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Sikh camp in motion. An achieve photo of SNSM’s annual gurmat parchaar samelan
ByJagdesh Singh | Opinion |
She was visibly tired. Only the excitement that she and her friends could finally stay up a little later to enjoy their last night together at the camp kept her wired enough to converse with me. “I miss Mama very much, Papa,” she tells me. I assured her that she would be reunited with her mother in the next 14 hours, after the night is ceremoniously done and the Sun God decides to flood Her light and warmth over Khalsa Land. She then kisses me on my forehead and wishes me a good night, before walking gingerly to her sleeping arrangement for the night at the camp grounds.
Khalsa Land sounds like some mythical land from some Bollywood movie, but it’s actually located at cozy small valley snuggled between small hills in Kuala Kubu Baru in Selangor, Malaysia, with fresh waters gushing along at the northern perimeter of this camp site, from the top of those hills. Everyone could literally taste the pristinely clean fresh air after coming from cities and traffic congestions. Between the greenery and grassy open land, buildings peppered the area, including bunker rooms fashioned from used cabins and a Darbar Hall fit for 70 odd children.
I felt pride of my youngest girl, having endured staying here for a week, without her mother to fuss over her. She ate well throughout the week surprisingly, even though the food did seem a little spicier than home. There was never a minute to catch hold of her, their daily schedule was packed, even with enforced nap time slotted in after lunch. Whenever she did find me, she gave me her typical hug that would last half a minute, and would then do the same to whoever was with me at that time. Her hugs were always therapeutic, new recipients would find out and tell me immediately.
This was the first physical Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan organised by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), held after the pandemic in the last two years. The last two were held in the virtual world through the magic of Zoom technology, and were pretty successful in continuing the paarchar (preaching) part. Kids got to learn about their Gurus through retelling of sakhis (stories) and through activities using tools like Whiteboarding and polls on Zoom. We did what we could do, under the circumstances. I dare say we did ok. The show did go on despite lockdowns and restrictions while Covid decided to extend its check out date indefinitely.
This year, however, just like how the World Cup showcased the planet’s return to life normality, the Samelan resumed to being the Sikh camp for children from all over the country, more than 700 of them, to physically converge and participate in. It was literally like a breath of fresh air, pun intended. Newcomers, making up to almost half of the crowd, struggled in the first few days acclimatizing to the early mornings and intensive set of activities including lecture classes, prayers and keertan and evening games. For the old timers like me and my elder daughter, driving into Khalsa Land on the first day of the camp felt like finally reaching home, and meeting family members again.
The elder girl immediately got busy with her old friends but quickly made new ones, widening her social circle even more. To my genuine surprise, she hung around kids her age that didn’t really fit the profile I had expected her to gravitate to. I mean, these are kids that seemed to have different interests my girl has. At the end, they all seemed to appear like birds of the same feather, roaming together and chattering all the time. As for the younger one, she too hung around with girls that she had grown up with in the last 10 years, and made new ones from the older age group.
To me, after being part of the Annual Samelan, both as a participant during my younger days and as a sewadar in my adult life over the past 35 years, the most vital lesson gifted to me during the 7 days of the Samelan is the lesson of making friends, new and old. Strong bonds are intertwined when we were made to endure some form of discomfort (I’m refraining to use the word ‘hardship’ because nothing over the 7 days resemble any hardship whatsoever), and my friendship with a handful my age or older over these decades have hardly waned. To the point that some of these are now referred by my children as their Taya Ji (father’s older brother) or Chacha Ji (father’s younger brother).
I know this is the same for many Samelan participants over the years. I would refer to this form of friendship as Sanggat. I have seen how many of these circles of friendships been put to test but at the same time seen as saviors to teenagers succumbing to social ills. It may sound dramatic, but never underestimate the power of a friend listening to you at the time of need, and being there to advice. Personally, I believe Samelan friends tend to follow the more conservative behaviors that can navigate through life’s challenges without falling into social ill traps. I know it sounds very much ‘holier than thou’ but friendships were bonded while learning about Sikh values expounded at the seven-day camp.
I’ll save my opinions about the Samelan template, and why we would need to go back to the drawing board to keep it relevant for Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, for another article. For now, all participants are home, feeling pretty good and happy that they’ve experienced another wonderful Samelan. My youngest girl is now reunited with her best friend, her mother. They’ve been hugging for a quite bit now.
Jagdesh Singh, a Kuala Lumpur-based executive with a US multinational company, is a father of three girls who are as opinionated as their mother
* 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.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
The entire Punjab, on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, is engulfed with dense fog that has forced airports and highways to close. So, if you’re travelling, you better take note.
Travellers in north India, including the journey from Delhi to Amritsar, experienced dense fog for the second morning in a row, with visibility dropping to 0 metres in Bhatinda and Amritsar, according to local reports. Flights to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh had been cancelled or rerouted.
Across the border, the M2 from Lahore to Sheikhupura was closed due to dense fog was closed two days ago due to dense fog. The visibility on the Indus Highway of Rajanpur was also reduced to zero.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced that schools will open at 10am for the next one month as a safeguard from poor visibility.
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.
“We are so excited to announce the release of our stock image project! Sikh representation matters! To ensure the Sikh community is represented accurately, the WSO has released hundreds of stock images that are available for free for anyone in the world to use,” WSO said in a social media posting.
“We are working on uploading more images to several popular stock image websites in the coming weeks to get as much exposure as possible. Feel free to use these images in your next presentation or project!” Go here for the photos.
In its efforts to promote and protect the interest of Sikhs in Canada, WSO has been to the Supreme Court of Canada on numerous occasions fighting and protecting the rights of Sikhs, and other faiths, to freely practice their religion.
In October, WSO leadership met with Canadian lawmakers from the three largest political parties, based on their parliamentary strength, as part of its advocacy on issues like accommodation of Sikhs in the workplace, Bill 21, International Students, Foreign Interference and Afghan Sikhs.
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.
Ayushmann Khurrana (left) and Rakul Preet Singh stars in Doctor G
By Movie Walla | Movie Review |
Doctor G is about romance, camaraderie and struggles in the gynaecology department. Things get tense with the arrival of Uday Gupta, the lone male resident in the department. It does not help that Uday (Ayushmann Khurrana) is bent on becoming an orthopedic doctor. And he truly believes that gynaecology is a subject made for females.
At the department, he starts befriending his female colleagues. In time, he started going heads over heels for Dr Fatima Siddiqui (Rakul Preet Singh). Here comes the drama. Fatima is about to get engaged to someone.
Uday also has to work under the radar of strict Dr Nandini Shrivastav (Shefali Shah), a demanding but just superior.
The movies also deals with the issue of abortion, though only on the surface. It does not go deeper on the conflicts that arise from the emotive subject.
Ayushmann’s recent good runs at the box office included Dream Girl, Badhaai Ho and Bala. he also stared in Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Andhadhun.
The comedy drama directed by Anubhuti Kashyap is now playing on Netflix.
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.
16 September 2022. This was the day I left Malaysia; my home, to travel to the United Kingdom to further my studies. It was filled with a rollercoaster of emotions and a memory that will stay with me for a very long time.
I can still picture the whole scene of me leaving my home on that day – from me laughing and singing with my sister; to giving her and my mum the tightest hugs ever. I was really lucky that my dad was going to be travelling with me to the UK because I knew that I needed some support for the first couple of days.
I remember as I sat in the plane, emotions gushed through my mind like a waterfall and one of the first things I thought about was “Oh my God, I’m leaving Malaysia and going to a foreign country that is so far away. Can I even do this? Can I live without my family?”
In order to settle in nicely, here are a couple of things that I did which were helpful:
Mental preparation: I tried to mentally prepare myself by researching and finding information on what to expect in a different country and how it would be like socially, weather conditions, so on. I also spoke to a number of family friends and received input from cousins and friends who are in the UK. They gave me a sense of assurance that someone is there if I need any assistance.
Planning: This was one very important thing that was of great help. I made checklists on what I should buy when in the UK, what I should buy and take from Malaysia, and what online purchases I needed to make if I wanted to deliver things to Cardiff straight away. I also planned out with my parents my monthly budget as it lets me gauge how much I plan to spend per month, and ensuring a little bit of savings are available for those short getaways!
Management: Since the age of 16, I took charge of managing the house with my sister when my parents were away for holidays. With no maid at home, I had to manage doing housekeeping and cooking with my sister. This really inculcated a sense of responsibility in me, and it helped with my time management and being able to multitask between my work and chores.
Culture: This is something that is so crucial, and it is so important to have that connection with Waheguru. I try to go to the Gurdwara every Sunday, and it is just so peaceful, calm, and serene every time I go there. Listening to kirtan and the katha makes me feel at ease and it really helps me through bad days. I made sure to get the gutka (prayer book) from the Gurdwara to keep with me so I can do prayers and just do Simran every morning. It just enforces the idea in me that Waheguru is with me at all times and that he is in me, so I know I’m never alone.
After my dad left, it dawned on me that I was alone in this country. All by myself. There is no ‘papa’ and ‘mummy’ living nearby to come help their daughter if she was in any trouble. I slowly started to digest things and I said to myself that “Okay, Gurvin, you’re on your own now. You have to do everything by yourself, and you need to make your own life here in Cardiff. You’re bound to feel scared and frightened and anxious and a whole mix of feelings, but at the end of the day you know you’re here with a purpose and that is to complete your law degree with flying colours. That should give you the drive to move forward and never give up.”
Yes, I talked a lot to myself. I guess I finally started to recall all those pep talks my parents used to give me and remember the pearls of advice I should extract from them!
As I sit in my room writing this on a cold and rainy November night, I realize that it’s my second month living alone here in Cardiff and being an independent 19-year-old. I know I have it in me to survive and I know I just need to motor on and believe in myself. I am still nervous and scared, but one thing that motivates me is what my dad wrote in a card he gave me before he left Cardiff:
“We now leave you to chart this journey to making yourself. It will be exciting, anxious, terrifying, satisfying, fulfilling, bruising, nurturing, humbling… it will be an education. Enjoy your stint, enjoy university life, and expand your horizons because the sky is the limit!”
Oh, the wise words of my old man! Here’s to staying sane and adding more chapters to my life away from home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gurvinderjit Kaur, 19, is from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. After two years studying law at a private university in Malaysia, she is now in the final year at the Cardiff University. At our request, she expanded a note she shared on her social media. It may be helpful to fellow student going abroad.
Gurvinderjit Kaur in Cardiff. Left: Cardiff gurdwara – Photo: Supplied
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.
Path da Bhog: 25 December 2022 (Sunday), from 5pm to 6.30pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya
KUMARI SEEMA SURINDER PAL
16.6.1972 – 18.12.2022
The family is deeply saddened to inform the demise of Kumari Seema Surinder Pal the wife of Sardar Manmeet Singh (Arora Sports) on Sunday 18 December 2022.
All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop. Sant Kabir
| Entry: 19 Dec 2022 | 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.
Amritpal Singh’s followers remove and burn benches from a Jalandhar gurdwara on Dec 13, 2022
By Jarnail Singh Arshi | Opinion |
ਆਪਨ ਸੁਆਇ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਬਾਤਾ, ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਵਿਸਾਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਜੈ (Āpan su ā e karahi baho bāṯā ṯinā kā visāhu ki ā kījai). Those who speak (with forked tongues based on self-interest or self-promoting agendas) cannot be trusted.
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), composed by 35 God-oriented persons of the highest integrity, does not mince words – especially Bhagats Kabir Ji, Bhagat Ravidass Ji and Bhagat Namdev Ji. They are brutally frank.
The latest controversy to spring up in the Punjab is the rapid rise of AmritPal Singh, a scion of a trucking family with logistics interests in Dubai and who was clean shaven and not at all interested either in education or his family business. He had a born-again-moment and returned to Punjab to take over the radical party Waris Punjab De (The Heirs of Punjab) of Deep Sidhu.
If you remember, Sidhu was involved in the ill-fated raising of the Khalistan/Nishan Sahib Flag on Red Fort during the farmers’ movement large demonstrations in Delhi to repeal the ill-thought through farm laws hastily rammed through by the Narendra Modi administration. Deep Sidhu died in a tragic Valentine’s Day motor accident on a major highway from Delhi to Punjab.
Anyway, the newly minted heir returned form Dubai, to don the turban of honour bestowed by the Damdami Taksal, once led by Jarnail Singh Bhinderawala. He then began a Khalsa march to touch base all over Punjab villages.
At a visit to Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Model Town, Jalandhar, on Dec 13, 2022, Amritpal’s followers took offense at the presence of benches placed along the walls of the gurdwaras. These were meant for the elderly sangat (congregation) members who have knee pains or related issues preventing them sitting cross legged as with other sangat members in a Gurdwara darbar where SGGS is parkashed on an elevated platform. The reasoning was that these elderly are “challenging” the SGGS authority by being seated “higher” than other sangat when the ONLY HIGHER entity should be the SGGS (Guru). The followers then removed the sofas and chairs and burnt them in the gurdwara compound after declaring them contaminated by sinners. This action obviously raised a storm as such benches are common in many gurdwaras and in the diaspora. Elderly Sikhs do actually represent a large number as similar demographics among the general population everywhere.
Several issues spring to mind.
1. CHALLENGING AUTHORITY
“Challenge” to Authority versus “disability” based seating. This needs to be logically addressed. Challenge to authority is done by a single person who intends to usurp the legitimate authority. This was attempted by Khem Singh Bedi, a direct descendant of Guru Nanak Ji who insisted on being seated in front and at the same level as the SGGS, on a cushion with backrest. He was stopped by the Singh Sabha Movement leader Gyani Ditt Singh who was subsequently excommunicated (presumably as he upset those in authority as Khem Singh actually went on to form a rival to Singh Sabha).
Common members of the sangat who are allocated common benches attached to the sidewalls or the back of the Darbar Halls.They seat there due to disabilities such as knee pain, knee replacement, back pain, etc. How could this motley group of unrelated persons be declared as “challenging the authority/sanctity of SGGS? I am pretty sure majority of them would jump at the chance to join the regular cross-legged sangat if cured of their disability !
On public transport, we have “preferred seating” for the women, disabled and pregnant woman. No one treats that as “privileged” or attempt to show they have more authority over the regular fare paying healthy traveller. In fact many able persons actually STAND UP to give their seats to such “disabled” persons out of sheer courtesy and human kindness. Are we Sikhs claiming SARBATT DA BHALA so loudly and can’t even practise human decency? Kindness towards our own elderly?
2. IGNORING GURU’S EXAMPLES
Are we ignoring the example set by our Gurus? Guru Arjun Ji constructed the Darbar Sabib Amritsar and there is a GALLERY on the 1st floor. It overlooks the Darbar where SGGS is parkashed on floor level (at the same level as all seated sangat/kirtaniyahs, etc. The gallery overlooking this actually has people seated, walking, standing and looking down at the SGGS and the Sangat seated below! Are not all those on the gallery actually HIGHER than the SGGS and sangat below ?? If Guru Arjun ji has no objections, then why do we object?
3. KURSEE THAT WE NEED TO GET RID
Now we come to the kursee..or “seats” that we should be GETTING RID OF. These are kursees of the powerful: pardhas, golak (collection) custodians, the Takhats, the Management Committees who once allowed to “sit” never let go until death does them part. These seats of corruption are the ones to be removed and BURNT. If we were to ask SGGS, that is what we are told. Takhtan the behann Takhat de lain! ONLY those WORTHY of those SEATS should be allowed to occupy them! (As I said brutally frank, Rajjeh sheehn mukaddam kutteh declares SGGS..The Kings/Rulers are hungry lions and their Civil services are Rabid DOGS…..Rabid dogs who help the hungry lions to devovur the poor citizens!
Now the million dollar question? Do the Waris Punjab De Heirs of Punjab and Amritpal Singh target these hungry lions and rabid dogs? The answer is obvious: They don’t.
The Singh Sabha movement in the beginning of the 20th century actually targetted those hungry lions and rabid dogs occupying the seats of power and who ignored the SGGS totally. And the rsult was many gurdwars were cleansed of these power hungry corrupt leaders and mahant. It is time to begin a Singh Sabha Movement 2.0 to do that spring cleaning again and this task requires a Hercules cleaning out the Augeon stables. Not a rabble rouser looking for populist solutions. And even more ridiculous arguments like asking Sangat should sit lower than the Guru, hence they should sit in holes dug in the floor of Darbar Sahibs.
Majority still unaware of the REAL agenda behind the Waris Punjab De Vaheer procession.
Here are some glaring spotlights conveniently overlooked.
First, the village Bihareepur, Kapurthala has a huge samad (grave ) inside the Gurdwara. It has gone unnoticed by Amritpal and company. Second, Kalal Sanghiah Kapurthala has a huge statue of Baba Kahan Singh right beside the SGGS. Outside, ‘alcohol langgar’ is free flowing for all. This also went UNNOTICED by Amritpal and company. However, they were wuick to attack a gurdwara with LOW BENCHES placed far away and hugging the walls for the elderly sangat with knee pain. That they noticed, removed and smashed violently and BURNT as sinful object. The “Maryada” at the first two examples above have powerful backers. Hence, the pigeon kept his eyes shut and mouth closed. As SGGS declares, AApnn suaaii kareh bauh battahn (meaning: what suits that is picked up and exaggerated. Don’t trust such elements), says GURU Nanak Ji…
ਉਸਦਾ ਏਜੰਡਾ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਕਈਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ। One of his more outspoken followers at the cremation of Benches also suggested sangat should sit in a HOLE so as to be BELOW the Guru! ਇਸਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੰਪਲੈਕਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਕਮਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਕਿੰਨੀਆਂ ਇਮਾਰਤਾਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚੀਆਂ ਹਨ।
It’s really intriguing why not a single word was uttered in Bihareepur and at Kahn Singh Gurdwaras where the samaadh and alcohol langgar clearly are major transgressions of the Sikh Reht Maryada and disrespect of SGGS.
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.
Indian PM Nadrendra Modi at Kedarnath – Photo: Modi Facebook
By Karminder Singh Dhillon | The Sikh Bulletin |
On October 21st, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of two new ropeway projects connecting Gobind Ghaat to Hemkund and Gaurikund to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. The projects will come up at a cost of Rs 2,430 crore.
The length of the ropeway connecting Gobind Ghat to Hemkund Sahib will be 12.4 km. Stations will be constructed at Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, Pind Pullana, Gurdwara Gobind Dham and Hemkund. The aim of this ropeway is to reduce the travel time from Gobind Ghaat to Hemkund from one day of walking to 45 minutes.
Given the history of the relationship between the Indian regime and Sikhs, a host of questions arise. Six can be listed here.
First, what is the motive of this seemingly magnanimous nature of the regime’s support for Hemkund? After all, the 2,430 crore will be used for a project that bears a direct link to the Sikh religion – more so the hijacked version of it.
Second, given that yatras, penances, frivolous worship of mythological places and past lives are rejected within Gurmat and Gurbani, why is the Indian regime so altruistic in allocating crores to a private institution – Hemkund – that epitomizes all four?
Third, why hasn’t the Indian regime allocated money to improve the infrastructure around other primary Sikh gurdwaras such as the roads and drainage around Darbar Sahib or Sis Ganj to facilitate visits of Sikhs therein?
Fourth, isn’t this project aimed at promoting the narratives within the Bachitar Natak or Dasam Granth pertaining to Guru Gobind Singh having meditated on Kalika the Mahakaal in his past life? After all, Hemkund is founded on this particular but concocted narrative – whose acceptance within the Sikh world depends heavily on its active pushing through government interference.
Fifth, is this project a fitting sequel to the Rs 100 Crores that were allocated by the Indian regime in 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the formation of the Khalsa wherein the dual motives were firstly, to portray Guru Gobind Singh as an IndianHindu national hero and secondly, to aggressively promote the Dasam Granth as a Sikh scripture? Is it also a sequel to the announcement by PM Modi in 2021 that the final week of December would be celebrated as the Sahibzadey Shaheedi week as part of the “baal divas” – the motive of which was provide a solution to the problem the BJP and RSS had with the 25th of December being declared a Christmas holiday? Readers will recall that immediately upon coming to power in 2014, the BJP regime had announced that the 25th of December would be a working day but was forced to backtrack after stiff opposition. They have been looking for a way out ever since; albeit diabolically – to grant a holiday on or around December 25th while simultaneously denying the Christian community a Christmas holiday. The BJP regime found one in 2021 – at the expense of the Sahibzade who were being honored for having sacrificed their lives as defenders of the Snatan dharma.
Finally, is this yet another attempt at eroding, absorbing, assimilating, co-opting and subjugating Sikhi, Sikh Gurus, and Sikhs in the long list of attempts that have gone on for as long as one can remember? Is this another attempt at diluting and eventually destroying the nirmlta or uniqueness of Sikhi?
In other words, is this project a Rs. 2,430 crores worth of a nail in the coffin of Sikh independence and Sikhi uniqueness?
One would expect Sikh institutions, organizations, universities and thinkers to see through the Rs 2,340 crore façade and rush to alert, inform and educate the Sikh community as to what it really amounts to. At the very least they could ask any or all of the six questions above – or more – and initiate a vigorous debate within the Sikh world. If that is still not possible, at least they would ask the community to ponder over the huge sum that has suddenly fallen from the Himalayan skies onto the Sikh lap.
But what the Sikh world got was a display of spineless-ness par excellence in the form of a stampede by Sikh groups to bootlick Modi. Hemkund Management Trust vice-president Narinderjit Singh Bindra led the race in servility by praising the project sky high. Not very far behind was the sycophant Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney who said the project was a Diwali gift to the Sikhs and “should be completed on war footing”. Not wanting to be left behind in toadying, Delhi DSGMC chief Harmeet Singh Kalka stated, “The DSGMC is extremely grateful to PM Modi for laying the foundation stone of the ropeway project between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib.” Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Baljit Singh Dadduwal in a letter to the PM praise Modi’s “continued kindness in making it easier for Sikhs to pay obeisance at Sri Hemkund Sahib.” Tarlochan Singh, chairman of the minorities commission said “Sikhs will never forget the welfare measures for Sikhs undertaken by the PM.” Former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur “welcomed Modi’s inauguration of the ropeway to Hemkund sahib”. There were too many other groups and institutions who bent over backwards to tell the Sikh world that Modi and his regime were the great miracle that Sikhs had been waiting for. Too many to waste valuable space in the pages of this publication.
Yet, the most disgraceful pandering to this USD 150 million Anti-Sikhi Agenda was left to be undertaken by none other than the Akaal Takhat.
This editorial may not have come about if the AT had stayed out of the nauseating bootlicking. After all, the Sikh world has become fairly immune to seeing our gullible organizations being duped by the anti-Sikh forces either through their own ignorance or through wanting a piece of the crumbs that are thrown at the Sikh world by these forces.
The Jathedar of AT, Gyani Harpreet Singh wrote an official note to Modi one day after the PM had laid the foundation stone of the ropeway project. The note reads – in part – as follows. “I congratulate you for laying the foundation stone of the Gurdwara Hemkund Ropeway. For any devout Sikh, this is a historic occasion and will further bring together the pilgrims with their sacred places. You have shown great sensitivity and respect towards the Sikh traditions and the teachings of the Guru Sahib’s”. Disregarding the grammatical errors, this letter leaves little doubt that servility, sycophancy and adulation for the anti-Sikh promoters has reached its highest levels and lowest ebbs. This message scrapes the bottom of the barrel of sucking up.
The one good that may have hopefully come out of this shameful episode is the need to understand, and the opportunity to explain what Hemkund is really about. This issue of The Sikh Bulletin thus contains my essay titled “The Truth of Hemkund” which can be read on page 10. It is hoped that readers will be able to put this Rs. 2,430 crore Indian government ropeway project into the perspective it deserves.
Sikh thinker, writer and parcharak Karminder Singh Dhillon, PhD (Boston), is a retired Malaysian civil servant. He is the joint-editor of The Sikh Bulletin and author of The Hijacking of Sikhi. This article appeared as the editorial of the The Sikh Bulletin – Vol 24 No 4 (October – December 2022). Click here to retrieve archived copies of the bulletin. The author can be contacted at dhillon99@gmail.com.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Every December, the world celebrates Christmas. Regardless of our faith, the vast majority of the people on earth come together to be with friends and family. It is a time of hope, goodwill, humanity and love.
We listen to and tell countless stories and sing carols extolling the virtues of leading a meaningful and purposeful life. We hear of how Scrooge changed his ways, how the Three Wise Men made their journey to see the newborn baby Jesus, and how a truce broke out in the trenches of WWI on Christmas Eve, with men from both sides putting their differences aside to come together in peace.
There is, however, another story that took place in December that doesn’t receive as much attention, even from the people who should know it intimately.
This story involves a mighty leader, one who was kind, generous and righteous. He empowered peasants and the downtrodden to speak up for their rights and fight injustice in a time where it was running rampant. It includes his elderly mother and his four sons, with the eldest only 18 and the youngest just 6 years old.
It involves an extended siege of this great leader’s fort, led by forces intimidated by his influence and empowerment of the people they wished to forever keep under foot.
It involves an oath made to allow this great leader, his family and his followers safe passage in exchange for leaving the fort, sworn upon the holy books of the besieging army.
It involves the breaking of this sacred promise made on not one, but two holy scriptures, resulting in an attack on the leader and those he led on the banks of a river swollen by heavy rains- in the middle of a cold North Indian winter.
It involves his family and followers being separated in the ensuing chaos of attempting to cross this river, not knowing how or if they would ever reunite.
It involves this great leader, his two elder sons and a handful of his followers taking shelter in a mud fort, extremely outnumbered but inspired by the fact that they were on the side of truth.
It involves his two elder sons and almost all his followers perishing fighting a battle that to this day, inspires each person that hears about it.
It involves his two younger sons losing their lives after refusing to betray their father, and their grandmother following soon thereafter.
It involves this great leader sleeping in forests, losing all of his family and closest followers, yet still remaining steadfast in his belief, for he knew he was fighting a battle against tyranny and oppression.
It involves many other stories intertwined with those mentioned above, all which took place in late December, 1704. These are stories of courage and sacrifice, of selflessness and righteousness, of love and unity.
Come to think of it, these aren’t stories; they are our history. They made us who we are, instilling the sense of justice and selflessness we feel to this day. Each time we speak out against a wrong, help someone in need, do our part to make the world better, we are honouring those brave souls who perished over 300 years ago. Their spirit, their essence and their will live on through us via our actions and deeds.
So, as you partake in this holiday season, don’t forget to include the events of December 1704 in your thoughts. Share what happened with your children.
Discuss it with your family.
Remember the sacrifices.
Admire their courage.
Pay your respects and above all, keep the memory alive.
Gary Hara is an aspiring author from Canada who aims to share the rich history of Punjab, the land of his forefathers, with the world. He was born and raised in Surrey, Canada
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