and sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and a host of relatives and friends.
You can pay your last respects on the 2nd of March 2024, Saturday from 8am to 12pm at No 1, Solok Dumbar, Bukit Dumbar, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang. After which, the cortege will leave for cremation at 12.30pm from residence.
Saskar / Cremation: 2nd March 2024 Saturday, 1.00pm at Batu Gantung Crematorium, Jalan Batu Gantung, George Town 10450 Pulau Pinang.
Path Da Bhog (Antim Ardas) will be held on 17th March 2024, Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib, Jalan Gurdwara, Pulau Pinang.
Please Contact Us If You Require information: Kulwant Singh (016-457 7804) Navjeet Singh (012-492 7719) Amanjeet Singh (017-449 7978)
ghale aavahi naanakaa sadhe uthee jaeh. O Nanak! All of us come to this world when sent by the Divine, and depart from the world when called back by Him. – Guru Angad Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1239
In the book of our memories, you will always be our favourite chapter. Your love, laughter and generosity will be missed by all. Queen of our hearts, forever. Left footprints of love and kindness for all of us ~Ann ~
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
The Sri Vinayagar Temple in Ipoh, opposite the city’s train station. – Photo: Asia Samachar
By Gurnam Singh | Opinion |
While often conflated, Hinduism and Hindutva represent distinct entities. Hinduism, in its essence, transcends the rigid definition of a religion. It embodies a vibrant tapestry woven from millennia of diverse traditions, philosophies, and spiritual practices. This vast spectrum encompasses the profound inquiries of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smarta, each offering unique pathways to understanding the universe and one’s place within it.
Conversely, Hindutva presents itself as a political ideology rooted in ethno-nationalism, far removed from the lofty spiritual ideals that characterize Hinduism. As Christophe Jaffrelot in his book ‘Modi’s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy’ notes, “Hindutva is an ideology for this world, not the next.” In this sense, its primary focus lies not in spiritual liberation but in the political consolidation of a Hindu nation, and this is done in part through a very selective and narrow reinterpretation of history and Indic religious texts.
This distinction between the beautiful traditions of Hinduism and the brutal facets of Hindutva echoes the anxieties raised by scholars such as British-Pakistani scholar, Ziauddin Sardar, who, drawing comparisons between Islam and Islamism, warns against “the hijacking of religious traditions by fundamentalists of various hues.” Similar to Christian white supremacists, Zionists, or Islamists who manipulate their respective faiths for political gain, Hindutva proponents utilize religious symbols and sentiments to advance their agenda of power and control. In truth, these movements are the antithesis of the religious traditions from where they gain their legitimacy.
The US sociologist and writer based at Berkeley, Arlie Hochschild, draws a stark contrast between the vast, philosophical canvas of Hinduism and the politically charged Hindutva. In her book “King Cobra,” she argues, “Hindutva uses a vocabulary of religious devotion in order to mobilize people for a political purpose that is not religious in itself.” This instrumentalization of faith for territorial and temporal gains is not new and can be seen as a feature of many historic imperial ventures, not least the European colonial project, which used the cloak of Christianity to justify its barbarism. The important point to note is that ultimately, these forces end up undermining the very essence of faith, which in this case is Hinduism, and its focus on self-realization and spiritual growth.
The BJP is projecting itself as the party of God Rama, that will turn India into a land of wealth, health, and happiness. In truth, as all available data suggests, the policies of Hindutva, other than the construction of monuments such as the Rama Mandir in Ayodhya, and infrastructure for the corporate elites, are making the vast majority of Hindus even poorer, both spiritually and materially.
Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the fundamental differences between the material ambitions of Hindutva ideologues and the moral and spiritual concerns of Hinduism. While Hinduism offers a rich tapestry of philosophical and spiritual practices, Hindutva remains a political ideology seeking to wield religion for its own purposes. This distinction is vital for understanding the complexities of modern India and ensuring that diverse expressions of faith are not misused for political mobilization.
Gurnam Singh is an academic activist dedicated to human rights, liberty, equality, social and environmental justice. He is an Associate Professor of Sociology at University of Warwick, UK. He can be contacted at Gurnam.singh.1@warwick.ac.uk
* This is the opinion of the writer 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
Event | Malaysia: A new seminar series, ‘Understanding Gurbani by Yourself for Yourself’ at Gurdwara Sahib Subang. Karminder Singh Dhillon, a prolific Sikh author and speaker, will be handling topics like how to understand Gurbani beyond the literal word and the importance of context.
The weekly seminars, conducted free of charge beginning March 10, 2024 (5pm-7pm), is part of the Pachaar Series of the Gurdwara Sahib Subang. Guru ka Langgar will be served at 7pm.
To join, Whatsapp your name to Pritam Singh (+6016-216-2474).
(PLACE: G.S. SUBANG. Day: Sundays. Time: 5pm-7pm)
Seminar 1 – March 10 – Getting from the Literal to the Spiritual
Seminar 2 – March 17 – The Rahao Pinciple
Seminar 3 – March 24 – The Importance of Context
Seminar 4 – March 31 – Spirituality of the Self
Seminar 5 – April 7 – Spirituality of the Shabd
Seminar 6 – April 21 – Realizing the Creator Within
Seminar 7 – April 28 – Using Gurbani to Understanding Gurbani
Seminar 8 – May 5 – Selected Gurbani Concepts
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
The Sikh Soldier: A Short Film Honouring Forgotten Heroes
By Asia Samachar | Britain |
After three years in the making, the film is finally out.
The Sikh Soldier: A Short Film Honouring Forgotten Heroes follows the dramatic story of a World World (WW1) soldier, who fights in Europe for the British Empire, only to survive and face a further hell back in India.
Organised and co-funded by the Gursewak Trust and the Sikh Heritage Association Warwick and Leamington (SHAWL), the film was recently screened to an audience of over 300 in Warwick, England.
SHAWL Chair Baljinder Singh Rai said the film was more than just a historical portrayal.
“The Sikh Soldier aims to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of Indian soldiers, particularly Sikhs, in both world wars. The film poignantly highlights the immense sacrifices made by this community, with a staggering 83,000 Sikhs losing their lives and over 100,000 wounded during these conflicts,” he told the Leamington Observer.
The film was made over three years by filmmakers Joe Archer and Sky Cheema.
The film makers successfully raised £4,805 in October 2020 via Crowdfunder.
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
On the March: Farmers from the Bahrti Kisan Union Ekta Ughrah Ferozepore marching in November 2023 – Photo: Union Facebook
By Gurmukh Singh | Opinion |
In 1986, I was working for a UK department at General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) at Geneva during the early stages of the Uruguay Round. GATT was replaced by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995.
It is not too difficult to understand the just objections raised by Indian farmers to WTO membership of India from that year.
WTO deals with the rules of trade between nations to eliminate excessive subsidies. That means government support for all products, including farm produce, traded between countries because it distorts international trade and gives unfair advantage to those who receive such support. That is the underlying principle.
At present, there are 164 member countries in the WTO and, together, they represent 98% of world trade. The organisation provides a framework for negotiating trade agreements, which usually aim to reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions. Agreements signed by governments are ratified by their legislatures.
So, the theoretical aim of WTO is to create a level playing field for world trade so that poorer countries are not exploited and all countries benefit from international trade. However, like the United Nations (UN), in practice, WTO is strongly influenced by Western interests. (At the GATT meetings, it was always noticeable that representatives of Western countries were much better briefed to be able to articulate their positions.)
Very simply, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farm produce is against WTO rules. Due to the very diverse situations of farmers in rich and poor countries, such general rules work against the interests of the small farmers in developing countries. In case of global farming, the income gap between farmers in rich and poor countries has widened. The farmers of countries like India, unable to move to alternative employment, have suffered most over the decades. Yet, the Cairns Group including Australia, Brazil and Canada, have complained against Indian farm support and that it distorts global food prices and is hurting food security of other countries.
The situation of the large scale, fully mechanised, Western farmers is very different from the small farmers of countries like India, where well over 50% of the population works in the farms or farm-dependent small businesses. Unlike the next generations of Western farmers, the children of Indian farmers have very few opportunities to move away from farming to other employment.
It is not surprising that Indian farmers are pressing for withdrawal from the WTO and that India should scrap all Free Trade Agreements (FTA).
There are price tags on all the things we buy from the shops. Yet, there is no assured price tag on what the farmer produces and takes to the market to sell. He takes all the risks regarding the weather and all the things he buys for his farm like fertilizers, farm machinery and fuel. He has no option but to pay the price asked for farm inputs if he is to remain in the farming. More so, if no alternative employment with dignity is available, he keeps on borrowing while the farm is running at a net loss for years. He is unable to repay the accumulated loans. So, thousands of proud ann dataas, those who feed the masses, are driven to suicide. That is what has been going on in India for decades while the large scale corporate dealers of farm products become richer.
Caught between farmer demands and the WTO rules, Indian government predicament needs understanding.
However, what economic or political logic makes the present BJP-led Indian administration create a military type of confrontation between Panjab and Haryana, has baffled most neutral observers.
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.
* 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
What about joining a leisurely lakeside walk on a Sunday morning to raise funds to help need Sikh families?
Sign up for the Ekta Treasure Hunt Walk 2024 happening on March 10 at the West Lake of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. This is your chance to join a walk, socialise and help Ekta Club of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to raise funds for their pojects.
“Our fund needs replenishing as we have been giving out computers to Sikh students for education. So many Sikh homes don’t even have a single laptop in their house!,” a club official told Asia Samachar. The club has also been funding for school fees for first semester before the students can get the approval for the PTPTN loan.
How to join? Red the details below.
EKTA TREASURE HUNT WALK 2024
On 10th March 2024, at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur
The EKTA TREASURE HUNT WALK 2024 is a walk around the West Lake of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (TTT) and will last about an hour. Participants will also be required to solve clues and obtain answers along the journey.
Participation form: 2i) Register using the google form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuYDMdqkKtf4SzLyrzK8iXunRJbfm8WEOrNA6dNcL_502lHQ/viewform
2ii) You may register and pay for a full team of 4 pax using one form, or 2iii) You may also register as an individual. The organisers will arrange the team for individual registrants on the day of event. A team must consist of 4 registered participants. 2iv) All forms must be fully completed. 2v) The indemnity declaration must be duly signed by every participant in the team before starting the walk. 2vi) Official closing date is when we reach 200 pax (participants) or by 5th March 2024, whichever comes first.
The organizers will provide a briefing to the participants before the flag off on the day of the event.
The organizers reserve the rights to amend the rules, change or postpone the date, or even cancel the event if it is deemed necessary.
All decisions made by the judges will be final.
All payments are to be made payable via direct transfer to EKTA CLUB OF KUALA LUMPUR AND SELANGOR (CIMB: Account Number: 8008470507)
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
The Super Bowl victory celebration Parade in Kansas City of the Kansas City Chief’s team on February 15, 2024, became the newest victim of the shooting spree enveloping America. Even the civic celebration of success in game, the greatest American obsession with football has become victim of shooting madness. All of a sudden the euphoria and celebration were reduced to pandemonium, fear, and running for cover. The outcome of one dead and twenty injured together with scarred people looking for shelter, bodies crashing over others in full media coverage was driving home a painful reality.
The other great American obsession with guns has made a new victim of the enthusiastic American obsession in sports. The spectacle was a pathetic reminder of the mad craze for guns becoming the spoken language of choice.
What about its psychological impact on young children who came there to join in a celebration? The children will be mentally impacted, fear permeates their lives stunting their growth and psychiatric disorders rule their lives.
Although the causalities were not as high as we have become accustomed to, but still the “societal sickness” of America, the greatest nation in the world had been spotlighted on the national and international media.
These mass shootings recurring so frequently have made holes not only in the lives of victims and their families, but also made holes in the fabric of society. Every time a mass shooting takes place there is lot of fingers pointing, admonishments, and declarations “Say no to mass shootings.” But the net result has been that there is no change on gun laws.
Unfortunately, these mass shootings have failed to garner any concrete measures to combat the menace. We have had make shift memorials, prayers, and vigils after these unfortune incidents, but the outcome is “life as usual” and no change in gun laws. These agonizing moments have tormented the soul of the nation but has failed to galvanize the masses or the elected officials to come out with some measures to combat the menace. Let this fixation with the American icon of football turns the tide, and we produce some legislative measures to combat this madness.
Let us not make this a referendum on gun control, but common-sense measures to prevent guns, more precisely automatic, semi-automatic guns or assault guns landing in hands of children, or patients with mental-health issues.
Besides guns control, illegal guns, safe securing of weapons and education will also be needed. The 3D printing at home is making the task more challenging as now it is easy and inexpensive to transform an ordinary pistol to an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. So, if we don’t want to see such gory incidents on our TV screens, we have to come to a consensus and do something about it. I am hoping and praying that we succeed. The lasting impact on child and youth exposure to violence needs to be eliminated, otherwise childhood mental health problems will likely continue to grow.
Bhupinder ‘Bo’ Singh, Houston. Born in Bhamo, Myanmar, he now lives in Houston, US, where he runs a manufacturing company formed with his son. A mechanical engineer by training, he has authored a number of books, including Connecting with the Master – A collection of essays on topics related to Sikhism (2006) and In Bully’s Eyes – An Illustrated Children’s book on Bullying (2019).
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
Popular ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas, who won many hearts with iconic songs like Chitthi Aayi Hai, died after losing battle with a prolonged illness. The Indian singer succumbed after battling a prolonged illness at the age of 72.
Born in a musically inclined family in Gujarat, Pankaj was the youngest of three brothers. Both his brothers — Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas — established their careers in singing and Pankaj followed their example. While he initially wanted to learn tabla, his interest gradually moved to ghazals and he also learnt Urdu to hone his skills, reports The Indian Express.
Aside from “Chitthi Aayi Hai” from Naam, his other memorable ghazals include “Na Kajre Ki Dhar” from Mohra, “Chandi Jaisa Rang”, “Ek Taraf Uska Ghar” and “Ahista”, Pankaj was famous for his velvet voice.
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
