A top international umpire and umpire manager. He officiated at three Olympics – Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). Four World Cup – Utrecht, Holland (1998), Kuala Lumpur (2002), Monchengladbach, Germany (2006), and New Delhi in 2010.
Waheguruji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Sardar Amarjit Singh Jessy PMP, AMP, PPT (son of late Swaran Singh Jessy/ late Savaran Kaur Kaulsi – Swarni) and husband of Sujan Kaur (daughter of late Gurcharan Singh and Madam Opdesh Kaur).
Amarjit left this world for his Heavenly abode on 22 February 2023, leaving behind:
Sujan Kaur – Wife Sharon Kaur Jessy – Daughter Aaronjit Singh Jessy – Son Darrenjit Singh Jessy – Son
Dr Rajinder Singh / Tang Kim Hong Sarjit Kaur / Harinder Singh Dr Jasbir Singh / Jagdish Kaur Chand Kaur / Avtar Singh
and Nephews, Nieces and family members who will mourn their loss….
Last respects can be paid at his residence at 76, Jalan Raja Kam, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh on Friday, 24 February 2023 (4pm to 10pm).
Funeral service is on Saturday, 25 February 2023 from 10am at 76, Jalan Raja Kam, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh. Cortege leaves at 11.30am for cremation at Buntong Crematorium, Jalan Madras, 30100 Ipoh, Perak.
Sahej Path Da Bhog will be held on Saturday, 4th March 2023 (10am to 12noon) at Gurdwara Sahib Buntong, Ipoh.
Contact: Sharon +6012-5110097
| Entry: 23 Feb 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.
1st Barsi in loving memory of Late Mdm Surjit Kaur d/o Naranjan Singh, from Bangi.
Village: Sanehwal, Ludhiana
Husband: Late Sardar Magar Singh
Children / Spouses:
Sdr Jawer Singh / Mdm Jaswinder Kaur
Mdm Ranjit Kaur / Late Sdr Hardave Singh
Mdm Baldeep Kaur / Sdr Kartar Singh
Sdr Dalvinder Singh / Mdm Jaswinder Kaur
Late Mdm Davender Kaur/Late Sdr Baljit Singh
Sahej Path da Bhog: 26th Feb 2023 (Sunday), from 9.30a.m to 11.30a.m, at Gurdwara Sahib Kajang
Contact: Dalvinder Singh +6019 7709974
Dearly loved & deeply missed by children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relative’s and friends.
| Entry: 22 Feb 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.
D/O BHAGWAN SINGH RANDHAWA (IPOH) W/O THE LATE MUKHTIAR SINGH GILL
Passed away peacefully on the 12th February 2023
Leaving behind sons Navinder Singh Gill Shaninder Singh Gill
Brothers The late Giani Mahinder Singh Khalsa (Khalsa Ji) Hari Singh Gopal Singh
Sister Amar kaur
Brother in law and sisters in law relatives and a host of friends.
Path Da Bhog: 25th February 2023 (Saturday), from 10am to 12noon, at Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road) Ipoh
Please treat this as a personal invitation.
Contact 019 5731317 S. S. Gill
| Entry: 22 Feb 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.
She is deeply missed and forever remembered by all her loved ones.
| Entry: 22 Feb 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.
Sahej Path Da Bhog will be held on Saturday, 4th March 2023 at 9am at Gurdwara Sahib Butterworth, Jalan Todak, Seberang Jaya, Perai, Penang followed by Guru Ka Langgar.
Please treat this as a personal invitation from the family.
Goodbye to a great mother , grandmother and aunt .She lived a long and wonderful life and was loved by all who knew her. She will be dearly missed but will live on in our hearts forever.
| Entry: 22 Feb 2023; Updated: 26 Feb 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.
Sooraj kiran mile jal kaa jal hooaa raam || ਸੂਰਜ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਜਲ ਕਾ ਜਲੁ ਹੂਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲੀ ਸੰਪੂਰਨੁ ਥੀਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ The rays of light merge with the sun, and water merges with water. Jothee joth ralee sa(n)pooran theeaa raam ||
One’s own light blends with the Eternal Light, and one becomes totally perfect. – Ang 846, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Gurbaani teaches us that physical demise of the body is inevitable, but it is certainly not the ultimate end. It is a pause, a rest, a cross-roads before the next journey begins. We all come together again and eventually we all become light again.
So with a heavy and broken heart, we inform you of the passing of my dearest Father, Mr Hari Singh A/L Manggal Singh
We ask that you keep his soul in your ardaas. Please continue to pray that his journey in to the Divine Light is a gentle and comfortable one. He deserves this because he was a truly bright and soothing light in our lives.
Akhad Path starts on 23 February 2023 (Thursday) at 9.00am until 25 February 2023 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Kajang. Path da Bhog will be at 9.00am followed by Kirtan and Smapti (closure) at 11.30am.
And he always will be.
On behalf of my dearest dad, I humbly ask of you for him:
Dayho sajan aseesariaa jio hovai saahib sio mehl. Friends, give me your blessings that | may merge with the One. – Kirtan Sohela
| Entry: 21 Feb 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.
Sarjit Kaur (2nd from left), Harminder Kaur (5th from left) and Harjap Kaur (6th from left) at the celebration on 10 Feb 2023 – Photo: Supplied
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
The celebration continues. The Sikh ladies of Johor Bahru gathered again on 10 February 2023, exactly 50 years to the date when they first informally formed a ladies’ movement.
Grandmothers, mothers, daughters and granddaughters came out in full force to mark the celebration of the forming of the Istri Satsang of Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru (GSJB) on 10 February 1973.
Sarjit Kaur and Harminder Kaur Rakmo, two of the five original founders of the movement, were present to add sparkle to the event. They had formed the Istri Satsang along with Satinder Kaur, Jito Kaur and Jaswant Kaur.
“We received encouragement from an active Mami Ji in Singapore to start regular Sukhmani Sahib prayers at our gurdwara in Johor Bahru. One thing led to another, and it has lasted 50 years now,” Sarjit, the oldest surviving founder member, told Asia Samachar. “Even now, I don’t miss doing Sukhmani Sahib da paath.”
How did it all start?
It goes back to an unfortunate event. Satinder lost her husband Major Daljit Singh in 1969 while they were living in Kuala Lumpur. Left with two young girls, she moved back to her parents’ home in Johor Bahru. Satinder and Sarjit used to travel to Singapore, where they learnt reading Gurbani.
Sarjit, 83, has Singapore connection, too. Born in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, her family moved to Singapore in the early 1940s. Her father Lal Singh served as Gurdwara Khalsa Dharmak Sabha treasurer for 14 years.
“Satinder found it difficult to overcome the trauma of her husband’s passing away,” said Harjap Kaur from Johor Bahru said in a note shared with Asia Samachar. “Looking at her situation, her Singapore-based relative encouraged her to read the Sukhmani Sahib prayers.”
So began the Sukhmani prayer gathering in Johor Bahru in 1973. Sarjit and Satinder were joined by Harminder, Jito and Jaswant. Harminder took on the duty of reading the vaak (hukumnama) and Sarjit did the kirtan.
After completing the Sukhmani reading, they did kirtan and simran. More ladies began joining them in the programme on Tuesdays, from 2pm to 4pm. They came from 7th Mile. Others came by bus from Century Gardens and Ulu Tiram, and from further places like Pontian, located some 50km from Johor Bahru.
“Some took part in degh seva, some in langgar. They worked together,” she said.
GSJB Istri Satsang visit to Pusing gurdwara in 2012 – Photo: Supplied
Recalling the early days, Sarjit said: “It was simple back then, no pardaan (president), no seketar (secretary).” When the ladies conducted their programme, she said men were not allowed to join in the darbar sahib (prayer hall).
“In time to come, Harsharan Kaur started teaching the ladies Panjabi, increasing the number of ladies who could read the Sukhmani. Bibi Sati, daughter of Giani Ghali Ji, then began teaching the Santhiya (reading of the Guru Granth Sahib). Giani Ji was very supportive in educating the children,” said Harjap.
Sarjit noted that back then not many ladies could read or write Gurmukhi. So, this is a valuable contribution to advancement of the women in the society.
Over the years, the ladies movement have contributed in various ways, including monetarily. In 1991, Sarjit said the Istri Satsang donated RM41,000 to the gurdwara’s building fund.
“It was the funds we had saved over the years. We were strict as to how we spend whatever money we raised,” she said.
The ladies’ movement is still going strong.
As part of the celebration, the GSJB Istri Satsang, now led by Sagi Kaur, had donated RM70,000 to pay for the carpeting of gurdwara. Previously, they had donated RM25,000 to the Punjabi school and RM31,000 for general renovations of the gurdwara.
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.
Simarver Singh Bamotra at the HCL Indian Junior Open 2023 (left) and ONCOCARE Singapore Junior Open 2022
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Malaysian squash player Simarver Singh Bamotra emerged champion at the recent Indian Junior Open 2023 for boys under 13, propelling him to the top of the Asian junior ranking.
Fresh from grueling major tournaments in Chennai, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Birmingham in the last five months, Simarver kept his pace in New Delhi for the Indian junior open from Jan 30 to Feb 3.
The 12-year old displayed a fine performance to defeat Shrrinith Subramanian Arun Subhas, ranked No 1 in India for boys under 13.
The victory propelled him to the No 1 position in the Asian junior ranking for boys under-13 awarded by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF).
“I aim to become the World Junior champion and turn pro,” he told Asia Samachar in a message relayed by his parents while he was taking part in the British Junior Open 2023 in Birmingham from Jan 4-8.
Simarver has set his eyes to participate in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments once he turns 15.
He finished 8th position in the British event, the de facto world championships for the younger age groups. He lost to second seeded Eyad Walid Youssef Moussa from Eqypt in the quarterfinals.
The British Junior Open is said to be the toughest junior circuit with only top four players from each country selected to compete.
In December 2022, he emerged champion for boys under-13 at the Singapore Junior Open 2022 and also the 14th KL International Junior Open Squash Championships 2022.
In November 2022, he emerged runner up for boys under-13 in the 8th Bengal Eastern Slam and 1st runner up at the PBA 18th Penang (Malaysian) Junior Open 2022.
In September 2022, he emerged 2nd runner up in his category at the HCL Southern Slam in Chennai, India, and 9th position at the 6th CMS Borneo Junior Open in Kuching, Sarawak. All the above events are part of the Asian Junior Super Series (AJSS).
“Working with such a disciplined and determined athlete has been an absolute pleasure, and I am so proud of what we have achieved together,” said his coach Ibrahim Gul.
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.
Saranpaal Calais is a technology and digital lawyer at the global law firm Allen & Overy.
Only 1.6 per cent of barristers are Asian Australian, and only 0.8 per cent of the judiciary are of Asian descent.
He is also the director of Sikh Youth Australia (SYA) and co-founder of the Young Sikh Professionals network (YSPN).
Born in Hobart (Tasmania) in a Sikh family of Malaysian descent, Saranpaal Calais didn’t often see turbans around him while growing up – a Sikh’s most identifiable asset.
By By Sumeet Kaur | SBS Punjabi | Australia |
“When you’re growing up, all you want to do is fit in with your friends and everyone else. So, it’s hard to look different.
“With my unshorn hair and coming from a diverse background, I had to fight to make my visibility matter, and it took a lot of commitment to work harder to reach this rank,” he tells SBS Punjabi.
Mr Calais, who has significant experience advising on Australian privacy and data protection regulations, has led negotiations on enterprise-wide strategic digital transformation projects for two of Australia’s largest banks.
Among his other professional feats, he co-founded a technology company in 2015 that developed a data analytics platform for the aviation industry.
Giving back to the community
Mr Calais believes that engaging with the proper levels of government is very important for the growth of any community, and he has been instraumental in providing legal assistance and support in many community-related matters.
“For example, bicycle helmet laws restricted Sikhs from using bicycles in Queensland and New South Wales. We made a submission to the government to allow Sikhs to have modified rules around helmets on bikes.
“During the COVID pandemic, when Sikh doctors were not allowed to treat patients because they weren’t able to wear masks appropriately, we made legal efforts to allow Sikh doctors to wear protective gear,” he shares.
Read the full story, entitled ‘Meet legal eagle Saranpaal Calais with a keen eye for helping others’ (SBS Punjabi, 8 Feb 2023), here.
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 Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has appointed Belvinder Kaur Sron as its new chief executive officer, effective 15 Feb 2022.
“Her appointment has gone through the required processes both at MPOC Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities before it was given the final approval by the minister,” according to its statement.
She takes over from Wan Aishah Wan Hamid who resigned last month. Wan Aishah was appointed to the MPOC’s board in November 2021.
MPOC is tasked to promote the market expansion of Malaysian palm oil and its products by enhancing the image of palm oil and creating better acceptance of palm oil through awareness of various technological and economic advantages (techno-economic advantages) and environmental sustainability.
Belvinder graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Communication from University Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1989. She holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK in 2000 and completed the Harvard Executive Programme in 2014.
She started her career at the MPOC in 1994 and become its deputy CEO in 2016. She is involved in the marketing of palm oil globally and since 2009 spearheaded the global public affairs campaigns to counter anti-palm oil sentiments.
She is sits as a non-executive director at Malaysian public listed United Plantations Berhad.
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.
