On the first day of the Germany Camp held at Duisburg Gurdwara Sahib, I met a young lad called 'Deepak Singh'. He was wearing a sky blue colour traditional Panjabi large Pagh (turban). It was bed time but he still had his large Dastaar on his head. I said to him that now it is time to go to sleep, untie the Dastaar and instead go to sleep with a Keski (short under-turban). He shook his head and said that he doesn't have a Keski. I said,
"Chalo, wear a Patkaa". He was reluctant. He then said,
"Bhaajee, I am a monaa - my hair is cut... I feel embarrassed. I don't want to take off my Dastaar." Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Guru! The young 13-year-old boy had so much love for his Dastaar and felt so embarrassed that he had dishonoured his Kesh.
After doing Vichaar he untied his Dastaar. Bhaajee Ranjeet Singh sat him down and asked him why he had cut his hair if he had so much pyaar for his Dastaar and Sikhi. He explained that he wanted to keep Kesh and didn't cut his Kesh for a while and wore a Dastaar to school. However, when he got to school the principal called him to the office and said that a turban is in violation of the school uniform and he must have his hair trimmed short. Due to ignorance of the law and lack of confidence the boy got his hair cut short again. However, at the camp Bhaajee Ranjeet Singh, Giani Makhan Singh jee and other boys at the camp said that they would do everything they can and that Bhaaji Ranjeet Singh and Giani jee would go to see the principal and enlighten him on who the Sikhs are and about the turban so that he understands.
Deepak Singh also brought a 'Dhad' (small drum played in the hand) with him to the camp. He had learnt to the play the basics of Dhadi Sangeet when he went on holiday in India and the rest he learnt by trying himself. On the final night before the end of the camp, Deepak's family came and they also stayed a night. He had two other young brothers - aged 10 and 4.
They sat down in the room and sang a Dharmik Geet (religious song) with the Dhad for us, I told his parents that in my mind I see your children as GurSikhs who will become great Parchaariks (preachers). They have Spirit and Seed of Sikhi within them. I asked them,
"Do you want to become Singhs?" They all smiled and shouted
"Hanjee" (Yes) in one voice. I told their father,
"Please don't suppress their Spirit and their Faith, let their Sikhi manifest, may the whole family become Guru-Waale." The father, who was clean-shaven, smiled and said,
"I also wish this. Just as 'Chaman Laal' became 'Chamanjeet Singh Khalsa' - so is the wish of our family. We are Laale (Hindus) but have been brought up with Sikhi and Sikhs around us." Waheguru. Everyone sitting there was taken aback and amazed at the pyaar this family had for Sikhi. The father explained that at home they don't watch or listen to anything other than Dhadi Vaaraa(n) and Keertan. Waheguru.
On the last day of the camp, Deepak spoke to his parents about his plans of keeping Sikhi Saroop, and with their consent he told the Camp Sevadaars that he is going to become a Singh. His father also said that from now on he would change his son's name from 'Deepak Laal' to 'Deepak Singh'. Deepak Singh received a Siropaa from the Gurdwara Sahib along with two other Veers (brothers) who promised to stop dishonouring their hair and keep Sikhi Saroop.
One of the Aunty jees asked the three kids to play the Dhad for her and sing a Dhadi Vaar. (You can hear the Aunty jee in the video). Below is the video -
TAKE 1:
After realising the video was going to be taken to England, the little one had a Dastaar put on his head and made to look the part. It was really funny to see how the poor chap keeps fiddling with his pagh. All three brothers, especially the youngster sang with Josh (power) and great pride -
TAKE 2:
