Jelapang gurdwara names 35-year-old as president

By Asia Samachar  | Malaysia |

Pharmacy assistant Narian Singh has taken over as president of Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, making the 35-year-old one of the youngest Sikhs to lead an active gurdwara in Malaysia.

Narian was elected at the gurdwara’s annual general meeting on June 28 and will head its management committee for the next two years. He succeeds transport operator Savinderjit Singh, also known as Sunder Singh.

Savinderjit, 59, will serve as vice-president, while Privesh Paul Singh, 33, was elected secretary and Raghbir Singh, 59, treasurer. The other office-bearers are assistant secretary Mahinder Singh, 57, and assistant treasurer Jaspreet Singh, 31.

The committee members are Jasmil Kaur, 62; Ranjit Singh, 62; Roshinderpal Singh, 46; Jaswin Singh, 27; and Paramjeet Singh, 55.

“Moving forward, we want to serve the sangat with humility, honesty and dedication, while working together as one community,” Narian told Asia Samachar.

“Our priorities include strengthening Gurmat education, involving more young people, improving community engagement and preserving the values and traditions of our Guru Ghar. We are also committed to ensuring that everything we do is transparent, accountable and responsible.

“Our aim is not simply to maintain the gurdwara, but to develop it into a vibrant centre of spirituality, learning, seva and fellowship.

“We want our children to grow up with a love for Gurbani, our youth to find purpose through seva and leadership, adults to remain connected to the Guru’s teachings, and our elders to be respected for their wisdom and lifelong service to the Panth.”

Narian’s late father Sadu Singh was a long-serving president of the gurdwara.

Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang has been actively organising community programmes, including Sikh youth camps, and has undergone several renovations in recent years.

Narian recently joined Batu Gajah Hospital after serving for 11 years at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya.

“I was actively involved with Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya and Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia. I hope to bring the experience I gained there to Jelapang,” he said.

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