"Are You Carrying a Gun?"

A while ago someone requested that I write about my experiences of wearing a Kirpaan and challenges I have come across with security guards. So I've decided to write about one of the incidents and how it was dealt with.

During the first a month and so of university I wore a small 6 inch Kirpaan on top of my clothes and a half sleeve jacket on top. During lectures I would remove my jacket, which allowed students to see the Kirpaan and then ASK QUESTIONS. Gradually as people got used to it and were able to ask questions I was less conscious of covering the Kirpaan with my coat jacket. Lectures and students were happy with it and felt COMFORTABLE with it. So after this I started wearing my LARGER Kirpaan and students and lecturers my department were totally okay with it. I realised that all one needs to do is be CONFIDENT and be able to provide SHORT & SWEET information about the Kirpaan and reasons for wearing it. All the people who found out about it were very RESPECTFUL.


It was my FIRST YEAR at university and end of term ESSAY DEADLINES were looming. So I went to the library to get some books. My kirpaan was over my clothes but on top of that I had a LARGE COAT. I was browsing through the computer and then walked to the Theology books where I decided to sit down and study. Its really QUIET in the library and I was feeling slightly hungry but I thought, chalo sit study for an hour and then take the books back to Halls of Residence.


30 minutes later 2 BIG LOOKING African security guards came up to me and said, "Please STAND UP and come with us." I was bit startled and thought "Chalo, let's see what they want." They took me around the corner and said, "We have reason to believe you are carrying a GUN". I was like "A GUN?" One security guard looked more aggressive than the other. He looked more like a Night-club BOUNCER (well what I would imagine one to look like!).


I opened my coat and showed my 11inch Kirpaan. He became ANGRY and said "TAKE IT OFF, take it off now." I said, "It's an Article of Faith, which is a requirement of my religious uniform." He said, "Err... Religion? Well you take it off and give it to us. Every time you come to the library you give it to reception and collect it on leaving." I calmly and politely said, "I will NOT do that. Under the 1996 Criminal Justice Act, Section 129, Sikhs are allowed to wear the Kirpaan as it is part of the Sikh religion and an Article of Faith. It is not an OFFENSIVE weapon. Do you know that by you asking me to REMOVE my Kirpaan, you are acting ILLEGALLY and can be PROSECUTED for RACIAL DISCRIMINATION and violation of HUMAN RIGHTS, which result in you losing your jobs?" Both security guards became SILENT and panicked and ended up walking in their walkie-talkies and telling their boss that this young man claims he is wearing a small sword which is a part of his religious uniform. In the next minute or so both security guards left and just said "OKAY" to me.

I sat back down and continued doing my work. 10 minutes later a member of the library staff came over me and said that he APOLOGISED for the inconvenience caused to me and that he knew about the 5Ks and how wearing the Kirpaan is part of the Sikh uniform. He also apologised for the OVER-REACTION of the security guards. As a consequence of this I wrote a letter to the DEAN of the College and met him in person. He apologised for the incident and said that the staff should have known about the Kirpaan. Also an email was sent to all departments to forward to students to explain that initiated Sikhs wear the 5Ks and information about the Kirpaan. So with Guru's Kirpaa when a non-Sikh student sees someone openly wearing a Kirpaan they don't get scared and feel COMFORTABLE.

300 years Sampoorantaa Diwas!

On 30th August the Sikh Calendar (Nanakshahi Calendar) marks 300 years since Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee COMPLETED the compilation of SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEE on the land of SRI DAMDAMA SAHIB, Bathinda. This also marks 300 years of when Damdami Taksaal which Baba Deep Singh headed at Takht Damdama Sahib was .


SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEE (DAMDAMI BIR)


Aad Granth Sahib (also known as 'Pothi Sahib')
Gurbaani is REAL, i.e. it is REALITY not philosophy. The SHABAD (Infinite Wisdom) is the Guru. Guru Nanak Sahib jee and the Das Saroop (10 Bodies) interpreted and revealed the Shabad. Guru Arjan Dev Sahib jee, accumulated the Shabad’s revelation from first five Nanaks 15 BHAGATS and 11 BHATTS etc, and recorded it into the PHYSICAL WORD in the form of AAD GRANTH SAHIB JEE (also referred to as 'POTHI SAHIB'), which was earlier form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. In 1604 the Aad Granth Sahib jee was installed on a high pedestal within Sri Darbaar Sahib.



Aad Granth Sahib jee & Dheer Mal
Pothi Sahib (known today as the Kartarpur Bir) was kept by the Sixth Nanak, GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB JEE in his house. From here it was STOLEN by his GRANDSON called DHEER MAL, who intended to use it to further his claims on the succession of the Guruship. Some THIRTY YEARS LATER the Sikhs of the Ninth Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur FORCIBLY RECOVERED it, but were instructed by Guru Sahib to RETURN IT. But as the Sikhs were far from the town, they placed it in the shallow river bed of the SATLUJ RIVER. From here Dheer Mal recovered it, miraculously it was UNDAMAGED. The Bir was taken by Dheer Mal and his family to where they lived in Kartarpur, thus the name KARTARPUR BIR ('Bir' meaning 'Volume').


The Damdami Bir
During Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee's Guruship, Dheer Mal even REFUSED to return the Kartarpur Bir over to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee when Baba Deep Singh jee along with 24 other Singhs went to visit him. Instead Dheer Mal said, "If your Guru is the SAME ROOP (form) as the first and fifth Guru Sahibs, then why doesn't he fashion Gurbaani from MEMORY?"


Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee stayed Talwandi Sabo (known as Sri Damdama Sahib today) for nine months and nine days in 1706 and dictated the ENTIRE Aad Granth Sahib jee with the addition of the Ninth Nanak, GURU TEGH BAHADAR SAHIB JEE's revealed Shabads to BHAI MANI SINGH JEE. Undoubtedly, Guru Sahib got rid of certain unauthorised writings which had crept into some PIRATED COPIES and gave it a FINAL FORM. As this Bir (Volume) was compiled at Sri Damdama Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh jee, this final form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee became known as the 'Damdami Bir'. This Bir was then taken to Sri Hazoor Sahib, NandeR where in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh jee added all human succession to Guruship and left Guruship to the Shabad Guru, the Everlasting Divine Light, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and the Guru Khalsa Panth, the physical form of the Guru.


Damdami Taksaal
In 1706, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee placed BABA DEEP SINGH JEE in charge at SRI DAMDAMA SAHIB, while BHAI MANI SINGH JEE was made HEAD GRANTHI of SRI HARMANDAR SAHIB in Amritsar. After Guru Sahib left for Delhi, Baba Deep Singh jee took up the duty of preparing copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and carried on the seva blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee of managing this Sikh Centre. 'TAKSAAL' means a MINTING FACTORY. Sri Damdama Sahib, had become a factory where Sikhs would come to mint and prepare their SHASTARS (weapons), as well as mint their MINDS and enshrine GURBAANI within their hearts through learning knowledge reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. As a result this particular centre of EDUCATION and WEAPONRY at Damdama Sahib became known as "DAMDAMI TAKSAAL".


The 20th century Jathedar of Damdami Taksal Bhindran (founded in village 'Bhindran'), Giani BABA GURBACHAN SINGH JEE KHALSA did the COMPLETE KATHA (discourse) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee many times and today we find that a lot of his students are Granthis at Sri Harmandar Sahib and many of them held positions of esteem and were Jathedaars of the Takhat Sahibs (Five Seats of Authority). The Jathedaar succeeding him, Giani BABA KARTAR SINGH JEE KHALSA started the DHARAM YUDH MORCHA, a movement against the anti-Sikh Nirankari Movement and demanding rights for Panjab and Sikh Nation, which was continued by Shaheed Giani BABA JARNAIL SINGH JEE KHALSA (which you can read more about here).

DHAN SRI GRANTH SAHIB JEE!

Sariaa Nu Gurpurb dee Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee Hove!

A Divine Week!

Today I have just got back from Khalsa Camp. I don't know what to write. I had an amazing time, which is very difficult to describe in words! The amount of LOVE, HUMILITY and SPIRITUALITY that everyone felt was great. All Guru Sahib's Kirpaa.

On Sunday the coaches arrived at the campsite at about 2pm. After registration we received the keys to our rooms. The accommodation was FIRST CLASS (in the terms of camps!). There were single ENSUITE ROOMS per person. It was good as it allowed a person to rest and go to sleep and in the mornings there was no rush to have a shower.


After settling in there was a welcome talk. The welcome talk was a good balance of basic rules and expectations with a FUNNY VIDEO and performance by Sukhi Singh bhaji from Midlands. It was HILLARIOUS. Everyone couldn't stop laughing. I've been told the clips will be on the Khalsa Camp 2006 DVDs which will be available in the near future.

The day would consist of everyone waking up at AMRIT-VELA at 3am. At 4am the morning diwaan would begin with Vaheguru Simran, followed by NITNEM of Panj Banian. After the morning the diwaan there would 2 hours of REST for campers between 6am and 8am. This was a good time to relax and ensure one's not tired for the rest of the day.


Between 8am and 9am was BREAKFAST. Afterwards there would be a TALK by an outside speaker would be for one hour followed by one hour of question time. Guest speakers had come from AUSTRALIA, CANADA, and AMERICA. The talks were on various indepth spiritual topics such as "Battle of the Mind", "The 5 Khands (Realms)" (as described in Japji Sahib), "God, Guru & Sikh", "Anhad Dasam Duaar" etc. After a break there would be various WORKSHOPS for campers to choose from. The various workshops were on the themes of: 1) Sikh Principles, 2) Basics of Sikhi, 3) Gurbaani Grammar, 4) Panthic Issues, 5) Youth & Social Issues, 6) Darbaar Sahib & Guru jee's Seva, 7) Keertan, and 8) Dastaar (turban) tyings.



After the workshops there would be lunch. The Langar (like the rest of the things at camp) was CHARDI KALAA. May Waheguru bless the Langar Sevadaars. We had all sorts to eat like pizzas, jacket potatoes, pasta, roti, different daal sabjee, different cakes, flapjacks, cookies, trifle, chips and beans etc. It takes A LOT OF EFFORT to cook langar for such a large sangat of 300 or so people, so its inspirational to see the sevadaars cook and serve langar with such calmness, pyaar, and humility. Waheguru!

After lunch there were various physical activities. Two activities off-site were HORSE RIDING and GO-KARTING. I went Go-Karting. It was EVENTFUL. It was fun driving. Some poor singhs' dastaars came flying off when driving and there were few collisions! It was a good day out and everyone enjoyed themselves.


At 5.45pm the evening diwaan would begin with one hour of Vaheguru Simran. Every diwaan would have an ELECTRIFYING feel to it. The vibrations of Naam and Baani would fill the room. It was amazing! After Rehiraas Sahib and Keertan there would be Langar at 7.45pm. Then in the evenings there would be OPTIONAL DISCUSSION groups, which campers could attend from 9 to 10pm. This gave time for campers to ask questions on anything they learnt or heard during the day or anything in general.


On Tuesday everyone went to BLACKPOOL to the SEA-SIDE. It was a good day out and with Guru's Kirpaa the weather was good. There was beach volleyball and various games and some decided to walk around and enjoy the nice outdoor atmosphere. In the evening after having something to eat there was Keertan on the beach followed by Rehraas Sahib by everyone. Very RELAXING and PEACEFUL experience.





Today campers were VIDEO-INTERVIEWED about what they felt about Khalsa Camp 2006 and what they GAINED from the camp. It was really inspiring to hear stories of bhajis and bhenjis who have been inspired by Guru Sahib during the week and have been positively influenced in their lives by the pyaar, humility and spirituality shown during the camp. The power of SAADH SANGAT and GURBAANI is indescribable!


Generally the camp was GREAT! So many JEEVANI GURSIKHS, which one feel's like being the dust of their feet. It was honour and a blessing to be graced with such sangat. Even now thinking of the GurSikhs I met with Waheguru's Kirpaa, it is BEYOND WORDS to explain the inspiration they gave.

Off to Khalsa Camp!

Tomorrow Daas is off to Khalsa Camp for one week! When I come back Daas will post some pictures and share what I've learnt and experienced. Can't wait to spend one week with Guru Sahib and have sangat with great Gursikhs.

Something a Christian told a Sikh...

I received an email from Bhaji Mehtab Singh, which I felt like sharing with everyone. The article is of what a Christian pastor said to a Sikh gentleman in London that was published by the Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana. It's a strong email, which some may think is difficult to read. It presents a painful reality, however it also reflects the glory of Sikhi.

O Sikhs ! do what ever you like, your Guru shall never feel happy with you. I have read your history. I have also read translation of your Gurbani what ever I could lay my hands on. I have read much about your religion; as much as you perhaps have not yourself. l am telling you the truth, we spread our religion in the entire world on the strength of one Jesus Christ having been put on the cross. But your history is replete with thousands Christs. Which other religion of the world can claim to have its leaders martyred through torture of being boiled in hot water? Or made to sit on hot plates? Which lover of a religion had his joints cut one by one, and even sawed into two? The followers of which religion had raised their voice and arms to fight injustice, tyranny and oppression by forming small bands of fighters with virtually coffin on their heads? Is there any religion in the world whose leader had his two young ones burried alive in the walls?

What a God’s wrath! Only five hundred years old history and that too written in blood ! And imagine when Gurbani professes love and service of humanity and fellow beings, you sing the songs of love and do not shirk raising arms against cruelty and oppression. What a strange religion it is that to establish justice you don’t even hesitate to lay down your life. You have hidden such an unparalleled and not to be found history in just 20 million hearts. Perhaps even less because I am sure the modern educated Sikhs do not even narrate these episodes to their children. And less informed rural elders may be inadvertently adding falsehood in it. The chasm between belief and blind faith is very wide.

O friend, belief demands a ray of knowledge. Outside knowledge is only blind faith, doubts and superstitions and it keeps getting adulterated. What have you done to check and arrest it ? We have distributed millions of copies of Bible free of cost or have charged very nominal cost. I have heard that SGPC, the governing and administrative body of your Gurudawaras has annual income running into many millions. You should use some money to translate Gurbani in various languages and distribute it. Translate your Sikh history in many languages and distribute its copies free to the world for others to know and realise what you are. Haven’t we printed Bible in all Indian languages including Punjabi ? I have heard that you people have not even reached your Sikh history in every house of your community. How ungrateful are you towads your Gurus and your martyrs ! An ungrateful person has no place other than hell. All you Sikhs will go to hell. O wretched people ! I worry that you will even make hell over crowded.

Source: Sikh Missionary College (Ludhiana)

New Month Begins!

Today is the first day of the month of BHAADO in the Sikh Nanakshahi Calendar. Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Jee has given us a HUKAM (Order) for the beginning of each month, which is recorded in "BARAAH-MAAHAA". As mentioned in previous posts, Sikhs don't "celebrate" the first day of the month (known as SANGRAAND) nor do Sikhs see it as a "more special day" compared to other days. Instead Guru Sahib has given us a Hukam which relates with the season and month and is intended to REMIND the soul-bride that she is SEPARATED from the Lord Waheguru and that she should make every EFFORT to unite and attach herself to the Lord Waheguru. So each month Guru Sahib reminds us of re-uniting with Waheguru.


Hukam for the month of Bhaadon (August 16th - September 15th):

ਭਾਦੁਇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀਆ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਲਖ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੇਤੁ ॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਨਿ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਸਸੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਕਹਸਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤੁ ॥
ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਇਨਿ ਦੂਤ ਜਮ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਨੀ ਭੇਤੁ ॥
ਛਡਿ ਖੜੋਤੇ ਖਿਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਹਥ ਮਰੋੜੈ ਤਨੁ ਕਪੇ ਸਿਆਹਹੁ ਹੋਆ ਸੇਤੁ ॥
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਕਰਮਾ ਸੰਦੜਾ ਖੇਤੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਚਰਣ ਬੋਹਿਥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦੇਤੁ ॥
ਸੇ ਭਾਦੁਇ ਨਰਕਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਖਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥੭॥

In the month of Bhaadon, the soul-bride who has love for other things without love for Waheguru is is deluded by doubt because of her attachment to duality. She may wear thousands of ornaments, but they are of no use at all (for her).

On that day when the body perishes (when a person dies) - at that time, (all the relatives and relations will say) she has become a ghost. The Messenger of Death seizes (the soul) and holds her, and does not tell anyone his secret (of where he is taking the soul). Those with whom you have loved (lots) - in an instant, they move on, leaving one's side.

(Seeing Death, the human) shakes her hands, her body writhes in pain, and (becoming shaken up) her colour turns from black to white. This body is the field of our karma - as one plants, so does one harvest (as you sow, you shall reap).

O Nanak! Those for whom the Guru is their love and their Protector and Saviour, in Bhaadon, shall not fall into hell, (because with the Guru's Grace) those people seek Waheguru's Sanctuary; and the Guru gives them the Boat of Waheguru's Feet (to climb on) ||7||
(Ang 134)

Nice Poem

I ASKED FOR STRENGTH
Author: Unknown

I asked for Strength...
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom...
And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity...
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage...
And God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love...
And God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors...
and God gave me Opportunities.

I got nothing I wanted...
But I received everything I needed.

---

Mata Gujjar Kaur jee

Last Sunday after the SMS camp my family and I went to see some relatives. One of the relatives we met was an elderly Bibi jee, who is my Tayee jee's Bhua jee. Every time I see her I just think "Waheguru! I can see Mata Gujjar Kaur Jee (the mother of Guru Gobind Singh jee and grandmother of the Sahibzaadey)". She is very old (eighty years old or so) and now looking frail. She speaks so sweetly and gives Pyaar to everyone. She is very religious and talks only about religious things.

Bibi jee told me that from a young age her mother taught them Japji Sahib. Going to school, cooking, playing and walking she would recite Japji Sahib. Now she thanks her mother for giving her these blessings. She said that she is old and frail now but with Guru's Kirpaa still tries to keep Rehat (discipline) and in the morning does 5 Nitnem Banian, then Shabad Hazaare, Dukh Bhanjan Shabads followed by Sukhmani Sahib. Then everyday she would go to the Gurdwara Sahib. Very inspiring!

 

Mata jee said to me, "Guru jee says "rehit piyaaree mujh ko, sikh piyaaraa naahi" (meaning: "I love a Sikh's discipline/ way of life rather than a Sikh.") We should try our utmost to earn the Guru's words and keep rehit." I felt moved by her bairaag and how she said "We make countless mistakes and due to my ill-health I sometimes am not able to keep my regular Rehit and routine... May Guru Sahib forgive me, forgive me." All I could think was "Dhan Guru! Dhan Guru Piyaare." So much pyaar and dedication. Despite her old age, Mata jee has a cold bath everyday. Waheguru!

I felt privileged and thankful to Waheguru for gracing me with the darshan of such a blessed soul who holds so much love, fear and dedication for Guru Sahib. When she spoke, I just imagined Mata Gujri Kaur jee sitting with me and talking.

What do the different Raags in Gurbaani mean?

You are the Gurdwara Sahib listening to Paath or a Hukamnama and you hear "DHANAASREE MEHLAA 5... " or "AASA MEHLAA 1..." followed by a shabad. What does this mean? Well, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee is the Eternal Guru within which the Light and soul of Guru Nanak Sahib jee resides. If we wish to talk Guru Nanak Sahib jee then Guru jee is residing in the Divine Infinite Wisdom, the SHABAD. Just as a person talks with emotions and moods, Guru Jee also talks to us with particular MOODS and EMOTIONS attached to shabads, which are indicated by RAAGS (musical measures).

There are 31 main raags within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. However, these raags are frequently combined with additional raags making Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee a treasury of sophisticated poetry and music. The wide range of musical measures (which communicate various moods and themes) within Gurbaani re-emphasises that Gurbaani (the Infinite Divine Wisdom) and its message is intended for PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE.


Guru Arjan Dev Sahib jee singing Gurbaani on the Sarandaa (an instrument created by Guru Sahib)


Information on 31 Raags in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee

Panna	Raag	Common Themes	Feelings communicated
1-13	~	~	~
14-93	Sri	Maya (illusionary world) and detachment	Satisfaction and balance
94-150	Maajh	Yearning to merge with Lord, giving up of negative values.	Loss, beautification
151-346	Gauri	Principles, serious, thoughtfulness, composed	Seriousness
347-388	Aasa	Hope	Making effort
489-526	Goojri	Prayer (Pooja)	Satisfaction, softness of heart, sadness
527-536	Devgandaari	Merging with spouse, self – realization	No specific feeling but the Raag has a softness
537-556	Bihaagra	Yearning due to separation of soul and happiness due to meeting the Lord.	Beautification
557-594	Vadhans	Bhakti (Prayer) Ras
595-599	Sorath	Merits of God	Motivation
660-695	Dhanaasari	Mixed theme	Inspiration, motivation
696-710	Jaitsree	Stability	Softness, satisfaction, sadness
711-718	Todee	Maya, separation	This being a flexible Raag it is apt for communicating many feelings
719-720	Bairaari	Motivation to sing praises of Lord	Sadness, (Gurus have, however, used it for the message of Bhakti)
721-727	Tilang	Many words from the vocabulary of Islamic origins are used, sadness, beautification.	This is a favourite Raag of Muslims. It denotes feeling of beautification and yearning.
728-794	Soohi	Being away from home. The soul being away from the House of Lord and the joy of meeting the true husband.	Joy and separation
795-858	Bilaaval	Beautification of soul, happiness.	Happiness
859-875	Gaund	Separation, union, surprise.	Strangeness, surprise, beauty
876-974	Raamkali	to give up the life of a wandering Yogi	Calmness
975-983	Nat Narayan	Joy of meeting the Lord	Happiness
984-1987	Maali Gaura	Happiness	Happiness
989-1106	Maaru	Bravery	Giving up of cowardice
1107-1117	Tukhari	Separation and union with Lord	Beautification
1118-1124	Kedara	Love	Love and beautification
1125-1167	Bhairau	Man's state of hell	Seriousness, brings stability of mind
1168-1196	Basant	Happiness	Happiness
1197-1253	Saarang	Thirst to meet God	Sadness
1254-1293	Malaar	State of separated and united soul	Separation
1294-1218	Kaanra	Bhakti (Devotion/Prayer)	Bhakti (devotion) and seriousness
1319-1326	Kalyaan	Bhakti (Devotion/Prayer) Ras	Bhakti Ras (feeling the sweet nectar from loving devotion to the Lord)
1327-1351	Parbhati	Vairaag (Detachment)	Bhakti and seriousness
1352-1356	Jaijawanti	Vairaag (Detachment)	Viraag (Detachment)
1357-1430	~	~	~

Source: Prof. Surinder Singh (Raj Academy)

SMS Camp 2006

Sunday 31st July to Sunday 6th August was the 29th ANNUAL GURMAT CAMP held by the SIKH MISSIONARY SOCIETY (Southall) in Leicester. The SMS camps are always ENJOYABLE. The age group was from 9 - 15 years old. The majority of campers were from SOUTHALL and a large group came from BRISTOL, however there were campers from different parts of UK.

The timetable was that at 7am there was NISHAAN SAHIB SALAAMI (flag ceremony) and singing Deh Shiva shabad, followed by EXERCISES. Then at 7.30am the morning diwaan begins with JAPJI SAHIB, Ardaas and Hukamnama with explanation in English. After breakfast the first WORKSHOP or TALK would start. There would be two talks/workshops a day. In the afternoon after lunch there would be GAMES in the nearby park. In the evening there would be REHRAAS SAHIB and Ardaas and after Langar there would be the EVENING DIWAAN, finishing the day off with keertan. The guest speakers through the week were Bhai Roop Singh jee (Leeds), Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains jee (Canada) and Bhaji Kuljit Singh jee (Leicester).

The THEME SHABAD for the camp, which was sung throughout the camp and had got enshrined within the minds of the campers, was:

ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਉ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ॥
tis gur kau simrau saas saas.
I remember the Guru with each and every breath.

ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
gur mere praaN satgur meree raas. ||1|| rahaa-o.||
The Guru is my breath of life, the True Guru is my wealth. ||1||Pause||

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਦੇਖਿ ਜੀਵਾ ॥
gur kaa darshan dekh dekh jeevaa.
Beholding the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan, I live.

ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਧੋਇ ਧੋਇ ਪੀਵਾ ॥੧॥
gur ke charan Dho-e Dho-e peevaa. ||1||
I wash the Guru's Feet, and drink in this water. ||1||
(Ang 239)

Here are some photos:


Morning Japji Sahib.


Campers doing keertan.


Uncle Surinder Singh jee (Secretary of SMS) and Dr. Raghbir Singh from Canada.


Campers doing seva.


Games in the Park.



Bhai Roop Singh jee talking to campers.


On one day the film 'Rise of the Khalsa', about the jeevan (life) of Shaheed Baba Banda Singh jee Bahaadar, was shown to the campers.


On the Thursday everyone went to Alton Towers.


Campers participating in the essay writing competition. It reminded me of my GCSE exams!


On Saturday morning a Bhai Sahib from Southall who teaches Kung Fu came to the camp and taught some basic moves and discipline to the campers.


My group's photo.


On the last night of the camp the camp sevadaars did a short drama for the campers. The play was about Pakhandi Babas and how we should only have faith in Waheguru and Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, the Spoken Word of God.

Sikhi Camp Photos

For the past two weeks Daas has been at BOSS SIKHI CAMP, which was held in NORTH WALES, and then at the SIKH MISSIONARY SOCIETY GURMAT CAMP, which was held at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Sahib in LEICESTER. Both camps were chardi kalaa and provided a great opportunity to have GREAT SANGAT and be in the company of Guru Sahib.

This year's Boss Sikhi Camp theme was "THE JOURNEY... BIRTH... LIFE... DEATH... ?" It also celebrated 400 years of Guru Arjan Dev jee's SHAHEEDI DIWAS (martyrdom) as well as a number of other historical milestones. In the mornings there would be Amrit-vela Simran and Nitnem, then Aasa Di Vaar keertan, Japji Sahib and explanation of the morning Hukamnaama. After breakfast there would be a talk followed by groups discussions. In the afternoon there would be activities organised by the Army, which included Hiking, water sports, abseiling, and more. In the evening there would be Rehraas Sahib, keertan, explanation of the evening Hukamnama, and Sukhaasan.

The talks were on BIRTH, AMRIT, MARRIAGE and DEATH. There guest speakers at the camp were from abroad. One was Bhai Jarnail Singh, also known as Martin Singh, who is white Canadian Sikh who is President of the Martime Sikh Society and is active in his Sikh community in Nova Scotia in Canada (Read more about him here). The other one was a Bhai Sahib from Toronto who is a white Sikh who has his own television and radio show. Both speakers very inspiring. Also a Jatha (group) of Singhs from Sri Hazoor Sahib were at the camp and did really nice keertan and kaveeshree (poetry singing).

Here are some photos:


Guru Sahib's Pavitar Saroop being carried to the Darbaar Sahib


Guru Jee's Darbaar


Keertan in evening


On the last evening of the camp one of the activities instructors from the Outdoor Leisure Centre who helped with the activities spoke to the Sangat and shared what she had learnt about Sikhi. Everyone was impressed with her enthusiasm, love and respect for Sikhi and Sikh people.


Below are some photos from a Hiking trip in the Welsh countryside:







Dhadi Master jee


Group photo of a few people from our Dorm


On the coach journey to Wales and back to Southall the Sangat did Simran and shabad keertan:

Bhenji doing simran


Mandeep Singh bhaji doing simran


Bhaji Jagpreet Singh doing mind blowing keertan! He had an angelic voice.