Great Grandchildren: Jaysean Singh Gill Mehher Kaur Sekhon
Brother: Jaspal Singh (Canada) Sister: Late Dial Kaur (Punjab)
And brother-in-laws -sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, host of relatives and friends.
Cortege will leave from residence No 11A, Jalan Koop Cuepacs 2E, Taman Cuepacs, Cheras at 1pm, 15 July 2022 (Friday)
Last Respects: 2.30pm – 4pm, 15 July 2022 (Friday) at Shamshan Bhoomi Crematorium, Jalan Loke Yew, Kuala Lumpur
Saskaar / Cremation: 4.15pm, 15 July 2022 (Friday) at Shamshan Bhoomi Crematorium, Jalan Loke Yew, Kuala Lumpur
Contact:
Rajinder Singh 019 – 222 2291
Mahinder Singh 019 – 210 7790
Inderjit Kaur 013 – 364 6273
| Entry: 14 July 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
The Amritsar gathering in July 2022 – Photo: Ankur Narula Ministries Facebook
By Gurnam Singh | Opinion |
There has been much chatter on social media about the recent huge gathering of Evangelical Christians near Amritsar, the spiritual and political heartland of Sikhi. There is no doubt that large numbers of Punjabis, but in particular Dalits and poor people who have few resources, are drawn to a new crop of charismatic young Christian ‘faith healers’ who claim to exorcise ghosts and cure serious illnesses and physical impairments.
Whilst in a democratic country everybody has the right to practice and preach whatever faith or beliefs they wish as long as there is no incitement to violence or hatred towards others, there are those who question the veracity of these ‘miracles’, and the way these ministries function. One of the most powerful tools these ministries deploy is that of staged miracles. This usually involves somebody with a serious ailment, such as paralysis, cancer, mental health, blindness and so, being spectacularly cured simply through the power of healing from a charismatic pastor and prayer.
Claims to such miracle cures can be found amongst most faith groups, not least Sikhs, and therefore to challenge their claims is to open oneself up to hypocrisy. So what, if anything, can/should we do to confront what is clearly mass exploitation of oppressed people. One option that some rationalist groups are doing is to directly and forensically challenge these claims and the preachers. That is to argue that miracles go against reason and empirical scrutiny and therefore simply do not exist! The other option is to argue that, though miracles exist, these Christian pastors are quacks and not blessed by God’s powers. However, given the existence of such ‘quacks’ and fakes amongst most, perhaps all the major faiths in India, making this argument is likely to be exposing oneself to accusations of double standards.
In a recent video, the Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwal, commenting on the Amritsar gathering of Christian evangelicals, makes this precise argument. He points out that to criticise others and preach miracles yourself is total hypocrisy! Indeed, he argues that whilst Sikh Godmen talk of miracle stories in the past, these Christian preachers claim to perform live miracles. Given the choice between an old story about some Sikh holy man or a live stage show where you can see ‘miracles’ taking place inform of your eyes, it is not surprising innocent villages are drawn to such gatherings.
One argument is that with the kinds of gatherings that took place in Amritsar, what we are seeing is a corruption of faith. But given the close association with faith and miracles, it is difficult to sustain this line of argument. Indeed, it may well be the case that humans are programmed to believe in such miracle stories. Therefore, I am not sure if there is a cure as such. If this were the case, then perhaps we would just need to allow nature to run its course. If you believe faith represents an ultimate truth, then it is reasonable to argue that it will or should change at all! But if you believe that the way that faith is expressed is likely in time to be transformed, transferred, or simply fade away, which history would suggest is the case, then perhaps these gatherings are simply the ongoing evolutionary churn of faith and belief systems.
FOR MORE ON SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN PUNJAB, CLICK HERE
However, despite living in the age of reason and rationality, the fact that millions, perhaps billions, of people across the world, believers and non-believers, are still willing to be open to the possibility of miracles, suggests we need to take miracle claims more seriously. In reality, miracle claims are less about supernatural events as such, not least because it is almost impossible to validate these, especially if they are historical, and more about the telling of stories. In this regard, miracles need to be understood as essentially a literary device, as metaphor and allegory. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine how literature and poetry, including most significantly religious text, could be expressed without recourse to miracles!
And so, perhaps by developing a clearer understanding of the place of miracles in our culture, we might just be able to engage in more sensible dialogue. Failure to do so will simply entrench the polarised views that are ripping Sikhs apart at the moment, as well as emboldening these Christian pastors.
Gurnam Singh is an academic activist dedicated to human rights, liberty, equality, social and environmental justice. He is an Associate Professor of Sociology at University of Warwick, UK. He can be contacted at Gurnam.singh.1@warwick.ac.uk
* This is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Path da Bhog: 24 July 2022 (Sunday), from 10am to 12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Gunung Rapat, Ipoh, Perak
Contact:
Dr. Narinderjit Singh (019 – 559 7597)
Rajinderjit Singh (016 – 532 4319)
Mejit Singh (012 – 512 0107)
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near. Forever loved, forever missed and very dear.
| Entry: 14 July 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
A Delhi state recruitment board should not have stopped a Sikh woman wearing a kara from sitting for an important examination, a court ruled.
The Delhi High Court has held as unsustainable a Sikh woman candidate being prevented from appearing in a competitive examination till she removed her metallic kara (bangle) despite reaching the examination centre before the closing time in terms of the admit card, reported PTI.
The petitioner, who challenged the denial of permission to her to appear in the PGT-Economics (Female) examination, argued that the authorities’ action cannot be sustained based on their defence that there was already a notification informing the candidate desirous of wearing a kara and/or kirpan, to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time as such notification was notified only two days after the examination was held.
Justice Rekha Palli said that it was highly unfortunate that a specialised body like the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB), which regularly holds examinations with a large number of Sikh candidates, did not take timely action to inform the candidates that if they were desirous of wearing a kara and/or kirpan, they were required to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time, the report added.
The court thus directed DSSSB to ensure that adequate notice, which is well in advance, is given concerning the additional requirement to reach the examination centre one hour before the reporting time in case a candidate is wearing a kara and/or kirpan so that no undue hardship is caused to them.
The board has been tasked to recruit capable, competent, highly skilled individuals by conducting written tests, professional tests and personal interviews, according to its website.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
ਜਿਨਿ ਤੁਮ ਭੇਜੇ ਤਿਨਹਿ ਬੁਲਾਏ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਆਉ ॥ ਅਨਦ ਮੰਗਲ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਉ ਸਹਜ ਧੁਨਿ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਰਾਜੁ ਕਮਾਉ ॥੧॥ The One who sent you, has now recalled you; return to your home now in peace and pleasure. In bliss and ecstasy, sing His Glorious Praises; by this celestial tune, you shall acquire your everlasting kingdom. ||1||
BIBI JIT KAUR GILL
15.11.1953 – 5.8.2021
In loving memory of our beloved Sister & Auntie, Bibi Jit Kaur Gill
Parents: Late Sardar Hazara Singh Gill (Ex-Police, Muar) & Late Sardarni Presin Kaur
First Barsi Prayers from 29 – 31 July, 2022 at Gurdwara Babeke Machap, Mukim Ayer Hitam, Johor
Programme as follows:
29.7.2022 (Friday) – 9am – Akhand Path commences
30.7.2022 (Saturday) – Continuation of Akhand Path
31.7.2022 (Sunday) – Akhand Path Da Bhog at 9am, followed by Kirtan and Sahej Path Da Bhog at 11.30am followed by Guru Ka Langgar thereafter.
Contact:
Sardar Sandeep Singh Gill 011-51396610
Sardarni Hodal Kaur Gill 019-4526147
Sardar Nrendar Singh Gill 019-6587388
It was not easy letting you go without proper bathe or holding your hands and not departing you from our home but situation was such at that time. No goodbye and no final words. We are deeply sorry and praying that you will forgive us. We hold you close within our hearts knowing you are in a better place now with mummy and daddy. God be with you till we meet again.
Please treat this as personal invitation .
| Entry: 12 July 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
A Malaysian-based professor has been tapped for the Unesco Chair on Harnessing Innovations in Technology to Support Teachers & Quality Learning.
Professor Dr. Abtar Darshan Singh becomes the first academic in a Malaysian private university to be appointed to the coveted position, reports a local newspaper. She will serve a four-year term.
This is Abtar’s second brush with Unesco. In 2015, she won the top prize in the Unesco Institute International Competition in Education, then held in St Petersburg.
Abtar is currently Professor of Innovative Digital Learning & Director of the Digital Learning Hub at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU).
Dr Abtar Kaur is a professor of innovative digital learning at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). She is also the director of university’s Digital Learning Hub.
As the UNESCO Chair, Abtar will drive research, training and knowledge-sharing initiatives on harnessing innovations in technology to support teachers and quality in teaching and learning in Malaysia as well as developing economies in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. This also includes equipping teachers and professionals in education with state-of-the-art knowledge and tools to enhance hybrid learning, which has become increasingly important in the post-pandemic learning context, reported The Sun.
A key objective of the UNESCO Chair is to foster collaboration among stakeholders in education and leverage technological innovations to promote inclusive education for everyone including girls and children. It is an integral part of UNESCO’s wider Medium-Term Strategy and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to leverage education programmes to reduce poverty.
Dr Abtar obtained a Master of Science in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University in the United States, and a PhD in Web-Based Learning from Universiti Malaya. Abtar did her post-doctoral research (Fulbright) at Indiana University, the US.
Malaysia is seat to two other Unesco chairs. They are the Unesco Chair on Social Practices in Intercultural Communication and Social Cohesion (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and Unesco Chair on Ecohydraulics for Sustainable Water Infrastructures for SDG 6 in the Asia and the Pacific Region (Universiti Sains Malaysia).
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Growing concerns over continuous felling of trees and shrinking green cover notwithstanding, the Chandigarh Administration on directions from the union home minister, is all set to allot a huge green strip of land adjoining KalaGram in Chandigarh-Panchkula Road for construction of new Haryana Vidhan Sabha complex.
More than an animated debate that has been set in motion over the announcement of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it has also stirred a hornet’s nest as ecologists and environmentalists, too, are up in their arms to protest against allotment of a green patch of land.
Amit Shah made this announcement in Jaipur during the Northern Council meeting late last week.
Needless to reiterate, this “provocative” action of the BJP leadership has prompted various political parties, especially their Punjab and Haryana units, to launch their fresh political tirades over one of several inter-State issues evading solutions for a long time.
Punjab and Haryana have already been locked in unending battles over various contagious issues, including future of Chandigarh, sharing of rivers water, transfer of Punjabi speaking areas, bifurcation of Punjab and Haryana High Court, introduction of Central Pay scales for employees of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and bringing Panjab University under central control.
Some of these long-standing issues are at different stages of adjudication at various forums. The rivers water issue is pending before the Apex Court.
The demand for separate High Courts for both Punjab and Haryana has been in the boiling pot for more than a decade now. Same is the case with transferring control of Panjab University to Centre. Interestingly, Panjab University is technically already under central court as the Vice-President of India is its ex-officio, Chancellor.
Though Panjab University owes its roots to Lahore, now in Pakistan, it got its new campus in Chandigarh after the 1947 partition. As a part of the Reorganization Act, 1966, its status changed from a state university to a partial central government monitored university.
In the case of State universities, the Governor is the Chancellor.
Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha Gian Chand Gupta had been raising the demand for more space for Haryana in the existing Vidhan Sabha complex that forms a part of the Capitol complex. His argument has been that a portion of the complex allotted to Haryana was far short of the agreed upon ratio of 60:40.
Issue raised by him was nothing new as Haryana had been demanding for a long time a separate Haryana High Court against the present set up of a joint Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Now the demand for allotment of land for construction of separate High Courts has also gained momentum. Latest to join the separate High Courts chorus are incumbent Chief Ministers of the two States.
A couple of months ago, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced the implementation of Central Pay scales for employees of the Chandigarh Administration.
At the time of reorganization, it was suggested that till the time the future of Chandigarh was decided, it would draw its employees from Punjab and Haryana in the 60:40 ratio. However, in late 80s and early 90s, the Chandigarh Administration at the instance of the Union Government went ahead with its plan to create a Union Territory cadre thus gradually diminishing the share of employees on deputations from Punjab and Haryana.
A stage has now reached when UT cadre has grown to a strength that employees on deputation are not required any more.
Earlier, the employees were mostly getting Punjab Pay scales. There were times when the Chandigarh Administration employees also got Central Pay Scales but whenever Punjab announced its revised pay scales, the UT employees would agitate and demand Punjab Pay scales. But now when the Central Government pay scales offer better wages and 60 years as retirement age, Chandigarh employees’ demand for central pay scales was conceded by Amit Shah to the great dismay of the Punjab government.
The SYL issue cropped up in recent months after an AAP MP from Delhi said that Haryana would get its share before the next Assembly elections in the State.
The Northern Council meeting, where all northern States participate and raise issues agitating them, especially those pertaining to neighboring States, has now once again revived jurisdictional issues.
After Haryana welcomed the announcement of Amit Shah, Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, too, joined the issue demanding a similar allocation for both Punjab Vidhan Sabha and a separate Punjab High Court.
At the Jaipur meeting, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar also made another announcement that his State would go for delimitation of its Assembly constituencies before the 2029 assembly elections. Once delimitation is notified, the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituencies would be redefined suggesting that the number of both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha members will go up from the present strength of 10 and 90, respectively. After delimitation, the State will send 14 members to Lok Sabha and will have 126 as Vidhan Sabha members.
The demand for new Vidhan Sabha complex was made on the plea that the present complex was also congested for the existing 90 members and once the number of members goes up to 126, it will need a bigger complex.
“There is not enough space available in the existing building to even accommodate these 90 MLAs. Not only this, but it is also not possible to carry out the expansion, because it is a heritage building. It is, therefore, requested that sufficient space may be given in Chandigarh for the construction of a new additional building for the Vidhan Sabha,” Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said in his statement.
The Haryana Speaker held a Press Conference in Chandigarh to support his demand. “We have been trying to get land for the last one year. The Chief Minister has a big role to play in taking the matter to Lok Sabha speaker, Vice President, and Union Home Minister.
“The present building doesn’t have space for ministers and Vidhan Sabha committees. Once we get the site, we will soon start the construction,” Gian Chand Gupta said.
Both Manohar Lal Khattar and Gian Chand Gupta have been categoric in maintaining that land for a new Vidhan Sabha complex did not mean or suggest that Haryana would leave its rightful share in the existing Vidhan Sabha building.
Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of Opposition, Punjab, went a step ahead suggesting that if Haryana wants its separate Vidhan Sabha building, it should build it outside Chandigarh and preferably in Panchkula.
Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience 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. For more in-depth analysis please visit probingeye.com or follow him on Twitter.com/probingeye
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
Path da Bhog: 16 July 2022 (Saturday), from 10 am to 12 pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Port Klang
Contact: Manjit Singh 019-8867257
Dear Father / Nana / Dadaji. You may have passed on but your memories would always live on within us. Thank you for your care, love, guidance and everything that you have done for us. Wherever you are, we know you are in much better place. We love you always ❤️
| Entry: 12 July 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Path da Phog: 24/7/22 (Sunday) from 10am – 12pm, Gurdwara Sahib Pokok Assam Taiping, Perak. Guru Ka Langgar will be served.
Contact: 016-4277683 (Baljit Kaur)
Loving and kind in all her ways, Upright and just to the end of her days, Sincere and true, in her heart and mind, Beautiful memories, she left behind.
Please treat this as a personal invitation to our mother’s first Barsi.
| Entry: 11 July 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
All set to scramble to catch the movie Mat Kilau? Sikhs are keen to see how Sikh soldiers, working for the British, were portrayed in the action movie which is breaking grounds on collection count. The movie is making money. After 17 days, the collection is said to have crossed RM61 million. It has certainly turned into a local box-office phenomenon.
Take a breather. We went to watch ‘Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan’ to help you decide whether you want to part with your hard earned money.
The movie is pitched as a ‘film inspired by the epic Malaysian historical figure Mat Kilau who had fought against the British colonists in Pahang before independence.’
There is Mat Kilau, the Malay warrior who fought the British colonialists in the Malaysian state of Pahang. He was the son of Pahang chieftain Tok Gajah. And there is Mat Kilau the movie, a fictional presentation around the times of the Pahang uprising (1891-1895).
Let’s get the politics out of the way. There are two things at work when we try to understand the world surrounding Mat Kilau at that point of time. There is the rivalry between the Malay chiefs, and their anger with the British for snatching away their income. In her monograph on Pahang’s history, Prof Aruna Gopinath noted that the major threat which (Pahang ruler) Sultan Ahmad and his chiefs faced was the British establishment of the State Council in 1889.
“With the creation of the this institution, the individual powers and privileges of the Sultan and his chiefs were defined and regulated….Paradoxically Sultan Ahmad and his chiefs were affected by the new regulations passed with regards to two sensitive issues – slavery and forced labour. These had constituted an essential part of wealth in the traditional government for Sultan Ahmad and his chiefs, but the new laws were to act against their interests,” she writes in the monograph entitled ‘Pahang, 1880-1933: A Political History.’
So, it’s not all about yanking out the British. Self-preservation and self-interest is very much at work.
Now, back to the movie. Turbaned Sikhs were very visibly present throughout the movie. These were the British-employed policemen. How did they end up there? Here are two entries in the ‘Sikhs In Malaysia Series (Volume Two) – Highlights of A Century (1873-1973)‘ by Malkiat Singh Lopo-Dhaliwal and Mukhtiar Kaur Rattian-Sandhu.
“1888: Sikhs from Selangor Police volunteered to follow Captain Cross to start a new force in Pahang. On reaching Singapore the party sailed to Pekan. In the following year the British Resident Mr Rodger established the Pahang Sikhs after recruiting more men from Selangor, Perak and Singapore. In this way Sikhs became the pioneers to start the police forces in Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang. By 1892, there were 200 Sikhs in the Pahang Police.”
“1891. A detachment of 53 men from the Selangor Sikh Contingent, under Captain Syers, rendered their services in Pahang.”
The audience are quickly drawn in the thick of action. The movie begins with Captain Syers, accompanied by Sikh soldiers, rounding up a group of Malay villagers, looking for some rebel-rousers. It does not end well for the villagers. Some cold blooded shooting ensue.
The British officer comes across as arrogant, displaying haughty contempt of others. He describes the Malays as ‘bangsa yang berpecah-belah, bangsa yang mudah dibeli‘ (a divided race, easily bought). More on the scripting, later. He is made out to be almost a comical figure. Okay, you cannot mistake enemy number one!
One of the Punjabi-Sikh soldiers speaks Malay, and is pretty good at it, too. Nothing like the Punjabi kid in the Upin & Ipin series who speaks funny Malay, mimicking the ways how some Sikhs used to speak in pre-Merdeka days. Syers sidekick is a Chinese taukey. He, too, speaks fluent Malay.
But there’s a huge problem with the scripting. Many a time, it ends up sounding like a school play. There is too much of in-your-face preaching of Malay unity and Islam. “Di mana ketuanan orang Melayu di mata British?” asks one of the chieftains at a meeting. Nothing wrong with wanting to push the Malay agenda. But do it more gracefully. It should weave effortlessly in and out of the dialogues, not pushed down your throat. When writing, remember this dictum: show, don’t tell.
Take the scene when Mat Kilau is talking to wife and kid. They are about to go separate ways for a while due to the intense situation. Behind them is a waterfall, a beautiful scenery. But the dialogue falls flat, and the acting is miserable. All through the movie, they tried to deliver Yoda-like lines, but failed.
When it came to the brutal murder of a very pregnant woman, is it possible they had confused British harshness with the Japanese brutality in Malaya during World War 2? Perhaps the producers took liberty of the creative license. No one is suggesting the British are do-gooders, not capable of harm. Sikhs recall the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. In 2019, British Prime Minister Theresa May described it as a ‘shameful scar on British Indian history’. [Year corrected].
So, is there an issue with the way the Sikh soldiers were represented? These were soldiers, not civilians. You give the movie producers the bandwidth to portray them a little bit on the ruthless side. Despite the intense fighting, with some fierce silat moves, their turbans stayed in tact. Bravo!
In real life, though, there is little documented proof that Sikh soldiers were barbaric.
When preparing his book years ago, Malkiat had combed reams and reams of material. Did he find anything to the opposite? “I have never came across a news report or complaint of Sikhs being brutal to the public. They were helpful, they helped the poor, they were the trusted by the community,” Malkiat told Asia Samachar.
So, if you have nothing really to do, then go and enjoy this Malay flick. Otherwise, keep drilling into your Netflix or whatever other platforms you have at your disposal.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
