France Gurmat Camp 2007 (Part 2)

The day before I was set to fly to France I lost my passport. Waheguru! It was late in the evening and I was packing my bag and I went to the drawer where my passport was kept but I couldn't find it. I looked on my desk and elsewhere but couldn't find it! I thought to myself, "It had to be me! Why O why!" I asked my mum to help me look for the passport. We looked everywhere - even under the bed and pillow (not that I sleep with my passport under my pillow!). Couldn't find it anywhere. It was approaching 11pm and the next morning it was my flight. It was a nightmare.

I checked the drawer where the passports are kept but couldn't find my passport. I checked several times. Checked to see if it had dropped behind the drawers. No luck. My mum checked about five times but no luck again. It was looking bleak so I decided to check the Internet about what I should do. I rang the airport and they said I couldn't travel to France with a driver's license - I needed a passport! I checked the Home Office website and rang their emergency helpline. Sat Naam, Waheguru. The lady on the phone said I will have to wait for 7 days minimum for a new passport before I am allowed out of the country. But she said try ringing the French embassy to ask whether they will let me on the areoplane with a driver's license. How embarrassing! How would France let me in the country with a driver's license when I won't be able to even get on the aeroplane with it! It felt like being in a film - in between a comedy and horror film. Why me! And it was 11.30pm now!

At the end my mum said "Lets do Ardaas and ask God to help." We did Ardaas and then sat down for a bit. My mum went upstairs again and then I heard "Manvir, I've found it!" Waheguru Sache Paatishaah! I was so relieved that it was found. The strange thing was that it was found in the drawer where we first looked (and checked about 7 times) but it was in a small bag (don't know why). Rab Da Shukar I could finally go to sleep!

Lesson learnt: (1) Do Ardaas and Waheguru helps, (2) Pack your bags and get your passport ready a few days before traveling - don't leave it last minute!

More photos from France:


Up and coming Jathedaars (leaders) of France - Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa & Bhai Maha Singh jee. Both Chardikala Guru De Pyaare posing outside the school building.


Giani Pritam Singh jee welcoming everyone to the school building and saying a few words of wisdom to the children. After Baba jee announced it was my birthday and everyone sang Happy birthday.


Uncle Gurdial Singh jee and the local Mayor or Council representative visiting the classrooms.


Some how Aunty jee remembered it was my birthday and Sangat made some delicious eggless cakes which were distributed to each of the classes. This cake was in a teddy bear shape made to give out to the 3-5 years old class.


Giving out cake in the 10-12 years old class. You can tell they were looking forward to eating some cake!

Students sitting there end of camp exam tests:



After the exams there was lunch and everyone went outside to enjoy the nice weather in the nearby park.


On the last Saturday of the camp there was a Rainsbayee Keertan (all-night Keertan). Campers and local Sangat took part.

On Sunday 15th July the last day of the camp all the groups did Keertan in front of the Sangat. Afterwards the campers received small prizes and certificates and sevadaars recieved Siropas.






Video of 3-5 years old group singing "Aagyaa Bhe-ee Akaal Kee" shabad:


That Sunday when I looked at the children, it was as if I had Darshan of Mata Sahib Kaur Jee and the Sahibzaadey. DHAN HAI GURU, DHAN HAI TERI SIKHI! May Waheguru keep all the children in Chardi Kalaa.


Click here for more videos.
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France Gurmat Camp 2007 (Part 1)

Protest at Sri Anandpur Sahib in 2005 against Dastaar ban in French schools

For the past two weeks I've been away in France. As you will all know since September 2004 the French government implemented a law banning religious symbols from state schools as a result of which Sikh students were not allowed to go to school or college wearing a Dastaar (turban) or keeping their head covered. There are approximately 7,000 Sikhs living in France. Despite the challenges they have faced the French Sikh children have risen up and not lost their pride in Sikhi. From Wednesday 4th July to Sunday 15th July, the Dashmesh Sikh Academy Paris held it's annual Gurmat Camp in Paris at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Bobigny. Around 200 or so children aged from 3 to 20 years old attended the 12 day camp.


There were various classes, which included Gurbaani Santhiyaa (learning correct pronunciation), Sikh History, learning Panjabi, Gurmat Sangeet (Sikh musicology), Gurmat Vichaar (discussions on various issues and topics). The classes were held by Giani Pritam Singh jee from Southall, Bhaji Ranjit Singh jee from Germany and Daas were invited to teach the children, as well local elder sevadaars.

The Sikh youth of France an example of how Sikhi will never finish irrespective of the challenges Sikhs face. They all showed pride, love, and enthusiasm! May Waheguru continue to keep them all in Chardikalaa and bless us all with Sikhi Sidq.

Below are some photos:



Every day campers in the morning recited 5 Banian da Paath (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tva Prasaad Svaiye, Chaupayee Sahib and Anand Sahib). A sevadaar would read one line and the children would repeat the same line. Its amazing how children at such a young age who aren't even Amritdhari would sit down for such a long time and recite Baani in the morning.


On Sunday 8th July we were invited to Le Bourget Gurdwara Sahib to do Keertan. The Gurdwara was packed with Sangat. There are around 5 Gurdwara Sahibs in Paris.


The Germany Camp was famous for it's Moolee (i.e. in one day there was Moolee-waale Parothay, Moolee da Achaar, Moolee in Salad, and Moolee dee Sabjee)! At the France camp, the "Matturee" is famous! You will never go short of Matturee at the camp! Bhai Sukha Singh jee, the Laangree (cook) of the Gurdwara is very Chardikalaa Gursikh and is a great cook!


This is photo of my 10-12 year old class. The room was so small but everyone managed to squeeze in! They were a good bunch and had a lot of energy.


This is the 3-5 years old class playing games outside.


Bhaji Ranjit Singh jee with the elder group practicing Keertan. The morning session with the elder children was usually a discussion led by Bhaji Ranjit Singh jee and Daas on different topics and issues.



Boys and girls learned how to tie a Dastaar.


The Langar was Chardikalaa. Bhai Sukha Singh jee, the Laangaree (cook), made different items throughout the day and one day he made Mango Shake! Waheguru!



After Rehraas Sahib Uncle Gurdial Singh jee would ask the children if they had a complaint against anyone. It was so funny! Young children would stand up and come on the stage and point out another boy and say "He stood on my foot" or "He pushed my bag in class." Uncle jee would get them on stage and then ask the child and the Sangat to forgive the accused and not to do it again. It was nice how the idea of forgiveness and living together as a family was shown to the children.


These poor boys were made to stand outside holding their ears because they were talking during Rehraas Sahib. Bechaare!


Bhai Jasveer Singh Khalsa leading Gatka class with the children.


Giani Pritam Singh jee and Bhaji Ramandeep Singh jee from Germany playing Gatka. All the children were cheering "Baba jee, Baba jee, Baba jee!".



Bhaji Ranjeet Singh jee made some videos of the camp with his laptop. Also he made a film with a group of children who enacted a drama about Manmat. The acting was great, especially the acting of 12 year old Jugraj Singh (he could be heading for a career in acting!). Once Bhaji has finished editing it and has added the finish touches he is going to send me the film. So that will be coming soon!

On Saturday 14th July all the campers wore their uniforms and marched in a procession to the new school building bought by Uncle Gurdial Singh jee where the campers were to do their end of camp tests and then enjoy themselves in the nearby park.





To be continued...

Going Away

The blog will not be updated for 2 weeks as I am away. Details and photos of the trip will be posted when I come back.

I haven't even left yet for the trip but there's already a funny story ready to tell but I'll post it when I come back! Waheguru.

Yesterday a brand new website was launched called "Sikh Roots" (which used to be EktaOne.com). It's great for listening and downloading keertan. Try it out... www.SikhRoots.com

Caught Red-Handed

I thought I would share a funny story.

A over a year ago, whilst I was studying in London, I went to Southall Gurdwara. It was late and Sukhaasan had happened, I was sitting in the Langar Hall and one of the Giani jees told me that there are two men eating Langar that look like they are intoxicated. He asked me to look at them and see what I thought. I looked back and saw two Tamil/South Indian looking men with red eyes! I agreed with Giani jee that they don't like sober but Giani jee said that allow them to finish Langar now.

I was about to go home and the same time the two South Indian men got up to leave. Giani jee asked me to walk with him and make sure they go straight out and not wander. When we were outside the two men strayed off towards the Nishaan Sahib. It was very dark and we wondered why the men have wandered off to the other side near the Nishaan Sahib when the gate is on the other side. Giani jee looked concerned and asked them in Panjabi "What are you doing?" The men came back holding a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. I was shocked. Giani jee said, "I knew it! They have drunken alcohol! They have a bottle of Sharaab (liquor) hidden outside." As the men couldn't understand Panjabi or even Hindi, Giani jee asked me to tell them not to do this again in English. I said, "Have you drank alcohol? No alcohol allowed here... " The men looked confused and baffled. We realised they couldn't understand or speak English. Waheguroo.

So I tried using sign language and waving my arms and trying to explain "No drinking" and "No alcohol". They still looked confused and nodded their head indicating they had not drunk or holding alcohol. The Giani jee looked frustrated and said, "Dear, now they are lying." Eventually the man unwrapped the brown paper bag and pulled out a bottle. Guess what is was? A bottle of SARRO DA THEL (Mustard Oil!).

Giani jee and I felt so embarrrassed. The men didn't seem too bothered about the whole thing and left the Gurdwara. Poor blokes had an eventful day! Afterwards someone explained that some South Indians generally have red eyes, like blood-shot eyes. Waheguru.

Naam Simran

Last Saturday I attended the Akhand Jaap (continuous Waheguru simran) programme at Seven King's Gurdwara in Ilford. It took a while to get there on the train but it was a Chardi kalaa programme where Sangat could take benefit of Naam Simran. Here's some photos (more photos on www.SikhiMedia.net):

Today I came across a video of Kathaa (Gurbani discourse) by Bhai Paramjeet Singh jee Khalsa discussing Gurmat & Naam. The video is in easy and understandable Panjabi, so for those who understand Panjabi it's worthful to watch the video:



Sometimes people question, "What is the use of repeating Waheguru?" and others will say, "Is it not enough to be good person? Why should I do Naam Simran?"

‘Naam’ refers to the ‘Divine-Name’ revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib jee. Naam is also the ‘Divine Presence’ or 'Divine Energy' everywhere, supporting all things at all times – in today’s language we could say the energy structure or power of the whole Universe. Essentially it is the presence of Waheguru that is supporting absolutely everything.

ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੰਤ ॥

Nām kė dhārė saglė janṯ.
The Naam is the Support of all creatures.

ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥

Nām kė dhārė kẖand brahmand.
The Naam is the Support of the earth and solar systems.
(Ang 284)

Naam is within everyone but is concealed and not visible:

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Anṯar nām niḏẖān hai pūrai saṯgur ḏīā ḏikẖāī. ||1|| rahāo.||
The treasure of Naam is within; the Perfect True Guru has shown this to me. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 425)

During an Amrit Sanchaar, Naam manifested in the Divine-Name (Gur Mantar) is given by the Guru (in the form of the Panj Pyaare) to the seeker. The Guru-Roop Panj Pyaare awaken or reveal the Naam within the seeker that leads to the beginning of the Spiritual Journey of Gurmat:

ਦਸਵੈ ਦੁਆਰਿ ਕੁੰਚੀ ਜਬ ਦੀਜੈ ॥

Ḏasvai ḏuār kuncẖī jab ḏījai.
When the key is inserted in the Tenth Gate (Dasam Duaar),

ਤਉ ਦਇਆਲ ਕੋ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੨੪॥

Ŧao ḏaiāl ko ḏarsan kījai. ||24||
then the Blessed Vision of the Merciful Lord's Darshan is seen. ||24||
(Ang 341)

When we take Amrit we are told to refrain from four things (i.e. the Bajjar Kurehits). If an individual commits any of the four acts then Naam returns back to its invisible or concealed state.

Naam is something to ‘Jap’ (chant), reflect and contemplate through which Naam becomes woven in the heart of the devotee, and Waheguru becomes imprinted on the heart of the devotee. The Lord and His Name are identical. They are one. ‘Naam Japnaa’ (lovingly living and meditating on Naam) is the only way to attain unity with God. Guru Nanak Sahib jee established God’s golden rules for leading a pure and pious life. He preached the concepts by practically enforcing them in his life first.

A Sikh is required to lead a virtuous, pure and pious life. Always remembering and repeating the Divine-Name with full concentration, breath by breath, can attain this virtue. Naam will awaken the consciousness, and create love and affection for all those who are created by God. It is strongly believed that a pious person would be compassionate and contended. He will aspire to serve the needy. He will have no enmity with anyone, as he knows that God lives in every human being. To serve His Creation is to serve God and remember Him day and night. The individual can merge with God by loving Him, living in Him, by dying in Him, and singing his Divine Praises.

May Waheguru do kirpaa on us all.

Patience & Faith

I heard a recording of Giani Sant Singh jee Maskeen doing Kathaa (Gurbaani discourse) on patience and faith. He used an anecdote to explain the importance of patience in the path of Dharam.

In India there is an oil plant that grows in 75 days that is a popular plant used in cities. It is guaranteed to grow in 75 days and is easy to maintain and keep; therefore people place them on their rooftops.

Once Giani jee bought a plant and brought it home. He watered it, ensured that the soil was fertile and that it was exposed to the sunlight (i.e. the right conditions to grow). Everyday Giani jee would come upstairs to the roof and check the plant. He would pull the plant out of the soil and check whether the roots of the plant had grown or began to cling to the soil.

45 days passed, however the plant had not blossomed. Giani jee said that the plant must be a fake. There must be a fault in the plant. He told his mother, "O Maa, the plant is not growing as it is supposed to. I have watered the plant; I have kept it in sunlight and ensured the soil is fertile. However, the plant has not flourished."

Giani jee's old and wise mother replied, "Puttar! O Son! Don't blame the plant! The plant has done no wrong. Yes you watered it, you gave it good soil, and you provided it with sunlight. But how do you expect it to grow? You TEST it everyday. Every day you uproot the plant and test whether it is growing and taking root or not. How do you expect it to grow? You need FAITH. Have faith in the plant and eventually it will take root, sprout and flourish. Faith requires PATIENCE. No patience, equals no faith. For faith patience is needed."

In summary, Giani jee explained that we do Naam Simran, we do our Nit-nem, we do seva and sit in Saadh Sangat - we keep strict Rehat so that Naam within us can flourish, as the seed sprouts in a ploughed and fertile soil. But we then look in our heart and uproot our Sikhi. He said, "We examine how far it has got us and whether it has given us a buzz (good feeling) or not. Gurmukho! Faith is required. Let the "Bootaa" (plant) of Sikhi take root in your heart. Don't test it - don't uproot it to see whether it is has grown or not. Have patience."

Events in June 2007

Below is a list of events taking place across the UK in June 2007:

Saturday 16th June 1.30pm start AMRIT SANCHAAR You must do full keshi ishnaan, wear all 5 kakkaars and dastaar, and be focused to dedicate mind, body & soul to your Guru. Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan Birmingham Road Oldbury, West Midlands B69 4EH Tel: 0121 552 3778.

Saturday 16th June 7pm till 12am AKHAND KEERTAN DARBAAR For the chardi kalaa of Bhai Nirmal Singh Dhesy & the chardi kalaa of the Khalsa Panth. Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 128 - 130 High Street Smethwick West Midlands B66 3AP

Sunday 17th June 1pm - 2pm KEERTAN BY BHAI ANOOP SINGH (UNA SAHIB WALE) Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Havelock Road Southall UB2 4NP

Tuesday 19th June 6pm - 8pm Talk: DO U REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? Organised by Kaurageous, with guest speaker Ravi Kaur Gakhal. Baba Sang Gurdwara St Pauls Road Smethwick View Poster

Saturday 23rd June 1pm - 1am AKHAND JAAP Continuous Waheguru Simran. Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East 720-730 High Road Seven Kings Ilford, Essex IG3 8ST View Poster

Thursday 28th - Friday 30th June 5pm Arambh - 5pm Bhog BARSI GIANI BABA GURBACHAN SINGH JEE BHINDRANWALE Akhand Paath Sahib followed by Keertan, Katha, Dhadi and Kaveeshree. Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 128 - 130 High Street Smethwick West Midlands B66 3AP View Poster

Saturday 30th June 8pm – 12pm END OF MONH KEERTAN DARBAAR Singh Sabha Gurdwara Park Avenue Southall UB2 3AG View Poster

Saturday 30th June 7pm - 5am RAINSBAYEE KEERTAN Commemorating Guru Arjan Sahib jee's Shaheedi Diwas. Guru Nanak Gurdwara 84 Ford End Road Bedford MK40 4JX

June Gurpurbs - Sacrifice & Justice

On 11th June it was Gurgaddi Divas of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee. Saariaa Nu Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee Hove. On 16th June it is the Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom day) of the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Sahib jee. May Guru Sahib bless us all.

SHORT GLIMPSE OF THE GURGADDI DIWAS OF GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB JEE

Threat of Sikhi
During Guru Arjan Sahib jee’s time the Sikh Community flourished and Amritsar became a strong centre for the Sikh People. More and more people of all castes embraced the Path of the Guru and became Sikhs, which included Hindus and Muslims. The Muslim priests did not like this and saw the Sikh Guru as a threat to the propagation of Islam. As a consequence of this they made plans against Guru Sahib.


Enemies of the Guru
Unlike his father, Emperor Jaahangeer's policies and views were fanatical and radical in spreading Islam across India. The enemies of Guru Sahib took advantage of this highly charged atmosphere.

Prithi Chand: The elder brother of Guru Arjan Sahib jee had devoted his whole life to harm the Guru in every possible way. He would misinform the Sikh Sangat and divert Sevadaars away from Langar Seva and other Seva attempting to create chaos. He also attempted to poison and kill the Sixth Guru as a child so that his children would be heirs to the Guru's throne.

Chandu Shah: A Brahman adviser and officer of Jaahangeer, he held animosity over his daughter's non-alliance with the Guru Sahib's son. This is considered the main fuel. When he approached the Guru about a Rishtaa (proposal) he used very derogatory and ego filled words with the Guru that implied that the Guru's family were low and should be lucky that they can be joined to a high class family.

Pandits & Maulvis (Hindu & Muslim Priests): The religious leaders of the Hindus and Muslims were jealous at the popularity of Guru Sahib. Furthermore, the Pandits and the Qazis were enraged at the compilation of Aad Granth Sahib (early form of Guru Granth Sahib jee) which criticised the idol worship and rituals of the Hindus, and also the fasting and hypocrisy of the Muslims.


ArrestGuru Arjan Sahib jee was arrested for various charges:
Aiding Khusro: The enemies of the Guru concocted the real story of Guru Arjan Sahib jee sheltering the rebellious Khusro, Jahangeer's son, who had fled a battle with his father and was a fugitive, to rouse the rage of Emperor Jahangeer which added fuel to the blazing fire.

Blasphemy against Islam: The jealous Qazis (Muslim priests) and Brahman Pandits (Hindu priests) were enraged by Hindus and Muslims embracing the Path of Gurmat and abandoning the authorities of the Qazis, Panddits, Vedas and Quran. The Aad Granth Sahib jee (also known as Pothi Sahib) was claimed to be blasphemous because it did not glorify Islam or the Prophet Muhammad and criticised the Qazis.

Guruship passed to the Sixth Guru
While in prison, before his martyrdom at Lahore, Guru Arjan Sahib jee sent a message to his son, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee, then aged only 11, that from today he should maintain an army. Guru Arjan Sahib jee instructed his son to uphold the concept of Miri-Piri (spiritual and worldly authority) and wear two swords, one representing his spiritual leadership and the other his temporal and political leadership.

Torture and Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Sahib jeeOrders were given to torture Guru Sahib to death but in such a way that no blood is spilt because the Mughals feared that the spilt blood of martyrs would create more future martyrs. Chandu was in charge of the torture. Guru Sahib told him: "I bear no enemies or ill-will against any one. All happens as God Almighty wills it to happen. I am prepared to accept His Will. You may do what you like". Guru Sahib was tortured for five days that included starvation, left exposed in the burning heat of the sun, boiled alive in water, red hot sand poured over the body, and made to sit on a red hot iron plate. On the fifth day, according to historian Bhai Kesar Singh Chhibar, Guru Arjan Dev jee was brought outside near the River Raavi and stoned. One stone hit Guru Sahib on his forehead where his eyebrow was, leading Guru Sahib to attain martyrdom. Two drops of blood fell on the floor and the executioners fearing Jahangeer's order not to spill any blood immersed Guru Sahib's body into the River Raavi. Rumours were later made that Guru Sahib wished to bathe in the river and then gave up his own life as a way of taking the blame away from the government and undermining Guru Sahib's martyrdom.


Saint-Warrior Guru
Soon after, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee constructed Sri Akaal Takht Sahib (the Throne of the Immortal) in front of Sri Darbaar Sahib in Amritsar. He raised two flags representing Miri-Piri and instructed the Sikhs: "My rosary shall be my sword-belt and on my turban I shall wear the emblem of royalty (the Kalgi)." Guru Sahib advised every Sikh to keep a sword and maintain a horse, wherever possible. He recruited a regular army and had a personal bodyguard of 57 horsemen and kept 700 horses, 60 gunmen and 500 infantry men. Thus the sovereign Sikh nation that was a state within a state, started and developed by the earlier Gurus, was consolidated by Guru Hargobind Sahib jee.


SummaryBhai Nand Lal Singh jee summarises the personalities of Guru Arjan Sahib jee and Guru Hargobind Sahib jee with the words "Sacrifice" and "Justice". The Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Arjan Sahib jee and the Gurgaddi Diwas of Guru Hargobind Sahib jee shows that the Guru Sahibs taught the Sikhs how to to remain fearless, steadfast and peaceful whilst being tortured defending the Truth, as well as how to raise the sword and take a stand in the world against tyranny to upkeep justice and freedom.