Italy Trip

Last weekend Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh and Daas were invited to Italy for the opening of a new Gurdwara in Savona, which is one hour away from Rome. We went on Friday morning and came back Monday morning. A Sri Akhand Paatth Sahib was held from Friday to Sunday with a Keertan and Kaveeshree (poetry) Darbaar after the bhog (completion) of the Sr Akhand Paatth Sahib. Guru Sahib caused us to meet a few Gurmukh Pyaare that are the hidden jewels of the Panth. These Singhs shared so much spirit and reminded me of Puraatan (old) Singhs.

Here are some photos from the trip:


Gurdwara Sahib.


Gurdwara Sahib entrance.


Langar Hall.


Nishaan Sahib.


This is the road on which the Gurdwara Sahib is built on. It reminded me of India.



Gurdwara's Darbaar Sahib.


On Friday we went shopping with the local Singhs. We were in the supermarket and came across a HUGE block of cheese for sale!


Just to put into perspective how big the cheese was!


On Saturday morning we went sight seeing in Rome.

I cannot remember the names of most of the buildings because on the tour bus they didn't have a tour guide! Instead they gave us ear phones which we had to plug in and listen to a recording. Firstly, the recording was slightly delayed in relation to the bus moving. So after going past a Church the recording would say "On your right you can see this magnificent Church..." But when you looked left there was no church because we had driven past it! Also the audio tour guide was confusing because it would say "On the left hand side you can see..." So we would look left and there was nothing there! We would look right and the building that the audio was mentioning was there. So they had left and right mixed up because no one knew whether he was talking about the left and right of the people sitting on the bus or left and right of someone who suppose was standing in front of us and explaining the tour. Waheguru!

St. Peter's church. It was disappointing that we could not enter the church because of our Kirpaans. They had metal detectors at the entrance.

Standing on top of a palace building with Colosseum in the background.



Outside the Colosseum. Again, we couldn't go inside because of our Kirpaans.



Sangat at the Sunday diwaan.


Kaveeshree Jatha from Italy. They sang really well! Beautiful voices and great poems.


Sewadaars eating Langar.

Bhai Jagtar Singh jee, student of Damdami Taksaal, who is serving as an unpaid voluntary Granthi Singh of the Gurdwara. Bhai Sahib is inspirational and shared many stories from his experience of coming abroad and his other associates which shows Sikhi Sidq and resting full faith in Kalgee Dhar Paatshaah, Guru Gobind Singh jee.

A Chardi Kalaa young child I met. He must be about 7 years old. On Saturday he came up to me and said Fateh. He was wearing a Patkaa and with a beaming smile he said, "Bhaji, I always come to the Gurdwara wearing a Pagh. Today I am not wearing a Pagh because I was in a rush and my dad did not have enough time to tie it on me. But see me tomorrow. Tomorrow I will wear a pagh." So much Sikhi Sidq at such a young age!

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

Photos from West Brom Vaisakhi Camp

From 3rd to 4th April 2008, there was a Vaisakhi camp held at Edward Street Gurdwara, West Brom. The camp was organised by young Gursikhs, open to all ages. The camp was held with the main theme of Vaisakhi and also the martyrdom of the 13 Gursikhs in 1978. Daas attend the first day.

Below are photos from the camp (taken from Bhaji Bhupinder's Flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/13571083@N06/):


Children's class.


Bhaji Bhupinder Singh ji doing a talk on how he got into Sikhi (Waheguru! The camera is really in his face!).


Slide showing photographs of Bhaji Bhupinder Singh ji before he came into Sikhi and took Amrit.


Talk on Vaisakhi.


Langar time! Baba ji with colourful Bana looking interested in Bhaji Kurbaan Singh's chips!


Bibi Daljeet Kaur ji giving a talk on Sikh Women.


Bhenji and the cartoon Bhenji look like sisters!


Painting class (this looks really fun!).


Gatka Akhaaraa.


Painting of Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh by the children.


Sewadaars.


Sangat on last day.


Bhaji presenting certificates. Potential for Gurdwara Stage Secretary post.

Photos of Oxford Nagar Keertan

On Sunday 20th April 2008, Oxford held its Vaisakhi Nagar Keertan.

Photos below:

Veer Amritpal Singh from Leamington Spa





Panj Singhs entering Diwaan Hall.


Ardaas.


Sangat standing for Ardaas.


Panj Singhs going outside.


Guru Granth Sahib Ji on float.


Panj Singhs.


Nagar Keertan.


Bhaji Pavitar Singh talking about Sikhi with a local Christian Vicar.


Bhaji Pavitar talking to the public.


Young Chardi Kalaa Singh from Oxford (happy Singh).


Singin along to Shabads.


Policeman walking with Nagar Keertan.


Nagar Keertan.

Attitude and Mindset

I came across this short inspirational post on a forum. A simple example but carries a lot of wisdom:

Author: Aman Singh
Posted: 26-07-2007

As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not.

I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away."Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? So make an attempt to grow further....

"Our attempt may fail, but never fail to make an attempt."

--------------------------------------

Sometimes people say "I won't be able to stop cutting my hair", "I won't be able to take Amrit and follow Rehat" or "I can't give up eating meat". If you ask, "What's keeping you back from following Guru Sahib's Hukam?" People start to think and say "work", "friends", "family" or "I don't know."

In the House of Guru Nanak anything is possible. Satguru makes the impossible possible. If you do Ardaas and truly believe in something with full faith and devotion, the True Guru will fulfil the wish. Picture yourself free from the bonds holding you back and you can fulfil this dream. The things which we think are holding us back are like the rope holding the elephant. It can be broken any time if we wake up and realise that nothing is equal to the power of Ardaas and the Kirpaa (blessings) of Guru Sahib.

New Sikh Movies...

Recently I had opportunity to watch a new Sikh movie called "Naanak Naam Chardi Kalaa." It is a really good film which shows a Gurmukh family and the journey of their son who is corrupted by others and as a result becomes a Manmukh. Becoming a "Bemukh" (one who turns their face away from the Guru) he realizes the paap (sin) he has committed and repents. Really good film. Below is a preview of the film which I found:

Another Sikh movie which is to be released next month is "Sundri". The film is made by Vismaad production company, the same company which made the successful animation films "Sahibzadey" and "Rise of Khalsa". "Sundri" is a novel based on a non-fictional historical time period which shows the struggle and challenges of Sikhs living the 18th century as they lived as fugitives from the authorities. Sundri is the main character of the novel. I would really recommend watching the film but also reading the book. You can download the book from this link. Preview of the film is below:

East London Vaisakhi Camp

This Vaisakhi has been very Chardi Kalaa with all the youth camps that have taken place across the UK. Last week East London held it's Vaisakhi Camp 2008 from Friday 11th April to Saturday 12th April, organised by Bhenji Kuljeet Kaur (aged 18 years old). It is inspirational to see youngsters take initiative and with Guru Sahib's blessings make the effort to organise camps and other types of sewa for youngsters. May Guru Sahib bless the sewadaars with more sewa.

The drive to East London was around two and a half hours. I arrived at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Seven Kings, at 9.30am. The camp began with Naam Simran followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama. Afterwards the campers were divided into three groups. The first session was getting campers to make a Guru period timeline (from 1469 to 1708) which was followed by a talk on the importance of learning Sikh history. The second session was on "The Purpose of Life" by Bhaji Vijay Singh (Hayes). The talk looked at the lives and aims of a Manmukh and Gurmukh and how one can achieve happiness according to Gurbani. After lunch the film "Anokhe Amar Shaheed: Baba Deep Singh" which was followed by Keertan and Samaaptee.

Photos from Day 1 (Friday 11th April):


Bhaji Vijay Singh reading Hukamnama and explaining it in English.



Group 1 making Timeline



Group 2 making Timeline.



Group 3 making Timeline.


On Saturday the camp began with Simran followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama. Bhaji Rupinder Singh led a class on the meaning of Vaisakhi with the younger children. The elder youngsters helped with Nishaan Sahib seva. The second session was on the importance of Sikhi Saroop and a practical lesson on learning how to tie a Dastaar. After lunch there was a session on the importance of taking Amrit and 1978 massacre.

Photos from Day 2 (Saturday 13th April):


Satguru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee


Bhaji doing Simran.



Nishaan Sahib seva.


Dastaar tying session. Bhenji Kuljeet Kaur tying Dastaar on another Bhenji.



Talk on Sikhi Saroop.


Two bhenjis who had Dastaars tied on them.


Group discussion on how we can build upon our Jeevans (spiritual lives).


Group presenting Vichaar on the possible challenges people may face when thinking about taking Amrit and the importance of Khande-Baatay Da Amrit.


Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Happy Vaisakhi to everyone!

Vaisaakhi di Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee Hove.


A clip from a film by Jaroslav Poncar and Wolfgang Kohl 'Die Sikhs' made in around 1980. It shows Vaisakhi at Sru Anandpur Sahib in 1980.



Literature available to print and distribute for Vaisaakhi:

"Why Sikhs Celebrate Vaisakhi" (Colour)
http://sikhroots.net/resources/VaisakhiColour.pdf

"Why Sikhs Celebrate Vaisaakhi" (Black & White)
http://sikhroots.net/resources/VaisakhiB&W.pdf

Marking 30 Years

Nakli Nirankari Procession

On the day of Vaisakhi 13th April 1978 about 125 Singhs from Jatha Bhindran and Akhand Kirtani Jatha went to peacefully protest against the Nirankari procession deliberately held through the city of Amritsar and against Nakali Nirankari Gurbachan Singh's hurtful insults and direct attack against the Gurus.

Nakli Nirankari Guru - Gurbachan

Bhai Fauja Singh was barefooted and all the Singhs were reciting Gurbani. The Nakali Nirankari army fired at the unarmed Singhs, and Bhai Fauja Singh and 12 other Singhs became Shaheeds and 70-75 Singhs were wounded. After his Shaheedi, the Leaders and Jathedars of the Panth stated that Bhai Fauja Singh and the other Singhs had given "Shaheedi" for the great task from which we had been hiding. They had not only woken the Panth, but also made us stronger, so that we can pay more attention to this in the future.

13 Gursikh martyrs


Injured Bhai Amolak Singh jee (now in Australia) being held by Baba Jarnail Singh jee Bhindranwale.

“These are Sikhs who are prepared to live and die for righteousness, who exemplify the courage of Guru Gobind Singh in their daily life, who love Naam Simran as their life breath and who recognize the same spirit, the same love and the same infinite vibration of Naam which flows through the Nation of the Khalsa… There was none there to defend these courageous Sikhs, except God and Guru. Each one who fell uttered “Waheguru” and surely was received into the arms of the Guru as he died this martyr’s death.”

13 Gursikhs

The funeral took place on Saturday 15th April 1978 outside Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib, in front of a congregation of about 25-30,000. All the Shaheed Gursikhs were cremated together.

Funeral of Gursikhs


Panthic leaders, including Baba Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale, Bhai Joginder Singh Talwara, Singhs from Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Jatha Bhindran and rest of the Sangat together at the site where the Antim-Saskar of the 13th Shaheeds was performed. Bhai Fauja Singh Ji's shield can be seen amongst the ashes.

Wake up call by Sant ji and Panth after 1978 Massacre.

Fore more info about Bhai Fauja Singh & 1978: http://mrsikhnet.com/BhaiFaujaSingh/index.html
http://allaboutsikhs.com/events/akj.htm

Upcoming Event:

30 Years Of Saheedi Smagam, 11-12th April, Bedford, Suported by Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Damdami Taksal, BOSS, Sikh Federaton etc.



Program Details

The programme will start with a 24 hour Akhand Jaap of Sri Sukhmani Sahib in the beloved memory of the Shaheeds of the last 30 years:

* Aramb Friday 11th April at 6pm
* Bhog will be on Saturday 12th April 6pm

After the bhog there will be a Mahaan Smagam, including international kirtanees

Bhai Satvinder Singh/Harvinder Singh Delhi Vale

Kirtanees From Damdami Taksal

Akhand Kirtanee Jatha

Veechar

Live speech by Former Jathedar of Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib, Singh Sahib Bhai Ranjit Singh

Talk in English

Speakers from panthic jathebandis

SikhiToTheMax II

Since seeing the preview version of SikhiToTheMax II version, everyone has been looking forward to the finished product being released by the SikhiToTheMax.com sevadaars. With Waheguru's Kirpaa on 29th March 2007 SikhiToTheMax II was officially released to the Sikh Sangat. I thought I was lucky to get a copy of the program at the Coventry Rainsbai when it was released but then when I went on the Internet I realised you can download it from various websites! So you don't need a CD! The seva is all nishkam (selfless) and the software is available for free, however I am sure the sevadaars would appreciate donations from Sangat to fund their future projects.

As I have a Vista on my laptop the old SikhiToTheMax program didn't properly function (well it did but some of the buttons didn't appear). The new program is awesome. The general appearance and all the new features and added Banis is great.

Some features which I particularly find very useful are the improved Akhand Paatth Sahib mode which can also be used for Dasam Paatshaah di Baani and an improved Powerpoint viewer where you have Panjabi translation and also nice colourful backgrounds to choose from. Today I was pleasantly surprised that all the Bhai Gurdaas Vaars have English translations with them.

The sevadaars are continuously improving the software and a future updated program will include translations of Rehatnamas (ethical codes of conduct) and Bhai Nand Lal jee's writings and other sacred writings of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee.

Users of the SikhiToTheMax Beta (Version 1) are encouraged to uninstall the previous version and install the latest release to enjoy better reliability and enhanced features. The download is available for free. To download please go to SevaToTheMax.com.


May Waheguru bless the sevadaars with more seva of the Panth and humanity by spreading the word of the Great Gurus across the world through modern technology.

Derby Vaisakhi One-Day Camp

On Sunday 6th April, the local Derby youth held a one-day Vaisakhi Gurmat Camp at Guru Arjun Dev Gurdwara Sahib, Derby. It was good to see that the youngsters were on the forefront of organising and doing seva in the camp. There was a good turnout. The camp was for all ages. Under 14s were in one group and 14+ were in another group. The camp began with morning Diwaan with Shabad Keertan, Ardaas and Hukamnama which was explained by Bhai Amardeep Singh. The camp finished about 8pm! It was late. The last session was Q&A. There were so many questions in the box, which ranged from serious, deep, spiritual, humorous and strange (to the least!).

Photos from the camp (taken by local sevadaars):


Bhai Butta Singh with young children, going through Saakhis (accounts) from the lifetime of Guru Nanak Dev jee. (Very enjoyable!).



Bhaji Hari Singh, a local young Singh, doing a talk and presentation on Amrit and life.



Bhai Jagbir Singh doing a talk on how he became a Sikh. Bhai Sahib was originally a Christian from Germany. He came to Birmingham by chance because of work. He was going through a tough patch in his life and he ended up going to Soho Road because of an interest he had with the Sikhs and Eastern culture. Eventually Bhai Sahib got in contact with Gursikhs who invited him to a Gurmat class at Oldbury Gurdwara Sahib where he found answers to his life in Gurbani and since that day he found his relationship with Guru Sahib. He is now an Amritdhari Singh with with Guru Sahib's kirpaa.


Satguru, Guru Granth Sahib jee.


Langar.


After langar there was Keertan and vichaar in the main Diwaan hall.


Children drawing and having a good time.

Discussion group session on Amrit and purpose of life:






Bhai Amardeep Singh explaining the next programme. There was a presentation by a local Gursikh who showed 6 pictures of Singhs and 6 pictures of clean shaven monay (cut-haired). There was a small competition to see who could guess and match the past photos (of the boys being cut haired) to the present photos of them being Gursikhs. It was overwhelming to see the change in the people. May Guru Sahib keep them all in Chardi Kalaa.

Leicester Sikhi Camp

From Monday 24th March to Saturday 29th March, there was a Sikhi Camp in Leicester. The camp was part of the "in the footsteps of Guru jee" series organised by the Leicester youth Sangat. The theme of the camp was Seva-Simran-Sangat as well as Hola Mahalla. The camp was held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, Oadby, Leicester. Every local camp is held at a different Gurdwara Sahib in Leicester. This is a really good idea because then you can attract the local Sangat from each Gurdwara Sahib and at the same time help to link young Sikhs from different parts of the city together. The Gurmat Parchaar for the youth in Leicester is very good. Guru Sahib has blessed Bhaji Kuljeet Singh and other young sevadaars with great seva.

Daas went to Leicester on Thursday evening. Bhaji Jasdeep Singh jee invited Daas to a House Keertan programme where sevadaars and campers from the camp were getting together. The programme was going to take place in the evening after the camp. First I was going to go straight to Bhaji's house, but then I found out the Keertan was at someone else's house. Bhaji said it's okay to go direct there. I put the address in the Sat Nav and got there. As I was parking up, some children came out of the house and came towards the car and then ran back near the house and shouted "He's here... Randeep Bhaajee's dad's here." I didn't think much of it, I thought perhaps Bhaji Randeep Singh jee's dad had parked up behind me or somewhere else on the road. Then as I got inside the house the children said Fateh and asked, "Are you Bhaji Randeep's dad?" I was more shocked that a Singh that I knew from Boss Sikhi Camp (about 17 years old I think) said the same thing. I was wondering whether this was an April Fools joke but it wasn't APRIL!

Just to put things in perspective, here is a photo of Bhaji Randeep Singh jee (hope he doesn't mind. hehe):


Unfortunately they were serious. I had to break the news, "Ermm, no. I am not Bhaji Randeep Singh's dad." They looked at me confused and asked what my name was. I said, "My name's Manvir Singh." The Singh said, "O I thought you were Randeep's dad." Rab Bhallaa Kare! I think Bhaji is one or two years older than me. I don't even have a BIG DAAREE (beard)! He said, "Your pagh style is the same as his dad". Waheguru. Could you imagine a police line up situation and accidentally identifying the wrong person because the pagh style was the same! lol. It was kind of funny.

Afterwards we sat down and I asked the same Singh, "Bhaji who's house is this?" (as I didn't know. I was only told that Keertan is going to be at so and so address). The Singh looked at me with a confused face and said, "If you don't know who's house it is then how come you are here?" It was really funny. I think Bhaji thought I randomly came to Leicester and decided to knock on a random Singh's house and come in. Waheguru. The Keertan was really good and Bhenji who's house it was (I found eventually) made Chardi Kalaa Langar and cakes.


Each day of the camp was dedicated to a different age group. Monday was for 5 to 7 years old. Tuesday was for 8 to 9 years old. Wednesday for 10 to 11 years old. Thursday was for 12 to 14 years old, and Friday was for 15 to 18 years old. Daas attended the camp on Friday with the elder group. There were talks on Hola Mahalla history by Bhaji Vinod Singh jee and Bhai Kuljeet Singh jee. There was also football, self defence session and a talk on the 1978 massacre.

In the hola mahalla talk, Bhaji Kuljeet Singh jee shared some amazing stories. I will try and share them in a few weeks time.

May Guru Sahib keep all the sevadaars in Chardi Kalaa and may great parchaar continue to take place in Leicester with Satguru's kirpaa.

Some photos from earlier on in the week (taken from: http://flickr.com/photos/leicestersikhs/)


Ardaas


Bhaji Kuljeet Singh jee


Session on Bibi Ravinder Kaur jee.


Keertan session.


1978 talk.


History session.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhee.

Anand Kaaraj & Hola Mahalla Smaagam

On Saturday 22nd March, we went to Erith to attend the Anand Kaaraj of Bhaji Gupreet Singh and Bibi Navrup Kaur. Bhai Tasem Singh jee, Bhai Tarunjeet Singh jee and Bhaji Preetam Singh jee from Coventry also came and they did Keertan. It is always nice to attend the Anand Kaaraj of Gursikhs.


Bhaji Gurpreet Singh and Bhenji Navrup Kaur


Standing up for Ardaas.


Laavaa'n.


Bhai Tarsem Singh jee doing Keertan.

In the evening we went back to Khalsa Primary School for Rainsbai and then the next day there was a special programme in the morning with Bhai Amolak Singh jee given an eye witness account of 1978 Vaisakhi massacre and martial arts demonstrations. It is the first time I have attended a Smaagam for more than one day. It was really enjoyable and inspiring to have darshan of Gursikhs and get Anand from Amrit Rass Keertan.

Bhai Amolak Singh jee's moving eye witness account of the 1978 Vaisakhi massacre in which he was hit with bullets and survived death. Waheguru. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.


Jathedaar Bhai Raghbir Singh jee presenting a gift to the Khalsa Primary School Trustees.


Bhai Amolak Singh jee and Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee (Southall) playing Gatka.


Gatka by Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhaaraa.


Bhai Jagdev Singh (Paris) doing Keertan.



Sangat.


Veer Ramanjot Singh, Jivanpal Singh, Harvinder Singh and Daas.


Bhai Harpreet Singh jee (Canada) doing Keertan. Bhai Sahib has been blessed with such an amazing voice and does Keertan with so much love.


Photos taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa