Great grandma, grandma and maa gather to celebrate Mother’s Day at Subang gurdwara on May 14, 2023. The hi tea gathered mothers of all ages for games and an array of festivities at the Gurdewara Sahib Subang. As per the gurdwara’s tradition, the seniors took centre 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.
Some of the ladies present at Sikh Welfare Society Malaysia’s fund raising event in conjunction with the Mother’s Day on May 7, 2023 – Photo: SWSM
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Some 250 Sikh women came together for a Mother’s Day afternoon filled with laughter, games, lucky-draws, traditional songs and dancing in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Aside from the fun and laugher, the gathering was a fund raising event organised by the Sikh Welfare Society Malaysia (SWSM) on May 7, 2023, to support Sikh families in need.
The society also received a donation from the Inner Wheel Club of Kuala Lumpur to purchase new uniforms and shoes for over 100 children.
SWSM vice president and event organising chairperson Balvinder Kaur said the society currently supports 37 families, providing aid of about RM10,000 every month.
“Many people have lost jobs and there are families struggling to support children and old people during the Covid-19 pandemic. This event is important because it’s the first big event we have organised since the pandemic. It’s a celebration of the role women play in the home and in society,” she said in a note sent to Asia Samachar.
SWSM first vice president Rajinder Kaur Sachdev said socialising and celebrating Panjabi culture have always been an important part of the activities of the society.
Recalling the early years of the society’s presence, she said the women raised funds by hosting prayers, lunches and educational talks in their homes.
“The seemingly small sums, when combined were enough to provide financial aid to families in need throughout Malaysia, including supporting persons with disabilities, widows, and poor families with school-going children,” she said.
Formed in the early 1980s, SWSM spends about RM120,000 annually to support Sikh families in need, with almost all the funds raised from the Sikh community itself.
Some of the ladies present at Sikh Welfare Society Malaysia’s fund raising event in conjunction with the Mother’s Day on May 7, 2023 – Photo: SWSM
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.
Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi has been appointed as the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry for the next one year.
Birdi, who has served as Deputy Lord Mayor for the past 12 months, was presented with the Chains of Office at the annual general meeting at Coventry Cathedral on Thursday (May 18, 2023). He also holds the distinction of being the first turban-wearing mayor for Coventry.
Birdi has spent 17 years as a councillor in the city, representing Bablake Ward for the past nine years, following two terms of office in the 1990s in the Hillfields Ward. His wife Krishna is Lady Mayoress, according to the council website.
Birdi was born in a village in the Panjab, he spent some time as a child in Lahore in Pakistan, and Calcutta in West Bengal, as his family travelled for employment.
In the mid-1950s he emigrated with his parents to Kenya in East Africa, where he had his primary and secondary education, and emigrated to the UK in the ‘60s to carry on with his further education.
“As a Sikh, it also means so much that I will be wearing the Chains of Office and the turban. It will help show what a happy multicultural city we have and maybe inspire others as well,” he said.
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.
Madenjit Singh (right) receives the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste from President Jose Ramos-Horta on May 19, 2023.
By Asia Samachar | Timor-Leste |
A Malaysian educationist was one of the first few to step forward to receive Timor-Leste’s top medal as the nation celebrates its independence day in a solemn and dignified event yesterday (May 19).
Dr. Madenjit Singh, founder of a grassroots-education movement that has touched the lives of thousands of people in the small nation, received the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste, conferred by President Jose Ramos-Horta.
The medal was in recognition of training some 100,000 teenagers and adults in the skills of life, life over two decades in 48 centres.
“I’m very grateful for the recognition from the highest level of the Timorese Government. It was not me alone, but the entire team working together tirelessly,” he told Asia Samachar in a text message.
Madenjit, 66, is the founder of SOLS/AHHA Education, an organisation who’s primary objective is to provide high quality and holistic education through a structured program of employment and life-skills, to disadvantaged youths who face barriers to education.
Also affectionately known as the Big Teacher, Madenjit is a scientist, innovator and teacher with an impressive experience in the field of education and development in about 10 countries. As an entrepreneurial humanitarian, he has dedicated his life to encouraging, training and helping poor youths in poor communities to achieve much more in life, according to the organisation’s website.
“A recognition not only of his selfless service to nation building, and specifically education in many parts of the Asean region, but also for Malaysia,” he told Asia Samachar in a text message.
NGO offering free two-year training and boarding program providing life skills for disadvantaged youths in Southeast Asia, is in the running for a US$1m prize for teachers.
Madenjit had set up the Science of Life Studies 24/7 (SOLS 24/7) with his two sons. The NGO offering free two-year training and boarding program providing life skills for disadvantaged youths in Southeast Asia. It has 185 schools in Malaysia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Laos and India, some in remote villages.
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.
What is agan and what is bhet? Agan is FIRE and bhet is OFFERING. To anyone familiar with Sanatan/Vedic Hinduism, it’s a no brainer. Sanatan Dharma worships fire as a Devta. Fire is involved in many religious ceremonies called Havans, including in a marriage whereby the couple circumambulates the fire during their vows. In ancient Hindu texts there are havans where the Fire God is fed. Havans can be fed horses, elephants, even rhinoceroses. Ordinary Havans are fed with items like ghee, sugars, flour or oils.
Sikhi does not have a Fire Devta. Sikhs don’t worship fire or hold Havans. Hence, what is it with AGAN BHET among us?
The agan bhet in our midst is when the FIRE is FED with SROOPS of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). Also included are religious gutkas, religious books, materials, rumallahs, chaurs, etc.
The world treasures OLD BOOKS and such materials. The Christian world has Bibles and manuscripts going back hundreds, and even, thousands of years. Muslims also treasure their books, especially religious books.
Sikhs in India and abroad have been led down the garden path by vested interests in this regard. Gangs and well-endowed syndicates actually travel the world over SEEKING OUT old saroops of SGGS – the older, the better. These sroops are billed as birdh (meaning old). They are then FED into the FIRE. This act has been sanctified as a meritorious deed and many misguided Sikhs happily plaster each page of these invaluable SGGS sroops with pure ghee, possibly so that the fire devta can consume a “healthy diet”?
The Sikh world believes that the SGGS is Eternal LIVING GURU. Yet we turn around and claim the SGGS has grown OLD and MUST BE CONSUMED BY FIRE.
And here’s another food for thought. If the Kartarpuri Sroop is not BIRDH (old) even after 600 years, what makes the other sroops BIRDH and fit only for the consumption of the fire? Many ancient sroops are available at the Takhats and at the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.
In June 1984, when the Indian army launched an attack on the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar, and hundreds of other gurdwaras elsewhere, a FEW THOUSAND of such ancient handwritten sroops, stone press printed sroops, manuscripts, etc were INTENTIONALLY DESTROYED or possibly carted away under the cover of the Bluestar Operation. I believe the operation to seek and destroy ancient sroops elsewhere is being carried out all around the world post-1984 to complete the destruction of the Sikh Reference Library in June 1984.
A few years back, a Sikh employee at an American airport was shocked to note that a number of old sroops had been collected and were being sent to a Dera Complex in Delhi – for supposed Agan Bhet seva. Such clandestine operations have been reported in Italy, Spain and elsewhere.
The most recent case of this fraudulent activity came to light in the city of Pooran Pur, Uttar Pardesh. A van, specially modified to transport SGGS (called Palki Sahib), was involved in a road accident in which a Muslim pedestrian was killed. When a mob began to attack the van, the Sikhs inside called for help from local Sikhs. The local Singh Sabha Gurdwara management team managed to rescue the van and its occupants. They left the police station and headed for the gurdwara. There, they discovered that the van was full of 14 SROOPS of SGGS. These were precious copies. Some were handwritten, some stone press printed dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. And it was evident that the SROOPS had been TAMPERED WITH.
There was an influential person in the van. She was a high ranking lady member of the Jago Party of Manjit Singh GK, one time president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). She was allegedly caught LYING that the sroops were NOT DISMANTLED and REBOUND with new pages added to it. The ADDED PAGES were the RAAGMALA which were NOT in the ORIGINAL VERSIONS. This was the most obvious adulteration visible at first glance. Other adulterations will be revealed in due time after scholars examine these invaluable sroops. Caught RED HANDED and with their salwars down – these miscreants had no answers. This incident is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. With the hundreds of beadbi and gangs of Chollad “holy men” going from village to village and taking away old sroops and exchanging them with NEW PRINTED ONES, who knows what dubious plans are at work.
As long as the SIKH KAUM remains in coma and stupor of blind faith (anneeh shardha) vis-a-vis the SGGS, such miscreants will not cease and desist in their nefarious designs. ALL OLD SROOPS are Sikh Treasures and should be treated as such. Old sroops brought from Shanghai and other Gurdwaras in China after it fell to Mao in 1956, from Gurdwaras in Rangoon, Burma after it became a military dictatorship, have been lost. Gurdwaras in Africa in existence for over a century have old sroops worthy of being PRESERVED. Sangats all over need to wake up and guard these TREASURES for the coming generations.
(Jarnail Singh Arshi is a freelance content creator on Gurbani, Gurmat Sikh History and Punjabi Language. The retired Malaysian government teacher and Giani in Punjabi Language contributes to various discussion groups, including the International Journal of Sikh Affairs (INJSA) and www.sikhphilosophy.net. He is also the webmaster of the Sikhi Vichar Forum website. He can be contacted at jsgyani@gmail.com)
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.
Jagpawan Singh Dhillon featured on the cover of the Trail Run for his part in the Delirious West 200miles (345km)
By Asia Samachar | Australia |
Brutal is beautiful for Jagpawan Singh Dhillon. Browse through his social media and you would find that statement, though not in those exact words. It’s an apt description of this extreme sports enthusiast.
In February, Jagpawan completed the Delirious West 200miles (345km), badged as one of the toughest runs in the world. The race is said to be able to make you cry, elated and test your resolve and strengthen your abilities.
As a bonus, he even got featured on the cover of Trail Run Magazine.
Jagpawan, who grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, now lives in Perth, Australia.
“What started off as a fun run sport activitiy grew into long-term addiction for me. First race was a 10K Nike Run in Jakarta, followed by half marathons towards my first marathon in Bali 2015,” he said in an interview two years ago.
He and like minded friends started a group called The Running Singh. Living now in Perth, Jagpawan is actively involved with the Running Buddies Perth, which he joined in 2016.
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 COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives across the globe, bringing forth an era of unprecedented isolation and fear. As the virus continues to spread, we find ourselves living in a world where even our loved ones hesitate to touch us, and social distancing has become the norm. Amidst these challenging times, a profound lesson emerges: the importance of self-reliance and self-discovery. This article explores the notion that, despite the solitude and fear that surrounds us, we can find solace in becoming our own best friend—a concept that has deep philosophical roots.
The Isolation Dilemma:
In times of COVID, isolation has become an unavoidable consequence. Quarantines, lockdowns, and the need for social distancing have distanced us physically from our friends, family, and loved ones. The absence of human touch and connection can evoke a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. It is during these trying times that we realize the value of introspection and embracing our own company.
The Fear of Touch:
The fear of transmission has made physical touch a source of anxiety and apprehension. The realization that even our closest companions may inadvertently cause harm creates an environment of caution and fear. Our loved ones, including our own children, spouse, Lovers maintain a distance to protect us from potential harm towards them. In this context, the message emerges that we must embark on a journey of self-reliance, self-care and self-growth.
Embracing Self-Reflection:
The philosophical concept of self-reflection gains newfound relevance in times of isolation. By turning inward, we have the opportunity to explore our own thoughts, emotions, and desiresimiting to the frame of our own body. Without external distractions, we can delve deep into our consciousness and discover our true selves. Solitude, when embraced willingly, becomes an avenue for personal growth and self-discovery. There is no avenue of being lonely, but we tend to explore aloneness.
Befriending Ourself:
In the absence of external companionship, the need to befriend oneself arises. We are confronted with our own thoughts, fears, and dreams. It is in this moment that we realize the significance of cultivating self-love, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. We become our own confidants, our own buddy, offering support, understanding, and empathy. By acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, we learn to appreciate our own company.
The Journey Within:
The concept of self as a journey gains heightened importance in these times of isolation. Rather than seeking external validation or relying solely on others for companionship, we embark on a personal voyage of self-discovery. This journey allows us to confront our fears, explore our aspirations, and ultimately find contentment within ourselves. All this bring inner strength as Guru Gobind Singh Ji writes in his couplets:
Bal Hua Bandan Shoote, Sab Kuch Hote Upaye on Page 1429 SGGS…
“When Inner Strength Prevails, all shackles of fear eliminates from within…” :
ਬਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੁਟੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
On the contrary, when the inner strength is lost then the mind gets driven by all that is to do with the external temptations and drifts into the worldly life of otherwise a total fallacy. Guru Ji warns of this in his earlier couplet:
Bal Chutkyo, Bandan Pare Kachoo Na Hote Upaye –
ਬਲੁ ਛੁਟਕਿਓ ਬੰਧਨ ਪਰੇ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
When This Best Friend Becomes an Enemy:
While solitude and self-reflection can be transformative, it is essential to recognize when self-isolation becomes self-destructive. In our quest for self-reliance, we must strike a balance between introspection and human connection. Healthy relationships, emotional support, and love from others remain vital to our well-being. It is crucial to reach out, even in times of physical distance, and maintain meaningful connections.
Embracing the Journey:
You and your friend (That is YOU) – Nurturing the Body and Soul.
Our bodies, marvels of intricate design and the vessels of our existence, are often cherished and admired. We love and do so much to self-care. This body carry us through the world, allowing us to experience its wonders. However, there are moments when our bodies, our closest companions, betray us, succumbing to illness and reaching critical conditions. In such times, we are confronted with our mortality, and our bodies become our adversaries; it no longer obeys us and moves away like an enemy.
It is a poignant reminder that life is transient, and death is an inevitable part of the human experience. When we lose our battle with illness, we leave behind the physical realm and embark on the next stage of our journey. In this companionship with our mortal selves, we bear a responsibility to honor and purify the life that will transcend into the afterlife.
One path to this purification lies in the practice of meditation and seeking spiritual alignment with the Almighty. By delving into the depths of our being, we can cleanse our souls, cultivating inner peace and harmony. In the quietude of meditation, we discover a connection to something greater than ourselves, allowing us to transcend the limitations of our physical existence.
In this pursuit, we are not alone. Throughout history, great saints and enlightened beings have walked the same path we tread today. Their wisdom and guidance are beacons of light illuminating the way. We can find solace and inspiration in their teachings, learning from their experiences and integrating their lessons into our lives.
Mentorship from these spiritual luminaries provides us with a compass to navigate the complexities of life. Their teachings remind us of the impermanence of our physical bodies and the eternal nature of the soul. By aligning our actions with their wisdom, we forge a path of growth, compassion, and enlightenment.
As we strive to purify ourselves and honor the journey that lies ahead, let us remember the sanctity of this present life. Our bodies, though fallible and vulnerable to illness, are also vessels of experience, capable of joy, love, and transformation. Let us cherish them and tend to their well-being, nurturing both body and soul.
In our quest for spiritual enlightenment, we embark on a profound journey that transcends the boundaries of time. With the support and guidance of the saints who have graced this world before us and those who continue to walk beside us, we find solace and direction. Embracing the beauty of this life, we prepare ourselves for the next chapter, ready to embark on a path illuminated by the wisdom of the ages. Our Gurus concur in his well-known morning musical Asa Di Waar ,
“Har Jug Jug Bhagat Upaya, Paij rakhda aya Ram Raje”Shand 24: Pg 451 SGGS.
ਹਰਿ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਭਗਤ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਪੈਜ ਰਖਦਾ ਆਇਆ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥
That the influence of saints and spiritually enlightened individuals will endure for as long as this world exists. It is our responsibility to acknowledge their presence and seek their blessings.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust us into a world characterized by isolation and fear. However, amidst these challenging circumstances, a profound message emerges: we are our own greatest allies. By engaging in self-reflection, cultivating self-love, and embracing self-acceptance, we can discover solace and inner strength. Although physical contact may be limited, the journey of self-discovery remains accessible to us all.
This pandemic, with its devastating impact and loss of countless lives, serves as a powerful reminder that we must learn to embrace ourselves as our most trusted companions. By doing so, we can navigate the turbulent waters of isolation, emerging from this crisis stronger, more resilient, and more interconnected than ever before.
Dr Balwant Singh Bains is a Malaysia-based kirtan enthusiast and a practicing physiotherapist with a chain of physiotherapy clinics.
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.
Sardar Parshotam Singh s/o Sardar Chanan Singh departed peacefully on 13.5.2023 at Hospital Raub Pahang leaving behind wife Sardarni Harjinta Kaur d /o Sardar Kehar Singh, Raub, Pahang.
We deeply appreciate and give sincere thanks to the Committee of Gurudwara Sahib Raub, Pahang for their condolence and support during the bereavement. Our sincere thanks to the staff of Hospital Kuala Lipis and Hospital Raub for their kind service during our stay at the two hospitals.
Cherishes memorable moments for the last 17 years. With Love. RIP.
| Entry: 18 May 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 world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you mummy will not pass and shall always remain in our hearts”
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED MOTHER
LATE SARDARNI CHARAN KAUR SIDHU
23.12.1940 – 16.6.2022
(Village: Bhadaur)
d/o The Late Sdr. Kartar Singh Sidhu & The Late Sdrni. Dalip Kaur Sandhu
(Ketari, Bentong, Pahang)
w/o The Late Sdr. Karam Singh Gill (Village – Kaleke)
(Ampang, Selangor)
Daughter in- law of The Late Sdr Saudagar Singh Gill (Village – Kaleke) &
The Late Sdrni. Besant Kaur (Ampang, Selangor)
Children / Spouse
Dalvinder Singh @ Dev (ex Tatt Khalsa comm.) / Jasveer Kaur Sidhu Jasvinder Singh / Kiranjeet Kaur Dhillon Harshinder Kaur / Kalwant Singh Sidhu
Loving Grandchildren
Dr Harveena Gill (Sydney), Saamirr Gill, Tamen Sidhu & Abreeanna Siidhu (Auckland)
Late Ranjit Singh (Former President Tatt Khalsa Diwan) & Paritam Kaur, Jaswant Singh, Gurcharan Kaur & Late Jeswant Singh Dhillon (Sg Besi)
Nephews & Nieces
Relatives and Friends
Please join us for a Path Da Bhog ceremony in memory of our dearest Mother to be held at Gudwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor, Jalan Raja Alang, Kuala Lumpur on the 28th May 2023 (Sunday) 9am – 11:30am followed by Guru Ka Langgar
Contact:
Dalvinder Singh : 017 6200156
Kalwant Singh Sidhu : 016 3352424
Avinder Singh Gill : 012 3803023
Kindly treat this as a personal invitation from the “Gill & Sidhu” family.
| Entry: 18 May 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
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh with outgoing Asian Hospital Federation president, Dr Sotoru Komatsumoto – Photo: Supplied
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Dr Kuljit Singh has been elected as the Asian Hospital Federation (AHF) president.
Dr Kuljit, a medical director of a Kuala Lumpur-based private hospital, was chosen as the new president at an AHF board meeting in Japan. He takes over from Dr Sotoru Komatsumoto.
The 52-year-old AFF is a grouping of national hospital associations from Asia and the Western Pacific.
In a statement, APHM said Malaysia would host an AHF conference next year in an effort to improve healthcare access and affordability for citizens across member countries.
“The AHF aims to foster collaboration and learning among its member countries on various topics such as private-public partnership, digitisation of healthcare and healthcare financing models,” it said.
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.
