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Two-term Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh credited his spectacular career to ‘luck and destiny’ as well as good teachers.
“Luck and destinity both played its part. I was fortunate in many ways that I was able to go to schools where I had very good teachers who motivated me to think fresh. That is a legacy which I will never forget,” he opened up in an interview recorded for an Indian school.
He singled out an economics lecturer [Dr Respi Rageneka, spelling to be checked] for the MA course who motivated him ‘to think big and plan to go to Cambridge which was the highest seat of learning for economics in those days.’
“I had not planned my career in the hope of wanting to be a politician,” he said, noting that since his schooling and university days, his ambition was to be a teacher.
He had earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957 at Cambridge University and then D. Phil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962.
Stating again that he was an ‘accidental politician’, Manmohan said: “I’m in politics because Prime Minister Naramshima Rao induced me to join politics as finance minister of his government to deal with the massive economic crisis which India was then faced with.”
Born on September 26, 1932 in Gah village of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Dr Manmohan was credited with playing a key role in ushering in economic reforms in the 1990s, when India liberalised its economy.
The celebrated economist emerged on the political scene at peak of the 1991 economic crisis, serving as finance minister between 1991 and 1996. It was a time when India underwent comprehensive economic reforms.
After joining India’s Upper House of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, in 1991, he later served as Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2004.
After the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Dr Manmohan became a surprise pick for the prime ministerial role, a move engineered by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He was sworn in as PM on 22 May 2014 and took the oath of office for a second term on 22 May 2009.
In 1971, Dr Manmohan had joined the Government of India as Economic Advisor in the Commerce Ministry. This was soon followed by his appointment as Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972. Among the many Governmental positions that Dr. Singh has occupied are Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission; Governor of the Reserve Bank of India; Advisor of the Prime Minister; and Chairman of the University Grants Commission, according to a profile at PMIndia website.
Back to the interview. On education, Dr Manmohan spoke highly of the tutorial system at Oxford and Cambridge universities.
On leadership, he said today’s complex world demands ‘competent, creative leadership’ to steer society.
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LAUNCH: AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail (third from left) and Punjab Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Navjot Singh Sidhu flanked by cabin crews at the launch of AirAsia X’s latest direct flight to Amritsar from Kuala Lumpur. – Photo: Provided
AirAsia X has announced the opening of a new direct route from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar as part of its expansion plan in India this year.
From 16 August 2018, the four times weekly service will provide guests access to Amritsar, which has a tremendous potential as a religious, tourism, commerce and trade destination, the budget airliner said in a statement.
The route has the potential of an annual capacity of 156,832 seats between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar, it added.
Amritsar is the third destination in India for AirAsia X and the 21st destination in India for AirAsia Group. AirAsia X’s two other destinations are New Delhi and Jaipur.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said: “Many Sikhs and Punjabis have been asking us to fly direct to Amritsar, home to the world famous Golden Temple, and we are pleased to be able to offer this direct service to this holy city.
“This new route is part of our efforts to strengthen our position in India, which offers us the possibility of expanding Europe and North America. AirAsia X will focus on promoting Amritsar along with our existing destinations, New Delhi and Jaipur as part of our overall campaign focusing on Fly-Thru traffic from markets like Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.”
In the same statement, Minister of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Navjot Singh Sidhu said: “Having AirAsia X flying direct to Amritsar is important to Punjabis all over the world. It is a preferred destination not only for the Punjabi diaspora but also for many foreign tourists. Connectivity is the heart of tourism in Punjab and the airline offers us its established wide network of connectivity that will link Amritsar to the cities it flies to and the rest of the world.
“We welcome AirAsia X to Amritsar, and we are happy that Punjabi diaspora and foreign tourists from destinations within the wide network of AirAsia including Australia and New Zealand will be able to travel to Amritsar and Punjab.”
Guests can also make use of AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service including Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, Bali and Bangkok to connect to Amritsar from other cities within AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive network with just one additional stop.
Amritsar is one of the top destinations in Punjab in the northwestern part of India, which is underserved from the Asia Pacific region, the statement added.
To celebrate the new route announcement, AirAsia X is offering promotional all-in fares from RM199 one way for the economy seat and RM699 one way for premium flatbed seats.
Bookings at on airasia.com are open from 2 May until 13 May 2018, and on AirAsia’s mobile app for the travel period between 16 August 2018 and 27 October 2018.
AirAsia X will operate four weekly return services between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The departing flight (carrier code: D7188) will take off from klia2 at 19:20 hours to arrive in the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar at 22:30 hours. The return flight (carrier code: D7189) will depart from Amritsar at 23:45 hours and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 8:05 hours.
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A 57-year-old technician is suing Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) Corporation for exposing him to asbestos particles that he believes caused him to be afflicted with lung cancer, reports news portal The Independent.
Ajit Singh has also named Gethin-Jones Medical Practice as a defendant in his lawsuit claiming that the clinic, which served as PSA’s appointed clinic for maintenance workers, should have detected the lung cancer earlier during annual check-ups.
Ajit had worked for PSA since he was employed in or around 1980, when the company was a statutory board and continued to work for PSA even after it became a Temasek Holdings-linked private corporation in October 1997.
Quoting court papers, the Singapore news portal said Ajit’s duties allegedly required him to service and replace insulation material covering the exhaust systems of power units of cranes at the port. He claimed: “The power pack of the crane contains the exhaust, which is lined with asbestos which could be damaged or worn out.”
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that became banned in Singapore in 1989 after studies showed that long-term exposure to the mineral, that was once popularly used in construction and insulation, is linked to illnesses such as lung cancer, the report added.
Both PSA and Gethin-Jones Medical Practice are fighting the lawsuit. PSA is represented by one of Singapore’s leading law firms, Drew & Napier. The clinic is represented by WongPartnership while Mr Singh is represented by Gavan Law Practice.
PSA, which is fully owned by sovereign wealth fund Temasek, has asked the court to dismiss Mr Singh’s case on a technicality, arguing that a claim should have been filed within 15 years. Noting that it has stopped using asbestos in or around 1989 and that Mr Singh’s exposure to the particles would have occurred before 1990, PSA is asking for the case to be thrown out since more than 15 years have passed since the alleged negligence took place, the report said.
Medical reports show that Ajit was found to have cancer early last year. All parties are presently in closed-door mediation, the report added.
“We are not asking for (the sake of) money. We want what is fair so that we can cover the medical expenses, his suffering, his loss of income and quality of life. He was healthy and fit; now he is in palliative care,” the report quoted his 55-year old wife Koldip Kaur.
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IT was supposed to be another study Saturday at the Starbucks for Navraj Singh, a data scientist studying full-time at University of Maryland. But things got all heated up when someone tried to walk away with his bag, claiming that Navraj wanted to blow up the place!
Navraj shared his experience via the social media. Asia Samachar then got in touch with him to verify the incident in Columbia, Maryland, on 28 April 2018.
“I would like to note that no one was harmed in this situation,” he added in a note sent to Asia Samachar. We share his account of the incident.
By Navraj Singh | ENCOUNTER
I just went to @Starbucks this evening to go study for finals. As always, I ordered my drink and put my book bag down in a chair. After ordering my drink and waiting for my name to be called, I gave a quick glance to the chair I set my book bag in and saw it was gone.
I suddenly see a man taking my book bag nonchalantly as if it was his own. I ran up to him and said, “Hey man where are you going with my bag?” To which he responded, “You’re not going to blow this place up are you?”
I realized how ignorant this dude is so I responded by saying, “What makes you think that I would ever do something like that?” He’s heated now and says “It’s cuz you got that beard and turban on, I was gonna take your bag out so you don’t blow me up.”
Realizing this guy was not willing to listen to me I simply said: “Hey man, I’m just a student. I am really trying to study. Can you leave me alone?” To which he responds, “Nah leme talk to you outside.” I politely said no and grabbed my bag from him.
He goes on to say: “This is America, I don’t give a shit where you are from, we don’t allow that shit around here.” I’m kinda shaken at this point. I live in a really nice (diverse) neighborhood and for this to happen to me kinda took me off guard.
Everyone in the @Starbucks realizes he is bothering me and immediately comes to my defense. Let me tell you how absolutely beautiful it is to see so many people stand up for you in this political climate. The staff, the manager, fellow espresso lovers are all behind me.
The manager comes out and tells this man to go outside and he begins arguing with her outside. Rambling, spewing more racist stuff not just about me but about her as well. She stops mid conversation with him and pops her head inside to say, “Call the cops.”
At this point, people who stood up for me went outside to confront this maniac at which point he starts recording us. I’m just in the background trying to process this whole thing, and then he tells the manager he forgot his “sign” inside.
Turns out he was homeless and had a sign begging for money. At this point he has his sign and walks away and the cops come. They ask us what happened and we gave them our full account.
I know there is a lot of backlash against @Starbucks right now, but I just want to thank everyone who stood up for me. The baristas, the manager, friendly people who were enjoying coffee. You don’t know how much this support means to a guy like me.
My turban is my crown given to me by my guru, and amongst many other values it represents equality for all. My beard is a way to show my appreciation to my creator for his creation. I am a Sikh, and we roughly represent the 5th largest religion in the world, Sikhism.
My entire religion is based on the practice of giving, showing, and upholding love. I know he was referring to me as being a Muslim or a terrorist, but some of my best friends are Muslims who define the word love and I can’t imagine a life without them.
I would like to note that no one was harmed in this situation.
Navraj Singh is a data scientist who is studying part-time at University of Maryland
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Sandeep Singh wins Mister Tourism World Malaysia 2018
Ipoh-born Sandeep Singh won the Mister Tourism World Malaysia 2018 held earlier this month. Two years ago, he bagged the UK-based Mr Asian Beauty Pageant 2016 while pursuing the second year of his accounting and finance studies.
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London mayor Sadiq Khan at Vasakhi 2018 event at Trafalgar Square, London – Photo grab from video posted on Mayor of London Facebook page
“When I think of the Sikh community in London and the contribution they have made to the capital – socially, culturally and economically – I feel proud,” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told a Vasakhi event at Trafalgar Square on Saturday (28 April 2018).
The event was also attended by writer Anita Anand, British Armed Forces Sikh Association members and artist Inkquisitive, reports British newspaper Evening Standard.
“What an incredible atmosphere in Trafalgar Square today…[It was] wonderful to see people from all backgrounds coming together to embrace this important Sikh festival,” he was quoted as telling the gathering.
The event featured an array of live music performances, art exhibitions, an Army-led obstacle course, and a range of traditional foods to sample.
Fun at London’s Trafalgar Square: One of the participants at Vasakhi 2018 event
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Baby Ravneet and her mother – Photo: Asia Samachar
Baby Ravneet Kaur, the 11 month old baby badly scalded in a hot water accident at her home in Kuala Lumpur, has been discharged from the hospital.
The mother, an Indian citizen who came to Malaysia in search of a job, has decided to take her baby girl back to India for further treatment, after receiving treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur since mid-February.
The baby is not in the clear zone as of yet. A check earlier this month showed that her left hand was hardly moving and might need a plastic surgery.
“But she will not go back immediately as the weather back home is hot,” a donation collection team member told Asia Samachar.
Ravneet’s plight was shared by Asia Samachar on 16 February in a donation drive led by the Sikh Welfare Society Malaysia (SWSM) and Santana Riderz Mc. Within 48 hours, the Sanggat had contributed close to RM127,000.
Todate, some RM48,000 has been paid for the hospital bills. The remainder funds will be used for Ravneet’s follow up treatments in Malaysia and/or India.
She has undergone a number of surgeries, with the latest being another round of skin grafting last month.
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An evening breeze had blown away the haze of dust over the skyline of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The setting sun created bright colors of spring revealing the hills in the west while the gentle and soft rays filled the air.
My mind floated into history. I visualized an enlightened traveler with the greatness and power equivalent to the sun with his companion steadily emerging from the slopes of the steep hills.
As he appeared the yogis and high priests of the Hindu faith felt the earth move, as it did in the earthquake in 2015. Shocked by the simplicity of this great Guru, they admired the youthful strength and radiance. They accompanied the king and queen of Kathmandu to welcome Guru Nanak. The king and queen had invited the Guru when their paths crossed in Banaras.
At an evening Satsang, the attendees were mesmerized by the sweetness and melody of the heart piecing shabad rendered by Guru Ji, accompanied by the rebab played by Bhai Mardana. The praises of the creator replaced the one-word chant that people of the land were accustomed to. The fine sounds of the rebab replaced the tinkling of bronze bells. The atmosphere melted the ego of the accomplished yogis and settled the minds of the devotees who had been used to ritualistic religious ceremonies.
Spreading the fragrance of spirituality and bringing realization that ritualism offered no benefit on the path of realizing the Creator but was a source of exploitation required a high price to be paid. Both Guru Ji and Mardana endured the discomforts of danger-filled travels. Unarmed they travelled for days over difficult terrain, faced the unknown dangers that lay hidden in the forests and rivers that they crossed.
NO MAGIC, NO HOT MEALS
There was no magic to manage the weather as Hukum, and accepting it, was the path the Guru wanted to establish for his Sikhs and as the leader set the example. They missed the comforts of home, warm hot meals, had to sleep on rocks — roodeh di gur kari vasahi (Bhai Gurdas Vaar) — and the company of wife and children. Sri Chand and Lakhsmi Das grew missing the fatherly warmth and guidance. The families of Guru Nanak and Mardana also endured the emotional and mental stress of not knowing how they were fairing.
As the extent of sacrifice extended its border in my mind. It dawned upon me that little or no attention had been paid to the hardship endured by Guru Nanak and Mardana.In many a case history had superficially hidden them in tales and stories of mystical powers used by the great Guru. Such fables have reduced the value of the tremendous effort, energy, perseverance and sacrifices in spreading the way of realization of the spiritual path.
When celebrating the Birth Gurpurb of Guru Nanak, the missionary preachers have focused only on the fables related to the childhood of the Guru. None has emphasized the great sacrifice and super human effort to deliver the NAAM of the creator to the whole of mankind. Imagine being attacked at villages, confronted by egoistic so called learned pandits, being jailed in Ahmedabad and many more attacks. These have been transformed with magical movement of the chakis in Babar’s prison and Guru ji being released unscratched.
On the other hand, Sikhs have emotionalized the history related to Guru Gobind Singh and have laid great emphasis on his sacrifice of the whole family: his father Guru Teg Bahadur, mother and four sons. The wife, Mata Ji, of Guru Ji has been an omission in this string of sacrifices. What happened to Mata ji remains a mystery. An examination of Sikhs celebrating Gurpurb related to Guru Gobind Singh begins with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, Prakash or birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Vaisakhi the Creation of the Khalsa, Chamkaur and the sacrifice of the Waddeh Sahib Jadehs, Sarhind the bricking of the Shoteh Sahib Jadehs and then Gur gaddi of Guru Granth Sahib in Nanded. They total 6 where missionary preachers connect us to Guru Gobind Singh and his sacrifices, his battles and greatness to such an extent each year that the youth have emotionalized their attachment.
This over emphasis has obliviated so a certain extent the contributions of the other Gurus. As the process of emotionalization peaks, it also reduces the abilities of those Sikhs to rationalize and better understand Gurbani. As an example, many Sikhs strongly adhere to the Bana, the outward requirements of the articles of faith, without understanding the inner spiritual value. As such using the slippery path of blind faith ritualism has established itself in Sikhism. Understanding Gurbani as delivered to us by Guru Nanak and transforming ourselves accordingly to self-realization has taken a back seat.
The final rays of the setting sun encouraged my mind to focus on the “Saach Achaar” message delivered for the world with such sacrifices, to be revisited and the vision of Guru Nanak a gift to be accepted with remembrance of sacrifices in a journey of 55,000 miles and years of endurance.
Paguman Singh, a retired senior official of a Malaysian-based social security organisation, has been involved in Sikhi parchaar for more than three decades. He now resides in New Zealand.
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
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Victoria Police deputy commissioner Andrew Crisp at the Melbourne Vasakhi 2018 event at Federation Square – Photo: Jasmeet Singh Photography
Federation Square became a beacon of Sikh culture as it celebrated Vaisakhi with thousands of colourful turbans on Saturday (28 April 2018).
The event, coordinated by Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council (VSGC) and Khalsa Education Society in association with more than 35 Sikh and Australian organisations, represented a showcase of Sikh culture and heritage, according to a statement from the organising team emailed to Asia Samachar.
The event was opened with an Ardas (Sikh prayer) by the Sri Dasmesh Bagpipe Band followed by several marching tunes.
Victoria premier Daniel Andrews was the guest of honnor at the event in Melbourne’s central hub, which boasted stalls highlighting Sikh culture.
Other guests who graced the event included Multicultural Affairs shadow minister Inga Peulich, Victoria Police deputy commissioner Andrew Crisp, Elizabeth Robertson from Dept of Home Affairs and Commander Guy McCrorie from Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB). Country Fire Authority (CFA) and MFB also held an information stall at the event to educate community about fire safety and smoke-alarms.
VSGC president Harshminder Singh welcomed the guests and audience in attendance.
A choir of schoolchildren from Bhai Gurdas Punjabi School Craigieburn, Baba Fateh Singh Academy Keysborough and SWEC Lynbrook performed during the celebrations. There were also performances by the Gurmat Sangeet Academy Blackburn, Bhai Dya Singh Music Group, Gatka performance by Damdami Taksal Ranjit Akhara, Theatrical play “Satgur mera bakhshanhar” by AMTA, Kavishri by Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Khalsa Shaouni Plumpton.
Various interfaith groups also attended the event and shared their Vaisakhi blessings with Sikh Community.
The traditional Sikh practice of langar – serving of free vegetarian food – was being carried out at the event. An exhibition to display the contribution of Sikh ANZACs was also held at the event.
Project coordinator Gurinder Kaur thanked the Federation Square management, Victorian Multicultural Commission and all supporting organisations and media for their contribution and hoped for the event to continue and bigger every year.
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