The Time magazine has named student activities Gurmehar Kaur from India and Youtube sensation Lilly Singh aka Superwoman from Canada in its list for the ‘Next Generation Leaders’.

They are among the 20 names appearing in the list, an annual project that the US-based magazine started in 2014.

The 20-year okld Gurmehar was badged ‘ree-Speech Warrior’ while Lilly won the title ‘The ‘Superwoman’ of Comedy’.

“When you are standing up for something that is greater than yourself, there will be people opposing it, You just have to stay strong, keep going at it,” Gurmehar said in an interview with the Time.

HERE IS WHAT THE TIME WROTE ABOUT THE TWO WINNERS:

Free-Speech Warrior

It all began when Gurmehar Kaur decided to raise her voice. In February, she and other students at Delhi University’s Ramjas College decided to protest campus violence involving the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a right-wing student organization linked to the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which rules India. She posted a photo of herself on social media holding a placard reading, “I am a student from Delhi university. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone.”

As the image went viral, an earlier picture surfaced from an unrelated online campaign to promote peace between India and Pakistan. In it, Kaur held a placard about her father, an Indian army captain who had died fighting militants in the disputed region of Kashmir. “Pakistan did not kill my dad,” it read. “War killed him.” In the context of her challenge to the BJP-linked group, those were seen as fighting words.

Suddenly, Kaur was a target for online trolls and thrust to the center of a national debate on free speech and dissent in an increasingly nationalistic India. She was mocked by a leading cricketer and criticized by a Bollywood actor. Kiren Rijiju, a junior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, tweeted, “Who’s polluting this girl’s mind?”

In the months since, Kaur has been targeted with verbal abuse and death threats. But still she refuses to be silenced, and has a memoir, Small Acts of Freedom, that is due to be published next year. “Why should I keep quiet?” she says. “While I never asked for it, I was pushed to the forefront. I realized that people listen to what I say. And if I have something positive to say, why shouldn’t I say it?”

To see the interview, go here.

The ‘Superwoman’ of Comedy

For proof of just how creatively Lilly Singh can make a point, look no further than “How to Make a Sandwich.” The five-minute YouTube clip at first seems to be a standard cooking tutorial, with Singh cheerfully offering advice from behind a kitchen counter. Except she’s talking directly to a commenter—who wrote that “women aren’t funny” and asked why Singh wasn’t “in the kitching [sic] making me a sandwich.” As the sandwich is dressed, he gets dressed down. Try using fresh vegetables “to make up for your expired thought process.” When you’re cutting onions, “you’ll notice [they have] layers—just like your insecurity.”

This is humor as Singh believes it should be: smart, irreverent and unapologetically feminist. It has made the 29-year-old Indian-Canadian a star on YouTube, where her sketch-comedy videos—tackling everything from relationships to racism—have logged more than 2 billion views and lured guests like Michelle Obama and James Franco. Growing up as the daughter of Punjabi immigrants, Singh says, “it was definitely embedded into my upbringing, like, ‘Indian girls shouldn’t do this’ or ‘Girls shouldn’t do that.’” Now “Superwoman,” as she’s known to her fans, presides over a multimillion-dollar brand, comprising live tours, film and TV roles (she’s slated to appear in HBO’s Fahrenheit 451) and a best-selling book.

Like any budding comic, Singh has her share of critics. But none have distracted her from her larger goal of empowering young women—not just by making them laugh but by working with groups like UNICEF and the Malala Fund to ensure that they have equal ­opportunity, especially in education. “If I can have an impact,” says Singh, “it seems like a waste not to use it to have some kind of positive influence on the planet.

To see the interview, go here.

[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] 15971

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Lilly Singh aka Superwoman coming to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (Asia Samachar, 19 May 2017)

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| History | Malaya | 17 Oct 2017 | Asia Samachar |

1937: Ragi Badan Singh wins first prize for music in Kuala Kangsar (Asia Samachar, 9 Oct 2017)

By Sikh.Id

‘Be The Lighthouse’. That was the theme of the recently concluded Sikh Youth Camp 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The two-day camp, organised by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Indonesia (SNSI), was aimed at empowering, inspiring and grooming the Indonesian Sikh Youth. Some 100 participants and sewadars (facilitators) from all over Indonesia attended the camp in Puncak, a hill station outside Jakarta.

The camp focused on instilling the core values of our Sikh philosophy like as Naam Japna (meditating on Gods Name), Kirat Karni (earning a honest living), Vand Chakna (sharing), Chardi Kala Vich Rehna (staying in eternal optisism), Sarbat Da Bhalla Karna (doing welfare for all), Jivan Mukt Hona (being liberated while alive) and Hukam Vich Rehna (living in God’s will).

Through a series of workshops, games and inspiring sessions, participants were taught how these values can and must be integrated into their daily routine to live a Sikh Way of Life. They analysed various world scenarios and presented their views on how the Sikh values have been applied. They also discussed the lives and events of various ‘Lighthouses’ from Sikh history and our Gurus.

Growing up and living in the 21st century poses many unique challenges for the Sikh Youth. However, these values remain fundamental in their journey of continuous learning and improvement.

“These values must be taught from a young age. Every Sikh needs these tools when making decisions. At a mature age, one must make the right decision when faced with a difficult choice,” said one camp volunteer.

ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋiਤ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥
Man Thoon Joth Saroop Hai Aapanaa Mool Pashhaan ||
O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light – recognize your own origin.

ਮਨ ਹiਰ ਜੀ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾiਲ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਾਣੁ ॥
Man Har Jee Thaerai Naal Hai Guramathee Rang Maan ||
O my mind, the Dear Lord is with you; through the Guru’s Teachings, enjoy His Love.

A Sikh, similar to a lighthouse, must be enlightened from within and shed this light on others, when in darkness, to guide them along. Helping, without discrimination, the people around to navigate through tough waters.

SNSI has been running many such events since its incorporation in 2000. The youth of the Sabha intend to continue running such events so as to keep the youth positively engaged on the Sikhi path. Through their resource arm Sikh.id, they also hope to constantly engage and enlighten the Indonesian Sikh Diaspora.

[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] 15993

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I bring to your attention a recent article ran by Transparency International entitled ‘How to Keep Desperately Needed Humanitarian Aid Out of the Hands of the Corrupt’.

Among others, it says senior management and leaders should openly discuss and address the possibilities of corruption in the field and produce clear anti-corruption strategies.

Is this happening? In the Sikh community, are our Sikhs organisations and gurdwaras and all those donation-collecting outfits open and transparent about how much is collected, and where and how the money is spent?

The article says:

Around the globe, tens of millions of people need humanitarian assistance from governments, humanitarian aid agencies, and the UN. Humanitarian assistance financing has been rising year on year from around US$16.7 billion in 2010 to $27.3 billion in 2016. That’s a great step towards ensuring that essential help gets to those most in need after natural disasters or conflict.

But even when lives are at stake and people at their most vulnerable, corruption and other abuses are not uncommon.

Most international humanitarian operations take place in fragile states, with weak rule of law, inefficient or dysfunctional public institutions, and a limited ability to prepare for and prevent humanitarian disasters. Every country requiring a humanitarian response this year scores badly on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2016.

There are no specific figures on how much aid is lost to corruption, but it undermines humanitarian efforts in various ways.

Bribery and extortion distort decision-making, and increase the cost of goods and services. The amount of aid reaching the most vulnerable is reduced, or its quality is diminished.

Other forms of corruption – like nepotism and cronyism in the hiring of staff, or bias or political interference in the distribution of relief – can occur even when financial accounts seem in order. There can even be extortion of sexual favours in return for aid, and intimidation of staff so they’ll turn a blind eye to malfeasance.

The humanitarian aid sector has been confronting the challenge of corruption for over a decade but it is clear that greater investment in tackling corruption is needed. More specifically, key actors in the humanitarian sector – donor governments, the UN, humanitarian agencies, and host governments – need to become stronger and work more collectively.

The above may also apply to donations-aid given by corporate sector in the name of ‘corporate social responsibility (CSR)’ as there may be weak management-monitoring-audit of funds/facilities donated.

Internal auditors [and statutory auditors] have a role to play by expanding their scope of audit.

Gursharan Singh,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[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] 15999

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Managing gurdwara funds transparently, with accountability (Asia Samachar, 14 Feb  2016)

A startup business marketing Spice Drop, a liquid spice extract now being introduced to the Malaysian market, is running a booth at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

A group of stalls will display their products at the KLCC Concourse in conjunction with the Diwali Festival until 24 Oct 2017, from 10am to 10pm.

“My family and I will be showcasing our product Spice Drop which is a one of a kind liquid spice extract. We will be giving samples like Masala Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon and Cardamon Tea, cookies and potato chips made with these Spice Drop,” Sandesh Singh tells Asia Samachar.

“We would like to invite you to come over to KLCC anytime next week to our booth to try out the products.”

The KLCC festival will also have dance and dhol performances.

The Spice Drop booth is handled by Harkiren Kaur Maan who manages promotions as well as online sales and social media, with the assistance of her cousin Lara Kaur.

[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] 16004

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Kuala Lumpur-based Dhol Alliance is all set to release its first single, Addiction, in 10-days time. Today, they released the trailer.

The full single will be released on 28 Oct 2017 via Youtube as well as iTunes and Sportify.

Dhol Alliance, who performed at the Pavillion Mall in Kuala Lumpur for Diwali a few days ago, perform at corporate events and weddings. They have also performed in Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

“Our drummers are no new comers to the dhol entertainment scene; most of the senior drummers have over a decade of experience in dhol entertainment,” according to an entry at their Facebook page.

[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] 16008

RELATED STORY:

Kushwin Kaur and friends out to reinvent event industry (Asia Samachar, 30 Aug 2017)

Startup ideas from Sikh entrepreneurs (Asia Samachar, 22 July 2017)

A Zambian-born Indian couple has just pledged US$200 million to a Florida university – the largest donation ever from an Indian-American to a US institution.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has announced the largest philanthropic gift in its history from Tampa-area cardiologist Dr. Kiran C. Patel and his wife, paediatrician Dr. Pallavi Patel.

The commitment will significantly expand its programs in osteopathic medicine and health care sciences, and be used to develop a new 27-acre campus for NSU in Clearwater, Fla. The Patels are renowned in Florida for their philanthropy, community service and entrepreneurship, the university said in a statement.

“I feel that it is more important than ever to advance the current state of health care,” said Dr. Kiran C. Patel in the statement. “It is rare for someone to have the opportunity to impact the world in this way, and, as an immigrant to the United States, I am particularly honored to be able to make a difference in people’s lives around the world.”

“This partnership will benefit thousands of patients, students and doctors,” added Dr. Pallavi Patel. “Over the next 20 years, NSU will train thousands of new doctors and other health care professionals who will directly touch millions of lives, making a real difference.”

A cohort of Indian-Americans who have made their fortune in the US are increasingly turning to large-scale philanthropy. Kiran Patel’s giant gift to a Florida university is the new high-water mark, reports BBC.

Every day at school, eight-year-old Kiran Patel would watch longingly as his younger brother and friends snacked on chocolate and soda bought with their pocket money. His one shilling a day pocket money could easily pay for those goodies. But to him it was a waste – he dropped it in a piggy bank instead. In a few years, he had saved enough to buy the ship fare from Zambia to India for himself, his parents and his two siblings – their first trip home in 12 years, the report added.

Six decades later, Dr Kiran C Patel recounts the story aboard his 14-seater private Bombardier jet on his way to Tampa, Florida. He has come a long way from that small town in Zambia.

“I learnt a few very early lessons in life,” he says in the BBC interview. “A penny saved is a penny earned and one should drop it where it makes the maximum impact.”

Patel grew up in apartheid-era Zambia, where he had to move 80km to go to school as there was none in his town for non-white students. He attended medical school in India and moved to the US with his wife, also a medical doctor, on Thanksgiving Day in 1976.

Patel went from cardiologist to businessman when he created a network of physicians with different specialities. But the real breakthrough came in 1992 when he took over a health insurance company on the verge of bankruptcy.

Ten years later when the Patels sold the firm, it had more than 400,000 members and revenue in excess of $1bn. His business empire is not without controversy – earlier this year, two of his businesses paid more than $30m in a settlement after accusations of artificially inflating costs for care. The firm has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Patel likes to call himself an “aggressive entrepreneur” and believes in the old Gujarati adage “When the goddess of wealth comes knocking, don’t run away to wash your face”.

“I’m a risk taker and a 90 miles per hour guy, always pressing the accelerator,” he says, then points to his wife of 44 years Dr Pallavi Patel. “She is the one who applies the brakes.”

In recent years, many successful Indian-Americans have changed their giving habits, moving from donations to temples and religious institutions to using their newly acquired wealth to shape societies back home and in the United States.

The Patels are not alone in the scale of their givings. New York couple Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon pledged $100m to the NYU School of Engineering in 2015. The Sanju Bansal foundation provides backing to a number of non-profits and foundations in the Washington, DC area.

[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] 16021

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Tall, strong, sturdy, confident, friendly and sociable, he was endearingly called the ‘Gentle Giant’ by those who knew him. Always wearing a smile, the late Captain Manmohan Singh was ever ready to provide a helping hand to anyone in need. However, when he wore his black belt and took to the judo mat, he became an unbeatable fighting machine who had few equals in Singapore and the region.

Manmohan was born in Ipoh in Malaysia in 1951. His father, Mr Sardool Singh, was a Superintendent of Prisons while his mother, Madam Narindar Kaur, was born and raised in India. Along with his siblings, Manmohan grew up in a close knit and supportive family. A keen interest in sports characterised all members of the family. An active participation in sporting events defined the household, with Sardool leading the way for the young Manmohan and his brother. The family offered active encouragement by attending the many sporting events in which the father and sons trio participated.

Manmohan, or Mohni as he was affectionately known to family and friends, attended Anglo Chinese School right from primary education. According to his sister, Mrs Rajpal Kaur: “As a boy, although Manmohan was endearingly playful and at times, even mischievous around his family and friends, he was in fact well behaved and obedient in school. He was never a bully.”1 Manmohan’s discipline could be attributed to the considerable time he spent participating in sports meets in school and at the national level throughout his youth. The sportsman matured to become a responsible young man who was extremely protective of his parents and siblings and who continued to be anchored by the nurturing environment and close bonds of his family.

When it was time to choose a career, Manmohan decided to join the SAF [Singapore Armed Forces]. He was commissioned as an officer in 1972 and rose to the rank of Captain in 20 Singapore Artillery (20SA). He held a number of appointments in the formation, including that of Manpower Officer, Training and Operation Officer (S3) and Logistics Officer (S4). During his service with the SAF, Manmohan won numerous awards. This included the ‘Top Trainee’ award in several of the courses that he attended. He was also very popular in the SAF, given his friendly disposition and his unhesitant willingness to help those around him. His dedication, determination, loyalty, honesty and sincerity were qualities that stood out. He always had an extremely positive outlook of life and was viewed by his fellow officers and soldiers as a man of impressive qualities.

ALL ROUNDED SPORTSMAN

It was this outlook, attitude and the desire to excel that enabled Manmohan to hone his skills and become an all-rounded sportsman. He dabbled and proved to be a successful athlete at track and field events, race walking, hockey and rugby, winning many awards and medals in these sports. However, it was in judo that he would go on to truly excel and carve a niche for himself. He took up the sport in his early teens and trained extremely hard every day. His efforts and determination paid off. At the age of 18 years, Manmohan became the youngest champion on record to win the National Light Heavyweight Judo Championship in 1969. Thereafter, he qualified first for the Black Belt (1st Dan), rising later to the coveted 4th Dan, both awarded by the Kodokan Judo Institute of Japan.2 The 4th Dan3 is rare among Singaporeans even till today.

While in the SAF, Manmohan was able to combine his passion for the green uniform and the judogi.4 He made the effort to promote judo in the SAF and organised several judo competitions. He also became the undisputed judo champion in the SAF, winning the Heavyweight title for an extended period of time.

Manmohan’s favourite sport soon took him to the national and international stages, where he carved out a name for himself and, in the process, brought glory to Singapore. In 1973, Singapore hosted the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games. Manmohan represented his country in the Heavyweight category. Not one to disappoint, Manmohan worked extremely hard to prepare for the Games. His toil and sweat were aptly rewarded when he won the silver medal at the Games. He continued to impress and won silver and bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games (formerly called the SEAP Games) in Malaysia in 1977 and in 1983 in Singapore respectively. It was a remarkable achievement for Singapore, a nation then not known in the region for its martial arts prowess. Together with other judokas like Mr Low Chee Kiong, Mr Stephen Loh and Mr Low Sai Gek, Manmohan helped change that perception.

In 1976, Manmohan competed in the first ASEAN Judo Championship in Penang in Malaysia. He did remarkably well and improved on his 1973 SEAP Games showing by clinching the gold medal and, in the process, becoming the region’s Heavyweight judo champion. He repeated the feat in Jakarta in 1981. At that point in time, he was the top judoka in Singapore and it was no surprise that he was Singapore’s sole representative at the Asian Judo Championship in Kuwait in 1985.

Manmohan’s love for judo saw him making contributions in other areas of the sport as well. He became a qualified judo judge, in addition to being a race walking judge. He took the lead in promoting judo in schools as well as volunteering to organise sports and judo events in schools, at athletic associations, at the Singapore Judo Federation and at other judo associations in the region. He also held committee positions, including Honorary Secretary in the Singapore Judo Federation for many years.

COMPASSIONATE

Manmohan displayed great compassion to his friends and fellow beings. According to his brother, Professor Kulwant Singh: “He was always willing to go out of his way to assist many of his current and former soldiers. He usually did this informally as he did not seek any rewards or limelight for doing so.”5 A further example of his empathy was when he was on an overseas posting. Realising the plight of the poor in the area, Manmohan organised the provision of food for poor children in the village bordering his camp.

By the mid-1980s, Manmohan was riding high in both his professional and sporting careers. However, he was diagnosed with cancer at an advanced stage in 1986. Any lesser being would have had difficulty overcoming such a setback. However, Manmohan remained resolute and continued to live a normal personal and working life. He also continued to contribute to the community whenever possible. He remained active in his advocacy for sports events, organising and volunteering at events in schools and at several other platforms. He refused to be held down by what was not within his control.

In 1989, despite his strength and determination, Manmohan succumbed to his illness and passed on when he was only 38 years old. He is survived by his wife, Madam Samrita Kaur and son, Mr Arvind Singh, who now reside in Perth in Australia.

Hailing from a family of sports persons and sports enthusiasts, Manmohan was able to excel in a number of sports. Eventually, he decided to take up judo, a decision which resulted in him attaining glory for Singapore on the international stage. It has been more than 25 years  since the passing of Manmohan. Even today, the ‘Gentle Giant’ continues to remain an inspiration to those who are close to him, the judo fraternity, the Sikh community and the wider Singapore society.

Endnotes

1 Interview with Mrs Raspal Kaur, October 9, 2015.

2 The Kodokan Judo Institute of Japan is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. See http://kodokanjudoinstitute.org.

3 There are ordinarily 10 Dan ranks, which are ranked in ascending numerical order, though in principle, there is no limit to the number of Dan ranks. Ibid.

4 The judogi is a loose-fitting judo uniform worn by the judoka. It consists of pants, a jacket and a belt tied at the waist. See www.olympic.org. 5 Interview with Professor Kulwant Singh, October 9, 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] 16022

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The final push for the makeover of the century old Jalan Loke Yew crematorium in Kuala Lumpur is all set to take place.

The plans have been finalised and the necessary approvals are in place. Now, the team has to raise the RM2.5 million needed to build a modern crematorium.

Gazetted in 1921 – though thought to have started operations around 1890s – the crematorium serves the Sikh, Gujrati, Sindhi and other North Indian communities in the Klang Valley.

“We have overcome all the earlier hurdles, including the land ownership issue. Now, we are all set to move ahead. We call upon the communities to donate for this cause,” Shamshan Bhoomi Parbandak Society (Selangor & Federal Territory) president Pretam Singh told Asia Samachar.

The society manages the crematorium, the only crematorium run by Sikh and North Indian communities in Kuala Lumpur.

“We have a joint committee (via the society) to run the crematorium. Sindhis and Gujaratis are represented by Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Jalan Kasippilay, off Jalan Ipoh,” said Pritam.

“We are all working together,” said society vice president J R Sharma, who represents the temple.

The society has appointed the nation’s top Sikh cop, newly minted Federal Police Commercial Crime Director Commissioner Amar Singh, to head its Building Development Committee.

“Our tendering process will be transparent. Datuk Amar and his team will handle the tender and contract awarding process,” he said.

Things started moving at a faster pace for the team when the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur approved the building plans in January 2017. They must commence construction work by January 2018.

Work on the redevelopment of the dilapidating crematorium began in earnest in 2012. However, it hit an early snag when they were told that they did not own part of the land that was under its plan.

“We went to the National Achieve to dig up the old documents. We found the confirmation of the gazette. In 2014, we received an official letter from Land Office that the land is indeed ours, belonging to the society,” said Pretam when met recently.

The team then started the first phase of the redevelopment of the crematorium which consisted of landscaping and garden upgrade. The Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office had allocated RM500,000 for the purpose.

“Some RM300,000 were spent through DBKL. The balance was given to us,” he said. Among others, they had also constructed the road and built a security fencing.

The development order for the project was received in 2015 while the approval from the fire department came in the following year.

The second phase involves a two-storey main building which will have a waiting area and a prayer hall on the second floor.

“If needed, families can commence prayers in the hall. They can also hold prayers there,” he said.

The adjoining building will have quarters, a place to bathe the body and mortuary freezers. They will also have a place to keep urns temporarily for the Hindus.

“The quarters are for family members who may want to come and stay a day earlier. There is also a big hall upstairs for future use,” he said.

The new crematorium will be fitted with gas burners which will commence operations at a later date. The existing four wood burners will be maintained.

On its funding, society treasurer Kernial Singh said the society now has RM550,000 in its collection. Their dream: if 2,000 people would donate RM1,100 each, they will be able to raise RM2.2 million.

It was approaching 8pm. The society’s executive committee was just wrapping up its meeting held at the Sikh Centre at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul in Kuala Lumpur on a Sunday. They are all volunteers, having come forward to undertake some crucial tasks for the community.

These volunteers will be reaching out to fellow community members to raise the money needed to pay for the making of the new crematorium.

TO DONATE, CALL DATO PRETAM SINGH +6012-284 9402

MAYBANK CURRENT ACCOUNT NO: 5140 2062 4886

NAME: SHAMSHAN BHOOMI PERBANDAK SOCIETY BUILDING FUND 

[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] 16030

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Malaysian sports journalist and a definite expert on field hockey commentary Jugjet Singh Randhawa got noticed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).

The 49-year old journalist received a momento from AHF CEO Datuk Tayyab Ikram at an event in Bangladesh yesterday (19 Oct 2017) for his contribution towards promoting hockey for the last 24 years.

The ceremony was held at the Maulana Bhasani Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, at the sidelines of the Asia Cup hockey tournament.

Jugjet, who joined the Malaysian newspaper the New Straits Times in 1993, has covered hockey from the World Cup right up to local
age-group tournaments for the last two decades.

SIX QUESTIONS FOR JUGJET:

What is your position when you play hockey?
Defender.

Favourite food?
Capati and saag (spinach).

Favourite hangout place?
Mamak chai.

Favourite saying?
Winners don’t quit, quitters don’t win.

Where do you see Malaysian hockey one decade from now?
Regularly playing in the World Cup and Olympics.

Your best habit?
Turning off the tap while brushing teeth.

[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] 16045

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At 19, Pritam Singh tasted his biggest and sweetest of victories as a professional footballer. His team Telekom Melaka won the Malaysia Premier League (M-League).

In the same year, 2004, he was selected for the Malaysia national under-20 team.

“It was a sweet victory. I felt proud to have won a title at19. It motivated me to play more,” he tells Asia Samachar.

Now, 13 years later, Pritam is hanging up his professional boots to move into coaching.

“My personal mission is to share and give my football knowledge back to community and young children,” he said.

He is now coaching at the First International Soccer Academy (FISA) for players between the ages of 8-17.

In August, his brother Baljit Singh Charun announced that he would be making an exit from international hockey.

After a stint with Telekom Melaka, Pritam joined DBKL FC in Malaysia FAM Cup League in 2006-2007. For the next four years, 2008 to 2011, he donned the CIMB FC jersey in the Kuala Lumpur League.

In 2012, he represented Kuala Lumpur FA in the Malaysia Super League and Malaysia FA Cup. In that year, he was also selected to represent Felda United FC in Malaysia Cup.

He then had stints with Team Terengganu FC, Sabah FA and Kuala Lumpur FA in the M-League. In 2016, he joined MK Land FC which topped the Selangor Super League.

How did he get into football? “I started playing at eight and I loved it. I realised that I had talent in football. I was later selected to play for school, then made it to the district and state level teams,” 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] 16046

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It is easily the largest and most popular Indian event in Vietnam, and its growing in stature.

Some 1,000 Indian expats and Vietnamese attended the recent Diwali Fest, an annual event organised by the Indian Business Chamber In Vietnam (INCHAM Vietnam).

“This event has become very popular with the Indian expats. We also invite various Vietnam government officials,” INCHAM Vietnam chairman Dilbagh Singh tells Asia Samachar in a telephone interview from Ho Chi Minh.

This year, the chamber decided to give the event held on 14 Oct 2017 a little twist. They invited a dance group from India which performed folk dances of the various Indian states, including from Punjab, Rajasthan an Maharashtra.

“We turned it into an Indian festival,” he said.

Among others, Indian ambassador to Vietnam P Harish spoke at the event. Representatives from the business chambers from Singapore, Malaysia and other countries were also invited to the event.

The event featured Bollywood singer Ravi Shukla, winner of the India Star Voice contest in its second season, and artist Purva Mantri.

There are about 2,000 Indian expats in Vietnam, most of them on business visas.

[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] 16061

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| Public Service Announcement | Malacca, Malaysia | 21 Oct 2017 | Asia Samachar |

FREE SEMINAR

Our 4th SEDIC sponsored Seminar is being held as follows:

Date: 29 October 2017 (Sunday)

Time: 9.00-5.00pm

Venue: Avillion Legacy Hotel, Melaka

Highlights: Sikhi in 21st Century. Gurbani discourses. Lead Speaker Dr Karminder Singh Phd, assisted by local speakers. Two teas and lunch. Seminar Kit for participants. For age 18 years and above.

To register, whatsapp name and IC number by Oct 26 to:

Malkit Singh at 017-8832150

Dato Baldev Singh Randhawa 019-6639060

Gursatvinder Singh 019-2280050

Organiser: Sant Sohan Singh Ji Melaka Memorial Society Malaysia

Sponsor: SEDIC

[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] 16070

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Malaysian Singapore Sikh Sports Council (MSSSC) has elected its deputy president Gurjeet Singh Rhande to helm the sports outfit for a two-year term. He replaces Dr Kerpal Singh Pannu who had served two consecutive terms.

Businessman Gurjeet is also the president of Perak Sikh Union (PSU) and Party Punjabi Malaysia (PPM). PSU deputy president Hardev Singh has been elected as one of the five VPs.

SEE ALSO: MSSSC does not encourage, condone alcohol during games

MSSSC which was formed in 1949 by a group of enthusiastic sport minded Sikhs with the intent to enhance the sporting activities of Sikhs in Malaysia.

MSSSC is responsible for the Gurdwara Cup, the oldest Sikh sporting event which has been held since 1952. This year marked the 66th Gurdwara Cup.

The entire committee for the 2017-19, made up of an all-male team, won unopposed.

MSSSC Council 2017 – 2019:

President: Gurjeet Singh Rhande

Deputy Presidents:
Dr Kuldip Singh Sohan
Sarjit Singh Sona

Vice Presidents:
Amarjeet Singh
Sarban Singh
Rajinderjit Singh
Gagandeep Singh
Hardev Singh

Secretary: Keshminder Singh

Asst Secretary: P. Rangit Singh

Treasurer: Daljit 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] 16076

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MSSSC does not encourage, condone alcohol during games (Asia Samachar, 28 June 2016)

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Mohinder takes over leadership at Singapore Khalsa Association (Asia Samachar, 29 May 2016)

MSSSC retains Dr Kerpal as president, Gurjeet made deputy (Asia Samachar, 17 Oct 2015)

SINGAPORE — For almost 20 years, she could not hear properly. And the first time she saw someone playing the piano at five years old, she could only “feel” the melody through the vibrations in the air.

Against all odds, Ms Parvinderjeet Kaur pursued her love for music, so much so that next February, she is expected to attain her diploma in piano teaching with the London-based Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Now a part-time piano teacher, Ms Kaur, 27, earns about S$300 a month. She enrolled in the diploma course after receiving S$3,000 from the TODAY Enable Fund, which covers half her course fees.

Upon graduation, one of her goals is to teach children with special needs how to play the piano.

“They should not take their disability as an excuse or as a weakness,” she said, adding that it could be “a strength” to help them strive to do better in life.

Ms Kaur’s own childhood was a frustrating one. She was bullied by her classmates who called her “stupid” in her first year in secondary school.

She was born completely deaf in her right ear, with partial hearing loss in her left ear. When her mother was carrying her during pregnancy, she contracted Rubella, or “German measles”, and the baby (Ms Kaur) had a high risk of being born with deformities.

When Ms Kaur was three years old, doctors told her parents of her hearing impairments, but they did not immediately get her hearing aids because her father could not accept the diagnosis. He held out that her hearing would be normal by the time she was seven.

When Ms Kaur turned six, her mother insisted that a hearing aid be fitted in her left ear. That was the first time the girl learnt how to speak.

Two years later, she told her parents that she wanted to learn to play the piano.

Ms Kaur said that she was inspired by Soka Gakkai International president Daisaku Ikeda, who had moved her with his piano-playing when he visited her kindergarten in 1995. – Today Online (18 Oct 2017)

To read the full story, go here.

[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] 16084

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Twenty gurdwaras in Malaysia will play host to some 40 katha sessions (Sikh preaching) in the third edition of the Gyan Pargaas Semagam (GPS), an initiative to rope in young parcharaks (preachers) to perform discourses on Gurbani.

The trained preachers in this leg, between Oct 25 and Nov 7, are Bhai Dewinder Singh Kairon, Bhai Davinder Singh Sabhraa and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Takhtupura.

The gurdwara covered in GPS 3 are Greentown, Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh, Taiping, Gunung Rapat, Butterworth, Kangar, Bayan Baru, WGS Penang, Petaling Jaya, Alor Star, Kajang, Sunway, Selayang, Klang, Port Klang, Raub, Kuantan, Tatt Khalsa, Johor Bahru and Rawang.

“The programmes celebrate Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as our one and only eternal living Guru, the Guru Panth and the Sikh Reht Maryada endorsed by the Akaal Takht Sahib and published by the SGPC as our sole Code of Conduct and Conventions.

“GPS3 programmes celebrate the life and Gurbani of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji in conjunction with the Aagman Purb of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji,” according to a note from one of the event organiser.

PERAK ZONE

Week 1: Bhai Dewinder Singh Kairon
25/10 Wed 7.30-8.30pm Greentown
26/10 Thu 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
27/10 Fri 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
29/19 Sun 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
30/10 Mon 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
31/10 Tue 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh

Week 2: Bhai Davinder Singh Sabhraa
1/11 Wed 7.30-8.30pm Greentown
2/11 Thu 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
3/11 Fri 7.20-8.20pm WGS Ipoh
4/11 Sat 11.00-11.45am WGS Ipoh
4/11 Sat 7.30-8.30pm Taiping
5/11 Sun 10.30-11.30am Taiping
7/11 Tue 7.15-8.15pm Gunung Rapat

NORTH ZONE

Week 1: Bhai Davinder Singh Sabhraa
26/10 Thu 7.00-8.00pm Bworth
27/10 Fri 7.00-8.00pm Kangar
28/10 Sat 10.00-11.00am Kangar
28/10 Sat 7.30-8.10pm Bayan Baru
29/10 Sun 10.30-11.30am Bworth
30/10 Mon 7.00-8.00pm WGS Penang

Week 2: Bhai Gurdeep Singh Takhtupura
2/11 Thu 7.00-8.00pm Butterworth
3/11 Fri 7.00-8.00pm WGS Penang
4/11 Sat 10.30-11.30am Alor Star
4/11 Sat 7.00-8.00pm Bayan Baru
5/11 Sun 10.30-11.30am Butterworth
6/11 Mon 7.00-8.00pm WGS Penang

SOUTH / CENTRAL ZONE

Week 1: Bhai Gurdeep Singh Takhtupura
25/10 Wed 7.30-8.30pm Kajang
26/10 Thu 7.30-8.30pm Sunway
27/10 Fri 7.30-8.30pm Selayang
28/10 Sat 10.30-11.30am Klang
28/10 Sat 7.30-8.30pm Port Klang
29/10 Sun 10.30-11.30am Raub

30/10 Mon 7.30-8.30p, GS Petaling Jaya

Week 2: Bhai Dewinder Singh Kairon
28/10 Sat 10.30-11.30am Kuantan
1/11 Wed 7.30-8.30pm Kajang
2/11 Thu 7.30-8.30pm Klang
3/11 Fri 7.30-8.30pm Tatt Khalsa Diwan
4/11 Sat 10.30-11.30am JB
4/11 Sat 7.00-8.00pm JB
5/11 Sun 10.30-11.30am Rawang

[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] 16090

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Sikh Soldier, Volume Seven: The Officer Corps

Author: Narindar Singh Dhesi

Publisher: The Naval & Military Press Ltd

Pages: 244

The accounts of hundreds of Sikh officers who received training at Sandhurst and other famous British military training academies are captured in a newly released book by retired soldier and prolific author Narindar Singh Dhesi.

Sikh Soldier, Volume Seven: The Officer Corps also captured at least 15 Malayan Sikh officers, including Brigadier General Baljit Singh, the second Sikh officer to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General after Rajbans Singh Gill.

The book captures the stories of a good number of Sikh officers that were trained in the UK and the role they played in forming the officer corps in India, Kenya, Malaysia and United Kingdom.

The common thread is that they attended the ‘Sandhurst’, ‘Woolwich’, ‘Cranwell’, and ‘Dartmouth’ during their careers.

The 244 page book, the seventh in the series of Sikh Soldiers by Narindar, is no mean task. It would have required a herculean task of data mining and research.

The Sikh Soldiers series began with Gallantry Awards followed by Battle Honours, Policing the Empire, Forgotten Regimens, Warriors and Generals and At War!

MALAYAN OFFICERS

Brig-Gen Baljit received the Brig-Jen title in1982 when he was promoted to command the 1st Malaysian Infantry Brigade. He then took command of 10th Malaysian Infantry Brigade from January 1984 to October 1985 after which he was the Commandant of the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MAFDC) from November 1985 to April 1986. He was then posted to command the 13th Malaysian Infantry Brigade till his retirement in January 1988. He passed away in 2010.

The others Malayans mentioned in the book are Major Lakhbir Singh Gill, Colonel Harchand Singh, Brigadier General Baljit Singh, Major H Daljit Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Dulip Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Jit Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Bhajan Singh, Colonel Sukhdev Singh Gill, Lieutenant Colonel Sarjit Singh, Captain Akual Singh, Major Sarjit Singh Sindhu, Major Jugjit Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Amreek Singh, Major Harjit Singh Randhawa and Major Jagjeet Singh.

Major Lakhbir, commissioned from Sandhurst in 1955, was selected to form the first multi-racial battalion, 1st Federation Regiment, for Malaya, as a Troop Commander. It was part of the effort to unite the Malayan people in the fight against the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) during the First Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and to prepare for Malaya’s independence (1957).

Major Lakhbir was trained from 10 Sept 1953 and was commissioned on 3 Feb 1955.

SANDHURST

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army’s initial officer training centre and is located in the town of Camberley, near the village of Sandhurst, Berkshire, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of London.
The book begins with the story of Prince Victor Duleep Singh.

He was the first known person of Sikh descent (for that matter, a man of colour) who entered the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1887, with a special Cadetship. Children of Indian extraction were disqualified by parentage from the Army under the existing rules, but Queen Victoria bent the rules for her godson.

DECORATED SIKHS

During the First World War from 1914 to 1919, 60,000 Indian soldiers had fought and died in blood-soaked battlefields from Europe to East Africa. The scale of their contribution can be judged from the fact that the Indian army earned no less than 9,200 decorations including 11 Victoria Crosses, writes Lieutenant General (Retd) B.S. Dhaliwal, who served more than four decades in the Corps of the Engineers of the Indian Army, in the foreword to the book.

Indeed, by November 1918 India had despatched 1,302,394 men to France; Mesopotamia; Egypt and Palestine; and smaller contingents to Aden, East Africa, Gallipoli, and Salonika. By contrast, all of the dominions together could only send 978,439 men.

“This book by Narindar Singh Dhesi places on record the details of the Sikh Officers who contributed so largely to the development of a professional Officer Corps for their respective Armies,” he writes.

THE AUTHOR

The author Narinder was born in 1940 at Eldoret in Kenya, where his father had migrated from Punjab. He moved to England in 1957 and joined the British Army. After leaving the armed forces in 1964 he worked in the building and construction industry.

What drives this book series? It is the story of the military role of the Sikhs before and throughout this process that the author seeks to tell, and it is his experiences as a young man in the British Army, as well as the memories of his father’s fight for justice for Sikh and Indian rights within the Empire, that have impelled him to explore this in his later years and to share it with the reading public.

Narindar saw at first hand the dismantling of the British Empire as a soldier in Aden, and its subsequent redefinition as just one other member of NATO when he was stationed in Germany.

Having achieved promotion to non-commissioned officer in the British Army, Narindar returned to the UK after six years of service and entered the construction industry.

[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] 16099

RELATED STORY:

Sikh artillery officer who becomes Asean heavyweight judo champ (Asia Samachar, 19 Oct 2017)

Guru Granth Sahib for Sikh Soldiers – 1915 (Asia Samachar, 24 Sept 2017)

Father of Singapore Artillery (Asia Samachar, 2 Sept 2017)

Veteran Sikh soldiers to inspire young Malaysians (Asia Samachar, 2 Aug 2016)

By Jugjet Singh

Malaysia gave their best, but it was not enough to deny India the Asia Cup gold medal in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 22 Oct 2017.

After reaching the final for the first time in 35 years, the Indian hockey team denied glory with a 2-1 victory.

Malaysian players were placed in a tight spot in the third minute itself, when Ramandeep Singh scored the opening goal, and the 6-2 drubbing in the round robin came to mind.

Midfield was completely missing, like in the first three quarters against South Korea, and India players had a field day breaking into the semicircle to take pot shots at goalkeeper S. Kumar.

Kumar brought off a handful of super saves, before India took a 2-0 lead off Lalit Upadhyay in the 29th and the score remained until the half-time break.

Shahril Saabah ignited the fight-back with a field goal in the 50th minute, and India protested, but lost their video referral as well.

And with three minutes left in the match, coach Stephen van Huizen took out goalkeeper S. Kumar for an extra outfield player in a last gasp attempt to draw the match and take it to penalty shoot out.

The tactic worked in Malaysia’s famous 1-1 draw against South Korea, but even though it pinned India in their own semi-circle, Malaysia failed to score. – From Jugjet World of Field Hockey

[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] 16107

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Saskaar: 3.00pm, 23 October 2017 (Monday), at Jalan Chamang Damp, Bentong, Pahang | Malaysia

Jaswant Kaur (Santa) w/o Late Vasan Singh (Kg Ketari, Bentong)

Born: 1935

Departed: 22 October 2017

Cortege timing: Cortege leaves from residence No 271, Kg Ketari, 28700, Bentong, Pahang at 2.00pm on 23 October 2017 (Monday)

Saskaar / Cremation: 3.00pm, on 23 October 2017 (Monday), at Jalan Chamang Damp, Bentong, Pahang

Contact: Sukin Sansi 019 – 3894001

| Asia Samachar | Entry: 23 Oct 2017 | Source: Family |

| Event Listing | 23 Oct 2017 | Asia Samachar |

Takht Kesgarh Sahib former head granthi Singh Sahib Giani Ranjoodh Singh and Bhai Sarabjit Singh (Ramdas Wale) will be taking part in a major kirtan programme in Taiping next month.

EVENT | TAIPING, MALAYSIA | 10-12 Nov 2017 | Sant Baba Jewala Singh Salana Yaadgiri Semagam 2017 | Venue: Gurdwara Sahib Taipin | Kirtan by renowned ragis | Contact: Avtar Singh Terry 013-363 3737, Kuldip Singh 012-2974136, Balraj Singh 019-555 5564