Final Uni Exam followed by an Eventful Day

Yesterday I sat my last final exam for my degree. It’s hard to believe that three years have gone past so quickly. I am so glad to have today’s exam over and done with. Waheguru has done loads of Kirpaa, I don’t know where I would be without Waheguru and the support of Guru Ji. Sometimes I think I would go insane or worst without Waheguru, Guru Sahib and the Path of Gursikhi Jeevan.

After my exam I wanted to see Guru Jee and personally say thanks for everything and for always offering guidance, support and inspiration. I got to Southall and there was beautiful Keertan sung by a Hazoori Raagi from Amritsar. The Shabad was:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਕਿਰ ਬਖਸੈ ਅਵਗੁਣਿਆਰੇ॥
satgur guNee niDhaan hai, guN kar bakhshe avguNiaare
The True Guru is the Treasure of Virtures, bestowing His Virtues the unvirtuous are blessed.
(Bhai Gurdaas - Vaar 25, PauRee 29)

It was beautifully sung Simran in between the Shabad. I won’t try to explain the taste of Gurbaani, you have to try it for yourself.

Afterwards the day was bit of a DOWN HILL SPIRAL. I came across two incidents (one at Park Avenue Gurdwara, then at Havelock Road Gurdwara) which made me feel very depressed. I don’t wish to go into the details, however, I wish to share with you the general “issue”.

The first issue was our elderly people. An elderly Panjabi Sikh lady (about 70 years old) who had lost her memory had come to the Gurdwara and it made me think “One day you will be old and your mind will slow down – NAAM JAP, NAAM JAP” kept going through my head. I felt very sorry for this lady. Good news – her daughter was contacted by the Police and the lady was taken home.


The second issue was youngsters showing "ATTTITUDE" in the Gurdwara. Wearing big KaRe, trimmed or shaven faces, their God given appearance badly disfigured and cut into pieces, wearing bandanas instead of a pagh and acting very gang-like in the Gurdwara. It made me think about how the youth are straying away and their idea of Sikhi is wearing BIG KHANDA rather than keeping GURSIKHI JEEVAN. Knowledge of Gurbaani is ALIEN thought for these youngsters and they are influenced by the Gangester and Macho culture portrayed by modern Bhangra artists and Black Rap artists. Some of the actions of these youngsters yesterday were disheartening to see. Rab Sumat Bakshe.

Chalo let’s say the both incidents made me feel very sad. I did Rehraas Sahib on the train to Paddington, followed by Ardaas. In the Ardaas I said “You have blessed me with a wonderful day….” Then I stopped and I thought. “WONDERFUL?” I failed to realise the LESSON what Waheguru wished to teach me. I did Ardaas that “Waheguru please help me to understand what I should learn from today’s experiences or please give me some inspiration. I know you are Wonderful and your Works are Wonderful - but we fail to realise this.”


At Paddington Station I stood to the side talking to a friend on the phone. A man wearing shirt and suite, eating KFC Fries was walking down. He looked like he had a few drinks but wasn’t overly drunk. He came up and put his hand out to shake my hand. I didn’t know what he wanted. I smiled and then hand shook him. He said, “GOOD LUCK”. He said it twice and I said, “Good luck for what?” He said, “You are part of the people whose MISSION is to make the world A BETTER PLACE, isn’t it?” I was taken aback by this man’s comment. He said, “I want to wish you all the best and say good luck in making the world a better place.” He shook my hand again and walked off. I smiled and thought - wow, thanks Waheguru for reminding me of the mission of a Sikh and reminding me what I should learn from my experiences during the day:

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ. ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ।
naanak naam chaRdee kalaa, tere bhaaNe sarbat da bhalla.
Through Guru Nanak Sahib Ji may Naam, the Name of the Lord, be exalted; May all Humanity prosper according to Your Will.
(Sikh Ardaas)

In the tube journey home I realise that the following moral lessons had been illustrated in what I had seen and experienced at the Gurdwara Sahib:

1. Never mistreat or abandon your parents. LOOK AFTER YOUR PARENTS just like they took care of you when you were a child.

2. Always stay committed to HELPING someone, even if everyone else says don’t.

3. LIFE IS SHORT and don’t take your body for granted – do NAAM JAPNAA and SEVA as much as possible, your body clock is ticking away.

4. Remain HUMBLE and GRACEFUL and conquer people’s mind through the power of the SHABAD.

5. Always STAND UP for the Truth, SPEAK against injustice, and REPRESENT the Guru’s message with dignity.

Chalo, Rab gave me the inspiration which I was looking for. A depressing and heavy day ended with a SMILE.