I love the color of turmeric. Gazing at it for some reason just brightens up my mood and gives a calming effect. This herb is an important spice dating back thousands of years both in the Indian and Buddhist culture. It represents purity, fertility and prosperity.
One cannot ignore the many benefits of turmeric when cooking in the kitchen. Adding turmeric when cooking yellow, orange and green leafy vegetables may minimize the loss of beta carotene which is a precursor to Vitamin A. We need vitamin A for healthy skin and mucus membranes, fortify our immune system, and good eye health and vision.
Studies have shown that marinating meats with tumeric can reduce the potential cancer causing compounds when cooking meats at high temperatures like grilling, roasting, broiling or deep frying.
Turmeric both in powder or essential oil is one of the many herbs that I use in my home made organic and natural concoctions The key ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which gives it’s bright orange color hence one has to be careful using it as it can easily stain one’s skin. I love turmeric due to its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Turmeric used well combined with other key ingredients and herbs provides amazing results.
For acne, sunburnt and even sensitive skin, turmeric mixed with yoghurt or milk can provide anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing effect.
A simple common traditional recipe is mixing chickpea flour, turmeric, honey and yoghurt into a paste. Apply the paste on the face and leave it to dry. Once it hardens like a crusty mask on the face, wet finger tips and gently massage/scrub the face and rinse. Chickpeas and turmeric provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effect. Honey provides moisturization and antibacterial effect. Yoghurt contains lactic acid and powerful nutrients and adding a pinch of turmeric provides a great catalyst to this mixture.
Due to its amazing properties, there are turmeric and curcumin supplements are now easily available. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, turmeric as a food is considered safe. Turmeric and curcumin supplements are considered safe when taken at recommended doses. The key point here is recommended dose. The National Institute of Health (NIH) classifies turmeric as “likely safe”. When taking or consuming any supplements it’s always best to check with your doctor
SIDE EFFECTS OF TUMERIC
Do proceed with caution should any of the following conditions apply to you. It would be best that you practice extreme caution and under the advice of your doctor.
Diabetes: Avoid turmeric if you are taking diabetic medication as it may cause hypoglycemia (blood sugar to drop). On the other hand if you come from a family that is prone to diabetes, it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements.
Blood Thinning Medication : If you are currently on anticoagulants or blood thinning medications, it is best that you are cautious when consuming turmeric in food or as supplements.
Pregnancy: Be cautious when taking turmeric during pregnancy. According to the National Institute of Health, turmeric may stimulate the uterus or promote a menstrual period. NIH also recommends not taking it during breast feeding
Gallbladder: The NIH recommends avoiding turmeric if you currently have problems with your gallbladder. If you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction, turmeric may cause your condition to worsen
Stomach Complications: Turmeric may cause increased stomach acid if taken with antacid drugs such as Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, Nexium or Prevacid. Turmeric may be effective for some stomach conditions but in some cases may aggravate gastric reflux
Take Home Point: Turmeric is a great, wonderful and recognized ingredient, now used by many skincare manufacturing companies. However, when it comes to consuming turmeric, remember moderation is the key and everything good may not necessarily be good for you. Hence check with your healthcare provider.
Gurjit Kaur Sekhon is founder of Simran Beyond Beauty, an organic hair, beauty & waxing spa
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
Out of the scheduled and confirmed 16 Gyan Pargaas Semagams (GPS) till Monday 18 September 2017, 15 programmes have been well received by the sanggat, parbandhaks and Granthi Singhs of those Gurduaras where they were held. The programme in the Sungai Petani Gurduara was abandoned as the youth group and some members of the sanggat objected to having the programme there, despite the programme being confirmed by the management committee.
When we arrived at the Sungai Petani Gurduara Sahib for the programme, we were met by the youth group and told that we can have tea, but we were not allowed to hold the programme as they felt that the speakers were going to talk against the truth that they believed in.
I requested that they all listen to the speakers talk, and if they find anything objectionable, then they can go ahead and stop the programme and we will move on. They said they are not going to allow the speaker to speak in their Gurduara at all.
The Sungai Petani gurdwara management committee president told us that the committee has set the programme and it will go on. We then went into the langar hall to have tea while the committee tried to reason with the other group not to block the programme.
The Police, Special Branch and Immigration were called. We were asked to wait while matters were being discussed.
Finally, after about 90 minutes, I was called into the meeting room. The immigration officer advised me not to go ahead with the programme as there was strong objection to it. We then left for Kulim where the sangat and youth welcomed us.
It is very unfortunate and sad that some of us are not prepared to listen to explanations of gurbani and decide for ourselves what is right, instead depending on hearsay.
I have thanked the youth group for not resorting to violence and manhandling the parcharaks (preachers) as happened elsewhere in Malaysia in March. However, I am disappointed with their objection to the programme even before listening to what the speakers had to share on gurbani. They not only deprived themselves of a good session of gurbani discourse, as enjoyed by the sanggat of 12 Gurduaras before Sungai Petani, but they also deprived many others who had come to enjoy the satsang.
Missionary parcharaks, as opposed to derawadi parcharaks (preachers from deraa), have been doing parchar in Malaysia since Sikhs arrived in this country. They are not a new phenomenon. They have been well received all this while. The vilification and opposition to these parcharaks started from last year. This is now a worldwide phenomenon where speakers who uphold the supremacy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and the Sikh Reht Maryada (SRM) are being heckled, assaulted, shot at, having their turbans removed and beards pulled off and prevented from speaking and sharing the truth of gurbani.
May we be blessed with wisdom and a discerning mind to sift the grains from the chaff when listening to discourses and try to read and understand gurbani ourselves.
The organisers of the Gyan Pargaas Semagams gratefully acknowledge the support rendered by the sanggat and management committees of all Gurduaras who stood, and are standing, firmly beside us, to promote and host these and future such gurbani discourses, despite the challenges. Thank you very much.
Autar Singh
On behalf of the Organising Team GYAN PARGAAS SEMAGAMS, MALAYSIA
14-27 September 2017
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar. To have your say, drop a note via email (editor@asiasamachar.com) or to Asia Samachar Facebook. Please state your real name and contact number. You can use a pseudonym if you like.
[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]
“It was a little nerve-racking because I am a sneaker girl, and I do not wear heels, so I worked really hard on my walk and pose….But once I was up there, I had fun as all my worries disappeared, and I did not even feel the pain in my feet any more.” – TRINISHA KAUR, the finalist of the Miss Universe Singapore 2017 competition, told The New Paper.
The 22 year-old pharmacy technician was sharing her experience struting down the runway at the Singapore Grand Prix after-party Amber Lounge last week.
She will know her fate in the beauty pageant competition on Oct 11. The winner will walk away with the title, S$10,000 cash, S$45,000 worth of prizes and services and the chance to represent Singapore in the international finale.
[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]
UPDATE (5.45pm; 19 Sept): Mender Singh has been found. He is well, and is now with his family.
Mender Singh, the man linked to the famous Malaysian barfi from Serendah, has been reported missing after visiting the bank in Rawang, Selangor, today (19 Sept 2017).
“He went to then Maybank in Rawang this morning. He has been missing since,” his daughter Bansi Kaur Sidhu told Asia Samachar.
Mender and his family are also involved in running of Gurdwara Sahib Serendah.
He was driving a Toyota Innova with a resigtration number WWB5513.
The family can be contacted via Bansi (019 210 6056) or her husband Kaldip Singh (019 231 0008).
UPDATE (20 SEPT 2017): THANK YOU MESSAGE. Dear Relatives and Friends. Thank you very much for all the help, prayers and comforting messages during our time of need yesterday when our father went missing. We are grateful and thankful that with Guru ji’ s Blessings he was located safe and sound with your help. From Mender Singh’s family. (Asia Samachar is sharing this message as requested directly by the 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]
If you are a fan of tabla and the jori, be prepared to be mesmerised when Surdarshan Singh Chana (Sunny) takes on the stage in Petaling Jaya this Sunday (24 Sept 2017).
The UK-based tabla and jori emerging master will put on display his depth and understanding of the jori percussion instrument at the evening Rhythm of Benares and Punjab function. He will be accompanied to the lehra by Momin Khan, the eight generation in his family to play sarang
Organised by Taal Sadhna, the two-hour event (6pm-8pm) will take place at PJ Live Arts at Jaya One Mall, Petaling Jaya. Tickets are priced at RM110 and RM55.
They are promising the audience an evening of a world class tabla and jri solo by Ustad Surdarshan, as he’s known by his fans and students.
Surdarshan started learning music at the tender age of 4. He started learning Jori-Pakhawaj and tabla from Punjab Grandmaster Ajit Singh Matlashi and then went on to learn from Ustad Gurmeet Singh Virdee.
After receiving a foundation and feel of the Punjab Gharana and its various Pakhawaj styles, he then went on to learn from the legendary Shri Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari for 14 years. He vigorously learned and practiced the fierce Benares Gharana style of tabla, while keeping his Punjabi Baaj of Jori-Pakhawaj very much alive.
Ustad Momin is another accomlished musician. At a time when music loving audiences are increasingly gravitating towards Western oriented forms of music such as rap, Momin, at the tender age of 15, is more engrossed in conserving his family’s legacy by playing the ‘sarangi’ and keeping the traditional spirit of classical music alive.
He belongs to the “Jaipur gharana”, a family of noted musicians. His late grandfather, Ustad Mehboob Khan, was a well-known sarangi player and recipient of the coveted Indian award of Padma Vibhushan award.
Momin’s father Ustad Moinuddin Khan is the first sarangi player in India to be award with the Padma Shri award.
Momin is trying to keep the classical music alive with a fusion of classical and western music. He plays all kinds of music on sarangi, be it classical, western or movie songs.
[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]
A Melbourne Sikh family has a favourable outcome against a Christian college that refused entry to their son because he wears a turban, reports SBS Punjabi.
Sagardeep Singh Arora told the radio station that Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has ruled Melton Christian School (MCC) has breached the state’s Equal Opportunity Act by placing uniform conditions on his son’s enrolment.
“It is a great outcome. We are very pleased to hear this decision,” he was quoted in the report.
“The case will set a precedent for everyone else who wants their children to practice their religion or faith and cannot do it because some schools’ uniform policy excludes them from enrolment due to their appearance or their religious beliefs”
“We’ll be in touch with the school to resolve this issue.”
The decision, which was handed down on Tuesday, could have wide-ranging implications for schools and the uniform policies they set, reported The Age.
The VCAT decision is also a win for the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), who intervened in the case as the independent watchdog for equality law.
During the VCAT hearing, the commission’s head of legal and dispute resolution, Sarah Bendall, said it’s an important test case for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“We would encourage all schools to look at their polices and make sure they are compliant with the legislation,” said Ms Bendall.
UNITED SIKHS provided legal representation to Singh family with the support of a local law firm the Herbert Smith Freehills.
Mejindarpal Kaur, International Legal Director from UNITED SIKHS told SBS Punjabi that their organization is raising this issue in the interests of all religious minorities.
The story that was first broadcast on SBS Punjabi triggered a nation-wide debate about the ‘right to education’ of children struggling with issues of ‘identity’ and ‘religious freedom’.
[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]
One could easily mistake Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jaswant Singh Gill for a man in his early eighties instead of his actual young age of ninety-two (in 2015). He still carries the stern authority and proud bearing from his Singapore Navy and teaching days. When he speaks, one realises that here is a man who has witnessed not only the many turbulences and challenges faced by Singapore in its fight for independence, but also contributed greatly to the position in which Singapore is today.
Jaswant was born in Punjab, in India, in 1923 to a farmer. He began his education at Khalsa School in Moga, which was one of the few schools that taught English language at that time. At the tender age of six, Jaswant relocated to Singapore with his uncle who was then working as a clerk in the Singapore Police Force.
Jaswant started his formal education shortly after arriving in Singapore. Being knowledgeable in English beforehand, he was able to do well in his examinations to obtain a place in the prestigious Raffles Institution.
To secure a proper job, Jaswant pursued a two-year course in commercial studies where he picked up valuable skills such as book-keeping and typing. He eventually joined the government clerical service where he met Justice (Late) Choor Singh and struck up a long-lasting friendship with him despite the latter being 15 years his senior.[1]
Singapore Khalsa Association
One of the first Sikh institutions that Jaswant was affiliated to was Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA). The Association was started in the 1920s as a means for Sikh boys to meet for friendly sport games, with cricket and hockey being the two most popular sports among Sikhs at that time.[2] He first became interested in SKA during his time as a student in Raffles Institution. Once he started working in 1941, he joined the Association where he helped collect donations for its various events as well as for the building fund.
During the Second World War, the Japanese took over the SKA premises at Jalan Bahagia. At the end of the war, the building had been looted and needed much repair. However, when the government requisitioned the land in the 1960s, SKA had to scramble to acquire another piece of land for a new building. This land was at Balestier Road, where the current SKA building stands.
As Jaswant was elected as the President of SKA continuously from 1966 to 1981, the burden of the new building fell on him. The new building would cost S$750,000 which, at that time, was a very big sum. The Association set up a Building Committee to collect donations. As President, he also went around raising funds. He emphasises that, without the support of the gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and the sangat (congregation) who donated willingly, the donations would have been harder to secure.[3]
After purchasing the building, there were some funds leftover. Jaswant and some of the more foresighted members created the SKA Trust Fund. This was used to make some very wise investments and the initial sum of S$25,000 has now become about S$15 million. This sum is kept by a group of Trustees, including Jaswant.
Passion for Teaching
From very early on, Jaswant had a passion for teaching. After the war, he went back to his old job in the clerical service but he did not stay there for long. In 1948, he was transferred to the Ministry of Education (MOE) as a teacher. He first taught at Outram Primary School and moved on to various other schools, including Raffles Institution. His passion for the job soon led him to being promoted to school principal. In this position, he oversaw several schools such as Sungei Kadut Primary School and Dunearn Secondary School. He took great pride knowing that many of his former students went on to become successful. Some of his brightest minds eventually entered politics and have served or are serving as ministers. After retiring from MOE in 1973 at the age of 50, Jaswant went on to teach commercial subjects at the United World College.
While teaching, Jaswant took an interest in the Teachers Union. He was the General Secretary from 1959 to 1963 and eventually Vice President from 1963 to 1964. During this period, the communists were trying to capture as much political power as they could in Singapore. They attempted to take over the Teachers Union. However, Jaswant, along with other colleagues, prevented the Teachers Union from falling into their hands. He recalls being heckled by members of the Barisan Socialis, the communist inspired party as they tried to subvert the authority of the Teachers Union and win its members to their side.
As an educator, he recognised the importance of knowing one’s own culture and language. Jaswant placed an emphasis on the Punjabi education. The first Punjabi school, Khalsa Punjabi School was set up in the new SKA building. This allowed for the centralisation of the classes. With the introduction of the Singapore Sikh Education Foundation, SKA handed over its Punjabi school to the Foundation.
The words of Andrew Carnegie that “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it” exemplifies Jaswant’s effort in mobilising the Sikh community behind his vision and leadership. Despite his countless achievements, he has always remained humble, accepted collective leadership and stayed resolute in ensuring that Singaporean Sikhs do not forget their roots. I have known him for more than 30 years. A lasting legacy of Jaswant’s leadership is the significant role that SKA plays in the lives of the Sikhs. As a founding member, he remains synonymous with the building which has provided the Sikh community with an important place to celebrate its rich and vibrant culture, tradition and language in cosmopolitan Singapore.
Mr Philip Tan Kee Seng
Director, Former SKA Billiard Saloon
Singapore Navy
Another important milestone achieved by Jaswant is his service in the Singapore navy. From a young age, he had acquired a love for history and freedom struggles. Reading up on the Indian Freedom movement as well as Sikh history, he became so riled up.
After the Second World War, when the British came back in 1945, he felt that he had to do something to prepare himself to serve an independent Singapore. While teaching, he met a senior colleague who was serving as an officer in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Singapore. He approached his colleague and asked him about the RNVR.
On the promise that he would become a naval officer, Jaswant joined the RNVR. After a year of scrubbing the decks and cleaning latrines, he was commissioned Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1951. At that time, he was the first and only Sikh officer and only the second Asian officer among a force of 100 British officers and 900 sailors.
When Singapore abruptly gained full independence in 1965, the Royal Navy pulled out of Singapore leaving a small group of local officers and sailors. Jaswant was then the highest-ranking officer and he was made the Commanding Officer of the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF).
The SNVF was the pioneer of the modern-day Republic of Singapore Navy. The SNVF had two old ships, RSS Panglima and RSS Bedok. Jaswant and the pioneers of the SNVF utilised them proudly during the Indonesian Konfrontasi. Commanding from the Panglima, Jaswant led the SNVF to Sarawak where his team and the Indonesians exchanged fire from their territory.
As the British began pulling out of Singapore, important bases were being handed over to local senior officers. When Tengah Air Base was handed over to Singapore in February 1971, as one of the highest ranking officers at that time, Jaswant was made its Commander. In December that year, Changi Air Base was handed over to Singapore. This was the biggest RAF base outside of the United Kingdom at that time and was very important to the British. Jaswant was made Commander of the base. In 1972, he retired from the Armed Forces.[4]
When asked how the youth of today can serve Singapore and continue the hard work of the pioneers, Jaswant said: “Stay loyal to the nation and always train in what you are good at – be it sports, military or education. By upgrading yourself and always learning, you do not only benefit yourself, you also benefit your nation as you contribute in ensuring Singapore’s excellence.”[5]
Jaswant followed this mantra throughout his life and succeeded in everything he set out to. He is indeed an officer and a gentleman – one the Sikh community and Singapore can be proud to call their own!
Endnotes
[1] C Singh, The Sikh Community’s Contribution to the Development of Singapore: A Collection of Essays and Personal Reminisces (1st ed., Vol. 1). Singapore, Singapore: Justice Choor Singh, 2005.
[4]Mindef.gov.sg, ‘MINDEF-History-1966-The Early Years of the RSN (Volume 10 Issue 1)’. N P, 2015. Web.
[5] Interview with Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jaswant Singh, August 5, 2015
[This article is courtesy of SINGAPORE AT 50: 50 SIKHS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, a book published in 2015 by the Young Sikh Association, Singapore (YSA) in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday]
[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]
SIKH PLAY: Marjaana to Mittar in Kuala Lumpur – Photo grab from SikhInside
By Jagdesh Singh
As the lights dimmed, the claps got louder, the audience realizing the show had come to the end and they could finally show their appreciation of what they’ve just witnessed. And of what they’ve just felt, emotions probably stirring from the story of the play, the performances, the melodious shabads sung, all meshed up into an experience none can forget.
It was the story about the extraordinary journey of an ordinary Marasi bard, best friend of Baba Nanak, Mardana. Each scene was carefully chosen to depict Mardana’s evolution from a boy who saw the divine in his friend nobody else saw, to the young man who knew his role as companion to his Baba, to the man who became the bard to the Bard of the One True Creator.
Baba Nanak was left to the imagination, only a voice was provided for the audience to know He was part of the story, if not the story all by Himself. Although the story told was as entertaining as it was important to bring to life such an integral character from our traditional Sikh psyche, the messages from the story told themselves were even more empowering. The powerful use of a narrator whom explained the messages clearly and succinctly made it all easier for anybody in the audience, young and old, to grasp the messages and appreciate them. The narration set each scene up so that the flow was flawless, and I personally enjoyed how Mardana’s thoughts and fears were told through breaking the fourth wall.
The messages from the story couldn’t be any more timely. Rather, they were timeless. After all, they were all the universal messages of Baba Nanak’s teachings. So, even while we were enjoying the show, we were absorbing His lessons on life, on conquering fear, on being humane and human in today’s world, even if the story was set during His lifetime. I couldn’t help but smile when I picked up on the social commentary that came with with these messages. Standing up to hypocrisy and justice for the downtrodden weren’t just hinted subtly but were loud and clear in the brilliantly written script.
It would be an injustice for me to single out any of the actors and actresses from such a wonderful cast brimming with talent. Each performance was memorable, the dialogue was so natural and the language used wasn’t Shakespearean in any way. And I say this in a very good way because the audience was captured in each scene and simply understood each scene well. Flawless execution from each of the cast members, from the youngest pandits to the oldest Mehta Kalu.
SIKH PLAY: Marjaana to Mittar in Kuala Lumpur – Photo grab from SikhInside
But equally guilty of stealing the show were the musicians and singers who interspersed each scene with melodic versions of shabads and songs. Both the acting and these musical performances had to go hand in hand, the voices and the instruments, especially the rabab, stirred the emotions even further. I could’ve sworn Lata Mangeshkar was in there somewhere.
And you would’ve thought, from the props and costume that were displayed, that this was an expensive production. Far from it. The exquisite costumes were majestic (and I literally mean majestic for one particular costume). Each were designed and crafted painfully and lovingly by volunteers, as is the same for the actors and performers. Each and every one of them volunteered just to be part of this story, to tell Mardana’s story. It was all within a shoe string budget, but the impression it gave was magnificent.
I’ve written earlier about the arts within the Sikh diaspora that would be the yardstick for us to gauge if we’ve grown as a community, matured as a society. This was the proof. We have much to be proud of. We have much to hope for, as the young talented people who got together to embark in this pivotal project has proven to all of us that we are growing for the better. Kudos to each and every one of you.
The event was organised by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM).
Jagdesh Singh, a Kuala Lumpur-based executive with a US multinational company, is a father of three girls who are as opinionated as their mother
* 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 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]
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 17 Sept 2017 | Asia Samachar |
Dr Pola Singh launches his book Reflections of Life with family members all around
By Adrian David | New Straits Times
TARA Singh’s three sons are fine examples of Malaysians who have earned their stripes despite the odds.
Brothers Pola Singh, Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Heera Singh and Lieutenant-Colonel Inderjit Singh are the proud sons of a cowherd from Air Leleh, Melaka, who raised nine children who served the nation prominently.
Paying tribute to his parents, Tara and Ram Kaur, née Chan Yoke Lin, Pola said he and his siblings were grateful for their unconditional love and sacrifice in moulding them to face life’s challenges.
“We have learnt to appreciate life in a meaningful way, thanks to our upbringing.
“From eating scraps for meals, we grew in strength to succeed in our careers and lives,” said Pola, who retired as Maritime Institute of Malaysia director-general in 2011.
After retiring from the army, Heera is now a business consultant, while Inderjit is still in military service and played hockey for the armed forces.
Pola’s other siblings have also shone in their careers, but he declined to divulge details.
Pola is the fourth among nine siblings, — sisters Ajaib, Harcharan, Iswander, Kulwant and Sarjit Kaur, and brothers Heera, Harban and Inderjit.
In a period when the nation celebrated Malaysia Day and its 60th National Day, Pola spoke of how fortunate it was to live in such a wonderful country.
“Through hard work and diligence, people like me are able to become head of a government department after joining the administrative and diplomatic service in 1972.
“We have to thank our country for our blessings,” said Pola, who turned 68 on July 16.
He remembers well his past experiences and so volunteers at Sikh temples and helps distribute food with his Sikh Soup Kitchen team all around Kuala Lumpur every Friday.
As Friends of Bukit Kiara co-founder and Taman Tun Dr Ismail Resident’s Association committee member, Pola also helps with environmental conservation and community upkeep.
“I know how hard it can be for the less fortunate to earn a living, let alone survive.
“Even many of the residents in my neighbourhood are in dire need of advice and guidance, and I am happy to help where I can,” said Pola, who is probably the first from Air Leleh, or even Melaka, to earn a doctorate in marketing from the University of Alabama in the United States in 1992.
After retirement, Pola was the Initiative for Asean Integration unit head based in Jakarta, Indonesia, for four years until 2006.
He is also a prolific writer, having just finished writing his book, My Reflections of Life, and is a regular contributor on social affairs for local newspapers.
He was a sports stringer with The Malay Mail in the 1980s, under the pen name S. Paul.
Describing his life’s journey as purposeful, Pola said he earned satisfaction in seeing everyday community issues being resolved after being highlighted in the New Straits Times’s “Letters to the Editor”.
“The encouraging feedback from people in voicing their grievances spurred me to write with a greater purpose so that I can help make a difference for them.”
He reminded the younger generation of the importance of family and friends who would support them at all times.
“One can succeed through sheer grit, determination, hard work and fortitude.
“Accepting rejection is part and parcel of life. If you do not make mistakes, you are not trying and will never succeed,” said Pola.
He said since retirement, he had more time to reflect on his experiences — joyful events, friendships, setbacks, rejections, work-life imbalance, beliefs and values.
“In short, general issues that matter to us and affect us the most.
“That is why I have compiled all my writings in a book so that I can fulfil my dream of writing a book and share my experiences with others,” said Pola, who is married to Karina Kaur, née Leong Mei Yeen, 66.
The couple’s daughter, Cheryl Kaur, 38, is Affin Hwang Asset Management Bhd deputy head of equities, while son Dillon Singh Pola, 37, is a banker in Melbourne, Australia.
The article, entitled ”Thank the country for our blessings’, appeared at New Straits Times (17 Sept 2017). See here.
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 |
Also leaving behind brothers, sisters, in-laws and a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss.
Saskaar / Cremation: 12pm, 18 September 2017 (Monday), at Cheras Crematorium, Jalan Kuari, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Akhand Path: Akhand Path will commence at 9am, 22 September 2017 (Friday) to 24 September 2017 (Sunday) at Gurdwara Sahib Kajang, Selangor
Path Da Bhog:
Contact:
Jessy 016-2011602
Melvish 012-3623791
Asia Samachar | Entry: 17 Sept 2017 | 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]
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By Gurjit Kaur
SIDE EFFECTS OF TUMERIC
Gurjit Kaur Sekhon is founder of Simran Beyond Beauty, an organic hair, beauty & waxing spa
Autar Singh
