Balle Balle Santa Singh is on the way – Illustration by LittleSikhs / Manpreet Kaur
With Christmas in the air, one Sikh portal shared an illustration of a Sikh santa clause. Meet Santa Singh!
LittleSikhs.com is an interactive world for children: a place of fun, games, discovery, art, creativity and friendship.
The portal was created for Sikh children to have a place of their own: A place that inspires and motivates them to explore the core values of Sikhi which embody generosity, strength and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
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 |
PRAYERS: Akhand Path starting from 10am on 28 December 2018 up to 30 December 2018, concluding with Path da Phog on 30 December 2018 at 12noon at Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru |Malaysia
Akhand Path starting from 10am on 28 December 2018 up to 30 December 2018, concluding with Path da Phog on 30 December 2018 at 12noon at Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru
Contact:
Karamjit Singh (+6 012 913 3023)
Gurcharan Kaur Dolly (+6 012 754 6815)
Malvinder Kaur Molly (+6 019 2300154)
Harvinder Kaur (+6 016 203 0129)
| Entry: 25 Dec 2018 | 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 |
Keen to be part of Khalsa Aid or any such organisation? Start by doing seva (service) locally.
Keen to go on a mission with the UK-based humanitarian agency? Be warned! There is always risk involved when you venture into a disaster area.
These were among the messages Khalsa Aid CEO Ravinder Singh shared in his recent presentations in Malaysia and Singapore.
“When you’re packing your bag, one thing always goes in your mind: this could be your last mission. You never know what can happen in conflict and disaster zones,” he told a Sikh youth camp in Malaysia.
Ravi, as he is popular known, is talking from experience. Real, not virtual. He and his team have served in hotspots like Iraq, Syria, Kosovo and Myanmar.
“Emotionally, Iraq is the most draining,” he told an audience in Singapore. “This is the hardest (part) to deal with (in a mission).”
And the most difficult place to operate? Surprise, surprise – Punjab – homeground for Punjabis and Sikhs, the two most common denominators of Khalsa Aid volunteers.
“They [India-side Punjab authorities] are very suspicious of us. We get checked weekly,” he said.
In December, Ravi spoke at the annual Sikh youth camp of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) called the Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan. Later, he spoke at the biennial Naam Ras Kirtan Darbar 2018 in Singapore.
In between, he had a number of other engagements, including a public lecture hosted by Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA).
A DAY IN HIS LIFE
On his typical daily routine, Ravi said it involves continuous phone calls and engagements with the office staff.
“I’m constantly in touch with our operational staff. We now have teams in Turkey, Lebanon….I need to ensure they are safe.
“My day goes on phone and talking to staff and communicating on the social media. Social media is important to connect with the (wider) community,” he said.
REMAIN GROUNDED
Ravi was asked how he manages the fame that comes with the job as he is constantly on the forefront and in the news.
“There are different types of fame. Its mostly about money (for some). Some tell us do seva quitely and don’t make noise.
“Truth be told – there is Khalsa Aid (the organisation) which does the work, there is the person who can get corrupted with attention and adulation.
“We want people to remain with Khalsa Aid, follow the idea, and not the individual,” he said.
On this point, Ravi had noted that Khalsa Aid has grown from the early days.
“For the last 8-10 years, there is a great team of volunteers and staff that make it all happen. Before it was just Ravi Singh running around,” he told the 800-odd psrticipants and sevadars of the Malaysian camp.
PERSONAL INSPIRATION
So, what inspires Ravi? He said his biggest role models are the shaheeds (martyrs) and sevadars (band of volunteers).
“Look around you – the sevadars inspire me; how they selflessly perform their duties.
“I really admire all the wonderful volunteers, no matter which organisation you belong to. The volunteers on the ground from every organisation are the real heroes.
“My inspiration also comes from the Guru – Guru Granth Sahib. There are no middleman,” he added.
CONNECT WITH THE YOUTH
On the youth, Ravi said they are eager to connect.
“They want to do something useful. Get them involved in local seva. Join in your local seva, no matter which group,” he said.
He noted that most youth have a gap in their lives which can be filled with seva (service).
“I encourage people to get involved in local seva. It’s about linking and doing seva. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do to.
“Go out and get started. You can do a walk or whatever. Join groups and start at the grassroot level,” he said. In the UK, he said many have joined the various Langgar programmes.
Moving forward, Ravi said that plans are afoot to start Khalsa Aid presence in Malaysia and Singapore.
On his hopes for the Sangat, Ravi said Khalsa Aid has become an institution.
“As a human race Sikhs have so much to give. You are the symbol of hope,” he said.
Khalsa Aid is about hope. You can bring hope to someone wherever you are.
“We don’t have to go far to do seva. We can do it right here at home,” 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 |
Malacca gurdwara protem secretary Amarjit Singh (left) and president Tirath Singh
An alternate team has taken over the running of the Malacca gurdwara, potentially diffusing a disagreement that has been brewing for some months.
The protem team, led by Tirath Singh, was elected unopposed at the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca (GSM) emergency general meeting (EGM) on Sunday (16 Dec 2018).
In a statement issued to Asia Samachar, the new team said ‘a smooth transition’ has been worked out with the outgoing team led by Karam Singh.
“The Protem Management Committee humbly appeals to the worldwide Sikh Community to allow the Protem Committee time and space to heal the rifts in the local community and to restore the image, honour of the Gurdwara Sahib Melaka, the astaan where Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji shared and spread Gurbani to one and all,” according to the statement.
For some months, there have been numerous messages on the social media commenting on various gurdwara-related issues.
The bickering led to some members calling for an EGM that led to the latest development. It is understood the key members of the previous management team did not attend the meeting.
“One of our main task is to ensure a smooth running of the gurdwara until the next annual meeting that will be held before end-March,” Tirath, a technical director of a Malacca-based manufacturing firm, told Asia Samachar.
Tirath is no stranger to the gurdwara having served as a secretary earlier.
THE FULL STATEMENT SENT TO ASIA SAMACHAR:
Gurdwara Sahib Melaka Press Release dated 23rd December 2018
The Protem Management Committee elected at the EGM on 16th December 2018, with the cooperation of the previous Mangement Committee, has effected a smooth transition of the administration of the Gurdwara Sahib Melaka.
We share the names of the Protem Management Committee Office Bearers:
(f) Sardarni Manmeet Kaur – Protem Committee Member
(g) Sardar Kuldip Singh – Hon. Auditor
All shardaloos and the Sangat of Melaka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries, please note that the Akhand Paaths leading upto the Sant Sohan Singh Ji’s Annual Yaadgari Semagam on 24th to 27th May 2019 will commence on 1st January 2019.
The final Akhand Paath will end on Tuesday 21st May 2019 to enable the final preparations of the Gurdwara Sahib.
Everybody is invited to grace the occasion with their prescence and take away home with them sweet memories and most importantly individual spiritual benefits and knowledge of Sikhism. Those wishing to Partake Amrit can also forward their names and questions.
The Protem Management Committee humbly appeals to the worldwide Sikh Community to allow the Protem Committee time and space to heal the rifts in the local community and to restore the image, honour of the Gurdwara Sahib Melaka, the astaan where Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji shared and spread Gurbani to one and all.
Collectively, we can make our individual personal contribution to this appeal, by refraining from sharing or forwarding negative or degrading or slanderous media about the events related to Gurdwara Sahib Melaka on the Social Media.
Wise men have said that if one is unhappy about an event, share or inform this unhappiness with the individual or group, who is in a position to take the necessary action to effect a change or when there are times or events or resources which limit the change, can take note of your complaint for future implementation. Keeping this principle in the forefront the Gurdwara Sahib Melaka Protem Management Committee invites suggestions for improvements to the administration or other areas of Gurdwara Sahib Melaka at “gsmelaka@yahoo.com”.
Please forward your inquiries, by a phone call or WhatsApp, to ;
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 politician Pritam Singh man to watch in 2019, says Singapore newspaper
Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh has been named as one of the 19 movers and shakers in the coming year.
English newspaper The Straits Times listed the 42-year old Workers’ Party chief along with finance minister Heng Swee Keat in its ’19 To Watch in 2019′ report released on Saturday.
Pritam’s major task ahead will be to lead his party for the next general elections that must be held before April 2021.
In April, Pritam won unopposed the party’s secretary general post, giving him control of Singapore’s largest opposition party.
He replaced Low Thia Khiang who held the post for 17 years.
The report noted that Pritam would want to step out from Low’s shadow to make his own mark.
He has been deeply involved in multiple issues in Parliament, such as the need for new laws to counter fake news and whether the Government should tap more of the country’s reserves to meet growing spending needs, the report noted.
Outside Parliament, it added that Pritam faces internal issues healing rifts that had emerged within the party with older cadres as the young rise up the ranks.
The report also makes mention of the impending multimillion-dollar civil lawsuits over how Pritam and his party colleagues ran Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.
“The outcome could have an impact on their election strategies,” according to the pro-establishment newspaper.
Pritam first entered parliament after a spectacular victory in the 2011 general elections. He was part of a five-person WP’s team that took on People’s Action Party (PAP) team led by Foreign Minister George Yeo for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC). WP’s victory in that contest marked the first occasion in Singapore’s history when an opposition party had won an election in a GRC.
GRC is unique to the Singapore political landscape. Political parties are required to field a team of between three to six candidates, with at least one of them coming from a minority race.
WP repeated the same success in Aljunied in 2015, with Pritam again being part of the team.
Pritam was then appointed as the chairman of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council, the only town council cornered by an opposition party after the 2015 polls.
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 |
Sahej Path Da Bhog: 23 December 2018 (Sunday), 9.30am – 12noon, at Gurdwara Sahib Ampang, Ulu Klang
Contacts:
Narain Singh : 019-384 1978
Patvinder Kaur : 019-242 3004
| Entry: 22 Dec 2018 | 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 |
PRAYERS:SUKHMANI followed by AKHAND PATH: 9am, 27 Dec (Thursday) to 29 Dec 2018 (Saturday) at Gurdwara Sahib Railway Ipoh. PATH DA BHOG: 12pm, 29 Dec 2018 |Malaysia
| Entry: 21 Dec 2018; Updated: 23 Dec 2018 | 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 |
By Hannah Frisberg and Chris Perez | NEW YORK POST |
Nothing says Christmas like a bunch of Sikhs in American-flag turbans and matching light-up sweaters.
That’s the rationale of the Singh-Raud brothers — who have spent the past seven years coming to the Big Apple to spread holiday cheer and hawk fashion creations such as these goofy reindeer duds.
For 2018, the brothers looked to roll out a brand-new line of sweaters, including the reindeer ones, but not until after they mingled with some locals first.
“We love the vibe. We love the city. We love the people,” said the eldest brother, Kush, 43. “New Yorkers are so much nicer and so receptive, and they’re just so helpful more than anything.”
The bros have been coming from Manchester, England, each year to get into the Christmas spirit — and take some selfies while they’re at it. “We got random people stopping,” Kush said. “We’re Sikhs, we look different, we have turbans, we’ve got beards . . . and all four of us have the same sweaters.”
The rest of the clan includes Major, 41, Jarnal, 40, and Archie, 35, who is in charge of clothing design.
The article was first published at New York Post, 20 Dec 2018. Read full story here.
A tour guide who attacked a Sikh pedestrian for no apparent reason and pulled the turban off the man’s head was on Thursday (Dec 20) ordered to undergo 18 months of psychiatric treatment under a mandatory treatment order, according to a report.
Gan Kian Seng, 46, who suffers from schizophrenia, had pleaded guilty to one count each of using criminal force and voluntarily causing hurt to Saranpal Singh Bhaliwal Peram Singh, 30. Another charge of uttering words to deliberately wound the victim’s racial feelings was taken into consideration, reports Channel News Asia (CNA).
A mandatory treatment order directs an offender to undergo psychiatric treatment – in lieu of jail time – for no more than two years. It is ordered upon recommendation by an appointed psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health, the report added.
On April 23, Gan visited a pub on Maude Road in Jalan Besar at 7pm and had some alcoholic drinks. He left at 8.20pm. While he was crossing a traffic junction at 8.40pm, he started speaking to and gesturing to an unknown pedestrian. After he reached the other side, Gan confronted the pedestrian and pushed him.
He then turned on Singh – who was standing by the road and faced away from Gan – and pushed him. Gan began gesturing at Singh before pulling his turban off his head and dropping it on the ground. He also pulled Singh’s hair, the report added.
A fight ensued, where Gan slapped Singh on the face, and Singh retaliated with a few punches. Gan punched and kicked Mr Singh in return, uttering racial slurs at him. A crowd had gathered at that point, and a bystander called the police, saying that two people were fighting outside a hotel, it said.
Gan was suffering from schizophrenia, according to a psychiatric report, and this had a causal link to the offences, the court heard. Gan had also written a letter of apology to Singh, the report added.
[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]
