Donate direct to Malacca gurdwara to avoid ‘misappropriation’

| Malacca, Malaysia | 26 April 2017 | Asia Samachar |

SKETCHED: A sketch of the late Sikh parcharak and Malacca gurdwara granthi Baba Sohan Singh by Malacca youth Harpreet Singh – PHOTO COURTESY OF GS MALACCA FACEBOOK

If you plan to donate for the up-coming annual Sikh programme in Malacca, do it direct to the gurdwara and not to individuals ‘to avoid any misappropriation and random collection of funds’.

This is the advise given by Gurdwara Sahib Melaka (GSM) as it prepares to host the largest annual Sikh gathering in the region next month.

Malacca Sikhs will host the 45^th Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Salaana Yaadgar Semagam, a programme commonly referred to as the ‘Malacca barsi’, between 18-21 May 2017.

“Overall, the preparations are going on smoothly. We started pitching the tents today. We did not want to delay,” GSM president Karam Singh tells Asia Samachar in a telephone conversation.

On the donations, the gurdwara noted that there have been many generous donors who contribute towards the programme.

“Over the years, we have found out that there are also some who collect donations in the name of Barsi. Therefore, to avoid any misappropriation and random collection of funds, all those wishing to contribute in cash can bank in their contributions to the Sikh Temple Melaka Account,” the gurdwara said in a statement sent to Asia Samachar.

The statement also touched the stalls operating outside gurdwara compound – stalls selling Punjabi sweets, Punjabi suits, CDs and DVDs, and all sorts of other items – which brings an almost carnival-like atmosphere to the event.

“The Parbandhak Committee of Gurdwara Sahib Melaka would also like to inform everyone that the stalls outside the gurdwara sahib premises during the programme are not set up by the Gurdwara and neither does the gurdwara receive any proceeds from the rents paid for the use of the stalls for business,” it said.

On its part, Karam said they will ensure that the stalls do not play loud bhangra and songs.

On gurdwara matters or the remembrance programme, the statement has listed the contact of three key management team members: Karam Singh 016 3416961 (president), Gursatvinder Singh (treasurer) 019 2280050 and Manmeet Kaur (secretary) 012 6122057.

[Account details: AmBank, Jalan Munshi Abdullah; Account No: 039 201 200 6028 / The Sikh Temple Melaka]

Next year, the event will take place between 25-27 May 2018 to take advantage of the school holidays.

[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]