| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 10 Sept 2016 | Asia Samachar |
Sikhs must extend assistance to fellow Sikhs facing issues wherever they may be and not be confined to their own national borders.
“Since we are a nation without borders, we must act across borders. We must not bound by borders in our actions. The movement of energy, resources should be global,” Mejindarpal Kaur, the director of the United Sikhs, told the GS Pulapol Speaker Series in Kuala Lumpur, today.
When met later, she told Asia Samachar: “We must not bound ourselves to our local areas. As Sikhs, we are a nation without borders.”
United Sikhs – a humanitarian relief, human development and advocacy organisation – has chapters in 10 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa that pursue projects for the spiritual, social and economic empowerment of underprivileged and minority communities.
Mejindarpal is one of the 10 speakers at the forum organised by Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol, supported by the Royal Malaysian Police, Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) and the Malaysian Sikh Women’s Awareness Network (SWAN).
The Malaysian-born Mejindarpal called upon Sikhs to better understand the situation impacting the community globally and get themselves involved.
“Prior to 2002, I was a Sikh at an individual level, but not at a Panthic level. I didn’t do much Panthic seva. I wasn’t collective in my actions.
“One day, it all changed. It’s just like in the movie Sliding Doors. Something happened. It’s only through the Guru Sahib, God-given, power that we are able to do seva,” she said.
The change in her came when she got co-opted to join the United Sikhs in 2002.
“When it comes to disaster, we go to any area. When it comes to where Sikhs are in peril, then the Sikhs will have to help the Sikhs,” she said.
Back to the Guru
In an earlier session, lawyer-cum-lay-parcharak Manjeet Singh said many Sikhs are seen to be running from pillar to post when it comes to their spirituality.
“Very often we run foul of this rule. We forget God is everywhere,” he said.
When faced with issues and problems, he said some Sikhs end up meeting with bomohs and other types of mediums.
“Go back to Satguru, take his sharan (protection), take up his sevaa (selfless service). Do an ardaas. Ask for forgiveness if we have broken ourselves (from the Guru). Read some bani,” he said.
However, he cautioned the path ahead is not always rosy.
“This path, to meet Waheguru, is a slow process, a very taxing process. Along the way, there will plenty of dukh sukh, challenges. If the Guru cannot solve your problems, nobody can. There are times when you will have to bear the unberable,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of placing reliance upon the Guru.
“Having your tek (total faith) in Guru is most vital. Reliance on others is useless. Only focus on Satguru.
“If we have broken away from Guru, we need to go back to Guru. Ask for forgiveness, do bani, one or two Japji Sahib.
“When you make mistakes, go back to the Guru, do ardas. Do the Ardas yourself. Ask the Guru to remove the weight you are carrying, do a path, any path, Japji, Anand… But we must be sincere,” he said.
Laughter the Best Medicine
In another session, energetic and bubbly Sukhveer Kaur from the Penang-based Himmat Support Group spoke on the role of laughter for a healthy lifestyle.
The first day of the event ended with a forum by two panelists: educationist Dr Gurcharan Singh and Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia Jathedar Dr Jasbir Singh. The session was moderated by Autar Singh from the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO).
The inaugural Pulapol Speaker Series continues tomorrow with a full-day session starting at 9am. Those interested can still take part. Entrace is free.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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Well being of all, Sarbat da Bhela, Charity, Donation, Sharing, Caring, Helping, Vand Ke Shakna, Sewa : evolves and commences within the mind thru intelligence and thereafter manifest by choice in sharing Truth and assisting others thru truthful mind and kickstarts at home, within immediate family and relatives, neighbourhood and thereafter everywhere.