Friday, March 13, 2009

In Loving Memory of Bhai Nirmal Singh


Today, 13th March 2009, Gurmukh Pyaare Bhai Nirmal Singh jee (UK) passed away in the early hours of Amrit-velaa, having bravely accepted the Hukam of terminal cancer. Bhai Sahib was a Sikh youth parchaarik (preacher) with undying passion Sikhi and sevaa. He was instrumental in starting up parchaar in colleges and universities in the UK over 20 years ago. Through his sevaa in camps, gurdwaras, and universities, he inspired countless youngsters into becoming Sikhs and getting involved with sevaa.

I remember that Bhai Sahib attended Sikhi Camp 2008 despite feeling very weak from the cancer treatment. He did a great talk for the youngsters on building a relationship with Guru jee. Many people opt out of doing sevaa because they can't be bothered or too lazy. However, I remember talking to Bhai Sahib and him saying with a smile on his face, "I would have to die until I stop doing sevaa." He shared stories how in the early days they would go up and down the country to do sevaa in universities and how sometimes they had no money for parchaar material or petrol but having full faith in Guru jee they some how always managed to reach the colleges and universities and do sevaa. It's embarrassing how sometimes we can't be bothered to attend local camps, talks, events or help out with community projects on our door step, when Gurmukhs like Bhai Sahib and others used to drive for hours and hours to far and near places to simply share and spread the word of Guru Nanak, hoping that even one brother or sister could be awakened in finding their Guru. I remember him always radiating happiness and immense pyaar for Sikhi and gratitude to Guru Sahib for all he has given us. Thank you to Guru Sahib for sending such Gursikhs for doing such great sevaa and inspiring me and countless others. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piaare!

In June 2007, when Bhai Sahib got diagnosed with cancer, an Ardaas Benti Keertan Darbaar was held for him by the Sangat in Birmingham. During that time (12th June 2007) Bhai Jagjit Singh (Leeds) sent an email out to the Sangat where he talked about Bhai Sahib:

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa, Vaheguru ji kefateh

Pyaare jeeo, I first came across Veer Nirmal Singh back in 1992, when I attended Khalsa Camp as a mona. Veer Jee did a talk at the camp, which like so many caught one's attention and imagination. When he spoke, he had a blend of humour, strength, compassion, and a spirit about Sikhi and Sikh history. I remember leaving his talk really thinking about the words he spoke, and the message.

I think over the years hundreds, if not thousands of Sikh youth in UK have probably heard veer jee speak at various sikh youth events. He is a popular figure amongst the Sikh youth, who bridges the tribalistic jathebandic divides. Having got to know him over the years, he has always come across as a sevadaar who is dedicated to the Sikh youth, a person who has inner strength, and yet the ability to be compassionate.

He has spent 3 decades doing seva with the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and BOSS, inspiring youngsters to be disciplined and proud of Sikhi. As one of the eldest of all the youth, he was regarded with dignitary type status. On the rare occasion that any issues would arise within the youth seva, he was often the person that people would speak to resolve issues. He is seen as someone who would say what needs to be said and deal with issues without being a politician. Hence, we as those younger than him regard him as a honest soul with integrity.

It is unfortunate to hear that veer jee has now contracted cancer and has only been given a short while left to live. Such is bhaanaa, and ultimately none of us know when our time will come. This is why we should remember Guru jee at all times, so that we fulfil this lifetime as our last, and break the cycle of life and death.

The sangat has decided to hold a keertan darbaar as an ardaas benti for veer jee This is a person who spent the prime of his life dedicated to helping so many youth on their path to their Guru. Hence it would only be fitting if all the youth came together and sang Guru Jee's praises, and did an ardaas benti for his Chardi kala and for his family.



AUDIOS OF BHAI SAHIB:
Sikhi Camp 2008 - Relationship with Guru Jee


Sikhi Camp 2007 - Tuesday Evening Talk



PHOTOS OF BHAI SAHIB:
Sikh Marriages & Relationships Open Forum at Wolverhampton Uni (Nov 2007):



Open Session with elder youth at 2007 Coventry Christmas Camp



Talk at Boss Sikhi Camp 2007:




Text Message written by Bhai Nirmal Singh jee:
"If ever you should get this message then it means my soul has left this earthly existence. Thank you for all love, kindness, support, and friendship that you all gave me. Sorry I could not text you all individually, I am in too much pain. Don't cry over my departure but smile that we met in this life. I hope you did come by to see me and give me a hug and say GurFateh to me. Pray for my soul and do Ardaas. Be strong and positive. And if anybody cries, pull their ears. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh."


Bhai Sahib knew his journey in this world was coming near an end and that Shaheed Singhs were waiting to take him to Sachkhand. He had been in a hospice because he was suffering a lot of pain, but he requested this week that he be allowed to go home. Last night Gursikhs gathered and did Keertan for 6 hours. Bhai Sahib listened to the Keertan and then everyone did Nitnem. As Anand Sahib was completed, Bhai Nirmal Singh jee breathed his last breath with joy and peace.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਵਾਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਚਿਲਆ ॥
gurmukh janam savaar dargeh chaliaa||
Spending this life fruitfully Gurmukh goes to the other world.
(Bhai Gurdaas jee)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Vaheguru,

Dhan guru nanak, no words left to say but vaheguru ji kha khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

Anonymous said...

Bhai Nirmail Singh achieved his goal in life and has merged with Vaheguru. The best way to honour his memory is to do More Bani and Seva and live life according to Gurmat.

His Soul will be greatly missed.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru De Pyare

Anonymous said...

He was such an inspiration to everyone who met him. His strength and conviction could not be matched, no matter who or what, Bhai Sahib always spoke the truth and stood up for what he believed.

He spent so many years in seva inspiring us all to become sons and daughters of Maharajh. Even in his last moments he was with sangat listening to the praises of Vaheguru. Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyareh.

Anonymous said...

Bhai Sahib waas an amazing Singh and will be greatly missed
Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyare!!

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa!! Vaheguru Ji Kee Fateh

Anonymous said...

I will miss you soooo much

Anonymous said...

such an amazing gursikh and such a wonderful person. will be missed by all

vaheguroo ji ka khalsa vahiguroo ji ki fateh!!

Anonymous said...

vaheguru jee
as per bhai sahib's request for doing ardaas, daas was led to reading this hukam:

dhhanaasaree mehalaa 4 ||
Dhanaasaree, Fourth Mehla:

kalijug kaa dhharam kehahu thum bhaaee kiv shhootteh ham shhuttakaakee ||
Tell me, O Siblings of Destiny, the religion for this Dark Age of Kali Yuga. I seek emancipation - how can I be emancipated?

har har jap baerree har thulehaa har japiou tharai tharaakee ||1||
Meditation on the Lord, Har, Har, is the boat, the raft; meditating on the Lord, the swimmer swims across. ||1||

har jee laaj rakhahu har jan kee ||
O Dear Lord, protect and preserve the honor of Your humble servant.

har har japan japaavahu apanaa ham maagee bhagath eikaakee || rehaao ||
O Lord, Har, Har, please make me chant the chant of Your Name; I beg only for Your devotional worship. ||Pause||

har kae saevak sae har piaarae jin japiou har bachanaakee ||
The Lord's servants are very dear to the Lord; they chant the Word of the Lord's Bani.

laekhaa chithr gupath jo likhiaa sabh shhoottee jam kee baakee ||2||
The account of the recording angels, Chitr and Gupt, and the account with the Messenger of Death is totally erased. ||2||

har kae sa(n)th japiou man har har lag sa(n)gath saadhh janaa kee ||
The Saints of the Lord meditate on the Lord in their minds; they join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy.

dhineear soor thrisanaa agan bujhaanee siv chariou cha(n)dh cha(n)dhaakee ||3||
The piercing sun of desires has set, and the cool moon has risen. ||3||


thum vadd purakh vadd agam agochar thum aapae aap apaakee ||
You are the Greatest Being, absolutely unapproachable and unfathomable; You created the Universe from Your Own Being.

jan naanak ko prabh kirapaa keejai kar dhaasan dhaas dhasaakee ||4||6||
O God, take pity on servant Nanak, and make him the slave of the slave of Your slaves. ||4||6||

vaheguru vaheguru vaheguru vaheguru

Anonymous said...

gurufateh bhaji
kabeer marta marta jug mmoah martee na janai koee
aisee marnee jo marai bahr na marna hoyee

i dont even know this gursikh but u bought tears to my eyes with ur story

sache he is so blessed and dont cry be happy becuse the soul doesnt die it nver dies this human body is worthless it is the soul we must care for because the soul lives on

to die such a death is the best of blessings

normally at death ppl offer avsos
but i would like to offer congradulations to veer ji for winning the game and reaching home with a bright smiling face

i know his jot is infused into God and he is among us now no longer stuck in the vessel of the body free from bondage

so congradulations

teji kaur

Anonymous said...

Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa
Vaheguru Jee Ke Fateh

Anonymous said...

wjkk wjkf
what an amazing hukumnama!! waheguroooo!!!!!

We will miss you Bhai Sahib....but we know you are in peace with Akal Purakh....or knowing Bhai Sahib, he's probably begging Akal Purakh to join the Gupt Fauj so that he can continue to do seva somehow!!! waheguroo!!!

the hukumnama are sooo comforting.....wahegurooooo.....

amazing amazing Gursikh....may your legacy continue and may we also learn from GuruSahib's true gurmukhs :)
wjkk wjkf

Manvir Singh (UK) said...

Vahegurooo.

Yesterday's Hukamnama from Sri Darbaar Sahib...

ਸਾਚਿ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਮਲੁ ਧੋਈਐ ॥
Filth does not stick to the true ones; what filth do they have to wash off?

ਗੁਣਹਿ ਹਾਰੁ ਪਰੋਇ ਕਿਸ ਕਉ ਰੋਈਐ ॥
If one strings a garland of virtues for oneself, what is there to cry for?

ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਮਾਰੈ ਤਰੈ ਤਾਰੈ ਉਲਟਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਨ ਆਵਏ ॥
One who conquers his own self through contemplation is saved, and saves others as well; he does not come to be born again.

ਆਪਿ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਮ ਧਿਆਨੀ ਸਾਚੁ ਸਾਚੇ ਭਾਵਏ ॥
The supreme meditator is Himself the philosopher's stone, which transforms lead into gold. The true man is pleasing to the True Lord.

ਆਨੰਦੁ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਹਰਖੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਦੂਖ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਰਹਰੇ ॥
He is in ecstasy, truly happy, night and day; his sorrows and sins are taken away.

ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਮੈਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਚ ਮਨੇ ॥੨॥
He finds the True Name, and beholds the Guru; with the True Name in his mind, no filth sticks to him. ||2||

(Ang 687)

Anonymous said...

Vahegurooooooooooo

Anonymous said...

Dear Nirmal Singh will surely be missed I had known Bhai Nirmal for 25 years, a true sikh. Caste or creed did not matter to Nirmal he mixed with us all, a true friend a true sikh.

Anonymous said...

Gurfateh. One thing i would kindly like to point out is that Bhai Sahib Bhai Nirmal Singh was called "colonel" by the older generation and close sangat. Please could people use "colonel" carefully in future. thank u.

Anonymous said...

vaheguru ji. I did not know Bhai Nirmal Singh ji but it reminds me of the time Bhai Parminder Singh ji of Vancouver left this world. He also had such a passionate drive to do seva and although there was some degree of vichhorha at the time, Guru Sahib taught us to accept hukam and realize that Bhai Sahib will always be in their charan.

Strength, chardi kala, and sehaj to those who were close to Bhai Sahib Nirmal Singh Ji.

Anonymous said...

Vaheguroo Vaheguroo Vaheguroo!!
Didn't know Bhai Sahib personally, never met him in my whole life.
Reading this blog has made me realise what a wonderful gifted gurmat i have missed out on.

I have nothing much to say, just a little emotional :(

A little request from das, can sangath do as simran, read as much bani as possible in memory of Bhai Sahib Ji even though we all know he has been successful n has merged without doubt, but thats what bhai sahib wanted.

VJKK VJKF!

Anonymous said...

We will always remember Colonel when Sikhi Camp Comes, when attending Rainsbhais, Keertan Programs and especially Sikh Soc Events.

A soul that did a LOT for the Sikh YOUTH, Many all over the world will miss him, the elderly and youth alike, doing over 25 years of sikhi parchaar, always references to history, his Khalsa Raaj and History talks will always be remembered.

What A Gursikh, What A SOul.

Khalistan_zindabaad

Anonymous said...

Waheguru Jee Kaa Khaalsa Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh


I was fortunate enough to have met Bhai Nirmal Singh Jee a few years ago when he came to Canada,he was a really nice Singh,gave me alot of good advice.

You could tell he had alot of love for Guru Sahib jee and the Khaalsa Panth.

Hopefully we can all learn from his jeevan and take all the positives and put them into our own Gursikhi jeevan.

May Waheguru Sahib Jee keep all his family and friends in Charhdi Kala during this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

I've known Bhai Sahib Nirmal Singh for some 14 years, although I remembers the first day we met as if it was just yesterday.

He was one of the inspirational souls that showed me the Love of Guru Nanak Dev Ji And was instrumental in me walking this path.

Bhai Nirmal Singh you truly have inspired 1000 of people myself included. Your love and charisma has reached out and touched us all.

Maharaj has done Kirpa that our paths crossed and you touched my soul.

Veera you will always have a special place in my heart. You will be sorely missed.