Major (Rtd) Hardeep Singh (right) receiving the outstanding sports personality award from Royal Malaysian Air Force chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang at the Armed Forces Sports Council 2018 Awards Night at the Defence Ministry’s officers mess in Kuala Lumpur recently. Photo: NST / MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN
By Adrian David | NEW STRAITS TIMES | MALAYSIA |
HIS services as an air defence radar man during the height of the communist insurgency may have gone unnoticed, but his battles in the sports arena earned Major (Rtd) Hardeep Singh top marks as the armed forces’ outstanding sports personality.
Hardeep was given due recognition at the Armed Forces Sports Council 2018 Awards Night at the Defence Ministry’s officers mess recently.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang did the honours for Hardeep, 55, who retired on March 16 after 33 years.
Hardeep has been a significant figure in developing cricket in the armed forces and Malaysia cricket since 2004, earning the country a 27th ranking in the world at present.
Malaysia is also ranked 35th in the world for the T20 (or Twenty20) play format.
Cricket aside, Hardeep was a credible runner for the RMAF and armed forces’ 1,500m and 5,000m (1986-1995) and 21km half-marathon (1986-2003).
He also played rugby for the RMAF Black Hawks team (1988-1990), Penang (1993-1995), Sabah (1995-1999) and Pahang (1999-2001).
“As a soldier, more so as an officer, fitness is a priority.
“And sports keeps both mind and body in top shape, which also helps me to maintain my performance at work,” said Hardeep, who is now a consultant with Sat Kartar Agency.
Married to Jagdeep Kaur, the father of three plunged into the cricketing world during the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
“I was then a sergeant and was chosen as a liaison officer for the Pakistan cricket team, led by the legendary Imran Khan (who is now Pakistan’s prime minister).
“Soon, I took up cricket seriously as a player and also became the RMAF Cricket Association secretary in 2004 until last year,” said Hardeep, who rose through the ranks from 1986 to become Warrant Officer 1.
Read the full story, ‘Ex-RMAF man scores big in sports′ at New Straits Times (16 Sept 2019), here.
RELATED STORY:
(Asia Samachar, 1 September 2019)
(Asia Samachar, 3 May 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 |
Path da Bhog: 28 Sept 2019 (Sat), 10am – 12.15pm, at Gudwara Sahib Taiping, Perak
MESSAGE FROM FAMILY:
Shindy ji was a kind warm hearted soul, a wonderful son, a loving and devoted husband and a loyal friend.
The Family Thanks:
The Staff of IJN for their kind assistance.
The President and Committee of GS Tatt Khalsa, and GS Port Klang for their valuable assistance.
The Santana Bikers who accompanied Mhandev on his final journey.
All relatives n friends for being with us during our challenging times.
Contact: Maj (Rtd) Baldev Singh +60 19-333 2939
| Entry: 22 Sept 2019| Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Asia. How to reach us: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
Gurbani enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib guides Sikhi activism towards miri-piri (temporal-spiritual) objectives in many fields. Sikhi concept of leadership is linked to the cause of Sikhi. It was evolved from Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539) through nine successor Guru persons to Guru Gobind Singh ji. Leadership and decision-making concepts and processes were in place for the Khalsa Panth to follow from Vaisakhi 1699, the high point of Sikhi.
So, true leaders guide themselves and others to achieve the aims and objectives of an organisation. At the most they are regarded as first amongst equals. They show the path by own example, not by leading but by following the path themselves. They have the mission and the vision of an organisation at the heart of their activism and not self-promotion to enjoy any special privileges. In that sense, it is true that Sikhs have no leaders in the Western sense.
One important leadership quality we learn from Guru Nanak Sahib onwards during the Guru period is that of succession planning. Without able successors, a movement or a cause will fail. It will breakup into many factions. Therefore, Guru Nanak Sahib inspired many worthy Sikhs throughout India to continue His mission and vision of a just society held together by sewa (service) with Simran (god-awareness). Finally, He selected one of them, Bhai Lehna ji, to take over His Own role.
Thus: Nanak established the kingdom He built the true fortress on the strongest foundations. (ਨਾਨਕਿ ਰਾਜੁ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਟੁ ਸਤਾਣੀ ਨੀਵ ਦੈ). He installed the royal canopy over Lehna’s head chanting the Lord’s Praises, He drank in the Ambrosial Nectar. (ਲਹਣੇ ਧਰਿਓਨੁ ਛਤੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵਦੈ). Thus, the succession planning objective was achieved: They shared the One Guru Guiding Light and the same method it was just that the Sovereign changed His body. (ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ ॥)
Another interesting development was the evolution of the concept of leadership from individual to collective through the institution of Sangat. The Guru always gave great importance to the Sangat – the Guru-minded collective in which many minds worked as One Guru-Mind. In fact, Sangat was placed even above the person-Guru. So the seed of collective decision-making sowed by Guru Nanak Sahib in the Sangat came to fruition in the Khalsa Panth by 1699.
Sikhs will be disappointed if they look for any one person to lead. That is not the Sikh tradition. As seen above, there are Sikhi ideology and tradition-based reasons for this. On the other hand, ambitious and self-promoting individuals posing as Sikh leaders will be disappointed if they expect fellow Sikhs to follow them. I am always amused by certain individuals claiming Sikh leadership and asking for support: support me in doing this and support me in doing that. The implied message from such individuals is: I am your leader.
Leadership was taken away from individuals by Guru Gobind Singh ji and vested in the Guru Khalsa Panth represented by the Panj Piaray. That collective lead and team-working , focused on the miri-piri objectives of Guru Jot-Jugat residing permanently in the twin institution of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Guru Khalsa Panth.
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 |
Sikh prayer service at Kranji War Memorial Singapore – Photo: YSA Facebook page
By Asia Samachar Team | SINGAPORE |
Sikhs held a prayer service at the Kranji War Memorial Singapore to commemorate the thousands of Sikhs soldiers who fought bravely defending Singapore against the Japanese forces in World War II.
In his address, guest of honour Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry Dr Tan Wu Meng said: “We honour and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for Singapore… and also thank the Sikh community for their many contributions.”
The memorial bears the names of more than 24,346 Allied soldiers and airmen killed in Southeast Asia who have no known grave.
A good portion of the names on the walls that line the memorial are of the Punjab Regiments who fought bravely during WW2 defending Singapore against the Japanese forces. – With updates and photos from Young Sikh Association Singapore (YSA) Facebook page
Kranji War Memorial Singapore – Photo: YSA Facebook page
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: 28 September 2019 (Saturday), 9am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street, Jalan Balai Polis, Kuala Lumpur
Contact:
Ravin 017-2916969
Jagwin 016-6294508
Kabir 012-3223015
Jasmin 012-2953205
| Entry: 21 Sept 2019 | 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 |
Singapore’s legal eagle Davinder Singh became the first lawyer from the Asia-Pacific region to be inducted into a United States-based legal publisher’s hall of fame.
Davinder was named into Benchmark Litigation‘s Hall of Fame as the publisher revealed its Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2019 at a gathering of Asia’s dispute resolution lawyers in Hong Kong last week (19 Sept 2019).
The 62-year old lawyer was the face of law firm Drew & Napier LLC for many years until he set up his own firm this year. He was also the first Sikh parliamentarian in Singapore’s post-independence history and was in the first batch of Senior Counsel appointed in 1997.
Davinder is the now the executive chairman of Davinder Singh Chambers LLC which he set-up after leaving Drew & Napier in January 2019 after a 37 year stint.
Now in its 12th year of publication, Benchmark exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in North America, covering the US, Canada, Latin America and, most recently, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
The original publication, Benchmark Litigation—the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys—is the only publication to focus exclusively on US litigation, according to information at its website.
Davinder had represented the late Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, as well as his son and current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, in the courtrooms.
He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1982 and joined the Litigation Department of Drew & Napier thereafter.
He was a Member of Parliament for the Bishan-Tao Payoh Group Representation Constituency from 1988 to 2006.
The Firm of the Year (India) award went to Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co while Rajendra Barot from AZB & Partners won the Lawyer of the Year (India).
The Lawyer of the Year (Malaysia) went to Cecil Abraham from Kuala Lumpur-based Cecil Abraham & Partners.
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 |
Amitpal and wife Bandhana – Photo: Family / Daily Mail
By Asia Samachar Team | THAILAND |
It is now exactly one month since the shocking death of a British Sikh father in a five-star hotel on the Thai island of Phuket. And the alleged killer is said to be on the run.
Interpol has launched a global hunt for the Norwegian bodybuilder who allegedly choked to death Amitpal Singh Bajaj before possibly fleeing the country, according to media reports.
Roger Bullman is believed to have gone on the run after he was given bail for allegedly killing the 34-year old IT consultant in Phuket on August 21.
“We filed a motion with the Foreign Affairs Division on Sept 17, and the notice was issued (on Sept 18),” Colonel Prawit Suthiruengarun, police chief of Karon sub-district, where the incident took place, was quoted in Straits Times.
The notice, seen by the Singapore newspaper, indicated that Bullman is an “escape risk” and “violent”
Amitpal, a Malaysian-born who held British citizenship, perished in the scuffle on the night before he was scheduled to leave with his Singapore-born wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj and two-year old son Veer Singh.
A ‘Red Notice’ is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, according to the Interpol website. They are published by the international police organisation at the request of a member country, and must comply with its constitution and rules. However, it is not deemed an international arrest warrant.
Interpol issuing a warning to find the ‘dangerous’ 6ft 2in Norwegian bodybuilder makes a mockery of Thai prosecutors’ decision to give him bail in the first place, reported British newspaper Daily Mail.
Bullman told detectives he strangled Bajaj after breaking into his hotel suite where he was sleeping with his wife and their young son. Yet despite his confession to a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years for manslaughter, police let him go and he escaped Thailand and got over the border into Cambodia, the newspaper reported.
Now senior police sources in Phuket say the 54-year-old former bodyguard is in Vietnam and last Friday visited the Norway embassy in Hanoi where he reported that he had lost his passport and applied for a replacement. Thai police have contacted the embassy warning that Bullman is a fugitive wanted for manslaughter, the report added.
In an earlier statement sent to Asia Samachar, Bandhna had recounted the events that led to the tragic loss of her husband. See full account here.
Amitpal Singh Bajaj and wife Bandhana and their son – Photo: Supplied by 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 |
It’s time to battle haze in style. With Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia engulfed in haze, the shining armour of the Sikh is coming to the rescue.
We have found the solution. You can ‘protect’ yourself from the haze with the final turban wrap nicely covering your face. Or maybe not. But it makes for a good photo!
Here we have the Shining Turban ambassador leading the way in style. Former Malaysian Sikh top cop Amar Singh lends his support to the Malaysia Day turban photo/video competition, #ShiningTurban2k19MalaysiaDay, with an epic photo.
“Mayri bhag, mayri sheili (My turban, my style),” remarked an Asia Samachar volunteer editor when he saw the stylish photo of Amar, the retired Malaysian police commissioner who was the highest ranking Punjabi and Indian police officer in the Malaysian force.
Now, folks, time for you to shine in the turban. Just upload your photo onto Facebook and/or Instagram (check out the rules below) to be part of this unique competition open to ALL Malaysians.
Apart from the fun of seeing yourself in turban, you stand a chance to win a newly released iPhone 11 or an air ticket to Vietnam!
Hurry! Competitions ends on 30 Sept. You don’t have too many days left to be a #ShiningTurban star.
Shining Turban 2019
HOW TO JOIN THE COMPETITION:
1. Post a picture or a video of you in turban on your Facebook or Instagram page, with a caption or story (what turban means, something heartwarming incident involving the turban or anything that comes to mind).
2. Add these hashtags to your post:
#ShiningTurban2k19MalaysiaDay
#st2k19md
#ShiningTurban2019AsiaSamachar
3. You must tag 3 friends who might be interested in joining
4. Follow us @asiasamachar Facebook or Instagram & tag us
5. Like this post (at Facebook or Instagram)
6. For an extra chance, share Asia Samachar post on your Facebook or as story at Instagram
7. Make your Facebook and/or Instagram profile public
ROUND ONE: We will choose the top 30 entries based on the number of ‘Likes’ you get. (If you join at both Fb and Insta, we will take the higher number)
ROUND TWO: Our panel of judges will pick the winners based on number of ‘Likes’, photo or video and your story/caption. Results will be announced in October 2019.
ALL THE BEST. TIME TO TURBAN UP!
PRIZES:
iPhone 11
One return-ticket to Phu Quoc, Vietnam
One return-ticket to Can Tho, Vietnam
SUPPORTING PARTNERS:
Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC)
Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM)
Malaysian Punjabi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MPCCI)
Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM)
SikhInside
Shining Turban 2019
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Prizes may not be redeemed for cash. They must be picked up from Kuala Lumpur.
2. All prizes are used/taken entirely at the risk of the winner in all things, and Asia Samachar excludes all warranties in connection with any prize to the extent permitted by law.
3. Asia Samachar, its agencies, affiliates, sponsors and representatives are not responsible for defective prizes or misuse of any prize, or for any claims, liability, loss or damage arising out of or in connection with any contest promoted by Asia Samachar
4. If a specified prize becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, Asia Samachar may substitute a similar prize or one of equivalent value.
5. The winner may also be required by Asia Samachar to participate in a photo, video and/or film session and acknowledges that Asia Samachar has the right to use such publicity photos, videos and/or films in any medium and in any reasonable manner it deems fit.
6. Contest entries and material submitted in connection with the Shining Turban 2019 Malaysia Day contest (whether in written, audio or visual form, or a combination of these) or any photographs, video and/or film footage or audio recording taken of the contestants become the property of Asia Samachar. Asia Samachar may use the material in any medium and in any reasonable manner it sees fit. Copyright in any such material becomes and remains the sole property of Asia Samachar
7. Asia Samachar may publicize, broadcast or otherwise disclose a winner’s or competitor’s name, character, likeness, statements or any recording of their voice in advertising or promotional activities concerning winning of the contest. Asia Samachar may promote or advertise that a winner won a competition. All winners hereby agree to the use of his/her name for the purpose of advertising, trade or promotion by Asia Samachar without additional compensation.
8. Winners are responsible for any and all taxes payable as a result of a prize being awarded or received.
9. Asia Samachar reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that it determines to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or site, to be acting in breach or potential breach of these Rules and Regulations. No correspondence shall be entertained. Asia Samachar further reserves the right to cancel, modify, suspend or delay the contest in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond its reasonable control
10. Disclaimers: By entering the contest, each contestant agrees that Asia Samachar subsidiaries and representatives (“Contest Sponsors”) shall not be liable or responsible for damages, losses, injuries, rights, claims or actions of any kind in connection with the contest, or resulting from acceptance, possession, use/misuse of prizes, or participation in the contest, including without limitation, personal injury, death, property damage and claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy. Each contestant further agrees that the contest sponsors will not be responsible or liable for any entries that are late (including delayed data transmissions), tampered with, garbled, incomplete, misdirected, lost, mutilated, delayed, corrupted, duplicated or otherwise not in compliance with these Rules and Regulations.
11. Please allow 90 working days from winning date for prizes to be processed.
12. Asia Samachar reserves the right to at any time, change, amend, delete or add to the Terms and Conditions and other rules and regulations including the mechanism of the Contest at its absolute discretion.
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 |
On the 5th September 2019, at APU’s impressive campus, EKTA Club of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (EKTA) conducted an exciting Personal Branding workshop for 25 first year students from the IT and Business Schools of APU. The main content was presented by Indergeet Kaur, Ajinder Kaur and I; whilst the small group sessions were led by 7 facilitators who provided detailed guidance.
All 10 facilitators worked with passion and dedication to implement a successful workshop.
Another critical factor that contributed to the success was the amazing attitude of the APU students. They were so willing to learn, to open up, to share their experiences and to “Just Do it!” It was a day filled with interaction, exchange of knowledge and experiences, laughter and bonding as participants crafted and developed unique and real personal brand profiles.
The participants did this by discovering:
How marketing techniques used by corporate brands could be applied to personal branding
Various strengths (talent, skills, education, passion etc) required for personal brand profiles
The values essential for developing the real and unique you
The essential synergy between one’s offline and online presence
Interesting ways to develop and write content
Darshan Krishnan, a participant remarked: “I actually discovered myself in this workshop. It brought out the best in me. I attended this workshop with no knowledge whatsoever but now I can put a value to myself through this branding process.”
Fellow participant Johari added: “This workshop brought out the strengths and weaknesses in participants and dispelled our inhibitions in some ways. It sure was a valuable and worthwhile time spent. Feel so enriched.”
In closing remarks, Asia-Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Education Group CEO Dr Parmjit Singh said he was impressed by the professionalism of the EKTA YDLL team in their presentation of the one-day workshop on Personal Branding at APU and the value its brought to our students, armed them with the right footing into the working world.
“We look forward to further collaboration with EKTA,” he said.
The EKTA Club of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is a registered NGO led by Kuldip Kaur as its president. It comprises 50 lady members from different professions and age groups. They are doctors, bankers, lawyers, academics, accountants, homemakers and many more. It provides a platform for its members to empower communities through welfare, medical, legal, youth development and lifelong learning outreach programmes.
[Dr Saran Kaur Gill, a former deputy vice chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, is the Chair of EKTA YDLL]
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 |
Kheer & Chaa for Malaysia Day from a band of Sikh youth – Photo: Supplied
By Jagdish Singh | MALAYSIA |
Malaysians and others got a taste of Punjabi tea and other delicacies such as kheer (rice pudding) as some 50 youth distributed them free in front of a popular Kuala Lumpur shopping mall, all in the spirit of Malaysia Day.
On Monday (16 Sept 2019), the band of Sikh youth also sang local songs and anthems such as Rasa Sayang, Jalur Gemilang and Inilah Barisan Kita accompanied by thunderous dhols in Bukit Bintang.
The youth also proudly sung the national anthem Negaraku to mark the end of the “Kheer and Cha” distribution.
The Kheer and Cha initiative aims to allow the Sikh youth to engage Malaysians and visiting foreigners about their identity as Malaysian Sikhs, the importance of sewa (selfless service) in the community and the significance of Malaysia Day.
The programme was meant to raise the visibility of the Sikh community in a positive light, as discussed in a recent Sikh youth gathering.
Kheer & Chaa for Malaysia Day from a band of Sikh youth – Photo: Supplied
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 |
