Photos from Reading Sikhi Camp!

On the Saturday, the campers were divided into three groups: 5-10 years old, 11-14 years old, and 15 years old and above (parents and adults). In the morning there was group work, discussions and a talk. The younger children also watched a film. Then there was langar. It was great to see all the children sit on the floor and first do simran and then eat Langar. After lunch there were two classes. The younger children also got opportunity to learn how to tie dastaars. As usual, all the children loved to have a dastaar tied on their head and even one aunty jee asked to have one tied on her. Really Chardikalaa!

Here's a few photos:


Bhaji Harbir Singh jee (Southall) taking the youngest group and talking about the Sahibzaadey's jeevan and sacrifice.



5-10 years old group discussing and writing down ideas about Sahibzaadey and the basics of Gurmat.


5-10 years old children presenting their work to the others.




Bhaji Gurpreet Singh (Woolwich) and Bhaji Harbir Singh taking the 11-14 years old group and discussing Seva, Simran and Naam.




15 years + men's group discussing about Panj Chor and how they can affect us and the possible solutions.


Ladies group discussing about the challenges that may arise when trying to implement the basic principles of Naam Japnaa, Vand Chhaknaa and Kirat Karni in our everyday practical lives and the solutions.


15 years+ girl's group discussing how we can implement the basic principles of Gurmat in our daily lives and the benefits to the individual, the family and society.



Younger children watching the film "Sahibzaadey".


In the evening diwaan, after Rehraas the Sangat did Simran together followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama. After langar there was a Keertan Darbaar with Akhand Keertan (continuous Keertan) till 10.30pm. Dhan Guru Nanak! Amazing day and I was very fortunate of being able to have darshan (able to meet) so many inspiring souls - young and old.

On the Sunday, the camp started at 9am, after the morning breakfast of pakoray, samosay, jaleebee's and gulaab jamon. There was a talk on Gursikhi Jeevan (the life of a Gursikh) followed by Q&A. Afterwards there was a Dastaar tying session where boys, girls and their parents (including aunty jees) had Dastaars tied on them. It was very inspiring to see the courage of the sisters, in particular the parents of the campers, who took the step to try out wearing a dastaar and walking into the main diwaan with their crown. The young children and everyone radiated the Khalsa's glory and the beauty of the Guru's image.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi!

Shaheed Bhai Uday Singh Jee

This post is in tribute to Bhai Uday Singh jee who became martyred in the December 1704 whilst bravely protecting the Sikhs during the evacuation of Anandpur Sahib. May Waheguru bless us all with Gursikhi Jeevan, Rehat and blessings of Naam and inspire us when remembering the great Gursikhs who lived, earned and died with Guru Sahib in their hearts. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Guru ke Sikh.

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF SHAHEED BHAI UDAY SINGH JEE

Family Serving the Guru
Bhai Uday Singh jee was the third son of Bhai Mani Singh jee (the famous Shaheed who was martyred by being cut limb by limb) from Alipur in Multan district (now in Pakistan). Bhai Mani Siṅgh jee along along with his four sons were spiritually reborn into the Khalsa and received the gift of the Amrit of the double-edged sword on Vaisakhi 1699. The whole family offered themselves to serve the House of the Guru. Bhai Bachiter Singh jee and Bhai Uday Singh jee, were two of the four sons who were part of Guru Gobind Singh jee's band of 25 Sikhs who escorted Guru Sahib.


Brave Warrior
Bhai Uday Singh was a very good marksman. Once, while he and a few other Sikhs accompanied Guru Gobind Singh jee on a hunting expedition, they were suddenly attacked by two Hill chiefs named Balia Chand and Alam Chand. One of the Guru jee's Singhs, called Bhai Alam Singh jee, fought with the hill chief Alam Chand and cut off his right arm with a single stroke of his sword. Bhai Uday Singh surged forward and caused serious injury to the Hill Chief Balia Chand with a gun shot. With both the Hill chiefs seriously injured the soldier accompaning the two Hill Chiefs made a quick retreat into the thick jungle. Guru Sahib praised Bhai Uday Singh jee’s brave act in the battle in presence of Sikh Sangat.


The day before the Battle of Anandpur
On the eve of the first battle of Anandpur in 1700, Bhai Uday Singh jee, after assisting in the strengthening of defences, took over command of the reserve. According to Bhai Santokh Singh's "Sri Gur Prataap Sooraj Granth", it was through him that Sahibzaada Ajeet Singh jee, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh jee, asked for his father's permission to take part in the combat. Guru Sahib agreed but asked Bhai Uday Singh jee to accompany him with 100 warriors. Bhai Uday Singh jee fought valiantly in the battle and although wounded severely during the first day's battle he continued to serve the Guru and fought to protect the Sikhs.


Bhai Bachitar Singh jee & the Drunk Elephant
Bhim Chand and Kesri Chand were full of high spirits and vowed to clear the city of Anandpur of Sikhs in a single day. The plan was to break the gate of Sri Anandpur Sahib using a drunk intoxicated elephant which was covered with armour, shields and sharp weapons. They hoped that the elephant would push down the gates and trample and kill the Sikhs. Guru Sahib gave Bhai Bachitar Singh jee the Hukam (order) to crush the enemy elephant. Guru Sahib said, "You are my lion and I will crush the pride of that elephant and his owners through you. I will give you the powerful Nagni spear and you will crush that elephant’s pride with it. You will hit the elephant so strongly that he will never come towards our fort again and will run back crushing his own army. Keep your calm, don’t get worried and have no doubt. Don’t have fear of death and keep faith, and your good name will be known for generations.” The single Khalsa, Bhai Bachitar Singh jee, injured the big elephant which then turned back to run towards the enemy and crushed the enemy soldiers.


Angry Raja Keskri Chand
Raja Kesri Chand got terribly upset and angry over the defeat against the drunk elephant and the damage the elephant had caused against his soldiers. Guru Sahib responded saying that just like Bachitter Singh took on the elephant, will any Soorma Singh (warrior Singh) take on Kesri Chand too. When Guru Sahib said it the third time, Bhai Uday Singh jee who was sitting there humbly said, “Do kirpa on me Maharaj, I will fight this formidable enemy.” At this very moment, Bhai Uday Singh jee dared Kesri Chand for a straight man to man fight. With "Waheguru" on his lips, Bhai Uday Singh jee launched a lightening attack and cut off the head of Kesri Chand and mounting the same (head) on his spear, returned to the Fort. With the death of their commander-in-chief, the Hill forces retreated in fear. Bhai Uday Singh jee was declared, the hero of that battle. He led the Guru Sahib's forces against the army of Hill chiefs in the fifth battle of Anandpur Sahib and inflicted heavy casualities on the enemy forces.


Evacuation of Sri Anandpur Sahib
Thereafter, combined forces of Hill chiefs and those of Emperor Aurangzeb laid a siege of Sri Anandpur Sahib, lasting more than 6 months. Guru Gobind Singh jee vacated Anandpur Sahib at midnight on 20th December 1704. The enemy forces, violated their vows on the Quran and the "sacred cow" of the Hindus. They attacked Guru jee and the Sikhs leaving the fort. Bhai Uday Singh jee along with Bhai Daya Singh jee, Bhai Alam Singh jee and other brave Sikh warriours, kept the enemy at bay under the leadership of Sahibzaada Ajeet Singh for a considerable time, helping the Sikhs and Guru Sahib to cross over the stormy and overflowing Sirsa River.


Shaheedi (Martyrdom)
Bhai Uday Singh jee took over command of the rear-guard from Sahibzaada Ajeet Singh jee, as the Sikh men, women, children and Guru Sahib were marching out after evacuating Anandpur. Imbued with the colour of Naam and with "Waheguru" on each breath, Bhai Uday Singh jee fought desperately against the Mughal & Hindu Hill Chieftain's armies, who outnumbered the small group of Sikhs. Eventually Bhai Sahib was struck with the enemy's sword and attained martyrdom. Bhai Uday Singh jee laid down his life fighting against a cruel and treacherous regime for the freedom of the opressed. He was martyred at a low mound called "Shaahee Tibbee", 6 km south of Keeratpur. A small Gurdwara Sahib at Shaahee Tibbee now honours Bhai Sahib's memory. Bhai Uday Singh jee is part of a family of who served and died for Guru Sahib whenever there was a call for sewa and kurbani.



Related Blog Posts:
- 'Cold Weather of December'
- 'Saaka Chamkaur Sahib - Story of Bravery & Sacrifice'
- 'Shaheed Bhai Jeevan Singh Jee'
- 'Baba Zorawar Singh Jee'
- 'Sahibzaada Baba Ajeet Singh Jee'

Reading Gurdwara Sikhi Camp

Last weekend a Gurmat Camp was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Reading, Berkshire. It was a weekend camp that started 9.45am on Saturday 15th December. Bhaji Sukhjeet Singh from Reading Gurdwara Sahib organised the camp and put a lot of effort into getting everything arranged. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect! It was the first ever camp in Reading and we didn't know how much Sangat was going to come. The sevadaars that led the classes included Bhai Ravjeet Singh, his younger brother Jagdeep Singh, Bhaji Harbir Singh, Bhaji Gurpreet Singh, Bhenji Pardeep Kaur and Bhaji Vijay Singh. Bhaji Arwinder Singh and Bhaji Sukhjit Singh did a lot of running around and getting things organised. It was great how Guru Sahib got all the sevadaars and the Sangat together! Waheguru.

If you've been to Reading Gurdwara, you will know that the PARKING is a nightmare! Waheguru! The Gurdwara road has cars on both side and you just about squeeze through, so you can imagine finding a car park space can be stressful (especially with my parking skills! Waheguru!). But with Guru Sahib's Kirpaa, when there are any special programmes at the Gurdwara Sahib, then Gurdwara Sahib hires out the nearby church car park or Thames Valley University car park. During camp the Sangat could park their cars at the university.

The camp was great. On Sunday afternoon, the journey back home was a long drive. For langar there were Sholay and Bhatooray! (Plus Kheer, Jaleebees and Gulaab Jamon!). You can imagine you're feeling slightly sleepy, add on the fact that you've eaten heavy Langar and plus Chaa (which rather than make me feel awake, it makes me sleepy - especially Indian Chaa). I was feeling so DROWSY on the journey back home. I was doing loud Simran and put the Keertan up loud to keep me awake! With Guru Sahib's kirpaa got home safe, sound and awake .

The weekend was really inspiring. When you have darshan of children, gupt sevadaars and Sangat you realise that there is so much potential for Sikhi and that there are so many blessed souls. I would recommend that everyone takes opportunities of doing Saadh Sangat whenever and where ever possible.

ਸਤਸੰਗਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਖਟੀਐ ਹੋਰ ਥੈ ਹੋਰਤੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥

Saṯsangṯī sang har ḏẖan kẖatī­ai hor thai horaṯ upā­ė har ḏẖan kiṯai na pā­ī.
In the company of the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, you shall earn the wealth of the Lord; this wealth of the Lord is not obtained anywhere else, by any other means, at all.
(Ang 734)

Some events coming up this month where where you can take benefit of Saadh Sangat:

LEAMINGTON ONE-DAY SIKH CAMP Saturday 22nd December 2007 9am till 6pm For all ages. Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, Tachbrook Park Drive, Leamington Spa, CV31 3LZ.

RAINSBAAEE KEERTAN & AMRIT SANCHAAR Saturday 22nd December 2007 7pm till 5am For more info on smaagam and transport click here. Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, Leeds Road, Bradford, BD3 9JN

BARSI OF BABA THAKUR SINGH JEE Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th December 2007 6pm Arambh of Sri Akhand Paathh Sahib. Overnight arrangements. Programme includes Kathaa, Keertan & talks. For more info click here. Note: Amrit Sanchaar on 24th December at 1pm Gurdwara Baba Zorawar Singh Ji Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Phoenix Drive, Off Grafton Street (V6), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LU.

CHRISTMAS ONE DAY GURMAT CAMP Tuesday 25th December 2007 9am till 8pm In memory of the Sahibzaade's Shaheedi. All ages welcome. For more info click here. Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan, Oldbury, Birmingham, B69 4EH

COVENTRY WINTER GURMAT CAMP Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th December 2007 8.30am till 4.30pm For 4yrs to adults. Mystery trip on 30th December! For more info click here. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Cross Road, Coventry, CV6 5GR.

END OF MONTH YOUTH KEERTAN DARBAAR Saturday 29th December 2007 8pm – 12pm (Main Diwaan) Singh Sabha Gurdwara Park Avenue Southall UB2 3AG

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਕਲਿਜੁਗੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਹੀਓ ॥੪॥੮॥੪੭॥

Ḏẖan so kalijug sāḏẖsang kīrṯan gā­ī­ai Nānak nām aḏẖār hī­o. ||4||8||47||
Blessed, in this Dark Age of Kalyug, is the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, where the Lord's Praises are sung.O Nanak! The Naam is my only Support. ||4||8||47||
(Ang 382)

Audio Book! ( What is Amrit)

I came across the audio book of "What is the Meaning of Sikh Baptism" on SevaToTheMax.com, which includes commentary by Bhai Joginder Singh jee. Firstly, it's great if you don't like reading books yourself; secondly, Bhai Sahib gives commentary, explains and expands upon things in the book in simple English; and thirdly, even if you read the book, it's nice to hear it!

I hope that more audio books are made like this one! It's a brilliant seva, which many can benefit from (e.g. you can easily listen to a book and be inspired on a long car journey). With Guru Sahib's Kirpaa, it would be great if Bhai Sahib Veer Singh jee's classic novels based around Sikh history like "Sundree" and "Bijai Singh" and other great classics in Sikh literature were all gradually made into audio books, perhaps with special effect sounds added (similar to the SikhNet.com stories by Gurliv Singh). May Waheguru bless all the sevadaars who are doing seva in whichever ways and mediums they can in spreading the word and message of Guru Sahib with more seva and inspiration! Waheguru.

Audio Book:

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 1 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 2 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 3 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 4 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 5 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 6 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 7 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 8 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 9 [open] [download]

The Meaning of Sikh Baptism (What is Amrit) Part 10 [open] [download]



Fore more audios of stories click here

Amazing Keertan!

I came across beautiful keertan in the sweet voice of Bhai Parminder Singh jee from Jallandhar. Bhai Sahib does seva with the Akhand Keertani Jatha. I didn't realise till afterwards that Bhai Parminder Singh jee attended Khalsa Camp 2006! His keeertan at the camp was mind blowing! With Guru Sahib's Kirpaa I came across a few videos of Bhai Sahib doing Keertan. Unfortunately I can't find any audios of Bhai Sahib doing Keertan. If anyone can help with audio files that would be great :)

Bhai Parminder Singh jee & Bhai Jaspal Singh jee



Bhai Parminder Singh jee & Bibi Manjinder Kaur jee.



Bhai Parminder Singh jee at Kapurthala (Panjab) Rainsabaaee (4-8-2007).


Waheguroo

Booking a Driving Test

When I was at Sixth Form College studying for my A-Levels (about 5 years ago), I started my driving lessons. After some time my driving instructor put my name down for a driving test. The DVLA (Driving & Vehicle Licensing Agency) were to ring me and confirm the date and time.

One day I was sitting in my A-Level English class when my phone rang. I forgot to put it on silent so I got it out and said "Hello". Someone in a (really strong) Indian accent, "Hello, Hello.... Hello... is this Manvir Singh!" I thought it either my brother or cousin playing a prank on me on the phone (as they usually do - using weird accent, pretending to be random people). I laughed and said, "I know who it is" and put the phone down. Everyone was shocked that I answered the phone in class (the class only had about 15 students). But I said to the teacher "Sorry, my brother was playing a prank." He said it was okay. (I remember one girl said it was not fair that when she answered her phone that she got told off and that I didn't get told off. hehehe).

Then 2 minutes later the phone rings again. (This time my phone was on vibration). I said, "Sorry Sir, I am expecting a phone call from the DVLA for my driving lesson." He said its okay to answer. Again it was the same Indian voice (sounded like an old uncle who can barely speak English). I said, "Hello" and he replied "Hello... Hello... is this Manvir Singh. I rang before..." I started to laugh and after a few seconds put the phone back down. I thought my brother must be bored that he keeps ringing me and yet I am supposed to be waiting for an important call. Then 10 minutes later my mum rang my mobile and said, "Manvir, I've just recieved a phone call from the DVLA." My mum said that the man sounded really annoyed and frustrated. The first thing the man said after saying that he was calling from the DVLA was, "Is you son mentally okay? Does he suffer any mental problems?" My mum was a bit shocked and taken aback and said "Erm... no he doesn't suffer any mental problems." The man replied, "Well, every time I ring him, he laughs and doesn't say anything." Waheguru. I explained to my mum that I thought it was my brother playing a prank because it was a like a strong Indian accent (similar to the prank calls my brother does pretending to be a random uncle).

When I got off the phone and explained to my teacher and the class what had happened, it put a smile on everyone's face and everyone had a good laugh. After my class I went home for the day. I had to ring the DVLA. Unfortunately it was the same Indian man. I felt so embarrassed talking to him. He sounded annoyed and said "So its you again." Waheguru. I eventually booked my lesson.