Henna artist Namvinsha Kaur has been peddling her entrepreneurial skills despite her physical disabilities.
So much so that she had been recognised for an entrepreneur award.
The 28 year-old, who has defects to both her hands and legs, won the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 award at the 2018 Differently Abled Entreprenur Award on 1 Dec 2018.
The event was organised by Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs Association (MINE).
“I’m very blessed and happy to receive this award,” she told Asia Samachar.
Namvinsha studied for a diploma in multimedia management at Multimedia College (Perak), Taiping in 2011.
RAVI SINGH: Glory hunters will fall off the bandwagon straight away – PHOTO / ASIA SAMACHAR
You must have seen photos of this man at the heart of disaster areas. You may have also heard of how he and his team brave themselves to bring aid to the helpless, anywhere around the world.
Now, you have a chance to meet face to face with Ravinder Singh, the founder and CEO of the UK-based humanitarian relief outfit Khalsa Aid.
Ravi, as he is popluarly known, will have speaking engagements in Malaysia and Singapore later this month.
On 15 Dec (Saturday), Ravi will speak at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus at an event organised by Asees. (Tickets RM25, 2pm-4pm, call Jasmine +6019-2366735)
In Singapore, Ravi will deliver a public lecture on 21 Dec 2018 (Friday).
Entitled ‘Regardless of race; language or religion: Service to humanity’, the event is jointly organised by Singapore Khalsa Association and NamRas.
The event, free of charge, will be held at SKA building, from 7pm-9.30pm.
Ravi is also one of the main draw for NamRas Kirtan Darbar, a major biennial kirtan and katha event in Singapore, to be held from Dec 22-25 at the Singapore Expo.
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 |
Canada PM Justin Trudeau and family visiting the Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar – Photo courtesy of Justin Trudeau Facebook page
by BARFI CULTURE | Canada |
Canadian intelligence officials have strongly implied that Indian officials ‘interfered’ in its domestic affairs during Justin Trudeau’s trip to India in February this year.
They have also said that ‘foreign actors’ had tried to undermine the reputation of Canadian institutions during the trip by painting them as incompetent or under the influence of ‘Sikh extremists’.
It is likely to cause some discomfort in New Delhi as it partially focused on what Canadian intelligence saw as “foreign interference in Canadian political affairs”.
Moreover, in a major speech a day after the report was released, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said that “foreign interference” was now the “the greatest threat” to Canadian prosperity. The speech made no reference to the report but some saw it as a remarkable coincidence.
Why is the report significant?
Justin Trudeau’s trip to India was mired in controversy even before he got on the plane in February 2018. More than one Indian publication claimed that ‘Khalistani extremism’ was on the rise in Canada and Trudeau’s government was doing little to tackle it.
Amar Singh at the Sikh prayer session at Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol, Kuala Lumpur, hours before his official retirement – Photo: Harnarinder Singh / Asia Samachar
Kayi Jeet baki hain
Kayi Haar Baaki hai
Abhi to zindagi ke saal baki hain
Yahan se chale hain nayin manzil ke liye
Yeh Ek Panna tha
Abhi to kitab baaki hai.
Je Nokri milna ik charda suraj hai,
Ta sewa Navridi Retirement us chandarma di thandi shaa hai.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
A warm welcome to our honourable Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh ji and all distinguished guests present here today. I’m honoured to have this opportunity to address you in this prestigious moment in honouring our distinguished Sikh Top Cop, Commercial Crime Investigation Director, Commissioner Dato’ Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh ji who retires today, 5 Dec 2018, after an illustrious career spanning 35 years with the Royal Malaysian Police.
I’ll be taking a few minutes to speak about a leader who brings light to a room, who brings belief to a room. A leader who served 35 years with courage and distinction in the Police Force with his first posting in his hometown Ipoh in 1983. The 3rd generation police retires as a Police Commissioner, the highest rank achieved by a Sikh in the Malaysian Police Force.
As we know he made history for the Sikh community in Malaysia when he was appointed as the Kuala Lumpur Police Chief with the rank Commissioner on 19 Feb 2016. As very aptly mentioned by the Asia Samachar, he broke the ceiling for the community again when, effective 14 Oct 2017, he was appointed as the Commercial Crime Investigation Director.
As one said: Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the conquest of fear and champions conquer their fear. Fear clogs, Faith liberates.
Amidst us, we see a man who is a hallmark of a Great Champion. A champion who has the tenacity to claw out of a difficult situation. Very Aptly: Har haalaat ko jeetney wala Sikander.
His consistent belief in serving with integrity and doing what’s right regardless of the consequences is a virtue we have witnessed during his tenure in handling many situations, more so in the recent months, where this towering figure has taken the bull by it’s horn and called a spade a spade.
Peter Drucker once said that “Good manners are the lubricating oil of organisations.” Civility or good manners are critical in building lasting professional relationship as well as in creating a respectful office environment. This we saw in our Sikh Leader who handled journalists and the social media with consummate ease. A serious media session starting with a Babbar Sher stance changing into light banter with funny anecdotes earning him a fan club for being respectful, professional yet passing the right message to the public by being open and transparent.
He is seen by many as a formidable leader in the Police Force. Sidhuji ka ik syair describes the strength of character we see in Datuk Seri:
Kuch log pressure mein Bichare ban jaate hain
Unku Log Yaad Nahin Karte
Lekin Kuch Log Sawar ke Nikhar Ke Aate Hain
Ik Pathar Chot Kha ke Kankar Kankar Ho Gaya
Ik Pathar Chot Shehe ke Shankar Shankar Ho Gaya….
Among his comrades Datuk Seri is known to be one who can and has faced adversity without buckling down under pressure, for pressure is what you allow it to be.
Thirty five years of formidable record with the Police Force through sheer hard work, tenacity, discipline in facing adversity and challenges, further strengthened by humility, spirituality through Sikh tenets Sarbat Da Bhalla has kept him in Chardi Kala (exalted spirit) all these years.
On the community front, Dato’ Sri has been generous in his willingness to devote time, effort and patience to guide like minded people to serve selflessly. His tenacity of selfless service with Guruji’s blessing is seen in the beautiful development of Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol, being the center of distribution of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Saroops not only in Malaysia but Asia. The redevelopment of Langgar Hall & Pavittar Ashtaan Building was mooted by Dato Sri back in 2009 while he was the 40th Commandent of Pulapol and these officially opened in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Pavittar Ashtaan houses 230 saroops, of which almost 100 saroops have been distributed to Gurdwaras and homes of Sikh Sanggat in Malaysia, Indonesia and Manila.
This sewa has now progressed on to the second phase whereby restoration of birdh saroops is undertaken by GSP to save our holy scriptures. Agan Peth is no longer a first way out. Efforts were taken to bring in a restoration specialist from Delhi to ensure work is done professionally.
The Pulapol Punjabi school (PPEC) was mooted in 2013 and now has 50 Sikh students attending the Saturday classes.
Datuk Seri has been a key figure in the Loke Yew Crematorium redevelopment project.
On the sports front, he has been a driving force in setting up the Royal Malaysian Police Sikh Sports Association (RMPSSA) & also the development of sports for Sikh youth through the Holla Mahalla platform.
His belief and message to his team has always been, a man with new ideas is referred to as a crank until the ideas succeed. You must have it in you to execute your ideas.
Don’t let criticism pull you down. Don’t be accountable to the world, be accountable to yourself and serve selflessly. Duniya ka sabse barha rog…Mere bare mein kya kahenge log..
As a figure of speech, he is a man who wears many hats.
Men of Genius are admired
Men of Power are feared
Men of Character are Trusted
Dato Sri fits easily into all three categories given his multiple degrees, hard earned position as the Police Commissioner but Category 3 fits him the best, being a Man of Character, with the grace of Guru ji, he has passed the toughest tests in his 35 year tenure in the Police Force and still walked the path of truth, never compromising on moral values.
Asulun pein aanch aye to takrana zarori hain
Aur zinda ho to zinda nazar aana zaroori hain.
We salute this man who has made the Sikh Community and the Police Force proud with his exemplary leadership.
Dato Sri Amar Singh ji, on behalf of the GSP Committee, your Sikh Police Comrades and the sanggat present here today, record our appreciation and wish you a very happy retirement from the Police Force. We collectively believe that 60 is a fairly young age, you’re are definitely cruising in your New 50’s.
While enjoying your retirement, the Sikh Community hopes to interact much more with you though mentorship given your vast experience.
Enjoy a light poem in celebration of your successful retirement:-
35 years, how the time flew
From 1983 to 2018 you grew
Superintendent se Commissioner how your wings flew
It’s time to retire & recuperate, yahoo..
Many thanks for the lessons we learnt
Never knew Bijan was a handbag, you know what I mean..
Us ladies just knew Bijan as the minyak in the kitchen
Until you made it known the bag was made of Chamri or was it Linen.
Chocolates tasted different back then
You made them more exciting, let’s buy more of them
Tin kosong, don’t mess with my Turban, Billion Dollar Whale Man
Your witty retorts made us laugh again & again.
Oh how the Force is gonna miss your Babbar Sher fierceness
How you made them tie the Pagri in all earnest
A man of character, not an ounce of meekness
Valuing Integrity & Honesty, bringing much greatness
Sarbat Da Bhalla
Common good of all ..
Tenet you believe in and preached sewa to all
We shall endeavour & serve one & all
Har Parbat Pe Mani Manik Nahin Hote
Har Haathi ke Mathe pe Mukta Mani Nahin Hoti
Har Jungle Mein Chamman ke Phedh Nahin Hote
Aur Har Desh Mein Amar Singh jaise sipahi nahin hote.
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 success in getting exemption for the Kirpaan in the Offensive Weapons Bill as it went through the House of Commons, has shown the community strength and the power of timely lobbying. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs working closely with Sikh organisations delivered this result.
Preet Kaur Gill, the first Sikh woman MP, chairs the APPG for British Sikhs, while Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the first identity Sikh MP, resplendent in his dastaar, continues to support and make the Sikh presence felt in the House of Commons. The public and the media are becoming used to seeing the turban-wearing MP on the TV screen. Prejudice against Sikh identity is decreasing. More next generation Sikhs are likely to enter politics in the UK.
Challenges to Sikh identity are being met by Sikh organisations and the next generation Sikhs. Yet, despite a massive increase in Sikh numbers and visible political success, British Sikhs have some way to go to achieve Sikh unity around one table. It is a sad reflection that it takes civil servants to invite a motley group of Sikh organisations claiming Sikh representation, to sit around one table in Sikh-government consultations.
That is due to a number of so-called umbrella organisations who are reluctant to consult together on even the most important challenges faced by the community in the UK and globally. We have yet to achieve a UK wide Sarbat Khalsa which can link up with similar diaspora s to form a truly representative global Sarbat Khalsa.
We do have well-educated community sevadars. Electronic means for day-to-day networking are there. Such communication aided by a small full-time professional level secretariat can facilitate pooling of experience and skills for timely action. However, these facilities can only be used if there is timely sharing of information if there is a desire to delegate responsibility to those best qualified for the task in hand and, if there is the Sikhi humility needed for collective leadership. The tendency to work in secretive ways motivated by personal point-scoring is a drain on the community energy. Otherwise, the community is capable of achieving much more.
A truly umbrella assembly should not attempt to replace member organisations pursuing own objectives in different fields for they are all needed like different departments in government. It can play a catalytic role so that duplication and waste of resources is avoided and Sikh issues are taken up in a more co-ordinated, focussed and timely manner. Yet, there will be times when centralised approach will be necessary to secure Panthic objectives for example, regarding the need to secure a Sikh qaomi (ethnic) tick box in the 2021 Census, the Kakaars Guidance and for securing official guidance regarding turban searches at airports. There will be issues like interfaith (mixed) and gay marriages in Gurdwars, hard hat and caste legislation, to which approach can only be agreed jointly.
The challenges and issues were different in the 18th Century. However, the great Gursikhs of the time did show us the way to collective lead.
Gurmukh Singh OBE, a retired UK senior civil servant, chairs the Advisory Board of The Sikh Missionary Society UK. Email: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk. The article first appeared at The Panjab Times, UK
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
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 Andres Fierro Morales | COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR |
Educator and activist Simran Jeet Singh, GSAS ’08, ’12, and ’16, has been appointed as Columbia’s first-ever Sikh Religious Life Adviser.
Singh will join Columbia’s 15 other Religious Life Advisers, clergy and spiritual advisers that oversee Columbia’s various faith groups with support from “sending organizations” outside of the University. Singh—whose sending organization is the Sikh Coalition, a New York-based civil rights organization—will provide Sikh students with direct spiritual counseling and organized programming.
“It’s a very long time coming, and it’s going to be really great for Sikh students on this campus to feel like they have a place here,” former co-president of CU Sewa Anmolpreet Kandola, CC ’19, said. “That their religion doesn’t have to be this constantly other-ed thing that they constantly have to explain. … They won’t feel like they’re alone.”
Sikh students represent a small but active part of the campus community. CU Sewa is the only Sikh organization on campus, based on the Sikh values of peace, social justice, and selfless service. However, the club is also open to non-Sikh students, and has non-Sikh members.
According to current CU Sewa President Sunny Birdi, CC ’19, Singh’s experience with social justice work and his “phenomenal track record” will be invaluable resources for the club.
“It helps having someone of his background who has navigated the waters of handling how to incorporate a club such as ours into the community and make sure that we’re doing our best to include everyone,” Birdi said.
Singh, who received his B.A. from Trinity University and holds graduate degrees from Columbia and Harvard University, is a Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition and a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Center for Religion and Media. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he was among the few Sikhs in his community when growing up.
Singh was also a graduate student at Columbia when School of International and Public Affairs when professor Prabhjot Singh was attacked in a hate crime incident in 2013, and said he could have benefited from an adviser during his time at Columbia.
“When I was here doing my Ph.D., I often longed for community. There were a handful of [Sikh] graduate students and professors … but we never had someone who was devoted to facilitating and guiding students,” Singh 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 granthi Harcharan Singh talking to students from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin who visited the Sikh place of worship in November 2018 – Photo: Supplied
Some 120 students from Terengganu-based Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin recently visited Gurdwara Sahib Malacca (GSM) as part of their efforts to better appreciate people from the other faiths.
“I can now see how Sikhs are different from the Hindus and Buddhist,” one of the students told Asia Samachar.
“I have passed by the temples of different faiths, but wasn’t really able to make out any difference. They sounded and looked alike. This visit allowed me to getter a better understanding of the Sikhs, their mode of worship and their place of worship,” he added.
GSM granthi Harcharan Singh and a number of other gurdwara volunteers assisted in briefing the students about the Sikh faith and the activities at a gurdwara.
The visit took place on 24 Nov 2018.
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin students visiting Gurdwara Sahib Malacca – 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 |
In 1979, Dr. Manmohan Singh Luthra, a gold medalist of Medical College Patiala, bought land and successfully convinced with city authorities for permission to develop Nanak Drive in the State of Pennsylvania, USA. It was the first residential street named after Guru Nanak in the United States. He and his family felt blessed to live there and invite American home buyers to choose Nanak Drive for their home address.
Manmohan Singh Luthra was born on September 8, 1936 in the village of Mandi Bahauldin, Pakistan. He was the firstborn child of Sardar Gopal Singh Luthra and Sardarni Lakshmi Kaur Luthra.
Manmohan was especially devoted to the causes of the Sikh community. He became the founding trustees of the Tri State Sikh Cultural Society towards building the Sikh Gurdwara of Pittsburgh.
From 1977-1984, Manmohan helped towards the successful holding of the Sikh Youth Camps at Racoon Creek State Park. He and Sardar Sohan Singh Chaudhary procured the campsite and stood by the Camp organizers for particular needs, that included the medical resources. These were the first Sikh Youth Camps in North America.
As a community physician, Dr. Luthra was honored by Citizen’s General Hospital for 22 years of devoted service. At Citizen’s General and Allegheny Valley Hospital he founded the department for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy and served as the hospital’s representative to the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Manmohan worked with many elderly patients and would often make for house calls, a service rarely seen in America.
In 1987 Dr. Luthra was honored by the State Senate of Pennsylvania USA for his service as a physician, administrator, and volunteer.
Manmohan was a leader in the Rotary Club of New Kensington and Rotary International from 1974 until 2005. He served as the district chairman of Rotary’s “Concern for the Aging” committee. As District Governor for Rotary International (1990-1991), he promoted the Paul Harris Fellowship scholarship programs by soliciting donations and becoming a major donor himself. Being a physician, he was devoted to Rotary International’s polio eradication program and worked with Rotary clubs in India to promote polio vaccination. In 2005, in the aftermath of Katrina, he volunteered with other Rotarians and Habitat for Humanity to build houses in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Manmohan understood what his Sikh faith required of its adherents i.e, public service of humanitarian causes. He served the United Way of Western Westmoreland County as its Chairman. He served on the board of the University of Pennsylvania, New Kensington campus, and as the director of the New Kensington YMCA.
Harbans Lal, Ph.D.; D.Litt (Hons) is the Professor Emeritus & Chairman at the Dept of Pharmacology & Neurosciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center. He is also the Professor Emeritus at the Amritsar-based Guru Nanak Dev University as well as President of the Academy of Guru Granth Studies. He can be reached at Japji2050@gmail.com. Link to the original article.
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
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 |
Sophie Wessex gets hands on in the kitchen as she helped to make chapatis at a Gurdwara in London. – Photo: Daily Mail
By Martha Cliff | MAIL ONLINE | UK |
The Earl and the Countess of Wessex paid a visit to the Southall Sikh place of worship, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara together on Thursday.
Both Prince Edward and Sophie could be seen wearing headscarves and removed their shoes for the occasion as a mark of respect to the Sikh religion.
Sophie, 53, looked typically elegant in a pale blue dress for her engagement today which she had paired perfectly with her headscarf. Meanwhile Edward, 54, was suitably dapper in a pin stripe suit coordinating his scarlet tie and pocket square to his headscarf.
The couple appeared to be in good spirits as they took a tour of the historic Gurdwara this morning. The mother-of-two later joined others in the kitchen to help prepare chapatis ahead of lunch.
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 |
Mohanjit Singh emerges overall class A champ of Asian Classic Cars Challenge 2018 – Photo: Supplied
Malaysian racer Mohanjit Singh emerged the class A overall champion at the Asian Classic Cars Challenge (ACCC) 2018.
The 45-year-old racer clinched the title after the race on 25 Nov.
“By the grace of Waheguru, happy to achieve this childhood dream of mine,” he told Asia Samachar in a text message.
Mohanjit was born in Batu Pahat, Johor.
ACCC badges itself as the premier Asian classic car race series. With 10 races run over 5 weekends, the ACCC attracts motoring legends such as Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, TVR, Mustang, MG, Ferrari, Lotus, Ford, Corvette, Mercedes and more.
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 Gurmukh Singh OBE | PANJAB TIMES |
Harbans Lal, Ph.D.; D.Litt (Hons) is the Professor Emeritus & Chairman at the Dept of Pharmacology & Neurosciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center. He is also the Professor Emeritus at the Amritsar-based Guru Nanak Dev University as well as President of the Academy of Guru Granth Studies. He can be reached at Japji2050@gmail.com. 
