[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[The fastest way to reach Asia Samachar is by sending us a Facebook message or Whatsapp message to +6017-3351399. For obituary announcements, click here]
TIME OUT: Two raagi jatha members at Bukit Cina, just across the Malacca gurdwara - Photo: Asia Samachar
Dental clinic at the sidelines of the Malacca yaadgari programme - Photo: Asia Samachar
Almost non-stop Gurur Ka Langgar at the Malacca yaadgiri programme - Photo: Asia Samachar
This is the fourth year in a row that Bangkok-based Vanita Chawla came to Malacca to attend the largest annual gathering of Sikhs in Southeast Asia. She simply loves it!
“I just love everything about this programme,” she tells Asia Samachar when asked what brings her back to the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Salaana Yaadgar Semagam. “Everything, actually.”
When pressed for one thing that stands out, the travel agency operator mulls for a moment. “The way they do the Langgar seva. They just show up and do it, no ego.”
Vanita is one of the thousands who attend the annual programme held annually towards the end of May to cherish the memory of the late Sikh granthi-parcharak Baba Sohan Singh. The programme, usually simply referred to as the Malacca barsi, ends tomorrow (27 May 2018).
“It’s a great to place to catch up with family and friends. I’m coming after a long time.”
“Lots of opportunities to do seva. You can go on non-stop.”
These were some of the other conversations overheard at the annual event.
SPIRIT OF SERVICE
It was just past midnight on Friday. One of the visitors was set to return to his hotel. There was a queue at the shoe safekeeping stall. This is where you deposit your footwear as you enter the Malacca gurdwara and an adjoining society headquarters.
One lone volunteer was manning the stall, trying his best to cater to those wanting to reclaim their shoes, some after a long day at the programme.
The visitor decided he could stay a little while longer and joined the lone volunteer at the shoe safekeeping stall. Together, they attended to the check out crowd in front of them.
This is just one of the examples of the many things that one can do at the programme, or any other similar Sikh events.
Of course, a lot more is happening. Dr Manjeet Kaur and a band of volunteer medical personnel are busy at the medical bay.
There is a group from a local dental clinic providing free dental check up. Another group is manning the blood donation campaign.
A good number of volunteers are involved in preparing the non-stop meals – from breakfast to dinner to supper. You get food and drinks no matter what the time throughout the four-day event which ends tomorrow (Sunday).
The non-stop reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is going on at the darbar sahibs (prayer hall) of the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca and Vidyala. Many take time to listen to the Sikh scripture reading, flowing in rhythm.
A few big names in the field of kirtan are also present to add weight to the programme. They sing Sikh hymns at what is called the kirtan darbar.
Outside the gurdwara complex, you can shop at the various temporary stalls selling all sorts of Punjabi items. From Punjabi suits to Punjabi sweets.
SPECIAL VISIT
This year, newly elected federal government minister Gobind Singh Deo paid a visit to the event. He was well received by th gathered congregation, all still brimming and jubilant seeing a member of their community making it into the national Cabinet. It’s not something that Sikhs thought possible before in this country, though their fellow Sikhs in Canada have broken the barrier in 2015.
Joining Gobind were Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong and Kesidang state assemblyman Seah Shoo Chin.
As in the years past, Singaporeans and Indonesians are also present at the event. At least five chartered buses cane from across the causeway.
“My wife and I have been coming for many years,” said Sarban Singh, 82, who for many years helmed the education side of the Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA).
[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
L-R: Karpal Singh, Harjit Singh Sajjan and Manmohan Singh
By Ben Morais | OPINION | MALAYSIA
Sikhs seem to possess an indomitable spirit and a desire to rise above their station in life. This is not just happening in India where most Sikhs live but throughout the world.
Members of the vibrant Sikh community in the United Kingdom, for instance, are taking their noble tradition of religious hospitality to one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.
This is a remarkable and edifying example of real caring, concern and sympathy for the downtrodden and it is manifested in this act of feeding the displaced individuals.
Just a mere five miles from the Syrian border, Sikh volunteers from Langar Aid are feeding about 14,000 refugees fleeing the civil war in that country. This is a remarkable and edifying example of real caring, concern and sympathy for the downtrodden and it is manifested in this act of feeding the displaced individuals.
Religious Hospitality at its Best
Langar Aid is an off-shoot of Khalsa Aid. Khalsa Aid is mainly funded by UK based Sikhs. Khalsa Aid was founded in 1999 in the UK.
In the not too recent past, Khalsa Aid, an international non-profit and relief organisation has also rendered much-needed assistance to displaced Kosovan refugees as well as provided earthquake relief in Turkey.
The answer lies, I believe, in the lofty Sikh principles of selfless service and universal love.
Selfless Service and Universal Love
Just what is it that motivates these Sikh volunteers from the UK to place themselves in harm’s way especially in a danger zone and render much-needed assistance to fellow human beings in distress?
The answer lies, I believe, in the lofty Sikh principles of selfless service and universal love. These are truly noble principles to live up to. It is relatively easy to talk or preach about selfless service and universal love but to actually live it in practice is altogether a different matter.
To carry out this humanitarian service, these committed volunteers have taken time out of work, education, family and other recreational pursuits to travel abroad and render assistance. These volunteers have truly demonstrated in a practical and inspiring way their utmost commitment to their religious principles.
Their selfless service, especially in such dangerous conditions, reminds me of that famous saying: ‘Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for another.’
Golden Temple in Amritsar
The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India – the holiest shrine for Sikhs throughout the world, provides another telling example of this selfless service and universal love.
How many know, for instance, that nearly 100,000 people are fed on an average day at the Golden Temple? This free meal is not limited to only Sikhs but extended to individuals of every faith, colour and ethnicity who visit the temple.
This simple but nutritious meal, let me reiterate, is free for all who visit, not just Sikhs. Think for a moment about the sheer logistics and costs involved. This goes on day after day. Of course, those entering must observe certain respectful traditions before entering the Golden Temple.
Back here in Malaysia, I have been informed that a number of Western tourists on a shoestring budget have heard about the warm hospitality at Sikh temples in Malaysia. They go with confidence to a Sikh temple for a meal and also occasionally to spend a night there. They have to, of course, adhere to an appropriate code of conduct whilst spending the night within the temple compound.
Four Sikh Cabinet Ministers in Canada
Recently in Canada [2015], the prime minister of that country appointed four Canadian Sikhs as cabinet ministers. These appointments made world headlines because they are serious, high-level positions in the government of Canada. It is also a clear demonstration that this is Canada’s most diverse cabinet. Canada leads the world, I believe, in truly embracing diversity in full measure. There is no lip service or tokenism here.
Harjit Sajjan, a former senior police officer and a veteran of three military deployments to Afghanistan, was appointed Defense Minister. This is a senior position in the cabinet. It is no window dressing. Amarjeet Sohi was appointed Infrastructure Minister, Navdeep Bains, a business school professor was appointed Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister and finally, a Sikh lady named Bardish Chaggar was named Small Business and Tourism Minister.
What some may not know is that there are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in Canada today. Sikhs first started moving to Canada more than 100 years ago. The appointment of not one but four ministers from this community is a clear sign that the Sikhs have integrated well into Canadian society.
By contrast, India has only two Sikh ministers. But then again, one must realise that Sikhs in India only constitute two percent of the population.
Sikhs in the Indian Army
Sikhs are by nature respectful, courageous, hardworking and enterprising. Does one realise that nowhere in the world can you find a Sikh beggar? This speaks volumes about the cohesion within the community.
There are no official statistics for the number of Sikhs in the Indian Army for obvious reasons. However, it is generally regarded to be in excess of twenty percent! There are also many senior Sikh officers from the ranks of colonel to general.
A Sikh, Manmohan Singh, a graduate from Oxford University has also served with distinction for a number of years as the prime minister of India.
Sikhs in Malaysia
The Sikhs constitute one of the many Indian groups in Malaysia. The biggest group of Indians in Malaysia come from the Tamil community. In the early days of Malaya, these Sikhs served in the Police force as well as in the Home Guard. The Home Guard was an earlier version of the Territorial Army.
The Sikhs were recruited to serve in these bodies because of their impressive size and build, towering figures and burly outlook, complete with moustache and beard that made them look fierce. However, they are also big, strong and friendly people if you take the trouble to get to know them. In the Army and Police force too, Sikhs have made great contributions.
Significant Contribution to the Professions
In the fifties and sixties, it was common to see a number of burly Sikh gentlemen serving as guards (or jagas) for banks and companies. These guards would sleep on charpoys beds in front of the buildings that they were protecting. The charpoy is basically four wooden legs supporting an open, rectangular structure that is filled with intricately woven network of ropes or chords.
Other economically and socially disadvantaged Sikhs took to goat herding or rearing cows for their milk. The Sikh would then peddle a bicycle with a milk tank on the back and sell the milk to a regular list of homes in the area. Some of these Sikhs also got into the informal but lucrative money lending business.
Lion of Jelutong
Through sheer dint of hard work, discipline and a desire to improve their lot, many of these families provided a disproportionately high number of well known medical doctors/specialists, engineers, lawyers, academics and other professionals.
Easily one of the more well known, highly regarded and respected Sikhs in Malaysia is the late Karpal Singh. He was regarded as a brilliant and fearless criminal lawyer and many did seek out his services. He was also a committed Member of Parliament, a lawmaker of repute, and a righteous fighter for the underdog.
You can now probably understand why I stated that the Sikhs certainly do punch above their weight class and they do so with style and flair.
Ben Morais, CIMA Malaysia president in 1990s and a past president of Institute of Public Relations Malaysia, founded BMV Consultancy in 2006 to focus on providing consultancy and training services. You can follow his blog here. This article first appeared here.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
Gobind Singh Deo and his mother Gurmit Kaur at the Malacca Yaadgar programme – Photo: Asia Samachar
“The hard work starts now to rebuild the Malaysia that we fought for, that we all worked for,” Gobind Singh Deo said at the sideline of a major Sikh gathering in Malacca.
Gobind, the newly minted Malaysian federal government minister and the also the first from the Sikh community in Malaysia to hold the position, was invited to the46th Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Salaana Yaadgar Semagam.
The four day programme is an annual prayer in the memory of the late Sikh granthi-parcharak Baba Sohan Singh. It ends on Sunday (27 May 2018).
Gobind, 45, took oath as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia on 21 May 2018 under the new government led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Gobind Singh Deo and his mother Gurmit Kaur with sme of the active volunteers at the Malacca Yaadgar programme – Photo: Asia Samachar
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
ANTIM ARDAS: 2 June 2018 (Saturday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang |Malaysia
Pargas Kaur (1923-2018), Klang
Kaley aye nanake sedheh utteh jaye
MATA PARGAS KAUR W/O LATE SARDAR PURAN SINGH
(OLDEST MATA JI IN KLANG)
Birth: 20 Oct 1923
Departed: 25 May 2018
Forever loved and cherished by:
Chidren / Spouses
Late Jaswant Kaur / Late Makbool Singh
Terlochan Singh (Toki) / Paramjit Kaur
Late Rajinder Singh (Gindi) / Dalbir Kaur
Mokhtar Kaur (Tara) / Amir Singh
Grandchildren and their respective spouses, great grandchildren, great great granddaughter, all family members, relatives and friends.
Path Da Bhog: 2 June 2018 (Saturday), 10am-12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Klang, Selangor
Contact:
Amarjeet Singh (Amar Panjang) 012-215 5541
Sunny 013-218 9954
| Entry: 25 May 2018 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[The fastest way to reach Asia Samachar is by sending us a Facebook message or Whatsapp message to +6017-3351399. For obituary announcements, click here]
A police officer questions three Indian suspects about their alleged roles in a scam that used the names of hundreds of women in Sara Buri in forged marriage certificates. (Photo from Tourist Police Bureau / Bangkok Post)
Thai police have arrested eight Indian nationals alleged to have run a scam where they forged marriage license using names of women who were unaware that they were ‘married’ to these people. This is part of a crackdown of down on foreigners who use dvious means to prolong their stay in the country.
The eight men arrested in the latest sting had misused the names of some 300 Thai women, reportsBangkok Post.
The women are residents of Saraburi’s Wang Muang distrct, deputy Tourist Police Bureau chief Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Wednesday (23 May 2018) after officers earlier helped 13 victims withdraw their names from the marriage registry.
Pol Maj Gen Surachate believes the Indian gang made the fake marriage documents in order to extend their stay in Thailand, the newspaper reported.
Three alleged members of the gang, who were named in the report, would have their visas revoked due to their alleged involvement in the wrongdoing, the report said, quoting unnamed sources from the Tourist Police Bureau.
The latest operation is part of the police’s X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner campaign, aimed at cracking down on foreigners who find illicit ways to stay longer in the country and are sometimes involved in criminal activity. Police have recently targeted international and language schools which issued student visas to foreigners who rarely, if ever, showed up for class, the report said.
It added that Pol Maj Gen Surachate told INN News Agency that investigators in the fake marriage scam were checking to see if another 1,700 women in the same district may have “taken husbands” without their knowledge.
Two Wang Muang assistant district chiefs and an administration official allegedly used names of 2,000 women to making fake marriage licences in return for 2,000 baht a name. They were already dismissed, according to the INN News Agency.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
Amar Singh (right) in Bangkok in December 2015 during an investigation in a high profile Malaysian case – PHOTO/ TAN HUI YEE
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Commissioner Amar Singh Ishar Singh, who was supposed to retire on June 6, will see his service extended for another six months, reports The Malay.
Quoting unnamed sources, the Malaysian news portal said the extension was offered due to his expertise, and the need for him to stay on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) taskforce to facilitate ongoing investigations.
Amar, 59, headed a series of raids at properties linked to former prime minister Najib Razak, that began last on May 16.
He was also seen in the same building yesterday when Najib was interrogated by MACC officers at the headquarters in Putrajaya, the report added.
He was constantly in the news in the last week after the police raided Najib’s premises and office as part of the investigations into the nation’s state-owned investment fund.
Amar is the highest ranking police officer from the Sikh community in Malaysia.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[Fastest way to reach Asia Samachar: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
SASKAAR: 3.30pm, 24 May 2018 (Thursday), at Prestavest Taiping, Perak |Malaysia
Jaivinder Singh (1993-2018), Taiping
JAIVINDER SINGH A/L SUKHJINDER SINGH
Born: 6 February 1993
Departed: 22 May 2018
Beloved father: Sukhjinder Singh A/L Gurdev Singh
Beloved mother: Daljit Kaur A/P Chand Singh
Saskaar / Cremation: 3.30pm, 24 May 2018 (Thursday), at Prestavest Taiping, Perak.
Cortege timing: Cortege to leave residence No 2, Lorong MB 7, Taman Medan Bersatu, Kampung Boyan, 34000 Taiping Perak, at 3.00pm, 24 May 2018 (Thursday)
Prayer / Sehaj Path Da Bhog: 2 June 2018 (Saturday) at 11.30am at Gurdwara Sahib Taiping, Perak
Contact:
Harjit Singh 019-5555562
Sukmeet Singh 012-6060736
Note From Family: Left to be with the Almighty Akal Purakh Peacefully. Please join us for the Antam Ardas Prayers.
| Entry: 23 May 2018 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[The fastest way to reach Asia Samachar is by sending us a Facebook message or Whatsapp message to +6017-3351399. For obituary announcements, click here]
PRAYERS:Akhand Path commences 10.00am on 1 June 2018 (Friday) to 3 June 2018 (Sunday); Path Da Bhog: 12noon, 3 June 2018 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Nanaksar Serendah, Selangor |Malaysia
Mahinder Kaur (1944-2018), Serendah
MUM!
“Things will never be the same without you mum and leaving us has left a deep void in our hearts. We will miss you dearly & will cherish your sweet memories forever.”
MATA MAHINDER KAUR D/O LATE BHAJAN SINGH MATTA
(President, Gurdwara Sahib Nanaksar Serendah)
w/o Sardar Mender Singh (Serendah Barfi)
Birth: 29 April 1944
Departed: 22 May 2018
Age: 74 Years
Akhand Path & Antim Ardas:
Akhand Path commences 10.00am on 1 June 2018 (Friday) to 3 June 2018 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Nanaksar Serendah, Selangor
Path Da Bhog: 12noon, 3 June 2018 (Sunday) at the Gurdwara Sahib Nanaksar Serendah, Selangor
Deeply mourned by:
Sons:
Jugraj Singh/ Sarjit Kaur
Late Pritpal Singh/ Amrita Sidhu
Daughters:
Harjit
Bansi Sidhu / Kaldip Singh
Grandchildren, Sisters, Sister-in-Law, Brother-in- Laws and a host of relatives.
The family wishes to convey their heartfelt thanks to all who sent their kind messages of condolences and attended the funeral services to pay their last respects during our moment of bereavement.
Contact:
Kaldip Singh 019 2310008
Darshan Singh 017 3113152
| Entry: 22 May 2018; Updated 26 May 2018 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
[The fastest way to reach Asia Samachar is by sending us a Facebook message or Whatsapp message to +6017-3351399. For obituary announcements, click here]
Kulasegaran swearing in at Istana Negara on 21 May 2018 doning the thallapa – Photo: Kulasegaran Facebook page
Two would-be Cabinet ministers walked into the Malaysian palace donning turbans depicting their respective traditions, while most of the other male ministers wore the songkok.
Gobind Singh Deo came in with the Sikh style turban while M Kulasegaran spotted the thallapa.
“It’s a thallapa or Tamil headgear, which was also worn by Tamil kings…It is important to insist that our culture lives,” Kulasegaran was quoted by local Malaysian media.
Both are lawmakers from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), one of the key members of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition which stunned the world when it won power, desplacing the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
The duo were sworn in together with 11 other minister who will make the core of the newly established Federal government cabinet led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Kulasegaran, appointed as the Human Resource Minister, took oath together with Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Salahuddin Ayub, both from fellow Parti Amanah Negara, another PH coalition member.
Gobind Singh Deo (left) and Kulasegaran after the swearing in at Istana Negara on 21 May 2018 – Photo: Kulasegaran 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 |
