba, the trailer for his movie MSG received over 1.5 million views within a week of its release.He starred, produced, and scripted in five movies.
Business Today, an Indian publication, captures the story of his wealth in an article entitled ‘Ram Rahim’s income: With no need to pay taxes, the self-styled godman’s earnings are unimaginable’.
Extracts from the article:
Ram Rahim is the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, which was started in 1948 by ascetic Mastana Balochistani. The Dera Sacha Sauda describes itself as ”spiritual organisation”.
The sect claims to have more than sixty million followers, mostly Dalit Sikhs. Baba Ram Rahim has a massive following, especially in Punjab and Haryana. He was born in Ganganagar in Rajasthan on August 15, 1967. He was born in a farmer’s family. The sect has property worth over billions of rupees. According to a report in The Financial Express, Dera had daily income of Rs 16,44,833 three years ago.
It cites a Jansatta report which says in 2010-11, Dera’s income was Rs 165,248,455. In the year 2011-12, it grew to Rs 202,099,999. Moreover, in the 2012-13, it touched Rs 290,818,760.
Dera Sacha Sauda and the organisations related to it enjoy tax exemption under Section 10(23) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
The Dera Sacha Sauda has been involved in public service activities such as large-scale blood donation camps and rehabilitation centres.
The self-styled godman has also directed and acted in movies such as MSG: The Messenger of God, MSG 2 the Messenger, Jattu Engineer, Hind Ka NaPak Ko Jawab and MSG The Warrior Lion Heart .
Baba was the lead choreographer, singer, director and producer in these movies. The Baba has also released several albums glorifying himself which have been welcomed by his followers.
Singh is a man of style and owns a Range Rover SUV and usually has a convoy of 100 vehicles following him. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is one of the 36 people in India who get a VVIP Status and a Z level security cover.
The Baba ranked 96th in the Indian Express list of 100 most powerful Indians in 2015. In a report then, the newspaper said, “Besides having five crore devotees, he has sold over 10 million CDs of his album Love Charger and has turned filmmaker-actor. His debut film, MSG, released amidst much hype. Politicians from Punjab and Haryana seek his blessings before polls.
He got BJP to sign an affidavit supporting his social work before he lent them support in the Haryana polls. He is shooting the MSG sequel and has said he would adopt acid attack victims to help them.”
In 2007, Ram Rahim mocked the 10th guru of Sikhs – Guru Gobind Singh by dressing up like him. This led to violent clashes between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda followers.
Several districts of Punjab were placed under curfew for around 10 days.
The case for which the Baba is in news today is related to the sexual exploitation of two female followers of Dera Sacha Sauda. In 2002, these followers sent an anonymous letter to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, accusing the dera chief of sexual abuse.
Consequently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI probe into the incident on September 2002.
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Manit Singh Chawla receives a gold medal from King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun in December 2016
Manit Singh Chawla is a talented young. He excelled in studies and was active in various other activities.
Towards the end of 2016, the 22-year-old engineering student received a gold medal from no less than the Thai King himself in recognition of his excellent performance at the university. It capped a challenging, but joyful, journey for this young lad.
Hailing from Khon Kaen, situated on the north east of Thailand and about 500km from Bangkok, he has always been the lone Sikh at school or the university. Bangkok has the largest concentration of Sikh population.
“There are not that many Sikhs in my province,” he tells Asia Samachar in a telephone conversation. Khon Kaen is one of the four major Thai cities known as the “big four of Isan”.
High schooled at the Holy Redeemer North Eastern School between 2009 and 2013, he then gained entry into School of Engineering at University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) to study Bachelor’s Degree of Logistics Engineering.
Why logistics engineering?
“I knew nothing about logistics. I actually wanted to be a doctor,” said Manit, whose dad is a real estate agent. “My brother Sunny Chawla encouraged me to take it up. He said Thailand is in the centre of Asean. So, I took the exam and found logistics engineering to be interesting.
“I then understood that logistics plays an important role in Thailand. Also, there were not many graduates in this area, but the demand was increasing by the year.”
As with everything else, Manit poured his heart and soul into the new found interest. He topped the class in logistic engineering. On most occasions, he emerged as the top scorer for most papers.
This led him to the audience of the Thai King. He was one of the 30 top engineering students from various Thai universities. In 2016, he received the Royal Gold Medal for outstanding education performance in Engineering field form His Majesty King Maha Vajiralonglorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
It was certainly a proud moment for his parent, Prathip Chawla (also known as Hardeep Singh Chawla) and Mohanjeet Kaur Chawla, as well as his brothers Sunny and Varun Chawla.
But the journey had its challenges. For a start, he was the lone Sikh in the university. But this not deter him. In fact, he actually took it upon himself to educate his fellow students on who is a Sikh, and what is Sikhism. His fellow students knew something about Islam, but had never heard of Sikhism. They had many questions: Do you have a temple? Do you have a Guru?
Manit Singh Chawla (holding the prized gold medal) with his parents and brother Sunny Chawla.
“At first, they thought I was a Muslim. I told them I eat pork. I then explained to them about my hair and the beard. I’m proud that they now know who is a Sikh.
“In the first year itself, I was elected as president of the UTCC engineering committee. I used to wear patka (a small turban, usually tied under the actual turban). When I became the president, I tied a turban and wore an engineering coat. I felt our Guru Ji, I felt unique. I was the sole Sikh in the university and I was bestowed leadership. I was proud,” he said.
On Sikhi and himself, he said: “I used to trim my beard. When I studied Banda Singh Bahadur, and saw the movie of Chaar Sahibzaade (the children of Guru Gobind Singh), I felt a sense of pride and I decided not to trim my beard. That inspired me to maintain my hair.”
Manit had also not joined any of the Sikh camps regularly organised in Bangkok. When asked if he would be keen to attend, he said: “I don’t know much about the Sikh community in Thailand. I heard about the camps about two years ago. I may attend it.”
[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]
Nikki Halley, a two-time governor of South Carolina and now the US ambassador to the United Nations (UN), may be casting an eye on the presidency of the world’s most powerful nation.
In the first seven months at the helm of the US mission to the United Nations (UN), Haley’s differences have gone far beyond optics, reports Vox.
“Trump campaigned on a foreign policy platform of “America first” — the idea that the US should avoid getting involved in unnecessary conflicts overseas and focus narrowly on national security interests over promotion of democracy and human rights abroad. But Haley has pursued the opposite course. From her stern criticism of Moscow to her championing of human rights to her calls for Syrian regime change, she’s routinely diverged from, or outright contradicted, Trump’s stance on the biggest foreign policy issues of the day,” the magazine said in a report entitled ‘Nikki Haley’s path to the presidency runs right past Trump。’
Haley, 44, was born Nimrata Randhawa in Bamberg, South Carolina – she was called “Nikki” as a child and took the family name of husband Michael when they married in Sikh and Methodist ceremonies in 1996. Haley came only once to India as a four-year-old child, doesn’t speak Punjabi and has converted to Christianity, according to a separate Reuters report.
Her father Ajit Singh Randhwa, is from Amritsar district. He is an agriculture science professor. Her mother is Raj Kaur Randhwa. They moved to Amritsar – home to the Golden Temple that is the most holy place of the Sikh religion – before emigrating to North America in the early 1960s.
Some extract from the Vox report:
A popular twice-elected governor of South Carolina, she’s an experienced GOP politician in an administration packed with outsiders. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, she stands out in an administration run chiefly by white men. Telegenic and poised, she has a knack for the limelight, the report added.
Haley’s stances may reflect more than just policy differences. Many in the GOP worry that Trump may not survive four years and that those who’ve served in his administration may be tainted by association if he resigns or is impeached. Haley appears to be one of the few administration officials with the potential to survive the Trump years — and could be positioning herself for a presidential campaign of her own.
When Trump first nominated Haley as his pick for UN ambassador, it appeared that she could be doomed to irrelevance. Trump had spent his entire campaign railing against the idea of international cooperation and contributing to the advancement of human rights or democratic ideals — the very issues that an ambassador to the UN is tasked with handling. It seemed he was giving Haley a fluffy throwaway job and perhaps even using it as an opportunity to add some diversity to his heavily white and heavily male team.
But Haley has been far from a marginal voice in the administration’s foreign policy team.
The most striking feature of Haley’s appointment was that Trump decided to keep the UN ambassador post as a Cabinet-level position, as it was under President Obama.
This wasn’t simply Trump being magnanimous; Haley successfully negotiated for the Cabinet-level rank for her position. Being a member of the president’s Cabinet gives her more authority at the UN and more sway over the president during Cabinet-level deliberations.
Haley is also a member of the National Security Council’s top decision-making body, the Principals Committee. That means she’s a regular contributor to the president’s most important forum for considering and making decisions about the country’s pressing national security and foreign policy matters, along with the rest of his senior national security advisers and Cabinet officials on the committee.
Haley has denied any presidential ambitions, saying in April that she “can’t imagine running for the White House.” But her conspicuous maneuvering in the foreign policy world has fueled suspicions that she’s interested in the possibility.
[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]
Nauraj Singh Randhawa reading the athlete’s pledge at the opening of Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games (KL2017) on Aug 19.
Nauraj Singh Randhawa clinched his third consecutive gold in the men’s high jump event at the SEA Games today, emerging as the second Sikh to bag a gold medal at the Southeast Asia regional games.
On Thusday, Earlier, Sanjay Singh, and his partner S. Sivasangari defeated fellow Malaysians in the finals of the men’s squash double.
Nauraj was given the honours to read the athlete’s pledge at the opening of the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games (KL2017) on Aug 19.
Nauraj follows the footsteps of Baljit Singh Sidhu of Sabah who won the high jump gold medal in Sea Games 1977, being the first Sikh to do so in the event.
At the high jump duel today, Nauraj and teammate Lee Hup Wei both cleared 2.24m. However on count back Nauraj was awarded the gold and Hup Wei the silver, reports The Star.
The duo equalled the Sea Games record of 2.24m set by Malaysian Loo Kum Zee in the 1995 Chiangmai Sea Games. Nauraj went into the games as the two-time defending champion, having won in Myanmar in 2013 and Singapore in 2015.
[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]
Funeral Service: 10.30am,29 August 2017 (Tues), at the Chapel of the Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell, Canberra | Australia
Harcharan Kaur (1932-2017), Canberra
Harcharan Kaur
Born: 13 May 1932
Departed: 22 Aug 2017
Loving wife of Joginder Singh Mann (dec) of Village Mehna and former resident of Petaling Jaya and Perth (ex-Office of Auditor General Malaysia)
Dearly missed by:
Kalwant Kaur and Ajmer Singh Gill (Sydney)
Gurdip Kaur Malhi and Rajbahadur Singh Bedi
and Balvir Singh Malhi (dec)(Canberra)
Amarjit Singh and Ganeshrie Mann (Florida, USA)
Jaspal Singh and Surindar Mann (Perth)
Jasbir Singh and Pritam Mann (Perth)
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service: Funeral service at the Chapel of the Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell, Canberra on 29 August 2017 (Tues), at 10:30 am, viewing commencing at 10 am.
Path Da Bhog: Bhog prayers will follow at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, Hickey Court, Weston, Canberra, Australia
Her family will also be celebrating her life at prayer services in her loving memory as follows:
1. Sukhmani Sahib Paath at Gurdwara Sahib Perth, Australia on 2 September 2017 from 5.30pm onwards.
2. Kirtan & Katha Darbar at Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak, Shah Alam, Malaysia on Saturday, 9 September 2017 from 2.00pm onwards.
Please join us to celebrate the life of a grand old lady.
[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]
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A Sikh donning a batik turban caught the attention of many many at a recent Kuala Lumpur fashion event.
Keshminder Singh looked stunning when he took the runaway at the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready-to-Wear 2017, an event that insists on brand new collections.
Keshminder, an executive at a local plantation conglomerate, was certainly parading something different, something unique. He was displaying a batik turban, jeans and batik shirt from local brand Tarik Jeans, with a black jacket.
The outfit can be worn for a party or simply for casual wear.
This was the first time that the 26 year-old Keshminder had taken part in a fashion show.
Asked how it felt, he told Asia Samachar: “It was a good experience. It’s good to be a little unique, a little different.”
Batik refers to cloth that has been dyed using the batik method. The method involves producing coloured designs on textiles by dyeing them, having first applied wax to the parts to be left undyed.
[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]
Sarjeet Singh Randhawa, from Simpang Pulai, Ipoh, Perak left for the loving arms of God at 5.12pm at Ipoh General Hospital in his 60th year.
Sarjeet Singh was brought up in Jalan Bendahara, Ipoh and later resided in Simpang Pulai. He has served the Prisons Department (Taiping, Batu Gajah, Sungai Buloh) for over 34 years.
He was suffering from end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) and has been undergoing haemodialysis for the past 7 years. Despite his illness, he has always been a jovial and an outgoing person. In the last few years, he ambulated with assistance of a wheelchair. But that did not dampen his spirit to be active in the lives of his family and loved ones.
Leaving behind a rich harvest of memories, Sarjeet Singh will be missed dearly by his son, siblings, family, friends and all those who knew him.
[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]
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ਨਿਰਬਾਨੁ
On this day in 1961, more than 6,000 Sikhs gathered in Singapore for the first Asian ‘Punjabi Mela’ organised by the Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA). It would have been an amazing sight to see Sikhs from Singapore, and probably from neighbouring Malaya, as well, gathering in such huge numbers.
Rajindar Singh Bedi, a retired medical assistant who lives in Penang, Malaysia, has been keenly interested in history, especially Indian and Punjab history, since young.
By Dr Rajwant Singh | Facebook Entry
The was a crowd gathered at the gurdwara at Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur, popularly called Parliament Gurdwara. It was a mixture of young and old, similar faces and new faces. But the energy from each of them was the same: vibrant. At a bright warm Sunday noon, the weekend still alive for all of them.
The UK Charity Commission has issued an ‘official warning’ to a Coventry gurdwara for supposedly exposing its members and its trustees to ‘an undue risk of harm by virtue of repeated disruption on charity premises such that a police presence has been required on a regular basis’.
When Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947, the state of Punjab probably suffered the most in what has been called the Partition. Sikhs living on the now Pakistan side of Punjab migrated towards the Indian side of Punjab, while millions of Muslims moved the other way. In the process, numerous atrocities were reported. At the same time, there were also many heroic stories where people assisted each other, going beyond their religious identity.
