| Malaysia | 15 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Last Saturday (13 Aug 2016),Dr Pola Singh launched his book entitled Reflections of Life in an old fashioned way – with family, glorious food and amazing energy in the comfort of his home. The VIP who declared the launch of his book open, was no other than his proud, four year old grandson!

In this book, he reflects and writes on issues that affect the man on the street – matters of the heart, mind and body centered on life, each with an underlying message.

Dr Pola Singh, a retired civil servant has not slowed down in life. He is a familiar face and sewadar at Gurdwara Sahib Malacca, a green lung champion for Bukit Kiara and continues his Hash House Harriers run to keep him on the go. He brings with him an illustrious background having served as the Director General of Maritime Institute of Malaysia, the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department.

The following are excerpts from Asia Samachar’s interview with Dr Pola Singh:

Tell us about your book.

It is a compilation of my articles written over the years in the newspapers. It comes in a coffee book form where you will find short stories accompanied by lots of colorful pictures. I start off with my roots, family and values which has defined the person I have become over the years.

The chapters there after characterize our typical Malaysian life, which we are familiar and can easily relate to. Remember Lat’s cartoon? Well, the same Malaysian content, but with a different twist. I attempt to capture them in a candid yet insightful and witty manner for my audience’s ease of reading.

The title of my article actually provides a flavor to its story and moral values. Some of the headings include:

• Savour each day as you will never know if it could be your last
• Making time for health and family
• Giving generously and blessings will follow
• A Sikh wedding steeped in splendour
• The praise factor in the Asian community where we should praise during their living years
• The ‘Kay pohchee’ syndrome especially during accidents
• Don’t take peace for granted
• Redha teaches us about autism

What motivated you to author this book?

Authoring a book has been an item on my dream list and bucket list for a long time now.I have been writing articles my whole life, with my first piece dating back to the 1970’s. Along this writing path, I told myself that authoring a book would be a natural progression and hence I set this goal.

Where do you derive your inspiration to write?

In the beautiful course of life itself and through my various capacities. Life is after all a University. From a kampung (village) boy in Malacca to a university student in Kuala Lumpur and then a civil servant upon graduation. From a sports enthusiast, to a green advocate, to a social community worker and a senior citizen. From a devoted son, to a father, to a doting grandfather.

I am blessed to wear many hats and hence I write from those dimensions and perspectives through a passage of time.

Describe your writing experience

It has been a humbling and fulfilling writing journey.

For the man on the street, I humbly endeavor to inspire and encourage faith and hope when the road ahead seems tough, having been at crossroads many times before. I delve on the Malaysian idiosyncrasies and how we can feasibly make a better change in our lives.

With justice and level playing field in mind, I respectfully strive to be a voice to bring issues often discussed at the dining table to the fore front. Where possible, I attempt to use my writing to address and provide resolutions to challenges facing the nation, for example on racial unity and environmental issues, drawing from my exposure in policy making. Writing has become a purposeful journey. To make a difference, where possible.

Describe your readers’ response to your articles.

I am grateful and thankful to my readers for connecting to my stories, all these years.

I have been pleasantly stopped at parks, roadside, shopping malls and weddings by strangers who tell me, they have read my pieces in the papers and support my views. It feels good knowing that we Malaysians speak the same language,share the same value system and echo the same concerns.The beauty of it all is – the commonality that we share. We all have our family, friends and nation’s best interest at heart.

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Read widely and keep writing even if your piece doesn’t get printed. One fine day, it will. With practice, words that seem trapped in your mind, will gradually flow like a river rushing to the sea. Take photography as a hobby if you can, to enhance your articles. A picture, after all, paints a thousand words.

Know your target audience and resonate with their concerns. Write in a simple and user friendly way, so you can connect to your readers. Before you know it, you will have an informal Fan Club following your column or writing, said Dr Pola Singh with a smile.

How can we get a copy of your book?

Do drop me a note at pragmatic2121@gmail.com.

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

RELATED STORIES:

Former MIC leader Nijhar releases ‘The Bullock Cart Boy’ (Asia Samachar, 5 July 2016)

Young lecturer co-authors book on accounting principles (Asia Samachar, 14 May 2016)

Singapore journalist releases ‘India Rising: Fresh Hope, New Fears’ (Asia Samachar, 2 May 2016)

 Jasbir featured in book on Singapore skilled talents (Asia Samachar, 30 Dec 2015)

Balli Jaswal shortlisted for inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize (Asia Samachar, 29 Oct 2015)

Jashpreet launches book on nurturing babies with loving touch (Asia Samachar, 25 Sept 2015)

Amardeep journeys deep into Pakistan in search of Sikh legacy  (Asia Samachar, 21 Sept 2015)

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

The post My Reflections of Life: New book by former Malaysian DG Pola Singh appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 16 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Khalsa Aid founder Ravinder Singh and his wife Bal Kaur Sandhu received a massive outpouring of love from the Sikh Sanggat of Australia and Malaysia in what could be their first non-mission trip abroad.

The couple, that have been running the Sikh humanitarian relief aid agency since 1999, were honoured at a gathering at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya yesterday (15 Aug 2016), after finishing a one-week visit to Australia.

At the event, the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) presented a cheque of RM13,660 and on the spot contributions from Sanggat amounted to RM3,263 to the Khalsa Aid founder/CEO.

The couple were honoured with sirapaos from the coalition and Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) and Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya.

In Australia, the couple visited Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and attended fund raising sessions that raised some A$160,000.

“We were drowned with love. The fund raising was all planned by the local Sikhs,” he tells Asia Samachar when met before beginning his Malaysia leg of the tour.

“We should do more trips like this…but we usually don’t have the time because we are always on missions.”

The CMSO represents eight national organisations: Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM), Sikh Women’s Awareness Network (SWAN), Sikh Welfare Society Malaysia (SWSM), Malaysian Sikh Union (MSU), Malaysian Sikh Education Aid Fund (MSEAF), Sant Sohan Singh Ji Melaka Memorial Society Malaysia, Guru Kalgidhar Diwan Malaysia and Guru Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Foundation.

NEXT: Full interview with Khalsa Aid Founder/CEO Ravi 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]

RELATED STORIES:

Khalsa Aid founder to be honoured in Malaysia on Aug 15 (Asia Samachar, 21 July 2016)

SNSM has to return to Sikhi parchaar, says Dr Jasbir Singh (Asia Samachar, 13 Aug 2016)

Stranded in Nepal, sisters join Khalsa Aid (Asia Samachar, 9 May 2015)

Rebuilding a New Nepal – ROTI FOR THE SOUL  (Asia Samachar, 6 May 2015)

Venturing out in Nepal still difficult, says UK search and rescue member  (Asia Samachar, 4 May 2015)

Ham joins MERCY Malaysia team to Nepal  (Asia Samachar, 4 May 2015)

Singapore Sikhs donate to Mercy Relief for Nepal (Asia Samachar, 30 Apr 2015)

Malaysia’s CMSO works with Khalsa Aid to aid Nepal (Asia Samachar, 29 Apr 2015)

The post Khalsa Aid ‘drowned with love’ in Australia, gets warm reception in Malaysia appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 16 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Holding Back, a short-film produced by Malaysia-based Sheila Sandhu, has won a number of awards, the latest being the ‘Goa Talkies Presents International Short Film Carnival 2016’ in June.

Now, the film about a cancer patient fighting a dying battle will be competing in the 3rd Navi Mumbai International Film Festival NMIFF-2016.

The movie, directed by Wilson Louis, is true story about Shiv, a cancer patient, fighting a dying battle.

A train journey, totally changes his mother, who was emotionally so weak and soft for sentiments and who would easily burst into tears, into a strong mother. She holds back her tears in doing the last responsibilities for her son, as she stops herself from crying or falling into any emotional bait.

Why the plot? “I lost a dear friend to cancer,” she tells Asia Samachar, an online news portal for Sikhs in Southeast Asia.

The film had earlier won laurels at ‘California Shorts’ and ‘Nasik Film Festival’. It won three more awards at the ‘Goa Talkies Presents International Short Film Carnival 2016’.

The films stars Seema Biswas and Anant Mahadevan. It also features Gutur Gu actor Kunal Kumar and Aditya Lakhia.

The Kaalo and horror serial maker Wilson Louis, too had lost a dear friend back in 1999 in tragic circumstances (in a train) to cancer as the film shows, according to one media report. He stated, “I had promised myself that I will make a film on him. I am thankful to Sheila ji for having given me this chance.”

The Navi Mumbai film festival is open to all film makers of short and feature length films, from across the globe, and appreciates all genres of film making.

It describes itself as a competitive festival of films where the best films will be shortlisted under various categories. The winners are selected by a panel of esteemed jury members and awarded with cash prizes and trophies.

Asia Samachar spoke to Sheila. Here’s our question and answer session:

How did you get involve in film making?
Been involved in the industry for some time. Event, line production and so forth

Tell us a little about yourself?
I am 52, happily married to civil engineer Kawaljeet Singh. Our daughter is 12 and we live in Puchong (Selangor, Malaysia).

What prompted you to be involved in Holding Back?
I was narrated the script on the net by an old director friend from Mumbai. It’s a true story of how a mother loses her son to cancer and he passes away on the train while traveling for his friends marriage. A journey most painful for the mother, a journey from Bangalore to Chenai. I was touched. To top it of I lost a dear friend to cancer.

How do you feel with this accomplishment?
I feel totally great and it’s motivated me to do more short films with social messages.

What’s next?
My next will start shooting most likely in December 2016. I’m sorry I can’t reveal the plot as yet but I promise you that the masses will love it.

The post Malaysian movie producer competes in Navi Mumbai International Film Festival appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Singapore | 16 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Are you a rabble rouser? Are you one who wants to change the world and make it a better place? If you are, then this fellowship is for you.” That poster of the Warren Weaver Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation caught the attention of Dr Gurinder Singh Shahi as he strolled down the hallway of Harvard University. This was during an academic year for his Master’s degree in Public Health, International Health Policy and Management. The Rockefeller Foundation is a scientific community that promotes the well being of humanity around the world and the Warren Weaver Fellows Program comprises extremely talented individuals who have contributed fresh perspectives on the Foundations’ work in specific programme areas and they are given full support to carry out any scientific project of their choice, which would be a service to mankind and the environment.

Gurinder is the eldest child in the family, with a younger brother and sister. Having spent the first 10 years of his life in Orchard Road, where his paternal grandfather had a shop-house, Gurinder and his younger brother would get up to mischief with the neighborhood children, running around rampant through the flood prone streets. “We were basically street urchins”, described Gurinder, with a slightly mischievous glint in his eyes, of him and his brother, Maninder.

Having graduated as a medical doctor from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1984, Gurinder joined the teaching faculty there. Three years later, he embarked on his part-time Doctorate in Molecular Biochemistry and Biotechnology, which he completed impressively in two years. It was about this time that he had the honorable opportunity to work with the former Dean of the School of Law in NUS, international lawyer and Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor Tommy Koh. Professor Koh was the President of the Third United Nations Conference of the Law of the Sea and his work in studying the peaceful use of the seabed and the ocean floor piqued Gurinder’s interest in environmental issues.

Gurinder decided to undertake his Master in Public Health at Harvard University – a decision his peers could not fathom as it was, by and large, an uncommon area of study. After successfully completing his Masters in Public Health, Gurinder applied for the Warren Weaver Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation. In spite of being among 500 applicants, Gurinder was one of the chosen five. All of them had different backgrounds and experiences ranging from finance to public health. With his experience as a medical doctor and a background in public health, Gurinder was placed in the global health division as well as the global environment division where he worked on a myriad of research projects, including the impact of human encroachment on the local flaura and fauna in the Himalayas. “We used to pretend that our actions were so insignificant that no matter how badly we mismanaged things, the earth was strong enough to recover from the damage we created. However, evidence now suggests that is not true and we have been destroying the environment and, in some instances, irreversibly.”

The global health division at the Rockefeller Foundation was keen on tackling healthcare challenges in developing countries. The initiative it had was developing public health schools without walls. The idea was to train medical personnel working in the field on the principles of public health and to provide them with the necessary skills and education needed to address challenges in their respective countries that were largely less developed. Despite being at a tender young age of 30, Gurinder was instrumental in creating a curriculum and game plans for this initiative. “There was a lot of fun doing that as I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and exchange valuable ideas with these bright people who would, in the future, bring about change for the welfare of their environment. In a way we were grooming classes of activists for social and environmental change.” He then embarked on this long road to apply his in-depth scientific knowledge to the service of all.

In 1993, after successfully completing his fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation, with exemplary standards, Gurinder was invited to join the Division for Global and Inter-Regional Programmes at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He spent two years in New York, where he ran various projects in partnership with the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO). He worked with consultative groups to produce solutions for pressing issues occurring in underdeveloped countries, ranging from global agricultural challenges,  water and sanitation issues to children survival and development. His face beaming with delight, Gurinder remarked: “There would normally not be opportunities to do something like this and I was extremely excited to be given the chance to work on these projects.”

While working with the United Nations, a portfolio was created for him to spearhead the Sustainable Health Development Division. He was tasked to join a group that was setting up a new global institution in South Korea called the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). It is dedicated to the development of vaccines for diseases in developing countries. Gurinder spent three years in South Korea playing a key development role for the institution. He was
responsible for overseeing the build up of overseas partnership links between the IVI and leading centres of excellence in Asia. Today, the IVI has grown to become a 200-person strong non-profit organisation.

Gurinder was then invited by several Japanese and Korean scientists to assist them in setting up another medical organisation in Singapore, the International Molecular Biology Network of Asia and the Pacific Rim. It is an organisation dedicated to promoting the development of molecular biology and biotechnology in Asia and the Pacific region. It comprises Asian and Asian-Pacific member countries, with Singapore being one of them. The initiative allowed for the exploration of Singapore’s growth potential in the molecular biology and biotechnology arena. Gurinder was appointed as Executive Director of the Asia Pacific International Molecular Biology Network (A-IMBN). He worked closely with the European Molecular Biology Organization and with regional scientists, governments and private-sector partners. This paved the way to further develop the molecular biology and biotechnology infrastructure in Singapore. A priority needs assessment committee was established to identify top concerns of each country and areas of weakness that needed to be resolved. Singapore was part of this committee and Gurinder was the representative in developing the best strategies in improving the biotechnology industry in Singapore and around Asia and Pacific region.

“Gurinder always had a deep interest in international developments and health. He decided to travel on the public health terrain at a time when there was relatively little interest in the area. He was indeed a rebel rouser who wanted the world to be a better place. In doing so, Gurinder’s labour of love proved to a massive success and enabled Singapore to become a leading regional and global player in the public health, molecular biology and biological sciences arenas.

Gurinder has played a key role in the development of several major international initiatives, and served as advisor and consultant to leading international organisations, governments, corporations and foundations in such areas as healthcare, life science technology innovation and commercialisation management, and biotech industry development. He has also been actively involved in operationalising and providing strategic and management inputs to a range of entrepreneurial enterprises.

Amongst other portfolios, Gurinder is an extraordinary teacher who brings a special passion and unique insight into his classroom. He has changed the way many view the world and global health.”

-Associate Professor Shabbir M Moochhala Distinguish Member of the Technical Staff Defence Medical & Environmental Research Institute & DSO National Laboratories

Concurrently, Gurinder worked as a principal consultant with Coopers & Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers), a multi-professional organisation, in coordinating new vaccine introduction in Singapore and Asian countries as well as assisting local and regional companies to launch their technologies and products into the marketplace. This allowed Singapore based companies to attain a significant standing in the biotechnological marketplace. Although Singapore was fast becoming the leading light in the medical arena, Gurinder insisted that it was crucial, at the same time, to be aware of relevant developments regionally and globally. At A-IMBN, Gurinder worked very closely with regional countries in developing their biotechnology industry and this has shown significant results, with countries like India, South Korea and Japan currently being the leading Asian players in this field, and China being the leading manufacturer of biotechnology.

As a result of Gurinder being the Singapore representative, the substantial growth of these countries proved to be beneficial to Singapore with considerable resources being available to the tiny nation through transnational collaborations in research conducted in this field. These collaborative efforts further catapulted Singapore onto the global map.

Locally, Gurinder has been an adjunct faculty at Singapore Management University since 2004. He was part of a committee that developed the curriculum and subsequently taught the course on ‘Technology and World Change’ at the university.

Gurinder always had a deep interest in international developments and health. He decided to travel on the public health terrain at a time when there was relatively little interest in the area. He was indeed a rebel rouser who wanted the world to be a better place. In doing so, Gurinder’s labour of love proved to be a massive success and enabled Singapore to become a leading regional and global player in the public health, molecular biology and biological sciences arenas.

[This article is courtesy of SINGAPORE AT 50: 50 SIKHS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, a book published by the Young Sikh Association, Singapore (YSA) in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday. Dr Gurinder passed away in Aug 2016]

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

RELATED STORY:

Bilveer Singh; fast paced, informative and entertaining NUS political scientist officer (Asia Samachar, 14 August 2016)

37 Sikhs on Singapore national day award list officer (Asia Samachar, 10 August 2016)

Bhopinder Singh a capable and resourceful Singapore officer (Asia Samachar, 11 August 2016)

Berinderjeet Kaur Singapore mathematics doyenne (Asia Samachar, 27 July 2016)

Amarjit Kaur – A rare Punjabi-Sikh working women of her generation in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 3 Mar 2016)

Jasbir featured in book on Singapore skilled talents (Asia Samachar, 30 Dec 2015)

Sikhs have long tradition of serving community, says Singapore PM (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Singapore PM shares gurdwara photo on his Facebook (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Veerinderjeet, Ranjit list Malaysian-based company in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Ishvinder jointly creates Singapore Sikh heritage trail app (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Pursue your passion, Singapore minister tells Sikh students (Asia Samachar, 9 Nov 2015)

Amarjeet’s war crimes court stint captured in Singapore book (Asia Samachar, 1 Nov 2015)

Davinder named Singapore’s best dispute lawyer (Asia Samachar, 26 Sept 2015)

MP Inderjit to focus on work, family (Asia Samachar, 17 Aug 2015)

Singapore army pioneer Daljeet Singh in parade (Asia Samachar, 10 Aug 2015)

50 Singapore Sikhs for SG50 (Asia Samachar, 1 Feb 2015)

The post Gurinder Singh Shahi: Thinker, eco-warrior who touched so many lives appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 17 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Publicity cuts both ways. It can build you up and get your work done. At the same time, it can also easily make you an egomaniac.

When Asia Samachar had a chance to sit down for an interview with Khalsa Aid founder Ravinder Singh, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to pose that question.

Khalsa Aid, the London-based humanitarian relief agency, relies on publicity it get its working done. And Ravi, as he is popularly known, gets a huge amount of the publicity.

Does the publicity get to his head, we asked him. As we posed the question, his wife, Bal Kaur Sandhu, who was seated next, throws her glance at him.

Ravi, 46, took the queston in stride, sharing what seems to be an answer coming straight form the heart.

SEE ALSO: Khalsa Aid ‘drowned with love’ in Australia, gets warm reception in Malaysia

SEE ALSO: Ham joins MERCY Malaysia team to Nepal 

“There is a fine line, where people will get corrupted. But if you know, and the people who know me, they will tell you that I’m dirven more to pass the message to the next generation than for myself,” he tells Asia Samachar.

“You always have to remember you’re uplifting the community and not yourself.

“My message, always – a reminder to myself and the commuity around – is that we are here for a bigger purpose, not for the individual Ravi Singh.

We are here for Khalsa Aid, for the Sikh community.”

The Sikh community, just like any other commuity, have seen super-crashes of the seemingly good and dedicated volunteers, who may have been succumbed by the ego trap.

How does he view this?

“They will see that glory hunters will fall off the bandwagon straight away. Those who focus hundred percent on their mission are the ones who, at the end, will see the difference between glory hunting and achievement for the community,” he says.

Ravi was born in a hospital in Singapore while his family was living in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where his dad was stationed while serving the Indian navy. He now lives in the United Kingdom.

He was in Kuala Lumpur after his one-week visit to Australia to promote Khalsa Aid and its work.

EXTRACTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH RAVI SINGH ON HANDLING PUBLICITY:

Publicity is critical to your work. On the other side, Sikhi teaches one to be humble and to serve selflessly. How do you balance the need for publicity with the need to remain a good Sikh?

We don’t have a particular department for PR.

Our work speaks for itself. Social media helps us to put the message to the masses. A lot of people say seva should be gupt (done anonymously). But for people who donate money to us, they need to know where the money went. We need to be transparent to the public.

Also, Khalsa Aid’s mission is not just its projects, but more so inspiring our youth and the next generation to follow the footsteps of Bhai Khanaiya Ji and be involved in global humanitarian issues. As Sikhs, we are born as humanitarians, but sadly, we’ve kept the concept very much hidden.

So, the PR that you see in the forefront of our operations is because of the work we do. And sometimes, at the high risk operations like in Iraq or Lebanon, it’s vital for the Sanggat to know what we do.

Is there a clash in your mind on the work you do and the publicity that you get?

No. There’s never a clash. We should we be doing much more, I feel personally, for the publicity. But as a small organisation, we are careful that we don’t spend funds or employing someone with high salaries for it. Whatever publicity we do get is directly linked to our projects.

How do you not let this go to your head?

When you take a step to this field, it’s very easiy [to get swayed]…. especially in our community. When you see someone doing something positive, we like to make them the leader, the Baba, the holy man.

I’m just a normal guy, When I meet people, I tell them, if you want to meet me, you meet me for coffee, a handshake. No accolades.

I just love what I do. I think it runs in my veins. It’s not done to lift myself up, it’s done to lift the community up. Yes, there is a fine line, where people will get corrupted. Bu if you know, and the people who know me, they will tell you that I’m dirven more to pass the message to the next generation than for myself.

In this day and age, it is easy to be perceived as seeing publicity or self-promotion. But, then again, we won’t be in the forefront of doing so much seva. Our work is very important, it’s vital. It’s in such high risk areas, the PR is automatic. People should not be connected to Ravi Singh, people should be connected to Khalsa Aid.

Do you get conflicted, at times, that you are doing it for the glory?

Sometimes I do think that people make you into something you are not. I continue to remind them not to do that. Other times, I’m very much driven by human rights also. That publicity is important for me to have a base where I can then express myself to a wider audience, especially on human rights.

There is no conflict on Khalsa aid. You have to be at peace with yourself with what you do, and I’m very much at peace with I do. But I do appeal to the public to follow the work of the Khalsa Aid and  not the invidivual leading it.

Many of the young would be tempted to join movements like Khalsa Aid because its look glamorous, it looks exciting. What is your advise to the young?

Those who seek glory are very easily identified. The youngster, if they step into the field of seva, and if they believe in what they’re doing, they are going to go through a lot of struggles, they will face many obstacles. They will see that glory hunters will fall off the bandwagon straight away. Those who focus hundred percent on their mission are the ones who, at the end, will see the difference between glory hunting and achievement for the community.

The youngsters must focus on what they are doing but must also stay humble. We all come from very humble beginnings. The end target must always be to uplift the community, not the person.

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Khalsa Aid ‘drowned with love’ in Australia, gets warm reception in Malaysia (Asia Samachar, 16 Aug 2016)

Khalsa Aid founder to be honoured in Malaysia on Aug 15 (Asia Samachar, 21 July 2016)

SNSM has to return to Sikhi parchaar, says Dr Jasbir Singh (Asia Samachar, 13 Aug 2016)

United Sikhs feeding Syrian refugees despite setbacks (Asia Samachar, 7 March 2016)

Stranded in Nepal, sisters join Khalsa Aid (Asia Samachar, 9 May 2015)

Rebuilding a New Nepal – ROTI FOR THE SOUL  (Asia Samachar, 6 May 2015)

Venturing out in Nepal still difficult, says UK search and rescue member  (Asia Samachar, 4 May 2015)

Ham joins MERCY Malaysia team to Nepal  (Asia Samachar, 4 May 2015)

Singapore Sikhs donate to Mercy Relief for Nepal (Asia Samachar, 30 Apr 2015)

Malaysia’s CMSO works with Khalsa Aid to aid Nepal (Asia Samachar, 29 Apr 2015)

The post Ravi, does publicity get to your head? appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 17 July 2016 | Asia Samachar |

The next match day for Akaal Premier League (APL) 2016 is on Sunday (21 Aug).

The football league for Sikh youth in Malaysia will see some action at the stadium at Kg Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.

Three teams are still undefeated after four games: Klang Rangers, Pulapol Eagles and Kg Pandan Lions.

Pulapol Eagles and Kg Pandan Lions will be facing off each other. Let’s see who remains unbeaten?

On Saturday, Asia Samachar saw the Bukit Beruntung and the Kg Pandan Lions were hard at work, preparing for this Sunday’s matches. See video.

Check out Match Day 3 for APL 2016 on Sunday.

NEXT MATCH DAYS FOR APL 2016:

4. 31 Aug 2016 (Public Holiday)
5. 9 Oct 2016 (Sun)
6. 23 Oct 2016 (Sun)
7. 6 Nov 2016 (Sun)
8. TBC (either Nov 13 or 20)

Akaal Premier League Match Day 2 Results (Asia Samachar, 31 July 2016)

29 goals, 3 yellow card after match Day 1 at Akkal Premier League (Asia Samachar, 18 July 2016)

Nine Sikh youth teams compete for Akaal Premier League 2016 (Asia Samachar, 15 July 2016)

Pulapol Eagles emerge APL champs, Rawang gave spirited challenge (Asia Samachar, 6 Dec 2015)

The lioness of Beruntung Hill Twin Lions (Asia Samachar, 26 Nov 2015)

The post APL 2016: Three teams still unbeaten appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Singapore | 18 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

By Harveen Narulla

A good man, one of the smartest, most perceptive people I knew. A courageous thinker, unafraid of bold systemic thinking that had as its aim to improve the world we saw and knew.

He seemed to live in the future, the present was almost an afterthought, the physical world around him a mortal coil that kept him from inhabiting the future and delighting in its marvels.

I loved him despite his rough edges, as much for the fun-loving, adventurous person he was as because I was always conscious that he, my friend Gurinder, was a special one, holding in his mind the keys to so many problems that bedevil humanity and wanting to solve them.

SEE ALSO: Gurinder Singh Shahi: Thinker, eco-warrior who touched so many lives

I remember the long conversations we had while out cycling. I admired his tenacity to get well and stay fit; also his sense of acceptance about his health issues that were aggravated by the ineptitude of early interventions.

He was a teacher extraordinaire. I remember at his invitation sitting in a seminar for the Technology and World Change course he conducted at the Singapore Management University. The students were enthralled, and participated actively. Everyone left feeling they had gained something from the class. Gurinder was, afterwards, as usual, self-effacing about his skillful handling of the session. He made the difficult things look easy.

I am sure many of the things Gurinder created in his head will manifest in the world around us in the decades to come. As they do, I will be thinking of this intellectual giant. The spirit of multi-disciplinary inquiry that he embodied and his intense curiosity about the world were his great gifts and lessons to us.

I hope these stay constantly with us, as we, his siblings, cousins and friends, and his children, nieces and nephews, and their children in turn, honour his memory and spirit.
Rest in peace, bro Dr Gurinder Shahi. Knowing you it will be a short rest before you ache to come back into this world and talk God into sending you amongst us again to solve some major existential problem!

We love you and will miss you always.

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

RELATED STORY:

Gurinder Singh Shahi: Thinker, eco-warrior who touched so many lives (Asia Samachar, 16 August 2016)

Bilveer Singh; fast paced, informative and entertaining NUS political scientist officer (Asia Samachar, 14 August 2016)

37 Sikhs on Singapore national day award list officer (Asia Samachar, 10 August 2016)

Bhopinder Singh a capable and resourceful Singapore officer (Asia Samachar, 11 August 2016)

Berinderjeet Kaur Singapore mathematics doyenne (Asia Samachar, 27 July 2016)

Amarjit Kaur – A rare Punjabi-Sikh working women of her generation in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 3 Mar 2016)

Jasbir featured in book on Singapore skilled talents (Asia Samachar, 30 Dec 2015)

Sikhs have long tradition of serving community, says Singapore PM (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Singapore PM shares gurdwara photo on his Facebook (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Veerinderjeet, Ranjit list Malaysian-based company in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Ishvinder jointly creates Singapore Sikh heritage trail app (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Pursue your passion, Singapore minister tells Sikh students (Asia Samachar, 9 Nov 2015)

Amarjeet’s war crimes court stint captured in Singapore book (Asia Samachar, 1 Nov 2015)

Davinder named Singapore’s best dispute lawyer (Asia Samachar, 26 Sept 2015)

MP Inderjit to focus on work, family (Asia Samachar, 17 Aug 2015)

Singapore army pioneer Daljeet Singh in parade (Asia Samachar, 10 Aug 2015)

50 Singapore Sikhs for SG50 (Asia Samachar, 1 Feb 2015)

The post Dr Gurinder: Courageous thinker who lived in the future appeared first on Asia Samachar.

Saskaar: 3pm, 19/8/16 (Fri) at Gui Yuan Crematorium, Kampung Tunku, PJ | Malaysia

Sepooran Singh s/o Pritam Singh

Age: 64

Departed: 18 Aug 2016

Son: Lakhjeet Singh Toor

Brother: Gurdeep Singh

Sister: Herkirtheen Kaur

Cortege timing: Cortege departs from Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya at 2pm on 19/8/16 (Fri)

Saskaar/Cremation: 3pm, 19/8/16 (Fri) at  on 4 Aug 2016 at Gui Yuan Crematorium, Kampung Tunku, PJ

Path Da Bhog: 5-7pm, 27/8/16 (Sat) at Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak Shah Alam

Contact: Gurdeep 017.2352736, Rani 016.2820994, Ajeet 016.2785070

Asia Samachar | Entry: 19 Aug 2016, 10:25 | Source: The Star advertisement

[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]

FREE ANNOUNCEMENT SERVICE:

Dear Readers. Asia Samachar runs a free service to announce saskaar and path da bhog. This is to assist readers to quickly share news with the extended family and friends. The fastest way to reach us is via the Facebook messaging. The editors try to monitor the platform as much as they can.

SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS:

Cherishing memories: Free service to announce saskaar, path da bhog

The post Sepooran Singh (1952-2016), Shah Alam appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Movie Walla | Kuala Lumpur | 19 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Rustom – Rating 3 and a half stars /5 stars – Warning spoiler alert

By Movie Walla

Rustom, was loosely based on the story of KM Nanavati, a Naval Commander of the Indian Navy in the 1950s. The film was based on a slightly unconventional story line, an intriguing courtroom drama filled with raw emotions, laughter and unspoken justice.

The story set in the early 1950’s post Indian Independence, featuring Rustom Pavri (Akshay Kumar), the main protagonist, a strong and level headed character from the strong Persian community. And his post-marital betrayal by his British born wife, Cynthia (Ileana D’Cruz) with his close friend, Vikram Makhija (Arjan Bajwa) a rich businessman with a wild attitude from the strong Sindhi community. It showed how two strong headed communities back in the days coming head-to-head in a courtroom drama.

Rustom upon returning from a six months long work duty wanting to surprise his wife rather got surprised himself when he discovered the love letters exchanged between his wife and his friend, Vikram.

Rustom was subsequently charged with the murder of Vikram Makhija. Coupled with the strong support of newspaper run by a Persian Businessman, Rustom was able to gain large support and sympathy from the public for the betrayal by his wife.

Throughout the entire second half of the film, the cross examinations that takes place is quite compelling but still there was evident shortcoming in the direction of the film. To a certain extent it was rather slow and dreary film.

But Akshay Kumar (AK) once again was able to mesmerize the crowd with his wonderful charm and brilliant acting. He always does well in roles like this as seen in Special 26, Baby and Airlift just to name a couple of his other films. However the same cannot be said about Illeana D’Cruz. She was rather boring and was not able to bring forth the emotions required no matter how hard she tried. Her emotions had no effect on the audience and was rather sluggish to be bluntly honest.

Special mention to Kumud Mishra for his role as Erach Billimoria, Pawan Malhotra (famed for his role in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) as Inspector Vincent Lobo and Usha Nadkarni as Jamnabai for essaying their roles perfectly.

The music for Rustom is composed by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Raghav Sachar, Ankit Tiwari, and Jeet Gannguli. One particular song that has been doing rounds among the audience is the song Tere Sang Yaara sung by Atif Aslam. The entire soundtrack of the film is rather average and could have been better.

Go ahead and watch the film while it’s still in the cinemas and share your reviews with us.

RELATED STORY:

Kampung boy Jaginder Singh talks new movie Eleven Days (Asia Samachar, 26 July 2016)

The Malaysian Dream, from an Ola Bola lens (Asia Samachar, 15 February 2016)

Amazing movie on Bhagat Puran Singh – Malaysian Premiere (Asia Samachar, 5 February 2015)

Meet Director, Poet in 1984 hidden story Kultar’s Mime (Asia Samachar, 6 May 2016)

1984: I could smell gasoline : A review of Kultar’s Mime (Asia Samachar, 1 June 2016)

A world without borders, a moview review (Asia Samachar, 18 Aug 2015)

The post Rustom: Intriguing courtroom drama and nothing more appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Malaysia |  19 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

While the Olympics have their headlines for Malaysian athletes and international superstars, Asia Samachar continues with its series of talking to our Punjabi youth with the potential of becoming real stars themselves in the future.

Here’s our second interview in this series with Prahlaad Singh Khosa, a long distance heavy weight in his own age group and a part time football midfielder for the Subang Jaya Community Sports Club.

Our first impression of him is good. Not chatty but there’s a steely sense of confidence when listening to his responses. There is no hint of arrogance, yet he answers assuredly and maintains the boyish smile every now and then. Here’s the full transcript:

AS: What got you into long distance running at such a young age? Did you parents play a strong role in encouraging you to get into this?

Prahlaad: My father got me into long distance running at a young age and he encouraged me to run when I felt like stopping increasing the distance bit by bit.

What is it about long distance running that makes you want to do it? Is it the same reason that you do it competitively?

The thing that got me into long distance running is that there is more time to catch up with rest. You change strategies during the run.

You normally run amongst those elder than you, sometimes amongst the age of your dad. How do you feel about that? Proud? Challenged to do better?

I feel proud running against people older than me because they help me improve by giving me tips and challenging me to go faster and it’s always a nice moment when you beat someone older and bigger!

When did you start competitive long distance running? How many competitions have you participated in since you started?

I started running in 2012 and i have taken part in 15 races since then.

15? That is very impressive. Which competition to date was the most grueling and challenging one? Why was it so?

The most challenging race I ever ran was the 2015 MPSJ run because a boy came out of nowhere and was ahead of me and I lost confidence in myself and eventually finishing 4th and losing out on a medal.

You’re also a football player I’ve admired. Who do you play for now?

I am playing for SJCSC currently.

How were you able to play football while running long distance competitively?

The long distance running helped my football path because it gave me the stamina to play all around the park and it also allows me to play midfield my favourite position.

Which sport do you think you want to pursue further and focus on, if at all you want to focus?

I have recently picked up hockey. I really like the sport.

You’re a Red, I’m assuming. Do you aspire to play for them? Any favourite players past and present?

I do aspire to play for them. My favourite player is Steven Gerrard, though he slipped.

Do you ever compete with your sister in any of your endeavours? Healthy competition, of course.

Yes, I do compete with my sister as she does not want to loose to me. So she trains hard to give me a tough fight and she has improved a lot but she will still not beat me.

Finally, any advice for aspiring sportsmen, young and old alike?

Be committed and don’t be lazy!

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

High jumper Nauraj just misses out – NST  (Asia Samachar, 15 Aug 2016)

Nauraj gets to take dad to Rio Olympics (Asia Samachar, 3 July 2016)

Belia Selangor’s Gurmeshjit into defensive midfielding (Asia Samachar, 9 May 2016)

High-jumper Nauraj sets personal best at Canberra meet (Asia Samachar, 21 Feb 2016)

Avtar Singh – A credit to the Sikh Community and the Athletics Fratertiny of Singapore (Asia Samachar, 18 April 2016)

Sardar to lead India hockey team for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (Asia Samachar, 23 March 2016)

Sanjay wins second gold at SEA Games (Asia Samachar, 14 June 2015)

Nauraj retains high jump gold at SEA Games (Asia Samachar, 11 June 2015)

 

The post Run Prahlaad Run appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Singapore |  19 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

In 1972, the former head of the United Negro College Fund, Mr Arthur Fletcher, said: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

Adopted as one of the most successful public service marketing slogans of all time, it was geared at driving home the point of the necessity of education. A member of Singapore’s legal fraternity provided an equally compelling perspective on the value of intellectual power when he stated that: “If you want to train your mind, I would advise you to study law.”  Well, when this advice comes from legal eagle Senior Counsel, Mr Davinder Singh, one would pay serious attention to it.

Born in Singapore in 1957, Davinder is the youngest of five children. He grew up in humble surroundings along Race Course Road. He came from a relatively structured household where his father, born in Baluchistan, modern-day Pakistan, was the bread winner. He was strict while his mother, born in Malaysia, was the complete opposite and she loved to dote on her children.

Davinder lived in a neighbourhood of different races and religions. He was, thus, fortunate to be exposed to the different festivals and celebrations in Singapore early on in life. According to him, mingling with everyone without prejudice and judgment helped him learn much about people and life. This played an important role in shaping his outlook. His parents promoted understanding and appreciation of others among their five children – they had an ‘open door’ policy where anyone from the neighbourhood was free to visit. They were generous, as was everyone else in his neighbourhood. This is a memory that Davinder holds dear to his heart till today.

Davinder was a quiet child at home. His demeanor was, however, quite different in school where he was an active and a more outspoken student. He attended Saint Joseph’s Institution and later enrolled into National Junior College. Recalling fondly, he described his schools as places of complete freedom with an all-rounded education. It was also here that he met school mates who are his closest friends till today.

Following college, Davinder felt that it was time to choose his direction in life. He opted for law, for the simple reason that it would consistently and continuously train his mind. He felt that learning law would give him the mental frame to analyse issues differently – a useful skill in everyday life. He went to the National University of Singapore to pursue a degree in Law.

Today, Davinder is the Chief Executive Officer of Drew and Napier LLC, one of the largest law firms in Singapore. Setup in 1889, the firm’s calibre of work is acknowledged internationally at the highest levels of government and industry. He joined the Litigation Department of the firm immediately upon graduation in 1982 and rose through the ranks. He considers himself extremely fortunate to have an unending stream of good work and to be able to work with the best people while serving important clients.

Over the last 33 years, Davinder has litigated cases in almost every area of the law, including landmark cases. Each case is different in its own way and a few have generated some public interest. These included the National Kidney Foundation scandal and the Roy Ngerng defamation case. Davinder finds it difficult to pick a particular case that he found particularly compelling or challenging. Each case impacted his thoughts and emotions uniquely. Davinder also has an active international arbitration practice involving complex commercial disputes and multiple jurisdictions. Among others, he has advised and/or acted in the International Court of Arbitration, Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.

Prominent legal directory Chambers Asia-Pacific said: “The ‘Davinder Factor’ puts this [law] practice in a different league”. He is also described as “a formidable advocate with a long-standing and excellent reputation in the market”, and as “a standout figure in arbitration as well as litigation, his advocacy is smooth as silk.” It is, therefore, unsurprising that he has been regularly acknowledged locally and internally as a top litigator and arbitration counsel.

Most recently, he was recognised as the ‘Disputes Star of the Year – Singapore’ at the inaugural Asialaw AsiaPacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2015. Last year, he received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession’ award from Chambers & Partners for his exceptional achievements and significant impact on the regional and international market. Chambers & Partners also named him a standalone Star Individual, a category above Band 1, for five consecutive years. He was also named ‘Disputes Lawyer of the Year’ for Southeast Asia and India at the inaugural The Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards in 2014. He was the only litigator in Singapore to be named External Counsel of the Year by Asian-MENA Counsel in 2012 and 2013.

In spite of these numerous accolades, Davinder remains humble and believes that each award is recognition for his entire team. He feels that his team members are the bedrock behind every case he fights. Without them, the accolades and recognition would not be possible. He also chooses to take such moments to remind his two sons that there is recognition for honest work and, if one works hard and passionately, the opportunities will present themselves.

Joining Politics

In spite of his busy legal career, Davinder answered the call to serve the country. In 1988, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the People’s Action Party (PAP) ticket, making him the first Sikh parliamentarian in Singapore’s post-independence history. There were two reasons he took on this challenge.

Firstly, he saw his MP role as an opportunity to widen his horizon and assist the less fortunate. Davinder felt his perspective of life was being shaped by his experience as a professional working in the city every day. He did not wish to lose sight of the fact that there were people who were not as fortunate and who needed help.

“I have known Mr Singh for at least 20 years, since the days when he was a MP serving the residents of Toa Payoh Central branch. We still keep in touch and meet up with other branch members for meals. He is a kind man who is always willing to help the poor and needy. Despite his heavy work schedule, he looked after the residents who queued, sometimes late into the night, to meet him. He earned the trust of the various clan and merchant associations because he was always humble. He never took credit, always praising others for their good work.”
-Mr Chia Ah Sah JP, BBM(L), PBM, PB Vice Chairman Toa Payoh Central Branch

On a more personal level, he decided to join politics because his mother wished it, and he knew it would have made his father proud as well. His family had the highest regard for Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and this was Davinder’s opportunity to  with him. Following Mr Lee’s passing in March 2015, Davinder explained the greatness of the man in a Straits Times interview: “I sat with and talked to this genius who, more than anyone, understood human nature and societies, who had the third eye and could see trends and dangers, which we mere mortals were blind or oblivious to, and who knew with complete confidence what was best for his people and Singapore.”

While Davinder served as MP for the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency for 18 years and did his utmost to address the concerns of the residents, his political journey was not without challenges. As an MP, he faced the never-ending task of striking a balance between his professional commitments and the needs of his constituency while, at the same time, ensuring that he had ample time for his sons.

When Davinder was elected into Parliament, the idea of a Sikh MP was new to the Sikh community. There was naturally much jubilance within the community on his election. As much as he chooses not to take credit, Davinder played an important role as a link between the Sikh community and the government. In 1996, he was joined in Parliament by Mr Inderjit Singh. Together, they were highly successful in presenting the Sikh community as one that punches well above its weight.

The famous American author, poet and philosopher, Mr Henry David Thoreau, once said: “As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”

In a similar vein, Davinder has unendingly trained his legal mind to emerge as one of the brightest, if not the brightest, legal minds in Singapore, marking his life with exceptional professional accomplishments and selfless service to the nation and community.

[This article is courtesy of SINGAPORE AT 50: 50 SIKHS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, a book published by the Young Sikh Association, Singapore (YSA) in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday. Dr Gurinder passed away in Aug 2016]

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

RELATED STORY:

Bilveer Singh; fast paced, informative and entertaining NUS political scientist officer (Asia Samachar, 14 August 2016)

37 Sikhs on Singapore national day award list officer (Asia Samachar, 10 August 2016)

Bhopinder Singh a capable and resourceful Singapore officer (Asia Samachar, 11 August 2016)

Berinderjeet Kaur Singapore mathematics doyenne (Asia Samachar, 27 July 2016)

Amarjit Kaur – A rare Punjabi-Sikh working women of her generation in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 3 Mar 2016)

Jasbir featured in book on Singapore skilled talents (Asia Samachar, 30 Dec 2015)

Sikhs have long tradition of serving community, says Singapore PM (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Singapore PM shares gurdwara photo on his Facebook (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

Veerinderjeet, Ranjit list Malaysian-based company in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Ishvinder jointly creates Singapore Sikh heritage trail app (Asia Samachar, 27 Nov 2015)

Pursue your passion, Singapore minister tells Sikh students (Asia Samachar, 9 Nov 2015)

Amarjeet’s war crimes court stint captured in Singapore book (Asia Samachar, 1 Nov 2015)

Davinder named Singapore’s best dispute lawyer (Asia Samachar, 26 Sept 2015)

MP Inderjit to focus on work, family (Asia Samachar, 17 Aug 2015)

Singapore army pioneer Daljeet Singh in parade (Asia Samachar, 10 Aug 2015)

50 Singapore Sikhs for SG50 (Asia Samachar, 1 Feb 2015)

The post Davinder Singh: Singapore’s first Sikh parliamentarian appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Opinion | 20 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

By Harvin Kaur Deol

Hey guys,

It’s been sometime since I got back to my writing. My last note was on the traditional wedding chura (if you guys haven’t read it please do…promise you will learn something new) and I guess I find myself writing especially when I get some sort of inspiration for it.

I think my title might have aroused your curiosity (if it didn’t I blame my lack of creativity, lol).

Today, I want to write something that has caught my attention for far too long. Haters! Everyone has them; anyone secretly can be one of them; and one who has to deal with them. We all have experienced them one way or another. I came across a very good written piece on this concept and I thought might as well share with all of you. Never know who might learn from it or who might feel a little better knowing that there are so many people out there who similarly experience them.

SEE ALSO: Why I wear these red and white bangles?

SEE ALSO: US Major: Religion is a force of good

Ha, Haters! Who are they? Why do they exist? How to deal with them? Why do you hate? Why are you the one being hated? So forth. Every now and then we might have thought about any of these questions. You constantly ask why me? Well, I am going to share with you from an educational perspective, more so a psychological one and tell you that they do exist anywhere and everywhere and anyone can be of a target.

As God fearing people, we are to always be humble and never brag about anything, but there are some people without you even bragging who might be jealous of your achievements. Hating and bitterness is a sin and can be brought on by getting a new job or promotion, buying a new house, buying a new car, relationships, and even something like giving to charity can bring haters.

There are four types of haters. There are the ones who criticize you and find a fault for everything you do out of jealousy. The ones who try to make you look bad in front of others. Reasons people hate:

• You have something that they don’t.
• They need to put you down to feel good about themselves.
• They want to be the center of attention.
• They are bitter about something.
• They lose sight of contentment.
• They stop counting their blessings and start counting the blessings of others.

The ones who purposely bring you down so you won’t succeed instead of helping you, and there are the haters who hate behind your back and destroy your good name with slander.

Most of the time haters are the closest people to you.

Many a times, haters hate for no reason. Yes, no apparent reason. You may not even know the person, but you constantly get this feeling of being despised. When hating doesn’t work, haters start telling lies. They start living a delusional belief that they create in their little minds and go around proving that their illusion is reality. Don’t be envious of people who do wrong. Dealing with them is often a challenging task. Like the Romans say, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them”. The only way to deal with them is by living a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered and your name is brought to mud, those who revile your good behavior, by God’s grace, may be put to shame.

From Sikhism perspective, it is fundamental to know and understand that hating and jealousy are the traits that those who possess suffer in pain the most. Ninda (Critizing), chugli (gossiping), jhoothtefareb (lies and deceit) are often mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib. Guruji tells us one who is jealous or envious of others feels painful and resentful at their betterment; and feels happy when some miseries befall on them. The person feels happy when he obtains success but feels miserable when he sees some other person gains the same. This emotional tug-of-war in the mind brings anguish.

The only way to break free from this misery of being a hater is by living a kind and honest life. The constant thought of death should haunt you and you must remember that everything on this earth, everything that you have created for yourself or for your loved ones, is going to be left behind. The only thing you will face at the time of your death would be the replay of your actions on others and what kindness have you earned in this life. Remember without prayer, without a kind heart and soul, without a good conscience, without belief, without a honest life; your death is going to like the hot fire of hell, for no one can save you but the good words and prayers you gain along the way. Let death be a reminder and may we constantly think of an end. This fear will ensure us to think twice before hating on others and harboring this ill feeling. May Baba Nanak save us from this misery.

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Why I wear these red and white bangles? (Asia Samachar, 4 Sept 2015)

Ravi, does publicity get to your head? (Asia Samachar, 17 Aug 2016)

Hukam: Walking the Will (Asia Samachar, 23 July 2016)

Human savagery & nobility (Asia Samachar, 30 July 2015)

US town judge orders Sikh to remove turban (Asia Samachar, 22 Apr 2014)

FBI now tracks hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, Arabs (Asia Samachar, 28 Mar 2015)

Sikhs lend support for US Muslim woman battle over head scarf (Asia Samachar, 28 Feb 2015)

US Major: Religion is a force of good (Asia Samachar, 10 Feb 2015)

Flashback: Aussie judge tough on racial abuse (Asia Samachar, 16 July 2015)

The post Dear Haters appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| FMT | Malaysia | 20 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

By Uthaya Sankar SB

ULASAN BUKU Kekeliruan masih wujud dalam menentukan identiti masyarakat keturunan Punjabi di negara ini. Sering kali, media dan politikus menyebut kelompok ini sebagai “kaum Sikh” tanpa mampu membezakan antara “kaum”, “keturunan” dan “agama”.

Malah, di Malaysia, kelompok Punjabi sering digelar “Benggali”. Amalan ini ada kaitan dengan sejarah kedatangan masyarakat Punjabi dari Punjab, India yang dikumpulkan di Benggala (Bangladesh) sebelum dibawa ke Tanah Melayu pada zaman dahulu.

Agak menarik juga untuk diperhatikan bahawa Tanah Melayu adalah negara pertama yang dituju oleh masyarakat Punjabi beragama Sikh apabila mereka berhijrah mencari pekerjaan di luar negara bermula tahun 1850-an.

Novel The Enchanting Prison: Punjabi Pioneers in Malaya tulisan Malkiat Sigh Lopo merakamkan segala kisah dan pengalaman ini secara teliti dan menarik.

Beliau lahir di Rawang, Selangor pada 1942 dan berpengalaman menjadi guru lebih 30 tahun.

Maklumat dalam novel itu menyebut bahawa Malkiat giat melakukan kajian dan menulis artikel mengenai masyarakat Punjabi-Sikh serta hasil tulisan beliau pernah tersiar di akhbar Bahasa Inggeris dan Punjabi.

Saya pertama kali menerima senaskhah novel The Enchanting Prison pada 7 Mei 2007 daripada seorang individu bernama Paguman Singh @ Hari Singh semasa saya terlibat membuat resensi buku dalam rancangan “Selamat Pagi Malaysia” (RTM).

Novel itu memang benar-benar memikat hati dan minda saya kerana mampu memberikan maklumat (fakta) yang disampaikan pula secara penuh kreatif.

Kisahnya mengenai Sardar Jagat Singh yang mahu meninggalkan kampungnya di Punjab, India pada tahun 1873 untuk menyertai pasukan separa tentera di Tanah Melayu.

Bagaimanapun, impiannya dibantah si ibu yang terus mengatur perkahwinannya. Kemudian, anaknya, Sunder Singh pula yang meneruskan “impian” untuk pergi ke Tanah Melayu.

Dalam novel ini, turut diceritakan keagungan dan kegemilangan kerajaan Punjab di bawah pemerintahan Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Namun, apabila mahajara itu meninggal dunia pada 1839, zaman kejatuhan Punjab bermula.

Sepanjang membaca serta mengulang baca The Enchanting Prison, saya tertarik pada kemampuan Malkiat mengadunkan fakta sejarah di India dan Tamah Melayu dari tahun 1873 hingga 1937 serta menghasilkan plot cerita fiksyen mengenai keluarga watak bernama Sunder Singh.

Tidak dapat tidak, khalayak yang membaca novel ini pada masa kini akan segera teringat akan novel Interlok Edisi Murid (2010) yang diadaptasi daripada novel Interlok (1971) karya Sasterawan Negara Datuk Abdullah Hussain.

Bagaimanapun, novel The Enchanting Prison tidak menghina sesiapa atau menyentuh sensitiviti mana-mana kaum/agama. Sebaliknya, menceritakan pengalaman, perjuangan dan cabaran dialami/dihadapi masyarakat Punjabi beragama Sikh yang datang ke Tanah Melayu untuk memulakan hidup baru.

Novel ini dibahagikan kepada 24 bab dan setiap satu bab menceritakan satu kisah dalam realiti kehidupan masyarakat. Malah, pembaca boleh memilih untuk membaca mana-mana bab kerana setiap satu daripadanya bagaikan mampu berdiri sendiri.

Penceritakaan terperinci mengenai amalan, adat dan budaya masyarakat Punjabi serta upacara keagamaan Sikh juga amat menarik. Malkiat berjaya membuka ruang dan peluang kepada masyarakat pelbagai kaum, etnik dan agama di Malaysia (malah seluruh dunia!) memahami keunikan kelompok ini.

Perlu juga dinyatakan bahawa novel ini pada asalnya bertajuk “The Story of Sunder Singh” dan siap ditulis pada tahun 1972. Bagaimanapun, berikutan masalah kewangan, impian untuk menerbitkannya terpaksa ditangguhkan.

Akhirnya, pada tahun 2006, anaknya, Ranjit Singh menerbitkan novel ini dengan kerjasama Hari Singh iaitu rakan Malkiat.

Mujurlah novel ini terbit dan sampai kepada khalayak. Jika tidak, kita pasti kehilangan sebutir permata yang sangat berharga dalam sejarah negara.

Menerusi The Enchanting Prison, kita masih berpeluang mengetehui pelbagai perkara yang tidak lagi terkandung dalam buku mata pelajaran Sejarah di sekolah dan universiti. – FMT,  December 2, 2011

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

My Reflections of Life: New book by former Malaysian DG Pola Singh  (Asia Samachar, 15 Aug 2016)

Former MIC leader Nijhar releases ‘The Bullock Cart Boy’ (Asia Samachar, 5 July 2016)

Young lecturer co-authors book on accounting principles (Asia Samachar, 14 May 2016)

Singapore journalist releases ‘India Rising: Fresh Hope, New Fears’ (Asia Samachar, 2 May 2016)

 Jasbir featured in book on Singapore skilled talents (Asia Samachar, 30 Dec 2015)

Balli Jaswal shortlisted for inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize (Asia Samachar, 29 Oct 2015)

Jashpreet launches book on nurturing babies with loving touch (Asia Samachar, 25 Sept 2015)

Amardeep journeys deep into Pakistan in search of Sikh legacy  (Asia Samachar, 21 Sept 2015)

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

The post Ulasan Buku: The Enchanting Prison appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Flashback | Singapore | 20 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

FLASHBACK: VAISAKHI 2012. 

Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak announced on Monday night various “gifts” for the Sikh community in the conjunction with the Vaisakhi Day celebration.

It entailed a total allocation of RM4 million to improve their quality of life and this included aid for religious, education and social matters. What was more meaningful was that the prime minister also announced that Sikh civil servants could take unrecorded leave to enable them to discharge their religious duties for the celebration, which falls on April 14 each year.

And in recognition of the role played by their houses of worship, Najib also announced a financial aid of RM1.5 million for the Malaysian Gurdwara Council this year.

Through the financial aid, the prime minister said he hoped that all gurdwaras in the country would be properly maintained so that they could provide a conducive atmosphere for the Sikh community to organise their religious activities.

“Furthermore, I was made to understand that the aid will also be used to help gurdwaras which were affected by disasters like flood and fire,” he said at the 1Malaysia Vaisakhi Open House 2012 at Dataran Merdeka on Monday night.

Apart from that, 18 other gurdwaras in need of aid and special attention will also be given allocations totalling RM900,000, or RM50,000 each.

The gurdwaras are in Bayan Baru, Malim Nawar, Port Dickson, Tanah Rata, Kota Baru, Petaling Tin, Kajang, Kuala Pilah, Changkat Tin, Kuala Kubu Baru, Pokok Assam, Bentong, Alor Setar, Tanjung Tualang and Kampung Pandan in the peninsula, and in Sandakan and Lahad Datu in Sabah as well as in Sibu, Sarawak.

Najib said the government would also give a total of RM300,000 or RM100,000 each, for the construction of three gurdwaras in Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Georgetown.

An allocation of RM300,000 will also be given to the Police Training Centre Gurdwara in Kuala Lumpur for the construction of the National Sikh Resource Centre while another RM200,000 will be allocated for the renovation of the Sikh crematorium in Jalan Loke Yew.

In a bid to improve access and quality of Punjabi language education, Najib said the government would give an additional allocation of RM500,000 for the production of relevant text books which would be given free of charge to the students.

The prime minister said the allocation was in addition to the RM500,000 channelled by the Ministry of Education to the Khalsa Diwan Malaysia which began receiving the money last year.

For the first time, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Punjabi paper last year recorded a 100% pass rate with 51% of the students who sat for it scoring Grade A, while in the Penilaian Menengah Rendah examination, the pass rate was 92% with 38% attaining Grade A.

For youth development, RM800,000 will be channelled to Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (Malaysian Sikh Youth Association) to carry out its activities throughout the country.

“All these allocations and facilities show the commitment of the Barisan Nasional government to looking after the interests all communities in the country, including the Sikhs,” said Najib, adding that it was also in appreciation of the community’s contributions in preserving peace and harmony in the country since World War Two.

“The apt term in the Punjabi language is “Vishwaz”, which means trust. If we can reinforce “Vishwaz”, I am confident much more can be done for the Sikh community,” he added. — Bernama (PM announces Vaisakhi gifts, 8 May 2012)

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Sikhs have long tradition of serving community, says Singapore PM (Asia Samachar, 28 Nov 2015)

The post FLASHBACK: Malaysian PM announces 2012 Vaisakhi gifts appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Subang, Malaysia | 20 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar | 

Wheelchair-bound Keshvinder Kaur is eagerly looking forward to the completion of the new gurdwara in Subang Jaya, a huge township just outside Kuala Lumpur.

The new place of worship and community centre promises to be friendly to the disabled.

“The gurdwara management committee has taken into account the needs of the disabled and the elderly. The most important facilities are toilet, lift, a ramp and a designated car park. They have promised to include it in the plan,” the 39-year old housewife tells Asia Samachar, an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia.

She noted that it was much tougher for gurdwaras with older buildings to cater for the disabled.

“For older buildings, its more difficult to accommodate the needs of the disabled and the elderly,” she said.

Keshvinder, wheelchair-bound since 2011 due to multiple sclerosis, was one of the more than 100 Sikhs who turned up at the building site on a recent Sunday evening (7 Aug 2016).

At the moment, Keshvinder frequents Gurdwara Sahib Puchong, the next nearest gurdwara for her, as it has a lift. “The lift there is a draw,” she said.

Work is going on for the four storey building that will house the Gurdwara Sahib Subang, a project undertaken by the Subang Sikh Association Selangor (SSAS).

The project is estimated to cost RM4.8 million, with the committee still facing a shortfall of RM3 million. The building includes two heavy duty lifts as the darbar sahib will be on the top most floor.

“The superstructure should be completed up to the roof by September. Our target date for completion is still at end-2017. We hope to have Vaisakhi 2018 here,” SSAS President Amrick Singh tells Asia Samachar when met at the same function.

He said the next stage of funding will be required for brick works, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings.

“We are trying to get some corporate donors as well, but it has not been easy. We need the funding soon as the construction is well underway,” said an active SSAS volunteer.

SSAS, formally registered in 2002, was formed with two objectives: To promote the teachings of Sikhism to Sikhs in Subang, and to obtain a piece of land to build the gurdwara.

Initial applications for a plot of land were made to the local authorities in 2003. In  January 2012, the Selangor state government had approved the allocation of a 10,000 sq ft land for the purposes of the gurdwara.

The laying of the gurdwara sahib’s foundation stone was held on Jan 4, 2015, after the completion of an akhand path, or the continuous reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. On May 9, the piling for the building at a cost of RM148,000 was commenced.

Those interested in the tender process are requested to contact SSAS committee president Amrick via WhatsApp or SMS at [+60125389061] or email to amricksinghrandhawa@yahoo.com.my.

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Subang gurdwara still short of RM3m (Asia Samachar, 8 Aug 2016)

Husni resignation hits Sungai Siput gurdwara renovation (Asia Samachar,4 July 2016)

Sungai Siput to renovate 90-year old gurdwara (Asia Samachar,13 Dec 2015)

Shah Alam new gurdwara is now operational (Asia Samachar,11 Dec 2015)

Roles and functions of a gurdwara (Asia Samachar,11 Dec 2015)

Lessons in building a gurdwara (Asia Samachar, 9 Dec 2015)

‘Gurdwara of learning’ coming to Shah Alam (Asia Samachar, 3 Dec 2015)

JAGIR: Without guidance, all gurdwaras would be on their own (Asia Samachar, 20 Nov 2015)

New Darbar Sahib at TTDI Jaya, Shah Alam  (Asia Samachar, 4 Oct 2015)

Gurdwara design that listens to earth (Asia Samachar, 1 Oct 2015)

Selangor allocates RM120,000 to 9 gurdwaras, SSA (Asia Samachar, 24 Aug 2015)

Engage youth on what matters to them – MGC seminar tells Sikh gurdwaras (Asia Samachar, 23 Aug 2015)

Creating deeper social connections (Asia Samachar, 13 July 2015)

Subang gurdwara building out to tender (Asia Samachar, 25 June 2015)

Ipoh gurdwara gets RM200k for renovation (Asia Samachar, 12 June 2015)

A sanctuary by the sea (Asia Samachar, 7 June 2015)

Rethinking gurdwara design (Asia Samachar, 21 Apr 2015)

Johor Bahru gurdwara requests return of land (Asia Samachar, 20 Apr 2015)

Subang Jaya gurdwara foundation stone on Jan 4 (Asia Samachar, 31 Dec 2014)

The post Wheelchair-bound Keshvinder Kaur eagerly awaits completion of Subang gurdwara appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Singapore |  21 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

The Indian High Commission in Singapore celebrated India’s 70th Independence Day with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Chancery premises at Grange Road on 15 Aug.

Though a working day, being a Monday, the event open to ‘citizens and friends of India’ attracted a large crowd.

As is customary, Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Vijay Thakur Singh hoisted the nation’s flag, probably the last time she will be doing so in Singapore as she has been designated at India’s next ambassador to Ireland.

SEE ALSO: Singapore to get new Indian envoy, Vijay Thakur moves to Ireland 

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were held at the other diplomatic posts in the Southeast Asia region.

In Kuala Lumpur, High Commissioner T.S. Tirumurti led a ceremony at India House in Kuala Lumpur.

Some members of the newly formed Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veteran Association (MAFSVA), led by its president Major (Rtd) Baldev Singh, joined the celebration.

SEE ALSO: Malaysian armed forces Sikh veterans form an association

In Brunei, High Commissioner Nagma M. Mallick led the ceremony at its the high commission at Jalan Sungai Akar in Bandar Seri Begawan.

In Bangkok, India’s Ambassador to Thailand Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi unfurled the national tricolour at its embassy premises, followed by the singing of the national anthem and a few patriotic songs.

In her speech in Singapore, as reported in the local media, Vijay Thakur said: “We have reinvigorated our historic bonds of friendship with traditional partners of Africa and Asia Pacific. India will grow, only when all of India grows; the excluded ones have to be included in the development process.”

Students from the different Indian international schools in Singapore livened up the morning with their eye-catching cultural performances, the same report added.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam had written to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had written to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to congratulate them on India’s 70th Independence Day, reports Tabla.

“As our people-to-people relations flourish, I am delighted by the excellent progress in bilateral projects and initiatives on various fronts, including trade, skills development, defence co-operation, and Smart Cities development,” Dr Tan wrote in his letter to Mr Mukherjee.

“The India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, together with other bilateral agreements, will create new opportunities for collaboration and elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level.”

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

RELATED STORY:

Singapore to get new Indian envoy, Vijay Thakur moves to Ireland (Asia Samachar, 4 Aug 2016)

Malaysian armed forces Sikh veterans form an association (Asia Samachar, 27 July 2016)

Bilveer Singh; fast paced, informative and entertaining NUS political scientist officer (Asia Samachar, 14 August 2016)

37 Sikhs on Singapore national day award list officer (Asia Samachar, 10 August 2016)

KDM assist to settle bill, repatriate Indian expat injured in Ipoh (Asia Samachar, 25 May 2016)

New Indian ambassador calls on Thai PM Gen Prayut (Asia Samachar, 16 March 2016)

Singapore-born Harinder made Aussie envoy to India (Asia Samachar, 11 Feb 2016)

4 Sikhs take up Cabinet berth in Canada (Asia Samachar,  5 Nov 2015)

5 Sikh women, 5 turbaned Sikhs among 19 Indo-Canadians elected MPs (Asia Samachar, 21 Oct 2015)

Malaysians now eligible for India e-Tourist Visa  (Asia Samachar, 18 Aug 2015)

Sikh leaders at India national day in KL (Asia Samachar, 18 Aug 2015)

Singapore appoints Karan Thakral as ambassador to Denmark (Asia Samachar, 31 July 2015)

Abusive employers risk losing Indian visa, PIO card (Asia Samachar, 23 Oct 2014)

The post India 70: Flag hoisting in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Canada | 21 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — who once famously quipped that  ‘I more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does’ — makes the Sikh presence in Canadian politics even deeper with he appointment of one of his ministers as the government House leader.

Chagger, 36, will be the first woman to serve as government House leader, responsible for shepherding the government’s legislative agenda through the Commons.

Chagger was one of the five Sikh women and five turbaned Sikhs among the 19 Indo-Canadians who won in the Canada general election 2015.

The Indo-Canadians representatives more than doubled their representation in the 338-member parliament.

The electorate gave Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party an absolute majority, a stunning blow to incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper who has been in office since 2006.

“I believe in hard work, and I’m up for the challenge,” she was qouted by the Canadian Ppess.

Chagger’s rise seems nothing short of meteoric, having won her first election just last October and being named small business minister — duties she will keep — in Justin Trudeau’s debut cabinet, it added.

In his Facebook posting on 20 Aug 2016, Trudeau writes: “Today, Small Business and Tourism Minister Bardish Chagger becomes the first woman to serve as Government House Leader. Congratulations, Bardish!”

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Singapore to get new Indian envoy, Vijay Thakur moves to Ireland (Asia Samachar, 4 Aug 2016)

Dr Baljit Singh appointed dean at Canada’s University of Calgary  (Asia Samachar, 22 April 2016)

New Indian ambassador calls on Thai PM Gen Prayut (Asia Samachar, 16 March 2016)

Canadians share Khalsa Panth ideals: Justin Trudeau (Asia Samachar, 11 April 2016)

“I have more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does” – Canada PM (Asia Samachar, 11 March 2016)

Harjit Sajjan: Canada’s ‘bad-ass’ defence minister (Asia Samachar, 11 Jan 2016)

4 Sikhs take up Cabinet berth in Canada (Asia Samachar, 5 Nov 2015)

Punjabi now third language in the Canadian parliament (Asia Samachar, 3 Nov 2015)

5 Sikh women, 5 turbaned Sikhs among 19 Indo-Canadians elected MPs  (Asia Samachar, 21 Oct 2015)

Sikh lady runs for Surrey mayorship (Asia Samachar, 13 Nov 2014)

The post Bardish makes history as Canada’s first woman House leader appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| New Zealand |  22 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

The first Sikh to run for a place on Hamilton’s city council has had his billboard defaced with the name Isis in black paint.

Yugraj Singh Mahil is pictured on the billboard with another candidate Anna Casey-Cox. Both are first time candidates in the city’s east ward, standing as part of the Community Voice group.

Mr Mahil had a busy day handing out leaflets yesterday and did not find out about the defaced billboard, on the corner of Carrington Ave and Vesty Ave, until RNZ told him last night.

“It’s more than insulting,” he said. “People mostly change the appearance of the person but tagging such a group is very harsh, very distressful.”

Mr Mahil said in his 17 years in Hamilton he had never faced that sort of behaviour. “I think this is due to the turban; that happens sometimes, people get confused, they think only Muslims wear turbans.”

However with Hamilton’s Sikh temple the first to be established in New Zealand, he said, most people in the area were more aware.

“Sometimes these sort of things, I think teenagers or kids they do it, they don’t have enough knowledge about the religions and they don’t know the difference.”

Anna Casey-Cox said she found out yesterday when she saw a photo of the billboard on Facebook and Within 20 minutes they were able to take the billboard down and clean off the words because the paint was still wet.

She said it was one thing to deface a billboard with something like a moustache, but painting the name of the violent extremist group was sick and ignorant.

“This was a different kind of defacing of a billboard and it was just at a whole different level. And I think it’s just somebody who’s not even thinking. It’s just someone who is relatively ignorant has done it.”

She said it was probably a spur-of-the-moment action without much thought behind it.

“I really don’t know what the motivation would be other than to incite some concern in the community and get at the Muslim community perhaps.”

Ms Casey-Cox hoped the incident leads to greater awareness about religion and culture. –

SOURCE: Sikh council candidate’s billboard defaced (Radio New Zealand, 21 Aug 2016)

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Dear Haters (Asia Samachar, 20 Aug 2016)

Australia’s first Sikh councillor John Arkan to run in July federal elections (Asia Samachar, 19 June 2016)

Former Singapore MP Inderjit ‘silently’ served nation, Sikh community (Asia Samachar, 30 April 2016)

“I have more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does” – Canada PM (Asia Samachar, 12 March 2016)

Ravi, does publicity get to your head? (Asia Samachar, 17 Aug 2016)

US town judge orders Sikh to remove turban (Asia Samachar, 22 Apr 2014)

FBI now tracks hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, Arabs (Asia Samachar, 28 Mar 2015)

Sikhs lend support for US Muslim woman battle over head scarf (Asia Samachar, 28 Feb 2015)

US Major: Religion is a force of good (Asia Samachar, 10 Feb 2015)

Flashback: Aussie judge tough on racial abuse (Asia Samachar, 16 July 2015)

The post NZ Sikh council candidate’s billboard defaced appeared first on Asia Samachar.

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |  22 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Indian entrepreneurs will get an insight into how banks evaluate small-and-medium-sized-enterprises (SMEs) at a one-day training programme in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (27 Aug 2016).

The programme, organised by a government unit known as the Secretariat for Empowerment of Indian Entrepreneurs (SEED) in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), will also expose entrepreneurs to the type of help available to SMEs in distress.

The training, entitled ‘Right Size Your Fund’, will also provide them an insight into the remittance services offered by providers for SMEs in Malaysia.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Sikh businessmen and entrepreneurs. They should take advantage of this opportunity,” Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) Secretary General Autar Singh tells Asia Samachar, an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia.

CMSO is actively encouraging Sikhs to take part in the programme which is part of the SEED training series.

SEED, a unit under the Indian Community ETP Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, aims to provide an access for every Malaysian Indian to play a role in transforming the economic landscape of the Malaysian Indian community. ETP refers to the Malaysian government initiated Economic Transformation Programme.

The one-day SEED event will see the setting up of booths by financial institutions like SME Bank Malaysia Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Bank Kerjasama Rakyat (M) Bhd, Bank Simpanan Nasional Bhd (BSN) and Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd (Agrobank).

Also involved are the SME Corporation Malaysia and Centre for Entrpreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), a wholly owned subsidiary of the SME Development Bank Malaysia.

On a separate note, CMSO will be organising a Business Funding Workshop in Kuala Lumpur on 1 Oct 2016, which is free and open to entrepreneurs in search of business funding.

“Those interested are requested to register with us. They can call me at 012-2055011,” he said.

DETAILS:

SEED Training Series – “RIGHT SIZE YOUR FUND”

DATE : 27th August 2016 (Saturday)

TIME : 8:00AM – 5:30PM

VENUE : Pacific Ballroom, Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Registration: Call Mr. Darshan 013-677 9009

[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]

RELATED STORIES:

Marriage counselling, youth empowerment courses in Ipoh (Asia Samachar, 28 July 2016)

Perak allocates RM100,000 for Punjabi education (Asia Samachar, 25 April 2016)

Johor gurdwaras to receive annual state funding (Asia Samachar, 24 April 2016)

MSU Johor gets funding to assist needy Sikh families (Asia Samachar, 1 March 2016)

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

Health minister to attend Sikh welfare fund raising on 5 March  (Asia Samachar, 8 Feb 2016)

Sikh NGOs get help to tap Malaysian government funding (Asia Samachar, 3 Feb 2016)

Symposium to help Sikh NGOs tap SEDIC funding (Asia Samachar, 14 Jan 2016)

4 Malaysian Sikh NGOs receive RM950,000 Federal funding (Asia Samachar, 5 Aug 2015)

Sikh NGOs to attend Putrajaya funding briefing (Asia Samachar, 9 June 2015)

Special funding out soon for Indian NGOs (Asia Samachar, 2 June 2015)

The post Helping Indian entrepreneurs to understand how banks evaluate SMEs appeared first on Asia Samachar.

1st Barsi: 28/8/16 (Sun) at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang | Malaysia

1st Year Barsi In Ever Loving Memory

Dalbir Kaur d/o Bishan Singh

(5 Jan 1935 – 28 Ogos 2015)

Spouse: Sardar Gianni Rattan Singh Randhawa (ex Gianni, Wadda Gurdwara Penang)

Village: Thothian , Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Punjabi

Forever and deeply missed by beloved family: Husband, Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

A thousand times we needed you
A thousand times we cried
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died
A heart of gold stopped beating
two twinkling eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove He only took the best
never a day goes by that you’re not in our heart and our soul.

Programme: Asa Di Vaar, Sukhmani Sahib Path and Sahej Path Da Bhog will be held at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang on 28 Aug 2016 (Sun) from 6.30 a.m. followed by Guru Ka Langgar

Contact: Gurdip Singh Randhawa 016-3074277 , Navinderpal Singh Randhawa 016-2900401, Alwinjit Singh Randhawa 014-6420115

(Kindly accept this as our personal invitation)

Asia Samachar | Entry: 22 Aug 2016, 20:49 | Source: Family

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

FREE ANNOUNCEMENT SERVICE:

Dear Readers. Asia Samachar runs a free service to announce saskaar and path da bhog. This is to assist readers to quickly share news with the extended family and friends. The fastest way to reach us is via the Facebook messaging. The editors try to monitor the platform as much as they can.

SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS:

Cherishing memories: Free service to announce saskaar, path da bhog

The post IN MEMORY: Dalbir Kaur (1935-2015), Penang appeared first on Asia Samachar.