A Sikh boxer whose grandfather, dad and uncle were also in the sport is determined to carry on the legacy even further. Inder Singh Bassi, 25, from Ilford, became interested in the sport at a young age – he recalls his grandfather being one of the first South Asian boxers in the UK during the 1960s.
Although his grandad was not able to pursue the sport professionally, due to being the sole provider for his family, he had always encouraged his own children to partake in the sport. He was initially influenced by Muhammed Ali after seeing him as the only ethnic minority boxer, especially as boxing was not that popular in the South Asian community.
Inder lives with his grandparents and speaks fluent Punjabi, he has always maintained ties with his culture and roots. The East London based fighter represented England as an amateur and is racking up the wins with hopes of working towards a title. He’s popular as one of the first career boxers from the Sikh community that wears a dastaar (Sikh turban).
Speaking to MyLondon about his family, Inder said: “My grandparents are from India, Punjab, my grandad was around 16 when he came over and he had to work. When my grandad was growing up he always liked Muhammed Ali and he started boxing though boxing isn’t really a Punjabi and Indian sport, they usually wrestle.
“He was so motivated by Muhammed Ali and my grandad was one of the first South Asian boxers in the 60s. But he couldn’t do it full time as he had to support family in England and in India.
“My uncle and dad both then competed and won titles, my uncle was an amateur boxer and the London champion back in the 80s. My dad was a wrestler but they weren’t in a position to follow it further and had to work and pay bills.”
But fortunately, Inder was encouraged by his family to pursue the career and has now been boxing professionally for the last two years. As a member of the Sikh faith, Inder also campaigned against the beard ban which required amateur boxers to shave their beards for matches.
Read the gull story, ‘Sikh boxer whose grandad was one of the first South Asian fighters has changed the sport for anyone with a beard’ (MyLondon, 13 March, 2022), here.
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
Things stated perking up for Hari Singh Rai after his marriage in 2019. He had carved out a nice role in a new college in the Malaysian city of Cyberjaya. Everything looked well and good till, bam, Covid-19 pandemic hits the nation in March 2020.
“The college never took off, it went to the ashes. Investment burnt. But more to that the sanity and anxiety that came along with it,” he tells Asia Samachar.
Hari Rai, 36, now a business director at a Malaysian startup, shares the anguish and challenges he faced, one after another. Many probably will share bits and pieces of his experience as he weathered the storm that came with the pandemic.
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1985, he grew up in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. After the death of his paternal grandfather in 1999, the family moved to Petaling Jaya and he was enrolled at the Catholic High School. Later, he earned a diploma in business management from Stamford College and a Masters in Business Administration from Excel College Malaysia.
He took up various types of jobs in the early part of his working life, including clerking, call centre operator and in human resource management.
In 2014, he went solo to handle recruitment of foreign workers and students. This led him to taking on a full time role as marketing director of several colleges. Five years later, the college where he worked closed down. It was around this time that he married Parvinder Kaur Sandhu, a lawyer by profession.
“It was a though seven months for me leading up to my wedding: no steady job and income, solely depending on my freelancing and savings together, with the full support of my parents, siblings and future wife till the wedding. Not to forget, I’ve always had a handful of good friends like family who got me through my tough times, too,” he said.
“I indulge in my swims, gym, runs, travels, music, junk food and a good Netflix binge anytime! I lose myself and rediscover myself in these moments,” he added.
This brings to his involvement in the setting up a new college which did not pan out as planned. But little did Hari Rai know that he was about to meet another major hurdle in life. Two months later, he was diagnosed with a diseases for which he had to undergo a surgery in May 2020.
“I’m still recovering today with regular check-ups, but I’m up and about, healthy, happy and going good,” he said.
It was tough coming to terms with the loss of the college. It had put to test his resolve and perseverance.
“I decided to stop being angry, a grouch, and constantly sad, depressed and angry with everyone around me (none of them who did anything to me ), but it was how I was with so much that has happened. I’ve constantly learnt from my parents, grandparents and siblings to always make to with the little we have, and what is ours will find us,” he said, looking back at those challenging moments.
During the pandemic lockdown, Hari Rai also started a small home business known as Kulfiwala. Here, they market homemade kulfi, an Indian ice cream, but something way creamier, richer and denser. He continues to run it on the side over the weekends.
In March 2021, he joined Gigple Digital Sdn Bhd, a startup providing a platform to connect gig workers to employers. In February 2022, he was promoted to the current position of business director.
“I am constantly learning and reading on the growth of the gig economy, redefining my skills as I grow. I even did my professional certification in Digital Marketing and Project Manager,” he said. The major challenge before him in this new role is to educate companies and their HR teams on freelancing and the shift towards gig work.
Hari Singh Rai (left) with his parents and siblings in a photo in early 1990s in Tampin – Photo: SuppliedHari Singh Rai with his brother Jernail Singh Rai and sister Gulshan Kaur Rai – Photo: Supplied
His parents, Tashvinder Singh Rai and Jagdeep Kaur Sekhon, had married in 1982. At 15, Father, Tashvinder, got involved in his father’s lorry business in Tampin. Later he ventured into money lending. Mother, Jagdeep, got involved in education when they moved to Petaling Jaya, and is now a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education specialist.
“If I may share something about my parents. They ensured that we, their children, went to Punjabi school at a young age. We can read and write Gurmukhi, and do Gurbani paath,” he said.
His grandparents are Nashter Singh Rai and Mukthiar Kaur are from Tampin and Pritam Singh Sekhon and Harbhajan Kaur from Petaling Jaya.
Hari Rai is also passionate about helping others. He joined a foundation as a volunteer to with help earthquake victims in Nepal. This led him later to joining United Sikhs, a Sikh-based humanitarian and relief agency.
“I’ve been involved in sewa (voluntary service) in gurdwaras, something I’ve loved to do since young. The joy you get from sewa is unexplainable, unmatched to any other happiness. Its divine and ecstasy-like feeling will keep you coming back for more,” he said.
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
Mehendi artist, Prabhleen Kaur uses geometric shapes and champions negative space in her mehendi Models: Gopinath S; Mitra Visveswaran; Prabhleen Kaur. Makeup: Deepika Sridharan – Photo: Hunar Daga / Vogue
By Arushi Sinha | Vogue India |
“I like a sense of symmetry when I create mehendi,” says mehendi artist Prabhleen Kaur, who uses her Instagram page to showcase a minimalist-informed mehendi aesthetic that announces itself as boldly different from the traditional henna designs that are prolific in Indian culture. Her patterns champion the use of negative space to dramatic effect and have a distinctly contemporary feeling to them.
Kaur speaks poetically about the feeling of cold mehendi paste on warm skin and is quick to point out that henna was originally used by desert cultures as a way to battle the relentless heat of summer. It is clear that the mehendi artist has a deep appreciation for the roots of the art, while also being influenced by a distinctly modern design narrative that is more playful than its traditional counterpart.
“I find inspiration in vintage textiles, folk art and block-printing, as well as in the flora and fauna around us,” says Kaur, whose style is continually fed and informed by fresh influences, leading to an ever evolving design sensibility. The thing that remains constant is a sense of whimsy that is almost at odds with the intricate formality of traditional mehendi.
Read the full story, ‘Artist Prabhleen Kaur’s minimalist designs bring an age-old art form into the modern era’ (Vogus, 11 March 2022), here.
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
Also missed by nieces, nephews, grand niece and grand nephews
Kirtan Darbar and Sahej Path Bhog on 20 March 2022 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak Shah Alam from 10am to 12 noon. Sewa Guru Ka Langgar
Contact:
Mohan Singh – 019 7203185
Satwant Singh – 016 2213372
| Entry: 13 March 2022 | Source: Family
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 |
Saskaar / Cremation: 11.00am, 13th March 2022 (Sunday) at MBPJ Crematorium, Petaling Jaya.
Last Respects & Sukhmani Sahib Paath: 8.30am to 10.30am, 13th March 2022 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya
Path da bhog : To be announced
Contact:
Ranjit :0179446318
Deepak :01112344462
| Entry: 12 March 2022 | Source: Family
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 |
WINNING DOCTORS: Some of the medical doctors who won in the Punjab 2022 state elections under the APP banner. L-R: Dr Baljit, Dr Sukhwinder, Dr Inderbir, Dr Kashmir and Dr Amandeep
By Prabhjot Paul Singh | Opinion |
It is Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) all over Punjab. After its landslide win in the Punjab Assembly elections, it is going to take full quota of seven seats of the State in Rajya Sabha, the upper House of Parliament. Later this month, AAP will have all five seats falling vacant on April 9 available to it. In July, it will get the remaining two seats of Rajya Sabha also. So, between March 31 and end of July, AAP will have an opportunity to adjust seven of its activists or supporters as Members of Parliament thus taking its strength in Rajya Sabha to 10 from the preset three. It will also mean end of road for other parties that till now represented Punjab in Rajya Sabha. As of today, leaders of Congress (three), Shiromani Akali Dal (3) and Bhartiya Janata Party (1) are representing the State in the upper House.
Aspirants for nomination as AAP candidates have already started making beelines to New Delhi for approaching the party convener Arvind Kejriwal.
The AAP already has three members – all from Delhi – in Rajya Sabha. It stands to gain in Punjab as two different elections will be held for the five Rajya Sabha seats – one for three seats and another for the remaining two.
Those retiring from Rajya Sabha in April are Partap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo (both Congress), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Naresh Gujral (both Akali Dal) and Shwait Malik (BJP).
Two more members from Punjab – Balwinder Singh Bhunder (Akali Dal) and Ambika Soni (Congress) – will complete their tenure in July and the AAP is all set bag both these seats also.
With the AAP declaring Bhagwant Mann, who is Lok Sabha member from Sangrur, as its chief ministerial candidate, the party is set to lose representation in the lower house. Mann is the lone AAP member in Lok Sabha. It may wrest back the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat as and when by-election to this seat is announced.
Elated at party’s historic huge triumph in Punjab where it bagged 92 of 117 seats, the AAP has decided to hold its’ swearing in ceremony at Shaheed Bhagat Singh memorial in Khatkar Kalan. to form the government in the state. To invoke holy and heavenly blessings, Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal accompanied by newly elected MLAS will reach ‘Guru ki Nagri’ Amritsar on March 13. They will pay their obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Mandir and Sri Ram Tirath Mandir to express their gratitude to the Almighty for the party’s success in the historic battle of the ballot. After soliciting the heavenly blessings, the AAP national convener and the Punjab ‘s destined Chief Minister will conduct a road show in Amritsar to celebrate their victory and thank the voters.
Bhagwant Mann will take oath as the Chief Minister of the state on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, ancestral village of freedom fighter Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh.
Bhagwant Mann who won with a huge margin of over 58,000 votes from Dhuri has invited national convener Arvind Kejriwal for his swearing-in ceremony on March 16.
Bhagwant Mann also already announced that his Cabinet will have a total strength of 18, including Chief Minister. The new ruling party will also have to choose its nominee for the crucial position of Speaker in addition to that of Deputy Speaker unless it decides to give the second position to the Opposition.
Analysis of election results make interesting revelations. One loses the count of big heads that rolled in the February 20 polls. Four Chief Ministers – Charanjit Singh Channi, Capt Amarinder Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Parkash Singh Badal – all licked dust as they lost by convincing to huge margins to new faces in politics. Besides, leaders of several parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Sukhbir Singh Badal), Congress (Navjot Singh Sidhu), Samyukat Samaj Morcha (Balbir Singh Rajewal), Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (Simranjit Singh Mann), Lok Insaaf Party (Balwinder Singh Bains), could not withstand the anger and disillusionment of the electors of the State.
The electors used their right to give a severe blow to the dynastic politics by making sure that those not looking beyond their families are defeated in the battle for the ballot. Those who fell on wayside were bigwigs like Badals (Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Manpreet Singh Badal, Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and Bikram Singh Majithia), Chandumajras (Prem Singh and Harinder Pal Singh), Brars (Tota Singh and Barjinder alias Makhan Singh) and Manns (Simranjit Singh and Eman Singh).
While AAP is celebrating its thundering success attributing it to an unbeatable strong undercurrent, many others take it as a mandate of rejection of both Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal who had been ruling the State since its reorganization in 1966. It is for the first time that a third party, AAP, has wrested power with a massive voters’ support. It was this undercurrent of anger and rejection that virtually forced many of the erstwhile political stalwarts into retirement. Some of them may had been thinking of this election as their last chance in the State politics. Voters, however, dashed their hopes.
Both Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal witnessed a steep decline in their share of votes as was obvious from the results. Never in the history any party had won 92 of 117 seats in the State legislature. Though there are some who had been previously with either Congress or Shiromani Akali Dal, but majority of them are new to one of pillars of democracy, the legislature.
The ruling AAP MLAs may not have legislative experience still many of them are masters of their fields. For example, the new Vidhan Sabha has 13 qualified doctors, a record unprecedented in the history of Independent India. No State legislature ever had such a high per centage of doctors. Six of them are MBBS, two are Pulmonologists, four are Ophthalmologists and one is a Dentist.
These doctors – Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhy MS (ENT) from Banga, Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal MD (RD) from Chabbewal, Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal MS (ENT) from Taran Tarn, Dr Ravjot Singh MD (Med) (PGI) from Sham Chaurasi, Dr Charanjit Singh MS (Eye) from Chamkaur Sahib, Dr Nachhattar Pal from Nawan Shahar, Dr Inderbir Nijjer MD (RD), Dr Sandhu from Amritsar, Dr Ajay Gupta from Amritsar, Dr Vijay Kumar from Mansa, Dr Baljit Kaur from Malout, Dr Amandeep Arora from Moga, and Dr. Balbir Singh from Patiala Rural will be an asset to the State and can play an effective role in improving the healthcare facilities.
Besides, Olympian Pargat Singh, debutants ex-Inspector-General of Police, Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, and the comedian-turned politician Bhagwant Singh Mann as Chief Minister will add lustre to the legislature group.
There will be 13 women members – Jeewan Jyot Kaur, Santosh Kumari Katariya, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Anmol Gaggan Mann, Rajinder Pal Kaur, Dr Baljit Kaur, Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Neena Mittal, Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Baljinder Kaur, Aruna Chaudhary and Ganieve Kaur – and a father-son pair of Rana Gurjit Singh and Rana Inder Partap Singh in the new Punjab Assembly. Among others are sons Sandeep Jakhar (Sunil Kumar Jakhar) and Avtar Singh Junior (Avtar Henry).
PROMINENT LOSERS
PRESENT/FORMER CHIEF MINISTERS
Charanjit Singh Channi (Congress)
Capt Amarinder Singh (Cong)
Parkash Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (Cong)
LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Navjot Singh Sidhu (Congress)
Sukhbir Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Balbir Singh Rajewal (Samyukat Samaj Morcha)
Simranjit Singh Mann (Shiromani Akali Dal – Amritsar)
Simranjit Singh Bains (Lok Insaaf Party)
FATHER-SON DUO
Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Tota Singh and Barjinder Singh Brar (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Prem Singh Chandumajra and Harinder Pal Singh (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Simranjit Singh Mann and Eman Singh Mann (Shiromani Akali Dal – Amritsar)
Simranjit Singh Mann (Shiromani Akali Dal – Amritsar)
Capt Amarinder Singh (Punjab Lok Congress)
Prem Singh Chandumajra (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Parkash Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal)
OLYMPIANS
Surinder Singh Sodhi (AAP)
Sajjan Singh Cheema (AAP)
SINGERS/ARTISTES Sidhu Moosewala (Congress)
CIVIL SERVANTS/POLICEMEN
Iqbal Singh Lalpura (BJP)
Sucha Ram Ladher (BJP)
Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju (BJP)
H S Sandhu (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Kuldip Singh Vaid (Congress)
SR Kler (Shiromani Akali Dal)
SGPC CHIEFS
Bibi Jagir Kaur (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Gobind Singh Longowal (Shiromani Akali Dal)
SONS
Mohit Mohindra (Congress)
Dilraj Singh Bhunder (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Manish Bansal (Congress)
POLITICAL PARTIES THAT FAILED TO OPEN THEIR ACCOUNT
Punjab Lok Congress
Lok Insaaf Party
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
Sanyukt Shiromani Akali Dal
Samyukat Samaj Morcha
Samyukat Kisan Morcha
CPI
CPM
CPI(M-L)
FINAL TALLY
AAP 92, Congress 18, Shiromani Akali Dal 3, BJP 02, BSP 1, Independent 1
Total voters 2.14 crores; Total candidates 1304; Women candidates 93; Transgenders 02; Polling percentage 71.45
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
Jeevan Joyt Kaur: Padwoman who turned AAP giant slayer in Amritsar East
By Asia Samachar | Punjab |
A padwoman-turned-giant slayer and 19 medical doctors are among the winners in the 2022 Punjab state elections that saw Aam Admi Party (AAP) romping home in a history victory.
The Arvind Kejrival-led party won 92 of the 117 seats in the state assembly of the northern Indian state, announced on 10 March.
Jeevan Jyot Kaur, a first time candidate for a state elections, made heads turn when she came out on top in Amritsar East in what was supposed to be a battle royale between two Punjab political heavyweights: Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Bikramjit Majithia.
“People have voted for a change. I believe that a leader becomes big through their work, but they (big leaders) have not even done the minutest of people’s work,” one media report quoted the 50-year old philanthropist hailing from Hoshiarpur.
Jeevan Jyot picked up the padwoman moniker after a menstrual health programme very much associated with her. Shri Hemkunt Education Society (SHE), which she founded in the mid-1990s, distributes eco-friendly sanitary napkins in prisons, schools, slum areas and rural places in Punjab.
When the tallies came in, AAP won 92. The Congress mustered only 18 seats while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) three, BJP two and BSP one.
AAP’s winners’ list also consisted of six MBBS doctors, two pulmonologists, four opthamologists and a dentist, probably the highest number of doctors in any state assembly till now in India.
Bigwigs fell aside like twigs this time around.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi from the Congress lost in both seats contested. He lost the Bhadaur seat to Labh Singh Ugoke, 35, who runs a mobile shop repair shop. Ugoke’s father is a driver and his mother works as a sweeper.
Punjab’s almost permanent political fixture and former CM Parkash Singh Badal from SAD lost his Lambi seat to AAP candidate Gurmeet Singh Khudian. His son Sukhbir Singh Badal, the CM-candidate for SAD, also lost. And so did former CM Capt Amarinder Singh who left Congress to set-up a rival party.
The AAP state government, to be led by chief minister designate Bhagwant Singh Mann, will take oath on March 16.
Bhagwant Singh Mann (left) and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in a social media posting ahead of the Punjab 2022 state elections
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
Brothers, Sisters, In Laws, Nephews & Nieces and a host of Relatives and friends.
Path da Bhog: 26 March 2022 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan Settlement, Lorong Tujuh, Kuala Lumpur
Programme:
6.30am-8.00am: Asa Di Vaar
10.00am to 11.30am: Kirtan and Katha by Giani Balbir Singh & Jatha, followed by Ardas and Guru Ka Langgar
Due to the current MCO and prevailing SOPs, we humbly request everyone to maintain social distancing at all times.
Contact:
Balwinjit Singh (Son) (016-2304026)
Akashjit Singh (Son) (016-3978361)
Revvinjit Singh (Son) (019-3977632)
| Entry: 11 March 2022; Updated: 18 March 2022 | Source: Family
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 four-letter word “Maya” originated from Sanskrit, and it is the most commonly used word in all of the eastern philosophies. The word maya is made from the combination of ‘ma’ meaning not and ‘ya’ meaning that. The literal meaning of the word is deceit or illusion, while it is also commonly used word for money. In the spiritual parlance, maya means unreality, distinct from the reality represented by God or Brahman. God in His eternal and absolute aspect is pure consciousness, while His creation is a mere formation within that consciousness. Everything in the creation is perishable and it exists so long as there is an Experiencer, distinct from what is being experienced. Guru Ji has defined maya as:
Translation: Such is the nature of illusion, by which (1) ‘Hari’ (Superconscious Being) is forgotten; (2) (worldly) attachment is born, and (3) the love for worldliness wells in the mind.
Guru Ji has clarified that this love of “maya” which wells up within torments everyone:
Biaapat karam karai hau phaasaa. Biaapat girasat biaapat udhaasaa.
Aachaar biauhaar biaapat ieh jaat. Sabh kichh biaapat bin har ra(n)g raat. 4.
Santan ke ba(n)dhan kaaTe har rai. Taa kau kahaa biaapai mai.
Kahau Nanak jin dhoor sant payee. Taa kai nikaT na aavai maiee. 5. 19.88.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 182)
Translation: (Note: The translation will be initiated from the Rahaao (Pause) lines in bold as those provide the theme and the essence of the complete shabad)
Mind gets tormented by maya in numerous ways. But the enlightened do not get blinded by it, because of their attunement with the Supreme Divine Being. 1. Pause.
Pleasures and pains in life blinds the mind in maya. Dwelling on the attainment of heaven as well as the fear of hell blinds the mind.
Seeing the stature of rich, the poor in wretched condition gets blinded (with greed) in maya. Greed is the source of all illnesses (which blinds the mind), it emanates from maya. 1.
Getting blinded by the intoxicating ego is maya. Getting blinded by the emotional attachment to children and spouse is maya.
Getting blinded by the expensive rides (horses, elephants etc. in those days) and beautiful clothes is maya. Getting intoxicated in the lust by the youthfulness and beauty (of other sex) is maya. 2.
Getting blinded in land possessions, (and) getting drowned in the misery of poverty is maya. Getting drowned in indulgences to poetry, and music is (also) maya.
Getting opulent lifestyle with exquisite beds, palaces, and cosmetic makeup is maya. Getting blinded by the five senses (lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride) is maya. 3.
Getting entangled by ego perform (the religious & philanthropic) acts. Getting mentally engaged in performing household affairs and (even) those running away from life responsibilities by becoming renunciate is maya.
Getting blinded in efforts to cloak as a person of character, high caste and imminent is maya. Getting drowned in indulgences of poetry, and music is maya.
Without being imbued in love of Supreme Being, rest everything else is blinding (maya) alone. 4.
Only the enlightened breakaway, becoming free of maya’s shackles with the grace of Supreme Consciousness. For them there is no Maya to torment them.
Says Nanak, Maya does not draw near those, who are sheltered by the enlightened. 5.19.88.
Guru Ji says that maya to has eaten the entire world in these words:
ਮਾਇਆ ਮਮਤਾ ਮੋਹਣੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਵਿਣੁ ਦੰਤਾ ਜਗੁ ਖਾਇਆ ॥
“Maya mamataa mohanee jin vin dha(n)taa jag khaiaa.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 643)
Translation: Maya and its attachment (which generates the feeling of belonging to me) is very enticing; without teeth, it has devoured the world.
Guru Ji says that maya can only be burnt away in these words:
Translation: Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, when it is burnt away, then it departs from within. (Then) the body and mind become immaculate, and the Naam, the Name of the Lord, comes to abide within the mind. O Nanak, the Shabad is the slayer of Maya; obtained from the Guru. 2.
(Author’s Note: When working on this theme, I noticed that the web translation was so very off that I felt compelled to write this piece giving my own interpretation. So, for starters all the translations used in the writeup are not from the popular web based content.)
Bhupinder ‘Bo’ Singh, Houston. Born in Bhamo, Myanmar, he now lives in Houston, US, where he runs a manufacturing company formed with his son. A mechanical engineer by training, he has authored a number of books, including Connecting with the Master – A collection of essays on topics related to Sikhism (2006) and In Bully’s Eyes – An Illustrated Children’s book on Bullying(2019).
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
Departed peacefully for heavenly abode on 9th March 2022
Leaving Behind:
Mother: Charan Kaur
Husband: Raingit Singh s/o Late Naranjan Singh
Children : Manminderjit Kaur / Paramjit Singh Jassal, PJ Mansharanjit Kaur, UK Sukhvinderjit Singh, Cheras
Grandchildren: Simarjit Singh Jassal, Arvindjit Singh Jassal & Aryanjit Singh Jassal Brothers/Sisters, In Laws, Nephews & Nieces and a host of Relatives and friends.
Last Respects& Japji Sahib Paath: 2.30pm-4pm, 12 March 2022 (Saturday) at Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, Kuala Lumpur.
Saskaar / Cremation: 4.00pm
Due to the current MCO and prevailing SOPs, we humbly request everyone to maintain social distancing at all times.
Path Da Bhog: 26 March 2022 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru
Asa Di Vaar: 6.30am-8.00am
9.30am-11.30am Kirtan Darbar, Antim Ardaas followed by Guru Ka Langgar
Contact:
Mindy (Daughter) 012–220 1985
Harjit Singh Thunda 011–1627 9054
The family expresses sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Staff and Management of Serdang Hospital for the care given, all relatives and friends for their condolences, prayers and support during their recent bereavement.
| Entry: 11 March 2022 | Source: Family
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