First Mithi Yaad In loving Memory of My beloved Mother, Our Nanima
MDM CHARAN KAUR (Fondly known as Gudoh)
w/o Late Mr Sardool Singh Hans @ Kartar Singh (Singapore/Kampar)
Pls join us for
Asa Di War Saturday, 25th January 2025
7am – 9am Gurdwara Sahib Blackburn 127, Whitehorse Road, Blackburn, Melbourne, Australia
A life full of kindness, warmth, laughter, cheer & a wicked sense of humour. For though we’ll always miss you And it’s dreadful being apart. We haven’t really lost you You’re still here is our hearts A Mother’s love is truly precious & irreplaceable.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Prof Dr Sarjit Singh receiving the letter of appointment to the Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP) from MACC chief Azam Baki. In the middle, MACC deputy commissioner Azmi Kamaruzaman – Photo: MACC
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Scholar and social activist Prof Dr Sarjit Singh has been tapped to sit on the consultation panel of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Appointed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Sarjit will serve on the panel for a two-year term until Nov 30, 2026.
The anthropologist from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) received his letter of appointment along with six others at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today (Jan 15).
In 2022, Dr Sarjit was appointed to the Education Ministry’s expert reference panel for history curriculum and textbooks for a four-year term.
The Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP) will be led by Yasmin Ahmad Merican, a former global consulting partner at Ernst & Young International and EY Malaysia.
The other members are Prof Emeritus Dr Asma Ismail, Prof Dr Haidar Dziyauddin, Lee Heng Cheong, Ali Hassan Mohd Hassan and Kamaruddin Mape.
The panel is appointed administratively by the Prime Minister among individuals who represent various civil societies and organisations such as academician, business community, religious figure, media expert and social activist that can assist the MACC towards its objective of inculcating hatred against corruption among the society at large.
Among others, they advise the commission in enhancing the effectiveness of inspection and consulting activities as well as enhance the effectiveness of public education activities towards increasing the awareness on corruption and support on anti-corruption efforts.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Parliamentary speeches led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov 14, 2024, on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution and commentaries following the demise of ex-Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh on Dec 26, 2024, give us some broad pointers to the challenges and issues facing the Indian people and the Sikhs of Panjab. These will also impact on the diaspora Sikhs and the state of the global Panth. Revival of Sikh central institutions remains work-in-progress.
In his Parliamentary speech, PM Modi said that ‘Nehru followed his own Constitution’. That ‘he wrote to Chief Ministers that if the Constitution becomes a hindrance, then we should bring changes to it.’ He confirmed that over six decades, the Constitution was amended 75 times! Indira Gandhi continued more daringly, in a similar mode.
Following on from what the Congress did to destroy the spirit of the Indian Constitution, the BJP-led Modi government continued the trend with even greater vigour. Amongst others, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra accused the BJP-led government for ‘bleeding the Constitution from a thousand cuts’ and that BJP had ‘systematically eroded democracy’ during their tenure to date.
From the above we get clear pointers to the direction Indian administration is likely to take in 2025. It is clear that the Constitution of India today is no longer the same guardian of the rule of law and the rights of Indian diversity as originally intended in 1949.
Turning to late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Narasimha Rao-Manmohan Singh duo launched India into a new orbit of economic growth. On 24 July 1991, Dr Manmohan Singh laid out the blueprint for a new economic order which liberalised trade. Direct foreign investment from abroad would provide access to capital, technology, and markets. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Industry, under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, announced the New Industrial Policy.
Dr Manmohan Singh, as the first Sikh Prime Minister, served for two terms between from 2004 to 2014. He was appointed by Sonia Gandhi. He was not a politician and, earlier in 1999, had lost the only election he stood for from South Delhi. His second term saw the corruption, endemic to the Indian system, bring his government down in 2014.
He had been asked to take over as Prime Minister by Sonia Gandhi who retained the positions of Congress President and as Chairperson of the then ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Thus, the impression gained was that Dr Manmohan Singh, who described himself as an accidental prime minister, reported to Sonia Gandhi on all matters. There is absolutely no doubt that he raised the Sikh image globally.
However, he was unable to do much more than apologize for the 1984 Sikh genocide which lasted for 10 years. The Sikh turban case in France showed that, despite the constraints of his office, he could have done more. (I recall briefing him about UK Sikh issues also.) Despite coalition government, he had 10 years to re-instate separation of powers and constitutional safeguards.
Regarding India, Panjab and global Sikh affairs, we can expect more of the same: India is likely to keep missing opportunities to secure its geo-political objectives, internal state-centre tensions are likely to increase, minorities will keep feeling insecure and isolation of Panjab is likely to continue due to lack of agro-economic policies and Hindutva communal politics and, migrations of Panjabi youth will continue.
Diaspora Sikhs are unlikely to remain aloof while increasing their participation in the politics of the countries they live in.
Gurmukh Singh OBE, a retired UK senior civil servant, chairs the Advisory Board of The Sikh Missionary Society UK. Email: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk. Click here for more details on the author.The article first appeared at Panjab Times, UK
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
In loving memory of our darling Wife, Mother and Grandmother
MADAM KIRPAL KAUR (RANEE SAPAL)
“In the memories we hold in our hearts, gentle pains, A life full of kindness, laughter and cheer, She’ll forever be with us near.”
Dear family and friends,
We would like to invite you and your family for an Akhand Path programme at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib, 87, Jalan Gurdwara, 10000 Penang
Programme:
24.1.2025 (Fri) – 9:00am: Commencement of Akhand Path 25.1.2025 (Sat) 2nd day of the Akhand Path 26.1.2025 (Sun) – 9:00am – 12.30pm: Akhand Path Sahib Da Phog, Kirtan and Ardas followed by Guru Ka Langgar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Event | Malaysia: Two big names in the world of SIkh kirtan will take part in the evening diwan at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday (Jan 14, 2025) to commemorate the martydom (shahidi) of the 40 Mukte (Chaali Mukte). Time: 7pm – 9pm. For the poster, go here or here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
A beloved soul who will always be remembered for her unconditional love and devotion to her family. She was a cherished daughter, devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, and trusted friend, leaving behind countless beautiful memories. Her absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved her.
AKHAND PATH 12 – 14 January 2025 (Sun-Tues) Gurdwara Sahib Polis / Parliament (Add: Pesiaran Tun Ismail, KL)
12 Jan (Sunday): Starting at 5pm 13 Jan (Monday) 14 Jan (Tuesday) Path da Bhog 5pm to 7pm Followed by Guru Ka Langgar
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Manmohan Singh and wife Gursharan Kaur – Photos from Daman Singh’s book, sketch on the cover of The Week
By Bhupinder ‘Bo’ Singh (Reporting from Delhi)
The Akhand Paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was started on the first of January at the residence of Dr Manmohan Singh (fondly known as MMS), the Ex-Prime Minister of India, who passed away on 26th December 2024. The akhand paath, reading of entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib, in his memory was completed in the morning of Jan 3, 2025. His wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur recited a shabad at the conclusion of Sri Akhand Paath. On the same day in the afternoon from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM there was Shabad Kirtan and Antim Ardas at Gurudwara Sri Rakab Ganj.
The homage program was well attended by ordinary citizens to higher echelon in politics sitting next to each other, rubbing shoulders. The special arrangements at the Gurudwara were for 3,000 people, and the mood was serene yet contemplative as the strains of kirtan sung by Bhai Harjinder Singh (Sri Nagar Wale) reverberated in the air. The famous ragi also happened to be a family favorite of the Singhs, and he had flown in from the US to pay his respects. The chiefs of SGPC, DSGMC and former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht were in attendance to pay their homage.
Earlier, on Dec 28, 2024, his state funeral was held at the Nigambodh Ghat, which was attended by all state functionaries including the President, Prime Minister, Congress leaders, top military brass, etc. It was a rare unifying stage on a gray foggy day, where all pollical rivalries were set aside to honor the humble leader, in a world full of egoistic leaders.
The funeral pyre was lit by Upinder Singh, eldest of the three daughters of Manmohan. His second daughter Daman Singh, a writer, has written a book titled Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan, an intimate portrayal of the lives of her parents. Their third daughter Amrit Singh is human rights lawyer based in the US. Before the remains were consigned to flames, the security forces performed a three-rifle volley and buglers played ‘Last Post’ as a mark of honor to the departed soul.
Dr Manmohan Singh was born in a remote village of Gah (Chakwal District, now in Pakistan) on Sept 26, 1932. His early education was in a modest two room primary school there. After the partition he moved to Amritsar and studied there. He completed his BA, and MA from Panjab University, and completed his DPhil in Economics from Oxford. He worked for United Nations during the 1966 – 1969 period. Then he taught at Delhi School of Economics teaching Trade Finance. His students remember him for his simplicity, who arrived at the campus in public buses, and taught with rigor.
He was inducted into bureaucratic career as an advisor in the ministry of Commerce and Industry. He rose to become Chief Economic Advisor (1972 – 1976), Governor of Reserve Bank of India (1982 – 1985), and Head of Planning Commission (1985 -1987). In 1991 as India faced a severe economic crisis, then PM Narasimha Rao inducted him as the finance minister. Despite the strong opposition to his bitter pills of structural reforms, he implemented those that liberalized India’s economy. He is still remembered for contributions that averted the economics crisis of the nation.
He was leader of the opposition from 1998 – 2004 in Rajya Sabha. After 2004 elections he was inducted as Prime Minister, in a surprise move Sonia Gandhi, President of Congress Party. In 2005 he apologized in the parliament speech about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which was not palatable to some political elements and made it controversial. He became Prime Minister second time after 2009 elections. He made his first official visit to US during President Obama’s tenure in November 2009. In his memoir Obama wrote that “Dr. Singh, an eminent economist, had managed to lift millions of people from poverty and that the markings of his Sikh faith made him look “holy” in the eyes of the west.”
In 2009, Singh was amongst the leaders who laid the foundation of BRICS. In 2010 Newsweek, a leading American weekly recognized him as a world leader, who is respected by other heads of state. Even Nitin Gadkari, the Transport Minister in Narendra Modi’s BJP government, said the “country is indebted to Manmohan Singh for the liberalization that gave a new direction”.
Manmohan held the PM’s position till May 26, 2014. He was member of Rajya Sabha from 2019 to 2024. Today, that humblest of the leader who drove Maruti car, is no more with us, but his humility, simplicity, and contributions will continue to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Beloved Wife, Loving Mother and A Proud Grandmother.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Sardani Kulwant Kaur, wife of Mukthiar Singh Baserke, who was called to her heavenly abode on the 11th of January 2025.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Mere Humsafar (My Companion), a Pakistani serial drama with its fairytale sort of love story, has been available online for some time now. If you have yet to watch it, then you may want to consider it the next time your searching something to lull your time.
The drama television series, produced by Humayun Saeed and Shehzad Naseeb, was aired between December 2021 and September 2022 on ARY Digital. It’s now available on its Youtube channel.
The series stars Farhan Saeed and dimpled beauty Hania Aamir as leads, supported by Saba Hameed, Waseem Abbas, Samina Ahmad, Zoya Nasir and Omer Shahzad.
It revolves around a girl, Hala, who is left by her father (settled in London) at her paternal uncles’ house in Pakistan, where she is mistreated, especially by Shahjahan, her Tai-jaan (paternal aunt). Later, Shahjahan’s son, Hamza, returns from abroad, marries her and gives her the respect she always needed.
As with most family drama series, expect the usual twists and turns. And be prepared to get embroiled in this rather toxic family. At times, some characters are really, really toxic!
The first few episodes require a little bit of staying power. They acting is decent, and so is the dialogue. The series does pick up pace as it goes along, as the characters develop and the story finds its roots.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
