Episode 5 India Trip: Meeting Gursikhs

On day 7 of the trip, we arrived at Sachkhand Sri Harimandir Sahib in the evening. It was such a wonderful feeling to have a glimpse at the Amrit Sarovar and the abode of Guru Raam Daas jee after such a long time. After having Darshan of Guru Sahib jee, we went had Darshan (a glimpse) at Shastar (weapons) of Guru Sahib and great Gursikhs of the past at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The day we arrived we were fortunate to attend a late evening Keertan programme in memory of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh jee held in a tent outside Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara organized by a Sikh youth organization.

The next day we visited Bibi Amarjit Kaur jee, the wife of Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh jee. It was the first time I have met Bibi jee. She lives in a room near to the Nishaan Sahibs next to Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Bibi jee didn't look too well but despite that was in Chardi Kalaa. I was humbled to see the room she was living in. You could see pigeons flying into the room through the window and didn't look like the room had been decorated or renovated for a long time. Howevever despite the living conditions Bibi jee said, "I am living in Heaven. What else could I ever ask for? I look outside and in front of me is Sach Khand!". Waheguru.

At the end of the brief meeting, my mum decided to give a jumper as a small gift to Bibi jee. Bibi jee refused to take it for herself. After insistence, she said, "I don't need anything. Guru Jee has given me everything. As you have brought this and insist to give it, I will keep it and give it away to one of the girls (orphans) I have brought up. When a girl visits her mother, she expects a gift. I will give this gift to her." Waheguru. Bibi Jee has no children of her own but runs an orphanage and school where she treats all the children as her own. She said, "Our orphanage is open to everyone. We look beyond religion, caste and labels. We have Hindu children as well as Sikhs. Anyone who needs help, we try and give it." It was amazing to see Bibi Jee in such Chardi Kalaa despite having experienced many hardships with martrydom of her husband, being arrested and put into jail in June 1984 and much more. May Guru Jee continue to support and bless such Gursikhs.


After meeting Bibi jee we set off to visit Bhai Sahib Jeevan Singh jee, who I have never seen but heard lots about by many Gursikhs. It took a while to find the house of Bhai Sahib, which is on the one the streets behind Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. When we arrived at Bhai Sahib's house we were warmly greeted by a Gursikh husband and wife who are caring for Bhai Sahib. Unfortunately the day we went to meet Bhai Jeevan Singh jee he was really ill and was unable to talk or move. The Bhenji caring for Bhai Sahib, "Bhai Sahib is resting in his room but you can go in and say Fateh to him." Just seeing Bhai Sahib physically was very emotional for everyone. It is beyond words, but Darshan (a glimpse) of such a blessed soul is very touching. Bhai Sahib looked asleep so we didn't want to disturb him.

My mum had brought a soft cardigan for Bhai Sahib as a gift, so she left that next to him on his bed. We then sat back down in the living room. Bhai Sahib's door was left open and we could see him through the living room. As we were drinking Garam Jal my mum told me to look in the direction of Bhai Sahib. Bhai Sahib woke up looked at the cardigan and closed his eyes again. A few seconds again he woke up and looked at the cardigan and hugged it and then went back to sleep whilst keeping hold of the soft cardigan. Waheguru. It was a really sweet sight to see, with Bhai Sahib having an innocent smile and look on his face.

Later on Bhenji said that Bhai Sahib is expected to get up now. So she went in and said, "Bhai Sahib jee you have guests from England come to see you." Bhai Sahib opened his eyes. He was unable to talk or move much but put his hands together as if he was saying Fateh. We said Fateh to Bhai Sahib. Then he looked at my mum and put his hands down to the side of the bed. My mum thought Bhai Sahib had dropped something and started to look down for what he was looking for. Only a few seconds later we realised that Bhai Sahib was trying to touch my mum's feet. Waheguru. He then went back to sleep.

Old photographs of Bhai Jeevan Singh Jee at the house.

Near to Bhai Sahib's room door, there was this photo frame of Gurbani hanged up which to me summed up who Bhai Jeevan Singh jee was:

"hum nehee changge, buraa nehee koe." (I am not good, no one is bad)

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.