Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye by Lt Gen (Retd) Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon
By Asia Samachar | India |
Lt Gen (Retd) Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh for a period of three years effective August 2023.
Popularly known as Tiny Dhillon, his appointment was made by President Droupadi Murmu.
The Infantry veteran from the Rajputana Rifles with about four decades of military service, has served multiple tenures in Kashmir.
He commanded the 15 Corps during the most challenging environment of the Pulwama IED blast, Balakote air strikes and Abrogation of Article 370 & 35A.
He served as DG Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) responsible for International Military Cooperation and strategic intelligence before superannuation on 31 Jan 2022.
Earlier this month, he released his book, Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye, bringing to light the true stories from the army veteran’s life.
Published by Penguin Veer, ‘Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye’, has 23 chapters. The four chapters — 16, 17, 18, and 19 — form the backbone of the 300-page book. They deal with some of the incidents in the 2019 that shaped Kashmir and Jamnu. These are the Pulwama attack, Balakot strike and the abrogation of Article 370. The first incident in the form of Pulwama attack takes place on just days after Lt-Gen Dhillon takes over as 15 Corps commander on Feb 10, 2019.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
D/O LATE KEHAR SINGH & THE WIFE OF THE LATE DEWA SINGH GILL
29.9.1932 – 28.8.2023
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the Late Mata Kapoor Kaur Ji D/O Late Kehar Singh & the wife of the Late Dewa Singh Gill, Setapak has passed on early morning around 9.30am, Monday (28th August 2023)
She was fondly called “Ma” by not only her sons and spouses, but also by her grandchildren & great grandchildren alike.
We were truly blessed to have you with us for almost a century & you shall remain with us forever.
Our Ma: A circle of strength founded on faith, joined in love & kept by GOD.
Wife of the Late Dewa Singh Gill, Mehna
Siblings / Spouse Late Bhagwan Kaur / Late Gurdial Singh Late Capt (R) Lall Singh Dhaliwal AMN / Mehender Kaur & Late Sarjit Kaur Kaka Singh Dhaliwal / Harbhajan Kaur (Bajo)
Akhand Path & Path da Bhog: 3 Sept (Sunday) to 5 Sept 2023 (Tues) at Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa, Kuala Lumpur
Akhand Path starts at 5pm, Sunday (3 Sept) and completes at 5pm, Tuesday (5 Sept).
Followed by Rehras and Kirtan at 6.30pm and Antim Ardas scheduled at 8pm, Tuesday (5 Sept) at the same venue.
For further information, please contact :
Sukhbir Singh (012-6545754)
Manbir Singh (016-3827029)
| Entry: 28 Aug 2023; Updated: 30 Aug 2023 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
The alumni of Persatuan Agama Sikh Universiti Malaya, also known as PASUM, held a grand reunion on June 24, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur.
It was not an easy journey organising the event. But the persistence and patience of the organising team members managed to gather some 150 members which I consider a great achievement. And it turned out to a memorable event.
My fellow committee members and I managed to get in touch with our super duper seniors from way back in 1960s to our juniors from batch 2023 who are currently students at the university.
This is the second reunion that I’m organising. The first, in 2014, was equally a great success.
The plan was to have the second reunion in 2020. But the Covid-19 pandemic had put the plans on hold. It was a challenging moment for all of us. The pandemic made us realise life is too short and we must make it a point to meet up. The reunion idea became all the more pressing.
Since the first reunion, we have lost many batchmates, both seniors and juniors. On the bright side, since the 2014 get together, many have become parents and grandparents, while some got married. Obviously, there is so much catching up to do, so many stories to share.
The event began with speeches.
I had the honour to represent the dedicated and passionate organising team that had worked tirelessly to bring the remarkable event to fruition. The team included Kuljit Kaur, Kiran Pannu, Harijit Singh and Mahesh Biaspal.
Next on the stage was the first PASUM president Mr Randhir Singh from the batch of 1977 Arts Faculty.
“I used to say that Punjabis are merely not all Sikhs but Muslim and Hindus, too,” he said, adding that the association was a platform for Punjabi speaking students to mingle and participate in cultural activities.
There were dance performances from the batches of 80s, 90s and 2023. We also had singing, lucky draws, games (best dress male and female), music, dancing and a spread of delicious North Indian food spread at the Havelly KL.
“The Reunion Dinner was indeed a great opportunity to catch up with over five decades of lost friends,” said Mr Raghbir Singh, our most senior alumni who was present at the event. He hails from Batch 1969.
He added: “The evening was fun-filled and enjoyable with talented mates putting up great entertainment. This bonding was well organised and really memorable.”
The next super senior was Ms Ranjit Kaur (Batch 1970). From Batch 1977, we had Mr Surjeet Singh, Dato Mahinder Singh, Mr Randhir Singh and Ms Jas Bir Kaur.
We had the pleasure of the company of retired topcop Dato Seri Amar Singh and Mr Paramjit Singh from Batch 1978. Batch 1979 were represented by Prof. Dr. Kuldip Kaur, Dato Jagjit Singh, Datin Dr Paramjeet Kaur and Mr Germail Singh.
Best Dress Male award goes to Mahesh Biaspal (dressed as Dev Anand) and Best Dress Female to Reshvinder Kaur (dressed as Zeenat Aman), as per out theme
“It was a joyous and fun filled evening,” said Mr Germail Singh. “The event provided the perfect opportunity for the UM Punjabi graduates to renew acquaintances and make some new friends. The Reunion was well organised and our heartiest thanks to the OC. Looking forward to the next gathering.”
Ms Kuljinder Kaur, from Batch 1981, noted that the PASUM Alumni reunion was a nostalgic and vibrant night with lots of screams, laughter, cheers but also sadness, remembering some of the past univerisity mates.
“The hall was abuzz with non-stop chatter, clinking of glasses and clicking of cameras as we were entertained by our very own talented mates and many went home with added grins on their faces having won prizes at the lucky draw!” she said.
And, as mentioned earlier, we also had competitions. The Best Dress Male award went to Mahesh Biaspal (Batch 1993) while the Best Dress Female was won by Reshvinder Kaur (Batch 1995). Congratulations!
The evening was made all the more memorable with Mr Gagjit aka Azmi Abdullah (Batch 1983) kicking off the reunion with a dance, taking everybody back to the university days. Mr Balvinder Singh sang a beautiful oldie number while Ms Pardeep Kaur and her team sang korria /tappay. The day was livened up further by a dance performance by Ms Tanisha (Batch 2023).
Then we had a special dance competition game. Here, three ladies were challenged to dance to a song chosen impromptu by the deejay. That certainly turned the heat on, with Ms Ammetta Malhotra emerging the winner.
Meninder Kaur Jessy (2nd from left) and the PASUM Alumni reunion 2023 organising team
Batch 1991 took home the special gift for being the batch with the highest attendance at the event. Not sure if they had such attendance record for classes more than three decades ago, though.
The evening then went on with Mr Surjeet Singh singing. Once the dance floor opened, Suniljit Sarkaria and team danced to a medley, maintaining the momentum of the evening.
The gathering was truly a celebration of not just the years we spent on campus, but also a reflection of the transformative journey each one of us embarked upon since then. Let us continue to stay connected, to support one another, and to give back in whatever way we can.
Here’s to the past we cherish, the present we embrace, and the future we eagerly anticipate. Farewell, until we meet again.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
India successfully landed Chandrayaan-3’s lunar module on the moon’s surface – the first to land near its little-explored south pole – on Aug 23, 2023.
By Prabhjot Singh | Opinion |
Fifty-four years is a long time. Memories of July 21 (8.26 a.m., July 22 for us in India), 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon are still so fresh on my mind. Though at that time there was no television in India, we remained glued to our radios to know the latest about the Apollo mission. On that day as Neil Armstrong was getting ready to plant the first human foot on another world, the excitement started mounting. We decided to skip school as Man was about to conquer the Moon. Though more than half a billion people were watching the history being made on their television sets, we had to contend with commentary on the radio. It was an unforgettable moment when Neil Armstrong climbed down the ladder and proclaimed: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” I scribbled his proclamation on one of my school notebooks and recited the entire historic event at the morning assembly the next morning.
A part of my narration was also about the second astronaut Aldrin who joined Neil Armstrong shortly afterwards to put his steps on the Moon. He made a simple but powerful description of the lunar surface: “magnificent desolation.” The two astronauts then explored the lunar surface for two and a half hours, collecting samples and taking photographs.
They left behind an American flag (Chandrayaan 3 had a tricolour attached to it), a patch honouring the fallen Apollo 1 crew, and a plaque on one of Eagle’s legs that read, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”
I vividly remember that US Post issued a special First Day Cancellation of a commemorative stamp that was made available to philately enthusiasts the world over. I was one of them. By sending an International Postal Order of a specified amount, the US Post was promising to mail back the First Day Cancellation. For many days, I would chase my beat Postman to make sure that my precious postal stationery did not get lost in the delivery system. Luckily I got mine a couple of weeks later while several other collectors had to wait a little longer than me. It is still a part of my collection.
As a science student, I got enthused with space research. I subscribed to a couple of Science Magazines, including the ones published by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and the Times of India group. I would never miss a story on space research in any media, especially the print media. Science and technology have advanced so much that the 1969 landing on the moon looks medieval. The landing of Chandrayaan 3 was virtually watched by every school-going child not only in India but in many parts of the world, thanks to cellular or mobile phone technology, a thing that was unheard of in the late 60s and early 70s.
Kalpana Chawla, an illustrious alumnus of Punjab Engineering College, became the first Indian-born woman to go to space in 1997.
My interest in space research got a further boost when Kalpana Chawla, an illustrious alumnus of Punjab Engineering College, became the first Indian-born woman to go to space in 1997. Unfortunately, this Braveheart from Karnal was lost in a mission to space. On February 1, 2003, she died when the space shuttle Columbia in which she made her last trip to orbit broke up on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, killing all of her six accompanying astronauts on board as well.
Keeping her legacy alive, many youngsters in India have been evincing a keen interest in space research.
In fact, many may still remember Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian male astronaut, to go to space. A flyer in the Indian Air Force, Patiala-born Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, was aboard Soyuz T-11 when it was launched into space on April 3, 1984. Soyuz, like the Apollo programme of the US, represented the Interkosmos space research module of the then-Soviet Union. He has been the only Indian citizen to travel in space. Kalpana Chawla had become an American citizen before her space adventures. There have been other astronauts of Indian origin – Sunita Williams, Raja Chari and Sirisha Bandla – to travel to space, who are not Indian citizens. One more Indian Air Force officer, Ravish Malhotra, was a standby for the Soyuz space mission.
Besides the five astronauts of Indian origin and the success of Chandrayaan 3 would script another chapter in the history of the Indian space mission.
(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group, covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows.)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here.
Psychologist Saroop Roshi is the new reigning Miss World Malaysia 2023. The 24-year old Perakian won the finals of the pageant competition held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on Friday (Aug 25).
This is her second attempt at a pageant competition. In 2019, she emerged as the first runner-up of Miss Grand Malaysia and was designated the title of Miss Global Malaysia 2019.
No stranger to pageantry, Saroop previously participated in Miss Grand Malaysia where she finished as first runner-up and was designated the title of Miss Global Malaysia 2019.
What sets her apart from the competition? For the past four years, she has harnessed the power of the social media to further her cause in suicide prevention.
“Social media has revolutionised the world and it is a very powerful tool. I have been using the platform to bring a positive impact to our society,” she shared on stage.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
On numerous important occasions in the past, several Sikh political and religious had miserably failed to safeguard the Sikh interests.
Way back in 1929, the Sikh leaders had rightly expressed apprehensions about their future in independent India. To allay their fears, the Congress party, in its annual session held in Lahore in that year, had passed a resolution mentioning that “no future constitution would be acceptable to the Congress that did not give full satisfaction to the Sikhs.” Such categorical assurances were repeatedly given to the Sikhs, right upto the time of India’s partition in 1947.
But in 1950, the Congress party reneged on the solemn assurances given by their leaders to the Sikhs on several occasions. The Sikh representatives realized that the proposed constitution of India was unfavourable for the Sikhs and, therefore, they refused to append their signatures. In spite of rejection by the Sikh representatives, the Act was duly passed.
Before India’s independence, Mahatma Gandhi had asked the Sikhs “to accept my word and the Resolution of the Congress.” He had assured the Sikhs that no injustice will be done to them when the Congress party would come to power in independent India. At a press conference held in Kolkata in July 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru had stated that “the brave Sikhs of Punjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set up in the North, wherein the Sikhs can also experience the glow of freedom.”
Hoping that the commitment repeatedly made to them will be sincerely implemented after the country’s independence, the Sikh leaders never asked for the written guarantee which was undoubtedly an egregious blunder.
In May 1947, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh representatives went to England to negotiate with the British government regarding the future set up of India. When the Congress and the Muslim League failed to strike any mutual understanding, Nehru decided to return to India.
At that time, the British Cabinet leaders approached Baldev Singh, the Sikh representative. They advised him to stay behind in England for some more time so that a suitable proposal could be framed which would be quite favourable for the Sikhs. They wanted the Sikhs “to have political feet of their own on which they may walk into the current of World History.”
The Britishers had great respect for Sikhs; they remembered supreme sacrifices made by the Sikh soldiers in the two World Wars and also in the battle of Saragarhi as part of the British Indian Army.
The Britishers were prepared to put in writing a guarantee for the Sikhs to ensure a suitable homeland to them even if that area would be part of India.
Instead of accepting the Britishers’ advice to stay for sometime more in England to deliberate over their proposal which could be in the best interests of the Sikhs, Baldev Singh foolishly talked with Nehru about the British offer. Thereafter, as advised by Nehru, he declined the Britishers’ amazing offer. Moreover, he gave a stupid historic statement before the press: “The Sikhs have no demands to make on the British except the demand that they should quit India. Whatever political rights and aspirations the Sikhs have, they shall have them satisfied through the goodwill of the Congress and the majority community.” Thus, due to the absurd decision of Baldev Singh, the Sikhs of India missed a golden opportunity to get a guaranteed Sikh homeland of their own within India.
The Sikh leaders should have initially demanded an independent country of their own in spite of their unfavourable numerical strength in most areas of Punjab (they were in majority in two tehsils of Taran Taran and Jagraon only). They should have put forward the example of Jewish country Israel. When Israel came into existence, there were 600,000 Muslims, 86,000 Christians, and only 46,000 Jews. Still Jews got an independent country of their own.
Instead of acting as blind followers of Hindu/Congress leaders, the Sikh leaders should have shrewdly dealt with them. They should have told them about Jinnah’s offer to them and then asked them what they could offer to the Sikhs which would be more attractive to them than Jinnah’s offer. After negotiations, the Sikh leaders could have finally agreed to have an autonomous Punjab within India with only their defence and currency in the Indian government’s hands.
In 1947, British India was partitioned into two independent countries – Hindu majority India and Muslim majority Pakistan. The Sikhs, however, drew a blank due to ineptitude of their leadership.
In 1954, Master Tara Singh reminded Jawaharlal Nehru about his solemn undertaking that “the brave Sikhs of Punjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set up in the North, wherein the Sikhs can also experience the glow of freedom.” Nehru cooly replied: “The circumstances have now changed.”
Border Commission
Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer, was commissioned to draw the borders between Hindu majority India and Muslim majority Pakistan. He was given only five weeks to accomplish this onerous task. He was asked to base his boundary lines on the basis of the population of Hindus and Muslims. He was also asked to consider “other factors” but these additional factors were never officially defined.
While Cyril Radcliffe was the Chairman of the Border Commission, he was assisted by two Hindu and Muslim lawyers each to help him in his task. There was the need of two Sikh lawyers also, but the Sikh leaders never asked for it. Hence, the Commission did not care about the Sikh interests. A lady working for the Commission, who was sympathetic towards the Sikhs, said sometime back that no Sikh representative had approached the Commission properly, otherwise the border between the two countries could have been drawn in such a way that several important historical gurdwaras would have come within Indian territory instead of going to Pakistan. Thus, Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara and even Lahore city could have come to India.
In his unique book titled Scoop!: Inside Stories From The Partition To The Present,” veteran Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar mentioned that he had interviewed Radcliffe in Britain in 1976. Radcliffe reportedly told him that he had initially wanted to give Lahore to India but later changed his mind. He had also told Nayar that he could have definitely done his job in a better way if he was given two or three years instead of just five weeks.
Bangladesh Liberation War
Under the overall command of Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora — General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, the gallant Sikh troops played a significant role in the rout of the Pakistani Army in East Pakistan — finally resulting in the birth of Bangladesh. About 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken prisoner.
That was an excellent time for the Sikh leaders to approach Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to put pressure on Pakistan to return historic Sikh gurdwaras like Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, and even Lahore city (the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh kingdom) to India. Help could also be sought from Lt. Gen. Aurora in this connection. Surprisingly, no Sikh leader came forward at that crucial time to have a dialogue with Indira Gandhi in this connection.
Pakistan and India Today
Since its birth in 1947, Pakistan today is in its worst financial condition. The country’s debt, which stood at Rs. 62.5 trillion at the end of the Imran Khan’s government in 2022, has been continuously rising at a threatening pace. Pakistan’s domestic and external debt has exceeded $280 billion now.
Just to pay off its earlier debts, it has been borrowing billions of dollars from China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and so on. Due to its ailing economy, Pakistan has been outsourcing the country’s ports and airports just to get some funds to pay off its huge debts. Financially weak Pakistan has been on the brink of default. In fact, it is now on the verge of bankruptcy.
India, on the other hand, is flush with money now. The country’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $609 billion on 14th July 2023.
Districtwise Map of Pakistani Punjab
At present, Pakistan has been teetering on brink of several debt defaults. So it is probably the perfect time for India to ask cash-strapped Pakistan to ‘sell’ Narowal, Sheikhupura, Lahore (including the city of Lahore), and Nankana Sahib districts to India for a few billions of dollars. There may be negotiation about the amount which India would need to pay to Pakistan. This ‘sale’ would also be in Pakistan’s interest because it will get ‘breathing time’ to avoid defaults in paying off its creditors for now.
There are seven very important historical gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib area: Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Gurdwara Bal Leela, Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Gurdwara Mal Ji Sahib, Gurdwara Kiara Sahib, and Gurdwara Chhati Patshahi.
As Nankana Sahib district does not border any Indian area, India will need to ‘buy’ Sheikhupura and Lahore districts also to get access to Nankana Sahib district. Also, India needs to get Lahore city because it was the capital of the Sikh empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
There are more than 40 gurdwaras in Lahore district. As regards Sheikhupura district, there are at least three important gurdwaras in that district; the most important of these is Gurdwara Saccha Sauda located at Farooqabad. (The above-mentioned information about gurdwaras in Lahore and Sheikhupura districts has been provided in Dr. Dalvir S. Pannu’s book titled The Sikh Heritage: Beyond Borders).
In Narowal district, there are several important gurdwaras: Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, Gurdwara Tahli Sahib at Ghakka Kotli, Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi at Mallah, and Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh at Nainakot.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami should come forward and unitedly prepare a suitable strategy. They should jointly put forward the proposal before the Union Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri should also be approached in this connection. India’s Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu is believed to be quite close to the Indian Prime Minister; his help should also be sought in this matter.
If the four Pakistani districts (including the city of Lahore) can be “purchased’ from Pakistan and then merged with the Indian Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will earn gratitude of the 30 million strong Sikh community spread all over the world. Out of about 170 gurdwaras in Pakistan, only about 18 of them are presently functioning. There will be many-fold increase in the number of functioning gurdwaras after the four districts are merged with the Indian Punjab. Also, this will be a very important step towards the fulfilment of the sacred Sikh prayer for Khulle Darshan Deedare Te Seva Sambhal (unhindered access and the right to perform service of the Guru).
Pessimists and Naysayers
Even though all Sikhs are always expected to be in Chardi Kalaa, there is no dearth of pessimists and naysayers amongst Sikhs. Many Sikhs may consider the proposal to ‘buy’ four districts from Pakistan really far-fetched and impossible to achieve.
Those Sikhs should remember that before Mikhail Gorbachev became the President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), nobody had thought that this mighty country would disintegrate soon and many new countries would come into existence. Similarly, before 1971, nobody had thought that East Pakistan would sometime become an independent country (Bangladesh). Again, before 2002, Indonesians never imagined that their province of East Timor would some day become a new country known as Timor-Leste. There are numerous other such examples.
History tells us that several political and religious Sikh demagogues committed egregious blunders in the past for which the Sikh community is suffering even today. Will today’s Sikh leaders rise to the occasion now? Will they put their heart and soul for the success of the proposal to ‘buy’ the four districts of Pakistani Punjab?
Santokh Singh Bains is a Chicago based writer and free lance journalist. His debut book titled Sikhs, Sikhism and the World was published in 2019. He can be reached at santokhbains713@gmail.com
* This is the opinion of the writers, 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. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here.
Malaysia Airlines will start direct flights to Amritsar starting Nov 10, offering two roundtrips per week aboard Boeing 737-800 equipment, reports the Aviation Week.
Amritsar will become the Oneworld alliance member’s seventh Indian destination alongside Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, the report added.
The KL-Amritsar route, connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) with Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport (ATQ), is currently served by Batik Air Malaysia, operating three direct flights per week.
AirAsia X is set to join the route starting Sept 3. The low cost airline will deploy its Airbus A330-300 aircraft for the scheduled four weekly flights. The long-haul LCC last served this route in April 2020.
As a result, the capacity provided through AirAsia X’s resumption and Malaysia Airline’s entrance to the market will swell the number of two-way seats between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar from around 970 to more than 5,000 per week, the aviation portal reported.
Amritsar, the Panjab city famous for the Darbar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is linked nonstop to nine international destinations at present — Birmingham, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Sharjah and Singapore Changi — up from six points at this time in 2019.
Amritsar – Photo: Jacek Blazejewski (Flickr/2014)
Figures provided by Sabre Market Intelligence show that the United Arab Emirates was Amritsar’s largest overseas market in 2022, accounting for about 350,000 two-way O&D passengers. The UK was second on 136,000 passengers, followed by the U.S. on 47,500 passengers, according to the report.
Malaysia Airlines’ flights will operate from KUL on Mondays and Fridays, departing at 11:00 p.m. and arriving at 2:30 a.m. the next day, the report quoted data from OAG Schedules Analyser. The return service from ATQ leaves on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 3:30 a.m. and arrives in Malaysia’s capital at 11:45 a.m.
Reservations for the route are as yet unavailable. The airline’s only service to Amritsar currently is through a codeshare with Vistara via New Delhi.
Malaysia is targeting 16.1 million international tourist arrivals with RM49.3 billion in tourism receipts, with India among the top countries to contribute tourist arrivals to Malaysia.
In 2022, Malaysia welcomed a total of 324,548 Indian tourists, while in the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia received as many as 164,566 Indian tourists compared to 13,370 in the same period last year, according to a statement from Tourism Malaysia.
It noted that there are currently 158 flights with 30,032 seats offered weekly between India and Malaysia through Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia and IndiGo. Indian tourists can now apply for Malaysia’s eVISA Multiple Entry Visa (MEV).
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
A gentle, loving husband and father, adoring and devoted grandfather, and a warm and benevolent soul to all who knew him. In loving memories, you shall continue to stay with us forevermore. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
Wife: Helen Henry
Children / Spouse Anita Kaur / Kuldeep Singh Bedi Dr Amreeta K. Sarjit
Grandchildren: Haresh Singh Bedi Gorav Singh Bedi
Forever will be loved and cherished by his Wife, Daughters, Son in Law, Grandchildren, Siblings & In Laws, Cousins, Nephews & Nieces, a Host of Relatives & Great Friends.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
1st Barsi
9 September 2023 (Saturday), from 10.00am – 12.00pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya
Kirtan & Sehaj Paath da Bhog Guru Ka Langgar will be served
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
A new trend has emerged in Panjab where parents look for marriages for their 18 or 19-year-old daughters in a bid to financially support their pursuit of education abroad.
The parents seek grooms, who can shoulder the financial burden of their daughters’ educational expenses, reports Tribune News Service.
The messages and posts are being circulated by marriage bureaus on social media platforms. One of the messages quoted goes like this: “Girl’s study visa arrived, package Rs 25 lakh, interested families can enquire.”
The report noted that in the past families sold their land and houses to settle their children abroad.
Within these packages, expenses associated with the girl’s study visa as well as the cost of marriage ceremonies, court registrations, travel and other miscellaneous expenditures are included. Matrimonial posts even assure the security of the funds through methods such as giving cheques or using the family’s property as collateral with the groom’s family, according to the report.
Raminder Singh, a proprietor of a local marriage bureau, told the news agency that such arrangements were often made discreetly, involving intermediaries like immigration agents or IELTS centre heads, who took commission for their roles.
However, he added that the scene has changed and the families are now more openly engaging marriage bureaus to connect with prospective partners who can fund their daughters’ overseas studies.
“There’s a growing craze for securing opportunities for children to settle abroad. Approximately, 90 per cent of the marriage profiles we’re receiving pertain to identifying suitable NRI boys or girls,” he was quoted in the report.
Prof MP Singh, a social activist from Jalandhar, has been vociferously opposing the trend and highlighting the challenges faced by students studying abroad. He expresses concern about the fate of students who, despite venturing abroad for education, often find themselves without job, the report added.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that Paramjeet Kaur D/O Uttam Singh has returned to HIS heavenly abode at 9.30pm on Thursday, 24 August 2023
Saskaar Details (Friday, 25 August 2023) 10.00am onwards: Paying of last respect at residence (No 55L, Solok York, 10450 Penang) 12:00pm: Sukhmani Sahib Path at Residence. 2:00pm: Cortege leaves for Shamsham Bhoomi Cremation Ground, Batu Lancang. 3.00pm: Cremation 3.00pm: Kirtan Sohila
4.00pm: Alahnia path at Chota Darbar Sahib, Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang
Cha pani will be served at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. When you leave a comment at the bottom of this article, it takes time to appear as it is moderated by human being. Unless it is offensive or libelous, it should appear. You can also comment at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
