By Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh | SIKHI STUDY | OPINION

Aisaa Dheeva baalae koey Nanak so paarangath hoey. (SGGS 878)

Paarangath come from 2 words: Paar means to cross. Langna means over.

Meaning: O Nanak, if there is anyone desiring to cross this world ocean successfully and reach to the other side safely, he will have to to light his own dheeva before he embarks on this journey back to the Creator.

Why did Guruji said this?

Guruji said this because lighting of dheevas in the name of ancestors was a ritual that was practiced widely since the olden days and is still in practice to this day in India. Little dheevas that are made of clay are floated at the river banks to guide the ancestors who have passed on to reach heaven safely.

Guruji said this is a futile effort because these small dheevas do not have the capacity to travel to the other shore. Furthermore, these tiny lamps are easily extinguished by the strong winds in the ocean and sink due to the huge waves. In addition to that, the little  oil in it is soon used up and the flame gets extinguished after a short while.

Guruji says the reality is that no one is able to light a dheeva for the other person. The only way for us is to light our own dheeva while we are still strong and healthy.  If we  succeed then we  can to take it along with us when it is time for us to leave this world. It will light up our path in our journey forward.

Otherwise the journey back can be quite harrowing as we have read in the Sukhmani Sahibji.

Jih paidai mahaa andh gubaara Har ka NAAM sang ujeeaaraa. (SGGS 264)

Paidai means journey. Andh gubaaraa means pitch darkness. Ujeeaaaraa means light.

Meaning: The journey back is quite a challenge because it is very long and it is pitch darkness there. A person who brings along a lighted dheeva can navigate easily but without the light of God, for many of us it will become extremely difficult to cross over safely.

How do we go about lighting this dheeva?

This dheeva cannot be made of matter because matter cannot cross over to the other shore. Nothing physical can cross over to the other side.

So how  do we go about creating a non physical dheeva that we can take along with us?

Guruji shows us the way on page 878 of SGGS.

The first question is: Where is this dheeva? It has to be inside us.

The first step in making a good quality dheeva is to use good clay. Good clay here refers to  a GOOD UNDERSTANDING of how this internal dheeva can be lighted.

Secondly to make the dheeva durable it has to be shaped well with GOOD ACTIONS.

Thirdly, the fire of desires need to be kept in check. To keep the desires in check the consciousness have to be focused on the DIVINE VIRTUES of the Lord.

If all the above is done on a daily basis, then soon the internal dheeva will be lighted.

Once this dheeva is lighted inside the heart, it cannot be extinguished by strong winds  or huge waves in the water. It’s light will show you the path that leads to the divine throne of God.

Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh is a Malaysia-based Gurbani enthusiast. This is an edited version of her regular articles shared within a circle of fellow Sikhi seekers. The articles appear on Mondays and Thursdays.

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

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Day 18: In search of eternal bliss (Asia Samachar, 24 Sept 2018)

Day 17: So jaagai jis Sathgur milai (Asia Samachar, 20 Sept 2018)

Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin has apologised to the Sikh community for the turban remarks tat did not sit well with Skhs in Malaysia and abroad as well.

“I was told a Sikh’s turban is a very sacred item and they do not take too kindly to anyone making fun of it. For that I would like to sincerely apologise,” the blogger said in an entry entitled ‘My Apology To The Sikh Community’ at his blog today (1 Oct 2018).

RPK, as the once popular blogger is popularly known, had made disparaging remarks on the Sikh turban in his salvos against Malaysia’s Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department Director Amar Singh Ishar Singh.

In an article on 28 Sept, Raja Petra had said said that ‘Amar Singh Ishar Singh’s turban must be too tight that it is restricting the flow of blood to his brain’ and that ‘Amar Singh needs to remove his turban to clear his brain once in a while’.

In response, Amar, the highest ranking police officer hailing from the Sikh community and a third-generation policemen, had slammed the remarks as “demeaning and racist”.

Separately, the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC), a body representing more than 120 gurdwaras in Malaysia, had warned that the remarks by the blogger had the potential to create ‘hate and disrespect’ for the Sikh turban.

Here is the full text of Raja Petra’s apology:

Police reports have been made against me. I have also received numerous threats. But that is not why I am apologising for my quip that Amar Singh Ishar Singh’s turban may be too tight.

I was told a Sikh’s turban is a very sacred item and they do not take too kindly to anyone making fun of it. For that I would like to sincerely apologise.

I also sent personal apologies to Gobind Singh Deo and Amarjit Sidhu. These two, plus Manjeet Singh Dhillon and the late Karpal Singh, acted as my lawyers during my various trials and ISA detention ten years ago back in 2008. They also helped me in other ways, which I am not at liberty to mention, and which helped me to settle down in the UK after I left Malaysia in February 2009.

And they all did this without me asking (they volunteered their services), and without asking for a single sen in payment. I will be eternally grateful to Gobind, Amarjit, Manjeet and the late Karpal. So would I want to repay them by insulting their Sikh faith?

Kenang budi is supposed to be a Malay trait and virtue. To insult the faith of those who did so much for you and asked for nothing in return is not kenang budi. It is the opposite of kenang budi.

I can argue that I did not consider my quip an insult to the Sikh faith or that this was not my intention. But it is not what I intended that matters but how what I said was received. And I also apologise to Amar Singh Ishar Singh because, as much as I may disagree with him, that disagreement should not be reduced to the level of insulting his religion.

RELATED STORIES:

An uncalled for attack against Amar Singh and Sikh community, says federal minister (Asia Samachar, 30 Sept 2018)

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council slams RPK for creating ‘hate and disrespect’ for Sikh turban (Asia Samachar, 30 Sept 2018)

Don’t ridicule the turban, Malaysian Sikh top cop tells RPK (Asia Samachar, 29 Sept 2018)

FAS ‘regrets’ turban remark by football coach Fandi Ahmad (Asia Samachar, 13 Sept 2018)

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

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

Date of Birth: 1946 | Birthplace: Maalpur, Punjab | Current City: Duncan, BC

Joginder Kaur Sohi was born in Maalpur, Punjab, India on November 1, 1946. Her paternal grandfather came to Canada in 1907. Through her grandfather, her uncle (mother’s brother), and Joginder’s brothers also immigrated to Canada about 50 years ago. After Joginder’s father’s death, her brothers made the decision to get Joginder to Canada.

On April 13, 1970, Joginder and her sisters landed in Vancouver and came to Victoria to join their brothers. Although Joginder was still in college in India, her brothers made the decision to get her to Canada as quickly as possible because there was no one to look after her since her father passed away.

During her initial days in Canada, she used to feel very lost. She used to miss her mother and friends a lot. But, with time and with the support of her brothers and their wives, she was able to settle in and adapt to her new life in Canada. Within a year of coming to Canada, she got married to a person from India. The marriage took place in the Sikh Temple in Victoria.

Her husband was born, raised and educated in Delhi, India. But when he immigrated to Canada, his educational degrees from Delhi University were not recognized here and had no choice but to do labour work. For the first five years, they had to struggle a lot, but they were lucky enough to get a lot of help and support from Joginder’s brothers.

Few years into her marriage, Joginder started working in the hospital as a nurse’s aide. In her workplace, she was known as Joy. The nurse she worked for was from England, and gave Joginder a really hard time at work, often making her a victim of racial discrimination. But on the positive side, the director and all the other nurses at the hospital saw Joginder as a really valuable employee and appreciated the hard work she put in. She shares that although her shift used to start at 7am, but she was always there at the workplace at precisely 6.30am.

Joginder shares that in those days, the South-Asian community was not that involved as they are now. Indian festivals like Diwali were not celebrated. Still, Joginder and her family tried to be involved in the community and led a very social life. This is also because since her grandfather moved to Canada in 1907, their family had been here for long and knew a lot of people in the community.

Joginder shares that her grandfather played a very prominent role in the community. After coming to Canada, he settled in Duncan and owned a mill where a lot of people from Paldi and Maalpur regions in India, used to work at his mill. He was 6 feet and 4 inches tall and used to carry a cane along with.

In the early 1900s, there was a trend to go to the pub to drink beer after work. One day, her grandfather went to the pub and was refused by the server as they said that they don’t serve to colored people. Angered by this, he got up from his seat, took the cane and broke every bottle in the pub. Since he was a big and tall person, no one dared to stop him and he continued to do this not caring about the possibility of getting arrested and going to jail. After this event, the pubs started serving to brown people. Joginder’s cousin still owns 500 acres of her grandfather’s land in Duncan.

Joginder is now settled in Victoria and does not visit India that often. She went back to India in 1996, after twenty years of being in Canada. The next time she went was 15 years ago for her daughter`s marriage, who now lives in Mumbai. Joginder and her husband made sure that their daughters receive good education, who went on to study accounting and are now married and well settled with children.

See original entry here. The South Asian Canadian Heritage website project is dedicated to highlighting the many projects, research, and databases which have been undertaken by the South Asian Studies Institute and/or through its partnerships.

RELATED STORIES:

Punjabi Canadian highlights South Asian diaspora’s rich history in British Columbia (Asia Samachar, 29 June 2018)

Canada Sikhs journey from hostility, heartache and finding home (Asia Samachar, 7 Feb 2018)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

By Jaginder Singh Raipatti (Batu Gajah) | MALAYSIA | OPINION |

The turban has been and will always remain a very unique symbol of pride and honour to followers of the Sikh faith. Hence, when the turban is ridiculed and undermined, the faithful will rise and defend its sanctity. We all witnessed how the Sikh community, both local and international, rose to express their anger and frustration at a blogger who poked fun at the turban worn by a high ranking police officer. It was indeed a very welcome show of unity among Sikhs in Malaysia, who all stood together and did the needful to speak up and have their voices heard. It has ended well, at least for now, with the blogger offering apologies to the Sikh community.

Indeed, this unpleasant event has brought out the best among Sikhs. Not only did those who wore turbans expressed their sentiments, but even those who didn’t wear a turban stood in solidarity. There was even support from non-Sikhs, though it could have been stronger and louder, to send home the message that no individual should sow hatred and create animosity in a multi-racial and multi-religious society like ours, by ridiculing the tenets or practices of a religion.

The overwhelming support for the turban, as a sacred symbol of Sikh religion and its practices, is a good indicator of appreciation for Sikh culture and identity. This should encourage more Sikhs to wear the turban, even if you are not a Kesadhari, when going to school, to the Gurdwara, at social events and so on. As Sikhs, we should be proud of our identity and rich heritage. The turban is synonymous to the Sikhs and it stands out uniquely, even in crowds of millions.

Our response to the situation was prompt. Sikh organisations like Malaysian Gurdwara Council (MGC) and Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM), and many others, lodged police reports and made press statements to express their displeasure. Our Sikh Federal Minister also took a swipe at the blogger for showing disrespect to the Sikh community. Some took to social media to vent their anger  by making threats, using harsh words, even profanities, not only towards the blogger but his family as well.

The reaction is understandable. But pause for a moment. Did we react wisely and accordingly? Or did we also react ignorantly as the blogger did? Did some of us overreact? I leave that decision to you but we all need to do some serious reflection.

The blogger should have kept his debate with the police by arguing on the facts but he deviated, and  erred by ridiculing the turban and befittingly, earned the wrath of Sikhs. Similarly, some of us responded to the blogger’s comments via social media by making remarks which deviated very far from the real issue. Our problem was with the blogger and his comments, and had nothing to do with his family, his race or religion. We could have exercised some restraint and showed composure when dealing with such sensitive issues by highlighting the facts and showing the blogger why his comments were deemed racist and derogatory.

In a nutshell, I view this unfortunate incident as an awakening call to all Sikhs. The show of unity and brotherhood in defending the tenets and practices of the Sikh religion should not be an isolated one. There is strength in unity, and our voices reach out far.  It’s important that we preserve our identity, and be proud of it. If you haven’t been wearing a turban, it’s never too late!

Jaginder Singh, who hails from Batu Gajah, is a retired civil servant. 

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

RELATED STORIES:

RPK: My Apology To The Sikh Community (Asia Samachar, 1 Oct 2018)

An uncalled for attack against Amar Singh and Sikh community, says federal minister (Asia Samachar, 30 Sept 2018)

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council slams RPK for creating ‘hate and disrespect’ for Sikh turban (Asia Samachar, 30 Sept 2018)

Don’t ridicule the turban, Malaysian Sikh top cop tells RPK (Asia Samachar, 29 Sept 2018)

FAS ‘regrets’ turban remark by football coach Fandi Ahmad (Asia Samachar, 13 Sept 2018)

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

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

By Dr Rajwant Singh | U.S. |

The United States-based (US) National Sikh Campaign has engaged top documentarians to capture the message of Guru Nanak for the American audience.

One hour high level documentary to highlight the major contributions of Guru Nanak. Major thinkers and figures will be interviewed. This will be shown on 250 Public TV stations all across America and the world.

A wonderful opportunity to spread the awareness about Guru Nanak and Sikhism in USA and the world.

ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਰੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਫ਼ਿਲਮ! ੫੫੦ਵੀਂ ਵਰੇਗੰਡ ੨੦੧੯ ਚ ਮਨਾਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਉਪਰਾਲਾ! ਸੰਸਾਰ ਚ ਅਤੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਚ 99.9% ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਬਾਰੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਤਾ! ਕਿਸ ਦੀ ਜ਼ੁੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਹੈ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ? ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਸਿੱਖ ਕੈਂਪੇਨ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਯਤਨ!

ਇਸ ਮਹਾਨ ਕਾਰਜ ਲਈ ਵੱਧ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੋ ਜੀ! $੧੦੦੦ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਂ ਇਸ ਫ਼ਿਲਮ ਦੇ ਸਪਾਂਸਰ ਵਜੋਂ ਲਿਖਿਆਂ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ!

Make a donation to be listed in the film at this link Www.sikhcampaign.org.

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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command at Gandhinagar on 01 Oct 18.

Harjit, who succeeds Air Mshl RK Dhir who retired last month, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in Dec 1981, according to a statement released by India’s Press Information Bureau yesterday (2 Oct 2018).

He has rich and diverse experience of accident free operational flying which includes MiG 21, MiG 29 and other aircraft in IAF inventory, including helicopters. He is a meritorious graduate of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He is also Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies, according to the statement.

SEE ALSO: Indian air force chief visits Malaysia

Air Officer commanded a MiG-21 Bis Sqn in the South Western sector and later was Commander of Air Defence Direction Centre in the same sector. He went on to command a premier MiG-29 Base on the western border and as an Air Vice Marshal he was Air Defence Commander at Headquarters of Western Air Command as well as Eastern Air Command. As an Air Marshal he has held the appointments of Director General (Inspection and Safety) and was Director General Air (Operations) at Air HQ before taking over as the AOC-in-C.

He has also served as Directing Staff at ‘Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment’ and as a Flying Inspector in the ‘Directorate of Air Staff Inspection’. He was Defence Attache in the Embassy of India, Bangkok, Thailand from 2006 to 2009.

For his distinguished service, he was awarded ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ by the President of India on 26 Jan 2011.

The Air Marshal is married to Baljeet Kaur Arora. In a simultaneous function Baljeet Arora took over as President of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional).

RELATED STORIES:

Indian air force chief visits Malaysia (Asia Samachar, 6 Sept 2018)

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa appointed as Indian Air Force chief (Asia Samachar, 18 Dec 2016)

India renames airbase after former air force chief Arjan Singh (Asia Samachar, 17 April 2016)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

COUPLE Daljit Singh, 54, and Sukhveer Kaur, 53, are counting the days to this year’s Relay For Life Penang, an event which symbolises the ongoing battle against cancer.

The two cancer survivors are excited because they will be meeting other survivors of all ages as well as the public who support the cause.

They have been actively involved in the event since 2005, even before they were diagnosed with cancer.

Sukhveer said she was initially attracted to the T-shirt given to the participants, which motivated her to sign up for the event back then.

“We became volunteers and eventually committee members of the event. In 2008, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer but I decided to carry on with my volunteer work nevertheless,” she said, adding that staying positive played an important role in her recovery.

Then in 2011, Daljit, was shocked when doctors told him that he had kidney cancer.

“It was not easy because I was also a carer to someone who has cancer,” said the former design engineer, adding that he also suffered from depression at the time.

He said he had come a long way since then through greater understanding of the illness.

In January this year, Daljit was recognised as an International Hero of Hope by the American Cancer Society. Sukhveer received the same award in 2013.

Meet the duo during the Relay for Life Penang, which they believe is “an amazing event to promote empowerment and awareness”.

They will be among 2,000 participants and 200 cancer survivors during Relay For Life Penang 2018 which will be held at Stadium Olahraga Universiti Sains Malaysia on Sunday from 3pm to 10pm.

Read full story here. 

RELATED STORIES:

Cancer survivor Daljit to lead Penang gurdwara (Asia Samachar, 7 June 2018)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

EVENT | PENANG, MALAYSIA | Sri Guru Ramdaas Ji Youth Semagam 2018 (2.0)

Naujawan of Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru, PenanG will be hosting Sri Guru Ramdaas Ji Youth Semagam 2018 (2.0) in conjunction with Sri Guru Ramdaas Ji birth anniversary. All are invited to attend the Diwan and enjoy the blissful Kirtan by our local and Invited Raggi Jatha.

Date: 13 October 2018 (Saturday) | 4.30pm to 8.30pm | Venue: Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru

Contact GSBB Naujawan: Maninder Jit Singh (011-24208849), Darshan Singh (016-3336162), Sanjeev Singh (017-4059309)

Harvinder Singh | Sewing Machine Mechanic | Anandpur Sahib

By Gurdeep Dhaliwal | KIRRT |

Anandpur used to be known for its traditional Punjabi shoe-making (Juttis), but now you won’t find any craftsman here. Daulat Singh, one such craftsman, was known all over Punjab. All these people have passed away now and their kids went to colleges, taking up new jobs. Years ago, the Maharaja of Bilaspur received a pair of Juttis. It impressed him so much that he ordered his officials to look for the craftsman. The pair was made in Anandpur, the Maharaja invited the artificer and the other shoemakers to honour them for their craft.

My father was a farmer. I was interested in technical work. I told my father about it and he asked a well-known sewing machine mechanic to keep me at his shop. It used to be so busy in those times, we cycled machines in and out all day. I learnt from him and then bought a shop of my own. It’s been 27 years now. We had to prepare the broken parts by ourselves earlier. Now they all come factory made, in bulk. You just got to pull the damaged one out and fix in the new one.

Punjabis have given up the hard jobs nowadays, they source out all the hard work to people from Bihar and U.P. It’s like foreign now, migrants do all the travail. Even my kids, they will come and sit along, do a thing here and there but they don’t want to do this, they want an office job. This, our work, it’s hard, it takes an effort.

To learn anything, one should have these five characters, it’s written in Ramayana:

1. Kaak cheshta – intelligence and agility of a crow. He’s so active, try throwing a stone at it he’ll fly instantly.

2. Bako Dhyanam – concentration and patience of a crane. Have you seen him standing on one leg? He does it while hunting. When a hunt passes by, he attacks.

3. Swan Nindra – sleep of a dog, sound and alert. If you sleep like kumbhkaran, timeless and lost, anyone can loot you.

4. Alp aharan – light and required amount of food. It keeps you fit and active. You can’t walk like this after having four paranthas in the morning.

5. Grihtyaagi – giving up the attachment to home. It means giving up your comfort zone, building your own world, the life you want to live.

ਹਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ, ਸਿਲਾਈ ਮਸ਼ੀਨ ਮਕੈਨਿਕ, ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ

ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਰਵਾਇਤੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜੁੱਤੀ ਲਈ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਇੱਥੇ ਕੋਈ ਕਾਰੀਗਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਅਜਿਹਾ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਰੀਗਰ ਦੌਲਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੀ ਜੋ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ। ਅਜਿਹੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਹੁਣ ਮਰ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਵਾਕ ਕਾਲਜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਨਵੀਆਂ ਨੌਕਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਕਈ ਸਾਲ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਬਿਲਾਸਪੁਰ ਦੇ ਮਹਾਰਾਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਜੁੱਤਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਜੋੜਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਇੰਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਹੋਇਆ ਕਿ ਉਸਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਜੋੜੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਕਾਰੀਗਰ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਭਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ। ਉਹ ਜੋੜਾ ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਣਿਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਮਹਾਰਾਜੇ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਕਾਰੀਗਰ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਕਾਰੀਗਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਾਰੀਗਰੀ ਲਈ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਨਮਾਨਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ।

ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਤਾ ਇੱਕ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਸੀ। ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤਕਨੀਕੀ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੌਂਕ ਸੀ। ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਸਿਲਾਈ ਮਸ਼ੀਨ ਮਕੈਨਿਕ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦੁਕਾਨ ‘ਤੇ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੰਮ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ, ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਮਸ਼ੀਨਾਂ ਆਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀਆਂ। ਮੈਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਆਪਣੀ ਦੁਕਾਨ ਖ਼ਰੀਦੀ। ਹੁਣ 27 ਸਾਲ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਖ਼ਰਾਬ ਹੋਏ ਹਿੱਸਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਸੀ। ਹੁਣ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਥੋਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਸ਼ੀਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢਣਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਵਾਂ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਉਣਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਅੱਜ-ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨੇ ਛੱਡ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਹਨ ਹੁਣ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਕੰਮ ਬਿਹਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਯੂ.ਪੀ. ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕਰਵਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਇਹ ਬਾਹਰਲੇ ਮੁਲਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਾਰਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਾਰ ਪਰਵਾਸੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਮੇਰੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਅੱਧਾ ਕੰਮ ਵੀ ਕਰਵਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਉਹ ਇਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਫ਼ਤਰੀ ਨੌਕਰੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਵਾਲਾ ਕੰਮ ਔਖਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਕੁਝ ਵੀ ਸਿੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਸਾਡੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਲੱਛਣ ਹੋਣੇ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹਨ, ਇਹਨਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਰਮਾਇਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿੱਖਿਆ ਹੈ:

1. ਕਾਕ ਚੇਸ਼ਟਾ – ਕਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਬੁੱਧੀ ਅਤੇ ਚੁਸਤੀ। ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਫੁਰਤੀਲਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪੱਥਰ ਸੁੱਟੋ ਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਡ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।

2. ਬਕੋ ਧਿਆਨਮ – ਬਗਲੇ ਵਰਗੀ ਇਕਾਗਰਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਬਰ। ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਲੱਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਵੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ? ਉਹ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਲੰਘਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਝੱਟ ਹਮਲਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।

3. ਸ਼ਵਾਨ ਨਿੰਦ੍ਰਾ – ਕੁੱਤੇ ਵਰਗੀ ਨੀਂਦ ਜੋ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਚੌਕਸ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੁੰਭਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸੌਂਦੇ ਹੋ, ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਲੁੱਟ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।

4. ਅਲਪ ਆਹਾਰੀ – ਹਲਕਾ ਅਤੇ ਲੋੜੀਂਦਾ ਖਾਣਾ। ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਅਤੇ ਚੁਸਤ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ। ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਨਾਸ਼੍ਤੇ ਵਿੱਚ 4 ਪਰੌਂਠੇ ਖਾਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਇੰਨਾ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਤੁਰ ਸਕਦੇ।

5. ਗ੍ਰਹਿ ਤਿਆਗੀ – ਘਰ ਨਾਲ ਮੋਹ ਤੋੜਨਾ। ਇਸਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਰਾਮ ਖੇਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡਣਾ, ਆਪਣਾ ਖੁਦ ਦਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਬਣਾਉਣਾ, ਜਿਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਿਉਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਜਣਾ।

The article first appeared at Kirrt Facebook page on 17 August 2018. Go here for more photos. Kirrt is an online gallery, showcasing the works of artists and artisans of Punjab. The team members are concerned about Punjabi community and Punjab region regardless of boundaries nation state, religion, and caste.

RELATED STORIES:

Shoemaker from Anandpur Sahib (Asia Samachar, 17 Sept 2018)

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An amateur hip hop artist who befriended two young girls on social media and kept them out all night has been jailed, a British newspaper reported.

Twenty eight old Charnjit Singh was said to have naively enjoyed the company of the girls, who were 11 and 13, as they listened to music in his car, ate takeaway food and fell asleep. He pleaded guilty to two counts of child abduction, between May 31 and June 1.

Leicester Crown Court was told that nothing sexual happened with either girl – but the judge said Singh may have been grooming them for future misconduct, reported Leicester Mercury.

Phillip Plant, prosecuting, said the two young friends were supposed to have been staying overnight at one of their homes, with a grandmother babysitting, while the mother was working a night shift.

When the mother arrived home in the city, at 1.45am, to find the girls were missing, she alerted the police. The families of both children were frantic with worry until the defendant delivered them back to the Leicester address at 8am.

Singh of Wavertree Drive, Belgrave, Leicester, was said to have encouraged the two victims to meet him through the social media app, Instagram.

He was jailed for a total of two and a half years. Charnjit was placed on a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, the report added.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said he accepted there was no suggestion Charnjit had indecently touched either girl or said anything in messages suggesting there was any sexual intent.

He pointed out that Singh was 17 years older than the youngest child and said: “This case raises obvious concern that you had a sexual motive from abducting these two young girls.”

Judge Brown added: “This defendant is a self-styled hip hop musician and uploaded a video to YouTube.”

The eldest child began following Singh on Instagram and they had been in contact for about 11 weeks prior to the abduction. He said it was clear she had “a crush” on Singh and both girls liked his music.

“You were befriending them and gaining their trust in the hope they would become closer … and it would have led to some form of abuse but I can’t say exactly what.”

The judge said he accepted the defendant was remorseful and took into account he was a carer for his parents and also assisted at his local temple.”

In addition, Singh pleaded guilty to twice breaching a restraining order, by contacting an ex-partner, whom he began a relationship with when she was just 15 and he was 24. He was also placed on a restraining order banning him from any future contact with the woman, now aged 19, for an unlimited period, the report added.

Read full story here.

FLASHBACK | A group of students from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), a Malaysian-based Islamic university, visiting the Petaling Jaya gurdwara in 2002. Autar Singh, Harbinder Singh and other Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) then office bearers could be seen in the photo. Both Autar and Harbinder are former SNSM jathedars. (Photo courtesy of Autar Singh)

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What a Muslim learnt last night from Singaporean Sikhs (Asia Samachar, 13 June 2018)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar on Wednesday (3 Oct), making him the first UN head to have visited the Sikh place of worship.

“The Golden Temple is a place of peace, tolerance and harmony; it is sacred to the Sikh people, and it is open to all people from all religions. It was my great honour to share in the warm and generous spirit of this holy place,” he said.

“ ਗੋਲਡਨ ਟੈਂਪਲ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ, ਸਹਿਣਸ਼ੀਲਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਦਭਾਵਨਾ ਦਾ ਸਥਾਨ ਹੈ; ਇਹ ਸਿੱਖ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਧਰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਪਵਿਤਰ ਸਥਾਨ ਦੀ ਨਿੱਘੀ ਅਤੇ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਲੈਣ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਵੱਡਾ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਸੀ. ” – ਸੰਯੁਕਤ ਰਾਜ ਦੇ ਸਕੱਤਰ-ਜਨਰਲ ਐਂਟੀਨੋਓ ਗੁੱਟਰਸ ਨੇ ਵੀਰਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿਚ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ਸਨ। 

In a statement, he said:

“I want to express my deep respect for the religion of the Sikh people and this wonderful Golden Temple, in which the spirit of peace, tolerance and ecumenism is present. I prayed here as a Catholic but, all people, from all religions in the world, can pray in this holy place.

“There are unfortunately not many temples in the world where this is possible, and this makes me feel very happy to be here and very proud to be invited. And, at the same time, it increases my admiration for the Sikh communities everywhere: the Sikh community in India, the Sikh community in my part of the world, in Europe, in North America, everywhere where Sikhs are contributing to the development of our world.

“I want to express to my hosts my deep gratitude and wish you all the best – to the wonderful practice that the Golden Temple represents, receiving everybody, sharing with everybody the food, but, more than the food, sharing this wonderful spirit of peace, of harmony, of understanding that we badly need in today’s world.”

“ਮੈਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਰਮ ਲਈ ਡੂੰਘਾ ਸਤਿਕਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਹਿਣਸ਼ੀਲਤਾ ਦੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ. ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕੈਥੋਲਿਕ ਵਜੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਪਰ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਧਰਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਇਸ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਰਥਨਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।”

“ਬਦਕਿਸਮਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਕਈ ਮੰਦਿਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਇਹ ਸੰਭਵ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਥੇ ਆਉਣ ਤੇ ਮਾਣ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਨਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ਹਰ ਜਗ੍ਹਾ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ੰਸਾ ਵਧਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਭਾਰਤ ਵਿਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ, ਦੁਨੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ, ਯੂਰਪ ਵਿਚ, ਉੱਤਰੀ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਾਡੇ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਯੋਗਦਾਨ ਪਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ “ ਉਨਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ।

During his visit to the Golden Temple, Guterres was accompanied by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. He also visited the community kitchen at the Golden Temple, where he keenly watched the cooking process and participated in ‘langar’, reported PTI.

RELATED STORIES:

What a Muslim learnt last night from Singaporean Sikhs (Asia Samachar, 13 June 2018)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

 By Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh | SIKHI STUDY | OPINION

Day 21:

Fareeda jaa lab taa nayhu kiaa?

Lab taa koora nayhu (SGGS 1378)

Lab is Greed. Nayhu means Love. Koora means of no value.

Bhagat Fareedji poses a question for us in the first line. In the second line He gives the answer to the question.

Bhagatji says when we have greed for worldly objects then what kind of love can there be in our hearts for God?

Even if there is love, it will be a very selfish kind of love.

Does this line apply to me also? Is my love for God also selfish and do I profess this love just to fulfil my own desires?

Normally whenever we are asked to do something we always ask this question: “What is the benefit in it for me?”

Very few people in the world perform selfless actions. We always think of personal benefits before we do anything.

What if we stop thinking about the benefits for a moment and start by asking the following question. What are my losses if I carry on this self-centred behaviour? What are the losses to me personally, my family, my society, the world.

A selfish action is a vice. If I carry on thinking of benefits ONLY to me, I am propagating a vice in me.

If instead, I ask this question: By practicing this vice, what are the losses I am incurring to myself and to everyone around me?

If this AWARENESS comes to me and I understand that with every selfish act of mine, I am incurring huge losses for myself, then I might try to prevent these losses in the future.

What are these losses to me personally, and also to the people around me?

The line below makes me aware of these losses:

So sukh mo ko Sant bathaavahu

Thrisna boojhai man  thripthaavai. (SGGS 179)

Because of my selfish attitude I have a very restless and unsatisfied mind. It keeps on asking for more and more. Before I can fulfil one desire, it is ready with the next desire. This disease that my mind is suffering from is called THRISNA.

The symptoms of this disease is anxiety, depression and restlessness. Because of my this state of mind I am of no use to myself and also to others around me. I create unhappiness wherever I go.

I am looking for someone who can help me to put out the fire of THRISNA in my mind and make it contented (thripthaavai).

The answer to my question is with the Guru/Sant.

Guruji says that my mind needs to become contented if I am desiring SUKH (Happiness). When I am in a good state of mind, only then will I be able to help others to reach to that state of Happiness.

Guruji gives me the answer on how to go about doing it in the following line:

Ja kai HAR DHAN soee soheila.

Dhan means wealth. Soheila means happy There are 2 kinds of wealth that can be collected. Worldly wealth (money, properties, jewellery, etc). Spiritual wealth (Contentment, Compassion, Love, Humanity, Humility, Giving, Caring).

Guruji has explained to me the difference between these 2 kinds of wealth. Worldly wealth is temporary and brings with it worry that it will be stolen, it will not last and I will have to leave it behind when I depart from this world. Spiritual wealth on the other hand cannot be stolen from me, it is permanent (I can take it along with me when I leave this world) and it brings with it peace and happiness.

This spiritual wealth has to be collected by using the wisdom of the Guru. As my spiritual wealth grows, the vices that were bothering me earlier (THRISNA) has started to lose its power and now it doesn’t pose any problems for me anymore. It has become my friend and it leaves me alone.

The spiritual wealth has helped my mind to become peaceful and happy.

Surinder Kaur Sohan Singh is a Malaysia-based Gurbani enthusiast. This is an edited version of her regular articles shared within a circle of fellow Sikhi seekers. The articles appear on Mondays and Thursdays.

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

RELATED STORY:

Day 20: No one can light dheeva for another  (Asia Samachar, 1 Oct 2018)

Day 19: Dheeva balai andaera jaae (Asia Samachar, 27 Sept 2018)

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By Gurmukh Singh OBE | OPINION |

A Tribune India headline reads: Intel shared by India led to raids on Sikh activists in UK.

(Ruchika M Khanna, 25 September). These raids based on shared intelligence, do raise some questions and concerns about international police cooperation. More so as we look at the record of the diverse regimes around the world regarding rule of law, independence of the judiciary, treatment of minorities, universal human rights, freedom of press and social activism.

The background to the Tribune report is the home searches conducted by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit on the premises of some Sikh activists in the UK. Going by the Indian press and a statement made by the Midlands Police, this action was taken apparently as a result of the sharing of information between the governments of India and the UK.

In this context, one is also reminded of International Criminal Police Organization, known as Interpol which facilitates international police cooperation. It has an annual budget of around & Euro 113 million (Euro dollars) and had a membership of police forces in 192 countries in 2017. That means almost every country in the world including India and the UK are Interpol members and share information about criminals. Normally, it should be most re-assuring for law-abiding citizens that vigilant police forces around the world are working together to keep global law and order by sharing information and fighting international crime.

However, fighting terrorism can also become the means of suppressing the much-needed lawful community activism in areas of community cohesion and charity work, otherwise encouraged by governments through grants, awards and honours. Leaving aside the constitutional and legal aspects, the question is if UK social activists of Indian or Punjab origin would feel safe if they knew that the UK police and the Indian and Punjab police are sharing information about them? A most worrying aspect is how such information is obtained and for what purpose: to combat crime or to suppress lawful socio-political activism?

When we look around the world today, we find that many states themselves resort to terror tactics to fight terrorism! Two wrongs do not make a right. Amnesty International reports tell us of police brutality in many countries. A league table of countries which openly abuse human rights is published. It is well known that in some countries, signed confessions from those in police custody are obtained by using torture and threats.

Presumably, names of almost everyone known to them are obtained. It is possible that even names of politically troublesome but otherwise lawful activists at home and abroad are included in such allegedly signed confessions. The judicial processes can be manipulated by political interests. Charity and social workers become apprehensive when travelling abroad because, sometimes, the greatest need for charity work is amongst the most neglected sections of society in countries known for state terrorism.

Trade considerations can play a part in bi-lateral police cooperation between countries and a blind eye can be turned when it comes to human rights record of trading partners. Serious questions are raised about the justification for Midlands Police raids on some Sikh homes.

Gurmukh Singh OBE, a retired UK senior civil servant, chairs the Advisory Board of The Sikh Missionary Society UK. Email: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk. The article first appeared at The Panjab Times, UK

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

Naam Clinic, a free clinic on Sundays in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur town, is short of medicine.

“We welcome medicine contribution from clinics or pharmaceutical companies. Donations are also welcome,” Paramjit Kaur, the secretary and administrator of the clinic, told Asia Samachar.

“Most of our cases deal with cough and fever, skin rashes and allergy. We get many foreign nationals as patients,” she said.

The clinic, which started operating in 2015, is under the purview of Naam Association Malaysia, now led by Gurdev Singh as president and Tejhvir Singh as vice president. Its advisor is Pritam Singh.

The clinic, which operates from 10am-2pm, has five volunteer doctors: Dr Jaswant Singh, Dr Subash, Dr Kulwant Singh, Dr Sanjeev Rampal and Dr Surinder Kaur. It operates at Wisma Tatt Khalsa at Jalan Raja Alang, a multipurpose complex of the Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa Diwan.

Paramjit can be contacted at 016-3903130.

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PATH DA BHOG: 14 October 2018 (Sunday), 5pm-7pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang | Malaysia

RANJIT SINGH A/L JAGAR SINGH

Village: Khota Guru Ka, Bhatinda

Born: 5 Jan 1933

Departed: 6 Oct 2018

Wife: Amar Kaur

Children / Spouses:

Balwant Singh / Gurmit Kaur

Kulbawant Singh / Gurbachan Kaur

Late Mahinder Singh

Satwant Singh (Bobby) / Sharanjit Kaur

Talwinder Kaur/ Baldev Singh

Kalwant Kaur / Jagjit Singh

Manjander Kaur

Kuldip Kaur / Sukhbir Singh (Daikin)

Saskaar / Cremation: 4pm, 6 Oct 2018 (Saturday), at Hindu Crematorium Simpang Lima Klang

Cortege Timing: Cortage leaves residence 59, Jalan Dato Yusof Shahbudin 4, Taman Sentosa, 41200 Klang at 3.30pm

Path da bhog: 14 October 2018 (Sunday), 5pm-7pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor

Contact:

Balwant Singh 016 9129025

Kulbawant Singh 012 236 1461

Satwant Singh (Bobby) 012 6556560

Reviewed by Deborah Klugman | STAGE ROW |

The Complex Theatre | Through October 14

In August 2012, white supremacist named Wade Michael Page entered a Gurdwara, or Sikh temple, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and shot and killed six people —another of the all too frequent hate crimes that continually debase our nation. Here in Los Angeles, Sikh writer/performer Sundeep Morrison became alarmed; her parents lived in Wisconsin and might well have been at that Gurdwara on that particular day. Calling home, she learned that her family was safe. But the incident had an impact, and inspired her to write a story about Sikhs living in the U.S. — who they are and what they believe, and the dangers they face as (mostly) people of color often mistaken for Muslims or Arabs by their ignorant or uninformed neighbors.

Rag Head is an adaptation of that story; it’s a solo show consisting of a series of monologues performed by Morrison and directed by Amitra Dhaliwal. Four of the seven characters are members of the same family. Patriarch Baljeet Singh, a gentle turbaned man in his 50’s, works in the convenience mart in a gas station; in a dialogue with an Anglo customer, he imparts a little about himself and his culture: his roots in India, the significance of his turban (to let people know that he is always available to help them), and his beliefs, which include respect for everyone, regardless of their faith, and an imperative to share one’s wealth.

The second monologue is a heated discourse from Dale, a white garage mechanic, talking to a pal about his daughter’s romantic relationship with a young Sikh doctor. Dale claims not to be a bigot, but he thinks people should stick with their own kind and he’s angry and bewildered that his daughter has called him a racist.

Some of the other characters include Baljeet’s wife, Simi, who worries that her doctor son Dev won’t get the promotion he deserves because of his beard and turban; Dev himself; and an administrator in the hospital where he works who learns that, per Simi’s prediction, Dev’s appearance has been the focus of complaints and he’s about to be bypassed once again for the position he’s applied for.

Rag Head was created as an effort to educate audiences and help provide an antidote to the hateful intolerance so pervasive in this country today. If you’re an enlightened Angelino who celebrates the diversity of our community and is sensitive to angry counter currents that boost intolerance in its stead, you won’t be much surprised by the content of Morrison’s show and its disturbing conclusion. That said, despite the time lapse between scenes necessitated by costume changes, the humor-etched monologues are effectively and affectingly executed, with Liza Elaine Stegall’s sound design and choice of music creating an apt aural backdrop for this writer/performer’s pressing message.

The Complex Hollywood, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 3 p.m.; through Oct. 14. Tickets here. Running time: 40 minutes, with an additional audience Q and A/Sikh awareness workshop following the performance. (Ticket proceeds benefit the Sikh Coalition).

The article is courtesy of Stage Row. See here.

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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |

By Dr Manjit Singh Sidhu | PRIDE OF LIONS: EMINENT SIKHS IN MALAYSIA |

Sardar Kartar Singh’s roots go back to Pre-Partition India. His father Sardar Gean Singh was born in Lahore, capital of the former Sikh Kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The family migrated to Delhi sometime in the mid-19208. This was a most fortunate move. They were able to sell their property and take the money to Delhi, the capital of British India. Their relatives who stayed back in Lahore lost Virtually everything at Partition of British India in August, 1947. The Partition delivered a cruel blow to the Sikhs in particular. As many as one-fourth of the total Sikh population of India (6 million in 1947) were residing in West Pakistan in 1947. All of the Sikhs had to flee to Hindu dominated India. Tens of thousands were killed in the riots that took place especially in the province of P 1mjab. During this exodus women were raped or kidnapped. Atrocities took place on both sides of the border.

From Delhi, Gean Singh together with a few ethers decided to migrate to South-East Asia. First they took a train to the port-city of Calcutta (now renamed Kolkata). There they stayed at Vadi Sangat Gurdwara. After purchasing ship tickets they set sail for Penang; upon disembarkation they stayed at Wadda Gurdwara located along Bricklin Road. From here he travelled south by train and settled in Kampar (a large tin mining town, lying to the south of Ipoh) in the first instance. Later he moved to Ipoh, the present capital of Perak and settled in an area near the Wadda Gurdwara, close to the Ipoh Railway Station.

Some members of the party settled in Bangkok, Thailand. Since he had some education in Lahore, he was able to get a job with the Malayan Railways. In Ipoh, he stayed in a locality called Buntong. This settlement had a large Sikh population; many of them were Sainis by caste; in the pre-war days Sikhs living here were cattle rearers; some of them were peddlers, selling cloth, going around surrounding areas and estates on bicycles; later they switched to Honda motorcycles. (This was revealed to me by a friend, Mr. Mer Chand, a former resident of Buntong, Ipoh).

Upon retirement, he joined a well-known motor company, Borneo Motors. According to his grandson (Dato’ Sri Rakhbir Singh), Gean Singh played an active role in overseeing the development of some Sikh Gurdwaras in Perak State.

BUNTONG BORN

Kartar Singh was born in Buntong, Perak, on 3rd November, 1930. At the age of seven he enrolled in Anderson School. The Japanese Occupation interrupted his studies. Following the return of the British after the Japanese surrender, he resumed his studies. He was a bright student and did well and went on to join the famous Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur.

Upon completing his Senior Cambridge, he joined the Malayan Civil Service. He was posted to the prison’s department and joined service in Alor Setar Prison. Upon promotion, he was sent to Taiping, the former capital of Perak State. Soon after completing his training, he was posted at Pudu Prison, in Kuala Lumpur, as a Senior Officer. After a few years he was transferred to Penang Prison as Deputy Superintendent.

PRISON INCIDENT

The year 1970 was important in his life. A disgruntled prison officer of South Indian origin gave a pistol to a prisoner. The prisoner armed with a gun made a bold move to escape. Kartar Singh happened to be at the main gate on that fateful day. As the prisoner tried to escape Kartar blocked him. The prisoner pointed his gun at Kartar Singh and fired his gun at point blank range.

Luckily for Kartar, the chamber was empty. Disregarding personal safety, Kartar overpowered the prisoner, thus toiling a daring escape. Later an inquiry was held and the truth came out as to how the prisoner got hold of the gun; he revealed that the gun was given to him by a prison officer. The officer who had given him the gun was charged and dismissed from service. This was revealed to me by a retired prison officer Mr. Parkash Jotiram, of Seremban.

For his brave act, Kartar Singh was awarded the SPGP, in 1971. It is the highest award for gallantry and bravery, and was presented by the King of Malaysia, His Royal Highness Tuanku Abdul Halim (The Sultan of Kedah), during his first term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong (1970 to 1975).

SEE ALSO: Pride of Lions 

This makes Kartar Singh, the only Malaysian Prison Officer who received the Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SPGP) up to this date and the only Sikh in Malaysia to be given this award. The medal is now being kept by his eldest son, Dato’ Sri Rakhbir Singh, a practicing lawyer in Sabah. Living recipients of SPGP are paid an allowance of RM 400/ per month. He was the fifth recipient of this award. It can be given to any eligible person, both civilian and armed forces. According to Wikipedia it was first awarded in 1963 and last awarded in 2001. In all there have been 28 recipients of this distinguished award.

Now to trace his personal life. Sardar Gean Singh married Madam Jagjit Kaur d/o Sohan Singh (from Thailand) in 1956, in Penang, now deceased. Sardar Kartar Singh SPGP passed away in Penang on 3rd April, 1978.

The couple have four children namely, Harcharan Kaur (she now resides in Sydney, Australia), Surjeet Kaur formally a flight stewardess with Malaysian Airlines and later a Cabin Crew Officer in Kota Kinabalu), now deceased. Dato’ Sri K. Rakhbir Singh, a practicing lawyer in Sabah, followed by Sukhdev Singh, formerly a CaptaIn with Malaysian Airlines and later Flying Instructor with Air Asia, now deceased.

HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE BOOK?

Pride of Lions: Eminent Sikhs in Malaysia authored by Dr Manjit Singh Sidhu.

Price: RM50 (add RM10 for postage within Malaysia)

For further assistance, Whatsapp to Asia Samachar at +6017-335-1399

Malaysian retired lecturer releases book on Sikhs in Pakistan (Asia Samachar, 24 Feb 2017)

Canadian-born investigative reporter Prabjot Kaur Randhawa is the first Sikh broadcast journalist to take home an American Emmy Award.

The KSDK NBC in St. Louis, Missouri, journalist won in the Health & Science category of the Mid-America regional Emmy for her investigative on prescription medications errors.

Her investigation revealed that large chain pharmacies are putting profit over safety, by requiring pharmacists fill more prescriptions per hour. The end result, PJ uncovered, is that a surprising number of customers go home with the wrong medication- which can be fatal.

As part of her report, PJ, as she’s known in the fraternity, questioned the state Pharmacy board and discovered they are taking no action to monitor these corporate pressures, or ensure the safety of the public, according to a statement.

“I feel an obligation to uncover instances where corporations put profit over public safety. As a Sikh and as a journalist, I believe it is my duty to uncover practices that can hurt or take advantage of the public,” she said in the statement.

“My strong belief system, rooted in my Sikh upbringing, reinforces my personal mission to uncover wrongdoing and shed light into the darkness we find in every aspect of society. I want people who read or watch my stories to come away with information that can benefit their families, and enrich the quality of their lives.”

A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, PJ is a graduate of DePaul University’s prestigious Journalism program, where she earned her Master’s degree in 2011. She has since worked in almost every corner of the country.

PJ began her career as a Morning News Anchor at the ABC TV affiliate in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 2013, she became an Investigative Reporter for the NBC TV in Columbia, South Carolina.

During that time, she received the 2013 World Sikh Award for her political reporting. She also received the 2014 School Bell Award for her Education reporting. Her investigations were routinely seen in five cities across three states.

Since 2015, PJ has been an Investigative Reporter at KSDK NBC in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a four time Emmy Nominee, and was also nominated for a Missouri Broadcasters Award in 2018.

PJ’s parents – Sukhdev Singh Randhawa and Kuljinder Kaur Randhawa – moved to Canada almost 50 years ago as young adults.

Her father worked as a machinist at the Canadian national railway while her mother worked as a health care aid.

The Mid-America Emmy is  one of 19 regional chapters of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, badged as the standard-bearers for excellence in the television broadcasting industry and the gatekeepers of the prestigious regional EMMY Awards.

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Jit Kaur was one of the winners at the Kiwi Punjabi Awards 2018 organised by the New Zealand Punjabi Multimedia Trust. Asia Samachar approached her to get her story. Here it is.

My name is Jit Kaur. My family use to call me Jitto.

I was born on 7 January 1952 at Lohian Jalandhar and come to Malaysia when I was one year old. I came from a big joint family where we live with my uncles, aunties, cousins and grandfather in a small town called Kalumpang in Selangor, Malaysia.

I migrated to New Zealand in 1989. I did my studies at Auckland Collage of Education and while working full time with people with disabilities.

In 2002 we formed the New Zealand Sikh Women’s Association (Inc.) as there was a need in the community as some of girls committed suicide and a baby drown as they had no support after getting married to New Zealand spouse and arrived in New Zealand. They faced so many problems in their daily life because of language barriers. They do not understand their rights in this new country.

So we used to meet fortnightly at Otahuhu temple having prayers and dinner. As we were growing bigger and getting client from community, we moved over to a small office. My role is to apply funding, networking, attending meeting and also making sure our operating systems are in place, on top of working full time with people with disabilities.

It has been my long term goal and passion to do something for my community to carry on. I have an inbuilt desire to help people. I look forward to new challenges. At this juncture, I’m feeling proud of my accomplishments.

On  15 September 2018 I was privileged to be awarded the Kiwi Punjabi Woman of the Year 2018. This award recognises the work I do within our community.

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