Dad, Grandpa — You were the rock of our family, the source of our strength, and the example of unwavering love. Your steady guidance, strong embrace, and selfless devotion shaped who we are today.
Though our hearts ache with your absence, we find comfort in the countless memories you’ve left us — your reassuring words, your warm laughter, and the wisdom you shared so generously.
You taught us the meaning of love through every sacrifice you made. While we will miss you every day, your spirit lives on in our traditions, our values, and the love we share as a family.
Thank you for every moment, every lesson, every prayer. May your soul find eternal peace. You are forever in our hearts.
SUKHMANI SAHIB PATH Thursday, 9th October 2025, 2.00-5.00pm Gurdwara Sahib Taiping
PATH DA BHOG Saturday, 11th October 2025, 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Gurdwara Sahib Taiping, Perak
For further information, please contact: Kiranjit Singh: +60 19-200 8124 Ravinder Singh: +60 10-766 6599
May Waheguru ji grant eternal peace to the departed soul
| Entry: 5 Oct 2025; Updated: 6 Oct 2025 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
At just 15, Kareen Kaur is already making waves in the male-dominated world of motorsport. The Singaporean teenager has become the country’s first female Formula 4 (F4) driver — a milestone that marks the start of what she hopes will be a journey to Formula 1.
According to a report by CNA, Kareen, a Secondary 3 student, began go-karting at the age of nine and now regularly clocks speeds of more than 200km/h on the racetrack — despite being too young to hold a driving licence.
“I cannot imagine my life without racing,” she said, expressing her ambition to one day become Singapore’s first Formula 1 driver.
F4 is widely regarded as the first step on the pathway to elite open-wheel racing, with drivers progressing through F3 and F2 before competing at the highest level. Since the start of the Formula 1 world championship in 1950, only five women have entered an F1 race.
Kareen’s entry into F4 racing is being hailed as a breakthrough for Singapore’s motorsport scene and for young women aspiring to compete professionally in the sport. Her achievements come amid growing efforts to promote inclusivity and nurture emerging talent in Asian motorsport.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Maa on 4th October 2025.
She lived a life filled with love, kindness, and quiet strength. A loving wife, a nurturing mother/mother inlaw, and a cherished grandmother. She touched the hearts of everyone she met with her warmth, grace, and unwavering care.
Her presence will be dearly missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all who had the honour of knowing her. May God bless her soul with eternal peace.
LAST RITES Sunday, 5th October 2025 3pm: Cortège leaves from Lot 8332 (Upper Floor), Jalan Laksamana 5, Kampung Laksamana, Batu Caves, 68100 Gombak 4pm: Saskaar (cremation) at Shamshaan Bhoomi, Jalan Loke Yew Crematorium, KL
AKHAND PATH Friday-Sunday, 17-19th October, 2025 Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Akhand Path begins at 9am, 17th Oct Path da Bhog: 10am to 12pm, 19th Oct
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Burning of the effigies at the end of the dramatised battle between Ram and Ravan for the Dussehra celebration in Sultanpur Lodhi on October 2, 2025
By Asia Samachar | Panjab |
Residents of Sultanpur Lodhi joined millions of Indians as they celebrated Dussehra, one of Hinduism’s most important festivals symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Dussehra commemorates the deity Lord Ram’s victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravan. One of highlights is the burning of the effigies at the end of the dramatised battle between Ram and Ravan.
Dussehra falls on the tenth day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar and is preceded by the festival of Navratri (the nine nights leading up to Dussehra), when people worship different forms of the Hindu goddess Durga.
The day also marks the culmination of Navratri and Durga Puja.
Some schools mark the day with students taking part in drawing, colouring and effigy making activities.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Shraddha Srinath and Santosh Prathap in The Game: You Never Play
By Raag & Reel | Movie Review |
Netflix’s psychological thriller The Game: You Never Play Alone stakes its claim at the intersection of misogyny, online violence and the precarious visibility of women in tech.
Shraddha Srinath leads as Kavya Rajaram, a game developer whose success and bold voice make her an open target in a world that still believes a woman’s place is in the home. The series forces us to confront how easily teenagers can be manipulated by trolls and how patriarchy extends its dominion into every digital corner.
Plot & Premise According to the Netflix synopsis, Kavya is celebrated for her gaming innovations, but after a media interview turns intrusive, she becomes the subject of a vicious online harassment campaign. Soon, this started happening in real life.
The show clocks in at seven episodes, each weaving together threads of workplace sexism, dark web conspiracies, and family tensions.
Srinath’s performance is a steady anchor: she brings both resolve and vulnerability to Kavya, embodying a modern Asian woman caught between ambition and backlash.
Chandini Tamilarasan as Inspector Bhanumathi adds another layer — a woman in policing who must navigate sexism from within her own ranks. Syama Harini, as Kavya’s colleague Anne, and Hema (as Kavya’s niece Tara) also stand out, especially in illustrating how teenagers can be seduced into the trolls’ web.
The series is unapologetically feminist in its core. It tackles how many still believe women belong at home, how ambition and voice are policed, and how simply being visible online is a risk. India Today notes how Kavya’s achievements are constantly discounted in terms of her husband’s success — a common tactic to undermine women in tech.
Teenagers like Tara become prime targets of trolls. Her arc underscores how young people, especially girls, are vulnerable to grooming, misinformation, and psychological coercion. One review highlights how her subplot evokes many real-world digital nightmares.
Verdict The Game: You Never Play Alone is far from flawless but it’s essential viewing for its bold attempt to dramatize the struggles many up-Asian women face online and offline. Its flaws often emerge when it turns urgency into spectacle. Still, what it lacks in narrative daring, it makes up for in emotional truth. A timely watch for anyone who’s ever been silenced or surveilled online.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Former Indian cricket player Suresh Raina (front,centre), renowned for his superb fielding and explosive hitting, will play for Toronto Sixers in the Canada Super 60
By Prabhjot Singh | Canada |
Is cricket fast becoming more of a business than a sport? Indeed, sports are the second-largest entertainment industry after films and music.
It is why this sport, which was initially confined to a handful of erstwhile Commonwealth nations, has been surprising the world of sports with its innovations and sweeping changes in the formats it is played in different parts of the world.
From five-day traditional Test matches to a 36-er-a-side, the game has become spectator-friendly. So much so that North Americans, who once even refused to talk about it, are now bending backwards to capitalise on the growing popularity of the latest and shortest versions of the game.
Only last year, the USA joined the West Indies to host the T20 World Cup for men. And three years from now, when the summer Olympic Games return to Los Angeles, cricket will be one of the major attractions on the games’ curriculum.
North America is witnessing a series of T10 or 60-ball-a-side thrillers being organised at different venues. Most of these events have been hawking media headlines as they are trying to rope in some of the world’s best batters, bowlers and fielders.
One of such events is being organised at BC Place in Vancouver from October 8 to 13.
In a major boost to the Canada Super 60, former India cricketer Suresh Raina is set to take part in the tournament from October 8–13 at BC Place in Vancouver. Raina, known for his explosive batting and brilliant fielding, will represent the Toronto Sixers in the league. His participation is expected to draw big crowds and generate huge excitement among fans in Canada.
The left-handed batter will line up alongside big international names like Alex Hales, Jason Roy, and Andre Fletcher in the upcoming edition.
Speaking about his participation with the Toronto Sixers, Suresh Raina said, “I’m really excited to be part of the Canada Super 60. Since this is the inaugural edition, it already feels special and promises to be a top-class tournament. The Toronto Sixers have a well-balanced squad with some big international names, as well as Canadian Talent, and I’m looking forward to playing alongside them and contributing to the team’s success.”
Abhishek Shah, Founder and Chairman of Canada Super 60 added, “We are thrilled to have Suresh Raina in the competition. His presence brings not just star value but also a wealth of experience. Young and upcoming players will get the chance to learn from him, both on and off the field, which will be a huge boost for their growth.”
Sami Faridi, the CEO of Toronto Sixers, said, “It’s a great privilege to have someone like Suresh Raina in our team. He is a World Cup winner and has played in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. His vast experience in the shorter format will be a big advantage for us.”
The Toronto Sixers will play their first match against Brampton Blitz on October 8, 2025.
Canada Super 60 is a groundbreaking new cricket league launching in 2025, bringing the unique 10-over-a-side format with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season — a global first. Backed by Cricket Canada, the league aims to elevate Canada’s place on the world cricket map while offering fans a thrilling mix of power and strategy between T20S and ODIs. The first edition of the Canada Super 60 will be held from October 8th to 13th, 2025, at the iconic BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, making it the first major cricket league to debut on Canada’s West Coast. The Canada Super 60 is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of sport, diversity, and opportunity, designed to grow the game in North America and give Canadian players global exposure.
(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group, 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.)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
A man of courage, integrity, and deep compassion, he touched the lives of all who knew him. His wisdom guided us, his kindness uplifted us, and his strength carried us through life’s trials. Though he has left this earthly home, his legacy will live on in the values he instilled and the love he shared. You will be dearly missed, but your spirit will continue to inspire and guide us always. We love you, Daddy. May Waheguru bless your soul with eternal peace.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Homebound follows the bond between two men played by Ishan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa
By Pola Singh | Movie Review |
Some films entertain. Others awaken something deep within. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, is one such film—a quiet masterpiece that holds up a mirror to the soul of India and to anyone who has ever struggled to rise above their circumstances.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
As I watched the story of Chandan Kumar and Mohammed Shoaib unfold—two young men from rural India striving to join the police force—I was transported back to my own beginnings. I was born in Kampung Air Leleh, Melaka, one of 10 siblings in a household where poverty was a daily reality. Life was tough, but it taught me resilience. Education became my escape route—I studied hard, often under dim light, driven by my parents’ unwavering belief in its power.
Watching Homebound, I was reminded of how fragile that ladder can be—and how many never get the chance to climb it.
The Weight of Identity
Mohammed Shoaib’s journey is especially poignant. As a Muslim, he faces discrimination at every turn—subtle, insidious, and constant. From the moment he fills out his job application, ticking the box that marks him as Muslim OBC (Other Backward Classes), he knows he’s entering a race where the rules are stacked against him.
In one unforgettable scene, Shoaib watches a cricket match between India and Pakistan. The atmosphere is filled with laughter and excitement, but the jokes are barbed—aimed at his heritage. He smiles, but his eyes betray the pain. It’s a moment that captures the emotional toll of being “the other” in your own country.
Another form of discrimination hits even harder. During the COVID-19 lockdown, rumours spread that Muslims were “super spreaders.” When Shoaib is stopped by police for violating stay-home orders, he’s asked for his ID. Upon learning he’s Muslim, the officers beat him up—while others, not of his faith, are let off. That scene left me shaken. It’s a brutal reminder of how prejudice can turn deadly.
Chandan, meanwhile, hides his caste to avoid exclusion. Both young men carry invisible burdens—of identity, of expectation, of survival.
Rural India: The Push Factor
The film’s depiction of village life is raw and real. Shoaib’s father limps with an untreated ankle injury after years of toiling in the fields. Chandan’s house, with its crumbling walls and leaking roof, stands as a metaphor for resilience. Loans are hard to come by. Opportunities are scarce. Life is lived from hand to mouth.
This is the push factor—the reason so many dream of leaving. Whether it’s to the city or to Dubai, the allure of “easier” work and higher salaries is strong. But Homebound reminds us that leaving is never easy. Even those who go carry home in their hearts.
The Civil Service Dream as a Lifeline
For Chandan and Shoaib, the police uniform is more than a job—it’s a symbol of respect, protection and social mobility. Like many disenfranchised youths in India, they believe a government post can shield them from caste and religious discrimination. Their shared dream becomes a quiet act of resistance.
The Unexpected Blow: COVID-19
Just when they begin to pull through—having scraped together money, passed qualifying exams, and dared to hope—COVID-19 strikes. Work stops. Loans pile up. And in a devastating twist, one of them succumbs to the virus.
There is no fairy tale ending. Just grief, silence and the aching truth that life doesn’t always reward the brave.
Set against the backdrop of the 2020 lockdown, the film captures the migrant exodus and the emotional rupture of being separated from home. It’s inspired by Basharat Peer’s New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home,” which chronicled the tragic journey of a migrant worker.
The Power of Small Joys
Yet amidst the sorrow, Homebound celebrates the beauty of simple things. A scene that stayed with me was when Shoaib and his friends shared a jar-full of homemade achar—Indian pickles prepared by Chandan’s mother. She added a secret ingredient: love. They savoured it till the last drop. That moment, like many in the film, reminded me of my own childhood—the warmth of shared meals, the comfort of community.
What the Movie Portrays and the Message It Sends
Homebound doesn’t preach—it quietly exposes the systemic inequalities that persist in India. It asks viewers to confront their own privilege and recognise the invisible burdens carried by marginalised communities.
The bond between Chandan and Shoaib is a source of strength and solace. Their shared dreams, love for cricket, and mutual respect offer a tender counterpoint to the harshness of their world.
The film underscores how even the pursuit of a civil service job—seen by many as a path to stability—is fraught with emotional and societal hurdles. Thousands apply for a handful of positions, and qualifying exams are just the beginning. For many, the real test is surviving the journey.
Life Is Not a Bed of Roses
For many, life is not a bed of roses—especially for the vulnerable, the impoverished, and those living in rural areas. You are born poor, and often remain poor for the rest of your life. Opportunities are rare and hard to come by. Difficulties surface at every corner.
That’s why I was shocked when the movie ended—just after the cremation of Chandan. I had expected Shoaib to roll up his sleeves, start afresh and rise up to join the civil service. But life is cruel. There was no happy ending—only a realistic one. Shoaib is left to pick up the pieces, perhaps to begin again.
It left a deep impression on me. That’s life for many. The challenges continue, and one is left with no choice but to carry on. Deep inside, we pray, hope, and want a better life—for our parents, ourselves, and our families.
This Film is Different from the Rest
This is the kind of cinema Bollywood should be producing. No fist fights. No hot pursuits. No melodrama. Just life’s simple truths—discrimination, resilience, friendship and the quiet courage to stay rooted even when the world pushes you away.
Homebound is based on a true story. And it feels true. Every frame, every silence, every tear. It’s a tribute to those who stay, who fight, who believe that our country—despite its flaws—has something worth holding on to.
I was emotional throughout. I felt deeply for the two characters because I could relate to their journey. If you have time to watch only one Hindi movie this year, let it be this one. Feel it. Talk about it. Because these are the stories that deserve to be told. These are the lives that deserve to be seen.
Yes, the ending is sad. But that’s what makes the film unforgettable. As you leave the cinema, the message lingers—it resonates in your mind, in your heart, and in your conscience. Especially if you, like me, came from humble beginnings.
Now, looking back, I realise with immense gratitude how lucky I was. From poverty to purpose—because my parents internalised an unwavering belief in education as a tool for transformation. I feel blessed that things worked out my way. Homebound reminded me of that. And it reminded me of those for whom the journey is still ongoing.
Dr Pola Singh, who retired as Maritime Institute of Malaysia director-general in 2011, is also the author of ‘Uphill — The Journey of a Sikh-Chinese Kampung Boy’
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
L-R: Bhupinder Singh Bhasin, Mandip Singh and Ravi Bakshi – Source: BBC
By Asia Samachar | Britain |
LONDON — Britain’s Sikh community is warning of a resurgence in racist abuse and attacks, with community leaders likening the current climate to the hostility of the 1970s, the BBC reported.
Mandip Singh, trustee of the Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara at Shepherd’s Bush in west London — the oldest Sikh temple in the UK and western Europe — said many Sikhs are anxious.
“It’s not just about being Sikh. It’s about being brown. People don’t distinguish between Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus,” he told the BBC. “It feels like the 1970s again. I remember the National Front. The difference now is social media is amplifying hate.”
The gurdwara, founded in 1913, expects to spend about £40,000 annually on security, diverting donations away from community services. Singh, who liaises with 90 gurdwaras nationwide, said he wants Sikh places of worship to receive the same government security grants that mosques and synagogues currently receive.
Recent incidents cited include the rape of a Sikh woman in Oldbury, assaults on Sikh taxi drivers in Wolverhampton, and the shooting of a nine-year-old girl with an air gun in Bristol. “These things are leading to an atmosphere of fear,” Singh said.
Metropolitan Police figures show more than 21,000 hate crimes were recorded in London in the year to August. Although this represents a fall of 17.4% compared with the previous year, there was an above-average surge in June, July and August, with more than 2,000 incidents in each month.
For some, the hostility is a reminder of earlier decades. “As someone who’s born and brought up in the UK, I do remember a time during the 70s and 80s when racism was rife,” said Bhupinder Singh Bhasin, a lifelong worshipper at the gurdwara. “Living here for all these years I thought we’d overcome a lot of the issues in society, so it’s sad to see the ugly side of racism rising up again.”
Ravi Bakshi, a volunteer at the temple, said racist abuse has been a constant presence. “I’ve heard, ‘Go back to your country’ all my life. But I was born here. I’m proud to be British and Sikh – how do you justify that kind of hate?” she said.
Despite the concerns, Bhasin urged unity: “We need to come together as a community, no matter which tradition we follow, no matter which colour, which race we belong to. We live in one community and we need to treat each other fairly and respectfully.”
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Panjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in a press conference on Sept 29, 2025, at the Legislative Assembly – Photo: Photo grab from video on his Facebook
By Panjab & Sikh Affairs Weekly Digest | Malaysia |
The Panjab government convened a 2-day special session of the state Legislative Assembly on 26 & 29 Sep to discuss flood relief and rehabilitation.
On day 1, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members reached the assembly with placards decrying the Indian union government. The posturing was optics because the union government was not even present in the assembly.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led union government, accusing it of adopting a ‘step-motherly’ attitude towards Panjab. He said, out of the US$181 million flood-relief package, not a single rupee has been disbursed to Panjab till now.
Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, who presented the resolution in the House, demanded a special package of USD 2.27B for flood-affected families, farmers, and infrastructure restoration across the State. Leader of Opposition (LoP), Indian National Congress party’s Partap Singh Bajwa, blamed the AAP government for indulging in blame game.
INC demanded removals of Goyal and Principal Secretary of Water Resources Department Krishan Kumar. On day 2, the assembly passed a Rehabilitation of Panjab resolution condemning the union government. The resolution was passed unanimously though BJP legislators were absent.
The BJP had enacted a side show—a parallel mock Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) session on the topic: Who is responsible for the current state of Panjab? Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann alleged the Prime Minister Narender Modi is not giving him time to make a representation. He also said the union government has ‘imposed an undeclared Emergency’ on Panjab.
However, on 30 Sep evening, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The session seemed futile when the need is that an all-party delegation meets the PM and asks for support and funds.
Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Pathankot on 28 Sep, LoP Bajwa said Panjab stands at the core of India’s engagement with Eurasia. Rather than being seen as a border state, the government should reposition Panjab as India’s gateway to Eurasia connecting India with Central Asia and Europe.
(Adapted from Panjab & Sikh Affairs Weekly Digest, Volume 3, Issue 40, 30 September 2025)
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(Asia Samachar, 25 Feb 2024)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
