Veena Praveenar Singh – Photo: Miss Universe Thailand
By Asia Samachar | Thailand |
Veena Praveenar Singh from Saraburi was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2025 in a glittering finale yesterday, triumphing over contestants from 76 other provinces.
The 29-year-old winner now represent Thailand at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant later this year.
The competition began with 77 hopefuls, later narrowed to the Top 20 through preliminary selections. Contestants then took part in swimsuit and evening gown presentations, before the field was reduced to the Top 10. From there, five finalists advanced to the decisive question-and-answer round, setting the stage for the announcement of the Top 3.
Her journey in pageantry has been one of perseverance. She was second runner-up at Miss Universe Thailand 2018, first runner-up in 2020, and in 2023 won the Miss Universe Thailand Phuket title.
Born in Chiang Mai and raised in Yala, Veena represented Saraburi in this year’s contest. She also made history as the first Miss Universe Thailand winner to have been previously married, tying the knot in 2022 before divorcing in 2024, according to Khaosod. A liberal arts graduate, Veena is fluent in English, Russian and Thai.
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
Daughter of Sdr Fauja Singh Sandhu & Late Sdrni Datar Kaur Gill
Wife of Late Sdr Himat Singh Dhillon
SAHEJ PATH DA BHOG AND ANTIM ARDAS Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru 30th August 2025 (Saturday)
3.00pm: Sukhmani Sahib Path 6.00pm to 8.30pm
Programme 6.00 pm: Rehrass 6.20 pm: Kirtan by Nihaal Kirtani Jatha (UK) 7.20 pm: Kirtan/Katha by Asthanak Granthi 7.45pm: Sahej Path Da Bhog followed by Antim Ardas and Hukamnama/ Semapti Guru Ka Langgar will be served thereafter.
Pls treat this as a personal invitation by the family of late Mata Kirpal Kaur
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
From left: Gurdwara Sahib Seremban trustee and past president Dr Parim Singh, Manmohan Singh, Saran Singh Sidhu, Amar Kaur and GSS president Arjan Singh
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Seremban Sikhs have paid tribute to three individuals who have devoted their lives to selfless service for the community.
At a special ceremony on May 11, Gurdwara Sahib Seremban (GSS) honoured Sikh museum creator Bhai Manmohan Singh, Sikh author and researcher Bhai Saran Singh Sidhu and dedicated Panjabi teacher Mata Amar Kaur.
The recognition was a gesture of gratitude for their lasting contributions in preserving Sikh heritage, promoting education and strengthening the community.
Here is a brief listing of their contribution.
BHAI MANMOHAN SINGH
Born: 29 September 1942 (83 years old)
Parents: Late Bhai Hari Singh & Late mata Mohinder Kaur Wife: Mata Sarminder Kaur
Significant contribution to the Sikh Community
1) Managing a Punjabi Museum-Virsa in Jelebu: Keeping the community attached to our roots and traditions, displaying many Punjabi artifacts in the museum.
2) Provided a plot of land in Kuala Klawang. Funded the construction of the new Gurdwara Sahib in Kuala Klawang, Jelebu. Cost of construction currently exceeded RM3.0 million. Gurdwara Sahib is already in operation. Giving all Sikhs a place to carry out our religious obligations.
3) He is the custodian of a Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is which is more than 100 years old. It is kept with utmost respect and is still on a good condition.
His grandfather Bhai Sadhu Singh and father Bhai Hari Singh played a vital role in contribution to the growth of Sikhi, especially in Negeri Sembilan. Hari Singh was among the founding members of the Malayan Sikh Education Aid Fund (MSEAF).
BHAI SARAN SINGH SIDHU
Born: 10 March 1945, Kuala Lumper (80 years old)
Parents: Late Bhai Dhan Singh (1886-1954) and Late Mata Gurdial Kaur (1910-1989) Wife: Late Maja Amanjit Kaur Marriage: 1 January 1967 at Gurdwara Sahib Seremban
Significant Contribution:
Author of a number of significant books, including the 425-page Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji of Malacca (1902- 1972) and His Life and Times, and the 470-page Gurdwaras in Malaysia – An Illustrated History (1873-2003).
MATA AMAR KAUR
Born: 23 October 1944, Kuala Lumpur (81 years old)
Parents: Late Bhai Anokh Singh & Late Mata Bhagwan Kaur Husband: Late Bhai Harminder Singh Jandi Marriage: 22 April 1962 at Gurdwara Sahib Chan Sow Lin, KL
Gurmukhi Qualification: Giani Pass. Certificate from Punjab University presented at Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa on Vaisakhi Day on 13 April 1960
Started Punjabi classes from home for 48 years for 1972 until 2020. She taught 260 students, both children and adults. She has also produced a number of Pathis (readers of Guru Granth Sahib).
Many of her students passed the Punjabi paper with strong grades for the Malaysian Government examinations LLE/SRP and MCE/SPM.
She has also contributed significantly to the Naujawan Samelans (youth camps), Satsang and Istri Satsang. She has actively served the Sanggat of Seremban for more than five decades.
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
It’s with great sorrow and sadness to inform that Sardar Gurmail Singh Dhillon s/o Late Mukhtiar Singh Dhillon passed away peacefully on 24 August 2025.
11: 30am: Cortege leaves from residence: No. 29, Jalan Dato Seth, Kampung Merdeka, Batu Pahat 1pm: Saskar at Fairy Park Pagoh, Johor
PATH DA BHOG Saturday, 6th September 2025 10am to 12pm Gurdwara Sahib Batu Pahat
Contact: Sunil 017 351 8155 Harmail 013 741 4848
In Loving Memory of Our Dear Father
Our beloved dad was a devoted and responsible father who always put his family’s well-being above all else. His unwavering support, countless sacrifices and boundless love will forever remain in our hearts. He fulfilled his role as a father with honor and dedication, guiding us with strength and standing by us through life’s toughest times.
Rest in peace, Dad. You will always be remembered with deep gratitude and everlasting love.
“A father’s love is the foundation on which his family stands. Though you are gone, Dad, your strength, sacrifices, and love will continue to guide us forever.”
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
“The capacity to realize the messages within Gurbani and the ability to compose Gurbani were critical considerations in the process of selecting and appointing successor Gurus.”
Sikhs have heard, many times over, stories of how the Sikh Gurus picked their successors. Many of these stories actually instructs our worldview of Sikhi. But how valid are these stories?
Karminder Singh Dhillon, author of Hijacking of Sikhi and more than a dozen books on the Sikh faith, is set to discuss the issue in a talk at Gurdwara Sahib Subang, Malaysia, on Aug 31, 2025 (Sunday, 4 pm – 6 pm).
The above quote is one of the statements to be presented at the evening talk — held to commemorate the 421st Pehla Parkash Dihara or the first installation of Pothi Sahib in 1604 — which will be followed by a Q&A session.
Here are three major thoughts that will presented at the talk:
1) The journey of Gurbani can be traced from within the conscience of Guru Nanak all the way, first to the Pothi Sahib and then to the Sri G uru Granth Sahib. The milestones of the journey and the markers of this journey are found within Gurbani itself.
2) The Gurus took it upon themselves to safeguard the sanctity, authenticity and purity of Gurbani as it was passed down from one Guru to another; to ensure no adulteration occurred.
3) The capacity to realize the messages within Gurbani and the ability to compose Gurbani were critical considerations in the process of selecting and appointing successor Gurus.
“Unfortunately, the Sikh world is largely unaware of the above mentioned three facts. This is because the narratives pertaining to the journey of Gurbani that have been provided to the Sikh world have come from Sakhis – which are essentially unverified accounts by unverifiable authors,” Karminder told Asia Samachar.
The sakhis have done two things.
First, they have obscured, or worse, obliterated the journey of Gurbani by (wrongly) suggesting that Gurbani remained lost and scattered till the period of the fifth Guru who had to go around pleading for its return; and that even after Pothi Sahib was compiled, Gurbani was always in the hands of anti-Sikh elements.
Second, these Sakhis suggest that the successor Gurus were subject to the most ridiculous and unbelievable tests to determine their suitability for succession.
“And make no mention of the role of realization of the messages within Gurbani and the ability to compose Gurbani as the critical consideration in the process of selecting and appointing successor Gurus,” he added.
Join the talk and discuss further the above ideas.
To register for the talk, WhatsApp your name to Parveen Kaur at 012 – 980 4477 or CLICK HERE.
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 24-year-old Malaysian man was killed in a tragic road accident when a Scorpio vehicle overturned at a sharp bend near a gurdwara along Mohali’s Airport Road early yesterday morning.
The victim, identified as Jasvir Singh, was seated in the front passenger seat when the vehicle lost control and flipped over at about 3am.
Two others, fellow Malaysian Jasvinderjit Singh and the driver, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, the Express News Service reported.
Jasvir’s body was released to his family after a post-mortem. Police said his remains will be repatriated to Malaysia for the final rites.
Investigators confirmed that Jasvir and Jasvinderjit had flown in from Malaysia on August 13 to visit their cousin, Jaspran Singh, in Punjab.
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
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
Rajpal Singh (4th from left) presenting MAPD mock cheque to MSEAF representatives, including recently retired Federal Court judge Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal (6th from left) who is a trustee – Photo: MAPD
By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
The Malaysian Association of Punjabi Dignitaries (MAPD) has raised RM55,000 in support of two education-based organisations.
The funds were presented to the Malayan Sikhs Education Aid Fund (MSEAF) and the Tara Foundation during MAPD’s 2025 gala dinner held on July 17 in Kuala Lumpur.
MAPD comprises Malaysian Punjabis who have been conferred Datukships or higher honours by the federal or state governments.
Leading the association for the 2024–2026 term is lawyer Rajpal Singh, who also serves as president of Gurdwara Sahib Sentul.
Other key officer bears are Harban Singh (VP), Dr Amarjit Singh Gill (VP), Jarnail Singh Daliwal (Secretary General), Mohd Salim Mohd Rafik (Assistant Secretary General) and Kevin Jit Singh (Treasurer).
Its committee members are Ramesh Kodammal, Majid Manjit Bin Abdullah, Dr Mahinder Singh Marne, Dr Jekinder Singh, Baldev Singh Randhawa, Baldev Singh Kailay, Harvinder Kaur Bhall and Gordev Singh.
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
Sergio Gor, a close aide of President Donald Trump who is currently the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, may become the next US ambassador to India.
Trump has nominated Gor, whom he described as a ‘great friend’, to oversee frosty US-India relations that have worsened with the planned doubling of US tariffs on goods from India next week.
“Sergio is a great friend, who has been at my side for many years. He worked on my Historic Presidential Campaigns, published my Best Selling Books, and ran one of the biggest Super PACs, which supported our Movement,” Trump said, lauding Gor’s work in hiring staff for his second term.
“For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account.
He would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs, Trump added.
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
Panjabi-speaking Malaysians are being warned to stay alert against a new wave of scam calls that begin with a familiar greeting: “Pehchanea menu?” (“Recognise me?”).
The callers typically claim to be relatives or friends from India or Canada, hoping to trick victims into engaging in conversation and eventually parting with money.
“These are not long-lost relatives or well-wishers. They are scammers who have found yet another way to target our community,” cautioned one recipient of such a call.
The modus operandi is simple. The scammer dials from an overseas or even local number, greets the recipient in Panjabi, and casually asks: “Ki haal hai Uncle/Aunty/Paaji/Bhainji? Pehchaaniya?” (How are you, Uncle/Aunty/Brother/Sister? Recognise me?).
If the victim responds with confusion—“Nahi, kaun hai?” (No, who is this?)—the caller presses on with lines such as: “Ki gall ji, sanu bhul gaye?” (What’s this, you’ve forgotten me?). The goal is to build enough trust to manipulate victims into sharing personal details or sending money.
Asia Samachar spoke to a number of Malaysians who have received those calls. Thankfully, none of them have fallen victim. But we have heard one other or two cases where the callers have managed to wrangle a few thousand ringgit from their victims.
CALL NO 1:
“I got a call. I didn’t hang up. He said he’s my relative coming to M’sia. I said ‘welcome’. He said he’s doing really well and if I need any financial help, call him. In his next call, he claims he’s in jail because of a car accident and needs $4,000 Canadian to bail him out. I said “Sorry” & blocked the number.”
Jokingly, the recipient added that he has now lost a Canada relative who would have remitted to him money if he had asked.
CALL NO 2:
“My cousin in India got a call from another one of our “cousins” from UK out of the blue. Said he was in a pub brawl and someone fell and died. He has been arrested with a few others. He is now in the police car and they are asking 5,000 pounds to let me go. Please bank in to the policeman’s account. Passed phone to policeman to give bank details. My cousin had assumed who he was and asked are you Ranjit. He said, ‘Yes, paaji. Tuseen mainu pehchhan liya. Please help me. Please don’t tell anyone.’
“My cousin asked his son to take him to the bank. He was excited. For the first this long-lost cousin is asking for help. Must help. The son became suspicious and called Ranjit. It turned out that Ranjit was happily having dinner at home!”
Lesson from the call: Always verify, especially when they ask for money or financial details.
CALL NO 3:
“I received a call last week.. He asked me several times, Pehchanea menu. When I said no, he tried again. When I tried to politely rebuff him and ask him to disclose who he is, he claimed he is my petijah [nephew] – Rani’s son from Canada. I told him I don’t know any Rani in Canada. He got annoyed and asked me to cut the line if I don’t want to continue with the conversation. Now I realise that it was a scam.”
CALL NO 4:
“I thought it was a random call from someone in Canada because I have loads of relatives from India residing in Canada now. Many of them I don’t even know. I get introduced to them at weddings in Punjab.
CALL NO 5:
“I received a call from someone who claimed to be my cousin’s son from Canada. He requested for financial assistance. I told him ‘No’. The next call was vulgar.”
Have you received such a call? Do share your experience.
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
