Leamington Youth Sehaj Paath

With Satguru's Kirpaa, at the end of last Monday's weekly Simran programme at Leamington Gurdwara, a Youth Sehaj Paath was started. A Sehaj Paath (also known as 'Sadhaaran Paath') is the complete reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee from beginning to end, with no time-limit for completion. The Youth Sehaj Paath is being done for the Chardi Kalaa of the local Sangat and in celebration of the 300 years Gurgaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. It is a unique opportunity for the youth, together with their families to get involved, build on their relationship with Guru jee, and gain confidence in reading Gurbani. Each person who participates (and their family) will be assigned 60 Angs (respected word for pages) for one week, at a time suited to them. Hopefully with Satguru's kirpaa, the bhog (completion) of the Paath should take place in early June 2009.

Photos from last Monday's Simran and Arambh (start) of Sehaj Paath:


Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj.


Veer Bikram Singh


Bhenji Kirathpal Kaur


Bhenji Kamalpreet Kaur


Young Veer jee


Bhaji Preetam Singh


Veer Amritpal Singh


Veer Beant Singh


Hukamnama (sacred edict) before commencing Sehaj Paath.


Saadh Sangat.


Arambh (start) of Sehaj Paath.


Degh.




Sukhaasan Sevaa by Bhenjis.


Children reciting Sohila Sahib da Paath during Sukhaasan Sevaa.


Guru jee's Swaaree being taken to Nijj-Asthaan (place of rest).


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.


Related Links:
- What is the proceedure for a Sehaj Paath?
- Read Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee online:
www.SriGranth.org
www.SikhToTheMax.com

Remembering Baba Thakur Singh Jee

24th December marks the Barsee (death anniversary) of Gurmukh Pyaare, Baba Thakur Singh jee, who passed away in 2004. I haven't had the good fortune of meeting Baba jee, however I have read about his Jeevan on the Internet and heard things from Gursikhs. From all I have read on various websites, forums and things I have heard from Gursikhs it seems Baba Thakur Singh jee's life was dedicated to humble Sevaa of Gurbani and Langar. Baba jee spoke very little but has left fond memories in the hearts of those who had the good fortune to see him.

A SHORT GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF BABA THAKUR SINGH JEE

Childhood
Baba Thakur Singh jee was born in 1915 in village Eechogill, District Lahore (now in Pakistan). Both his parents, Baba Bahadur Singh jee and Mata Prem Kaur jee, were Amritdhari Gursikhs, who had great devotion and faith in Gurbani. After the 1947 partition they came to India and settled in the Sadaruala , near Makhu, District Ferozepur. From birth, Baba jee was religious hearted, had a peaceful and loving nature, and firm faith in Guru jee. Baba Jee used to share his earnings, food, and belongings with others and inspired others to pursue sewa and simran.


Joining Jatha Bhindran
Baba jee always sought the Sangat of Mahapursh (an elevated soul). One day Baba jee heard from someone that Baba Gurbachan Singh Jee along with the other Jatha Bhindran Singhs were doing Sikhi Parchaar. Baba jee left his home and went to village Bhindra in Dist Moga to meet the Jatha Bhindran Singhs, where he was blessed with the gift of Amrit from the Guru-roop Panj Pyaare. Baba Gurbachan Singh jee was pleased with Baba Thakur Singh jee and made him in charge of Langar. After two and half years of tireless sevaa, Baba Thakur Singh was accepted as a member of Jatha Bhindran. Everyday without fail, Baba jee would wake up early at Amrit-Velaa (around 2am), do Naam Abhiyaas (repetition of the Divine-Name, recite Nitnem of Panj Granthi, and then they would begin to start preparing Langar for all the Singhs.


Sevaa with Baba Kartar Singh Jee
Up until Baba Gurbachan Singh jee passing away, Baba Thakur Singh jee did seva of Garveye (close associate) for 22 years. There after, Baba jee carried on seva of the Sangat and Langar with Baba Kartar Singh jee whilst imbued with Naam and Baani. During the political hard times when Baba Kartar Singh jee was doing sevaa of awakening the Sikh Sangat through Sikhi Parchaar, he had said, "If the government arrest me, then after me Baba Thakur Singh jee will be responsible for Damdami Taksaal. They can give the sevaa of leadership to whom they please." After Baba Kartar Singh jee passed away, Baba Thakur Singh jee appointed Baba Jarnail Singh jee the Jathedaar (leader) of Jatha Bhindran.


Sevaa of Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkaash, Mehtaa
In July 1982 Baba Jarnail Singh jee began the Dharam Yudh Morcha and made Amritsar their permanent residence. During this time, Baba Thakur Singh jee was given the sevaa of managing Gurdawara Gurdarshan Parkaash Mehtaa. In June 1984, Sri Akaal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib were attacked by the forces and countless Guru Ke Singh and Singhnian became Shaheed (martyrs). After Operation Bluestar, the Damdami Taksaal seva was given to Baba Thakur Singh jee by the Sangat. Under the guidance of Baba Thakur Singh jee, Jatha Bhindran continued with their Sikhi Parchaar through Santheaa (teaching Gurbani) and Amrit Sanchaars, as well as helping Gursikhs in jails and Shaheed families.


Arranging the Sarbat Khalsa
The Gurmat institution of Sarbat Khalsa, whereby all the Khalsa gathers to discuss Panthic affairs and deliver decisions with the consent of the Panth based on the guidance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, was stopped by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. However, the old tradition of Sarbat Khalsa was revived for the first time in the 20th century in 1986, under the sevaa of Baba Thakur Singh jee. Thereafter, the reconstruction of Sri Akaal Takht Sahib was begun by the Khalsa Panth.


Damdami Taksaal & Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Baba Thakur Singh jee was strong in his beliefs, however at the same time he had the utmost respect for Abhiyaasi (practicing) Gursikhs. Baba Thakur Singh jee met up with (late) Bhai Sahib Raam Singh jee, the former Jathedaar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha and they shared great pyaar. Baba Thakur Singh would make Gursikhs sit on his manjaa (bed) and he would do their sevaa. Baba jee showed respect and love for other Gurumukh Pyaare and their Jeevans (spirituality) regardless of small differences in vichaar


Importance of Amrit-Velaa
Some of the students at Taksaal sometimes got lazy and would miss waking up Amrit-velaa. Baba Thakur Singh jee found out about this. He would lovingly tell the Singhs about the importance of Amrit-velaa and he would beg them never to miss it. If those Singhs still missed Amrit-Velaa, Baba jee would go to their rooms and start to massage their feet and legs. When the Singhs who were asleep felt Baba jee massaging their feet they would immediately jump out of bed. They would sees Baba jee standing with his hands folded together begging them to get up and do their Nitnem. Baba jee would say to the Singhs, "What else could an ‘old man’ do to get you Singhs up for Amrit-velaa?"


Malaysia Visit
In the Summer of 1998, Baba Thakur Singh jee and the Jatha Bhindran Singhs travelled to Malaysia. Baba jee talked very little and talked only if necessary. The Jatha Singhs told Baba jee that (the now late) Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh jee (Dudley), from the Jathedaar of Chalda Vaheer Jatha (and a member of Akhand Kirtani Jatha), who was also visiting Malaysia for Sikhi Parchaar, had come to meet him. As soon as Baba jee heard this he rushed to the door to greet Bhai Sahib. Baba jee had a long conversation with Bhai Sahib, which was quite unusual for him as he talked littled.


Last Moments
On 24th December 2004, at the age of 89, Baba jee passed away at a private hospital in Amritsar. There was an audio recording online of Bhai Baljeet Singh, who was by the side of Baba jee when he passed away. I remember listening to the recording (I can't find the link now) and Bhai Sahib said that Baba jee was slowly Japping Naam and repeating "Waheguru" as he breathed his last. Waheguru.

ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
vich duneeaa seva kamaaeeai. ta dargeh baaisan paaeeai.
"In the midst of this world, do seva (selfless service), and you shall be given a place of honour in the Court of Waheguru."
(Ang 26)

Sad Story of an Elderly Man (Part 2)

...Continued.

I had a chat with Baba jee. He seemed content and didn't expect much. He talked a bit about his family. I asked how many children he had. Baba jee replied that he had three sons who lived in London and that he has family elsewhere in other countries. I asked, "How old are your children?" He replied, "They are all grown-up. They came to this country and got married. I have many grandchildren as well." I was happy to know that he had large family.

But then Baba jee said, "They came to see me when I was in hospital (one and half years ago). Their wives said that they did not like their husbands to visit me. They said they had jobs and businesses and it was too much hassle to visit me." I didn't wish to intrude on his family issues so I changed the topic. However, it made think about something Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdaas jee writes in his Vaars:

ਨੂੰਹ ਨਿਤ ਮੰਤ ਕੁਮੰਤ ਦੇਇ ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਛਡਿ ਵਡੇ ਹਿਤਆਰੇ ॥
nooh nit mant kumant de-e maa pio shhadd vadde hatiaare||
The daughter-inlaw then started continuously advising her husband to desert his parents instigating that they had been tyrants.

ਵਖ ਹੋਵੈ ਪੁਤੁ ਰੰਨਿ ਲੈ ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਦੇ ਉਪਕਾਰੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੇ ॥
vakh hovai put rann lai maa pio de upkaar visaare||
Forgetting the love and help of the parents, the son along with his wife got separated from them.

ਲੋਕਾਚਾਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਵਡੇ ਕੁਚਾਰੇ ॥੧੨॥
lokaachaar hoe vadde kuchaare ||12||
Now the way of the way of the world has become grossly immoral.(12)
(Vaar 37: Pauree 12)

Bhai Gurdaas jee in another Pauree writes:

ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਦਾਨ ਬੇਈਮਾਨ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਪਰਾਣੀ ॥
maa pio parhar karai daan be-eemaan agiaan paraanee ||
The person who having deserted his parents performs charities, is corrupt and ignorant.
(Vaar 37: Pauree 13)

He said that when he was fit and well he used to go by train to London and visit his family. However, since he became ill, he has been unable to travel anywhere. One day he was at home and collapsed and there was no one else to help him. Thankfully a social-worker came to visit him and looked through the window because he didn't answer the door. The social-worker realised that Baba jee had collapsed on the floor and couldn't get help so the fire-service had to smash the front window and get him out. Since then he had to sell his house and move into a nursing home.

The nursing home staff were very nice. It is great to see that there are places where elderly people with no families can go and live with people to care for them. However, it is also sad that people with families also end up in nursing homes.


When I went to see Baba jee, his hair was in a mess. There was a Keski (short under-turban) loosely wrapped over his head, with his hairs poking out everywhere. Because Baba jee had suffered numerous strokes, he struggled to move his hands and could not comb his own hair or tie his own dastaar. So, I offered to teach the staff how to tie a Dastaar. Some of the nurses said that it is too difficult. But there is one senior nurse who was very caring for all the patients and she said she will not rest until she learns how to tie a Dastaar. It was inspiring to see the nurse's spirit and attitude.

After learning how to tie a Dastaar, the senior nurse tied a Keski and then a Dastaar on Baba jee's head. He was very happy. The nursing home people were so pleased that they took photographs of Baba jee wearing his newly tied Dastaar. The other patients at the nursing home complimented him as well.

I shortly left the nursing home and I promised the nursing home manager that I would let other members of the local community know about Baba jee is living at the nursing home so that they could come and visit him.



Last week, my dad received a phone call from one of the volunteers who cared for Baba jee. She said he had passed away. His funeral was yesterday. The staff said that Baba jee felt very lonely for the past one and half years but still made the most of what he had. Another person who visited him a few times before passing away said that he asked Baba jee, "Do you do Paatth and Simran? Do you need a Gutka Sahib?" Baba jee replied, "I have a Gutka Sahib. However, I know Sukhmani Sahib da Paath and Nitnem off by heart." The volunteer care worker said that she was by his side when he passed away. She said, "He was holding a prayer book (Gutka Sahib) in his hands and he was reciting prayers (paatth) when hen breathed his last breath."

Guru jee says in Salok Mehlaa Nauvaa:

ਸੁਖ ਮੈ ਬਹੁ ਸੰਗੀ ਭਏ ਦੁਖ ਮੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
Sukẖ mai bahu sangī bẖe-e ḏukẖ mai sang na koe.
In good times, there are many companions around, but in bad times, there is no one at all.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਹਾਈ ਹੋਇ ॥੩੨॥
Kahu Nānak har bẖaj manaa anṯ sahaaee hoe. ||32||
Says Nanak! Vibrate and meditate on Waheguru; He shall be your only Help and Support in the end. ||32|| (Ang 1428)

Guru Raakhaa

Sad Story of an Elderly Man (Part 1)

Three months ago, I was going for my usual evening walk. As I walking on the main road, I saw a taxi slow down when it passed me and then it pulled over in the small side road in front of me. A middle-aged Pakistani man got out of the car and waited for me to come near him. As I walked by he said "Hello" and I said "Hello" back.

The taxi driver said, "Sorry, I stopped my car when I saw you walking." I was slightly confused why the taxi driver had stopped when he saw me! I thought perhaps he needs help in finding a road or something. He said, "I have been waiting to find a Sardar and today I was lucky." He explained further, "I have a customer who is a volunteer at a nursing home in a nearby village. She was telling me that they have an elderly Sikh man with no family living in the nursing home and that no one knows how to tie his turban. She asked me for help. Although I am a Muslim, I believe that we belong to religion of love for fellow humanity. I saw you and was happy to find a Sikh who could help this lady who works at the nursing home." Waheguru. The taxi driver gave me the lady's phone number and I said I would be happy to ring her and see how I can help.

I got in touch with the volunteer worker and she was happy to find someone who could tie a dastaar for this elderly man. I was baffled who this elderly man in a village nursing home could be considering that are not many Sikhs in the local area, and everyone knows everyone else in the community. She told me the name of the man and I realised it was an elderly man who lived by his own and who had separated from his family for a long long time ago.

We arranged to go to the nursing home and meet the elderly Baba jee. I took a spare Keski (short under-turban), Dastaar (turban) and a Kangha (wooden comb) with me. The volunteer worker was very nice. She was a retired lady and decided to dedicate her spare time to caring for the elderly and sick as part of sevaa. She said that her mother was a devout Christian and used to do sevaa of visiting the sick and elderly in hospital and try and help them out with odd jobs and listen to their problems. Similarly, she has the urge to help others. Waheguru.

ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਗਲ ਪੁੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥
Aṯẖsaṯẖ ṯeerath sagal punn jeea ḏe-i-aa parvaan.
Being kind to all beings is more meritorious than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity.
(Ang 136)

The nursing home was in a nice village in the countryside. We parked up and went inside. On arrival the nursing home staff were happy that Mr. Singh had visitors. Apparently he has been in the nursing home for one and a half years and he never had any visitors since his arrival at the nursing home. Because the elderly Baba jee kept himself to himself and only now and again visited the Gurdwara, no one realised he had gone to a nursing home. Some people assumed he had passed away.

ਛਿਨੁ ਛਿਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਛੀਜੈ ਜਰਾ ਜਨਾਵੈ ॥
Cẖẖin cẖẖin ṯan cẖẖeejai jaraa janaavai.
Moment by moment, the body is wearing away, and old age is asserting itself.

ਤਬ ਤੇਰੀ ਓਕ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਨੀਓ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
Ŧab ṯeree ouk koee paaneeo na paavai. ||2||
And then, when you are old (and unable to move), no one shall pour water into your cup. ||2||
(Ang 656)

I haven't really chatted to him before. I have only seen him sitting in the Sangat a few times. When I met Baba jee he looked really happy to have visitors and had a big smile on his face.


To be continued...

Pizza Anyone?

Yesterday, there was a Sikh Society talk at University of Birmingham. Afterwards there were samosay to eat. A Singh offered me a plate with two samosay. I told him to take one out because I am not great fan of samosay now (last time I had three samosay and felt drugged up and sleepy afterwards!). So I had one samosa. The other Singhs and Bhenjees didn't eat any samosay. So I asked them why they are not eating any. They said that they were saving themselves to have Pizza afterwards at Chamkaurs (an Amritdhari restaurant)! (Yet no one told me to hold back on the samosay!). Waheguru.

Two cars went to Chamkaurs afterwards. The way some Singhs were going on about Chamkaurs and eating Pizzas was like they have never seen food in their life (no names mentioned!). During the journey as well the conversation was revolved around pizza toppings and pizza slice sizes. Waheguru. I wondered whether some of these Singhs were doing Pizza Studies at college and university or something. Rab Jaane.

Getting through all the peak-time traffic, we eventually got to Chamkaurs. But when we got there the shop lights were off! I thought we have driven all this long way to find the shop closed! Then a Singh got of the car and checked the sign. The shop was to open in 10 minutes. So we waited in the car. By that time the other car arrived.

To be honest I didn't want to eat Pizza. I prefer eating Daal and Rotee. Due to pressure of Sangat I got sucked into ordering pizza as well. All the Singhs and Bhenjees were excited and were behaving like they had reached Sach Khand or something! Waheguru. Really, there were really excited and behaving like the most important thing in the world is Pizza and nothing else. So everyone ordered. I wasn't really hungry and could have nicely done with a bit of Daal and a Parshaadaa, but due to pressure I ordered. Everyone else ordered large pizzas per person! I thought it was slightly excessive considering some of the Singhs aren't exactly very big (no names mentioned)! I decided to order a regular size pizza despite the pressure to order a large pizza. hehe.

Everyone got their pizzas and I even ordered a regular fries because I was told my pizza size is quite small. Waheguru. When I got the pizza I couldn't believe that I could barely eat it. Yes it was tasty! But how much Pizza can you eat? On the other hand the other Singhs and even Bhenjees were eating Pizza like this was the first they had seen Pizza! Amongst this hyper-activity and excitement for Pizza, it was inspiring to see a Gursikh who was not eating anything sitting amongst the chaos very calmly and not affected by this Pizza frenzy. I felt bit embarrassed and wished that I had just stuck my simple Daal and Roti!

ਏ ਰਸਨਾ ਤੂ ਅਨ ਰਸਿ ਰਾਚਿ ਰਹੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਿਆਸ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
Ėh rasnā ṯū an ras rācẖ rahī ṯerī pi▫ās na jā▫e.
O my tongue! You are engrossed in other tastes, but your thirsty desire is not quenched.
(Ang 921)

By the end of it, everyone looked stuffed. I could barely breathe. Another Singh (no names mentioned) looked like he was barely alive! He said he was okay but he looked knocked out after eating a full large pizza by himself! I was so stuffed that I didn't even eat my regular fries. I just about got home okay. Driving a car when you are feeling stuffed is not safe! With Guru's Kirpaa got home okay. One thing I can say is that I will not be eating Pizza again for a long long time!! When I woke up at Amrit-vela I still felt bloated and stuffed (which is not good!). Guru Raakhaa.

ਖੰਡਿਤ ਨਿਦ੍ਰਾ ਅਲਪ ਅਹਾਰੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥੮॥
Kẖandiṯ niḏrā alap ahāraʼn Nānak ṯaṯ bīcẖāro. ||8||
Sleep little, and eat little; O Nanak, this is the essence of wisdom. ||8||
(Ang 939)

Up and Coming Programmes...

Events taking place this month:


MANCHESTER KEERTAN SMAAGAM
Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th December 2008
Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Gurdwara
12 Sherborne Street, Manchester,
M3 1FE


KEERTAN DARBAAR
Sunday 14th December 2008
5pm to 9pm
Khalsa Primary School,
Wexham Road, Slough,


SUPREME SACRIFICE EVENT
Saturday 6th December 2008
5.30pm - 10.30pm
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara,
Park Avenue, Southall,
Ub1 3AG


DECEMBER YOUTH KEERTAN SMAAGAM
Thursday 18th to Saturday 21st December 2008
Note: Amrit Sanchaar on Saturday 21st December.
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha,
47 - 49 Cross Road, Coventry
CV6 5GR
For further info please contact Bhai Tarnjit Singh: 0785-9054452.


BABA THAKUR SINGH JEE'S BARSEE
Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th December 2008
Gurdwara Guru Panth Parkash
19 Ashford Road, Leicester
LE2 6AA


SAHIBZAADE SHAHEEDI GURMAT CAMP
Wednesday 25th December 2008
10am to 5pm
Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan,
Oldbury, B69 4EH


ANNUAL COVENTRY GURMAT CAMP
Wednesday 25th to Sunday 28th December 2008
9.30am to 4pm
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara,
Cross road, Coventry,
CV6 5GR

Airport Turban Search

On the way back home from Denmark, I was asked by the Copenhagen Airport security staff to take off my Dastaar (turban). I was passing through the metal detectors and the machine went off. This is very normal because I don't take off my Karras (like all other Amritdharis I know). Wearing the Karra is never a problem and the airport staff usually don't ask for the Karra to be removed.

The usual proceedure after the metal detecting maching going off is that the security guard patts you down and then gets a hand-held metal detector wand which he waves across the body and over the Dastaar. It is very simple and I've never had any problems.

However, this time (first time ever) the security guard said, "Please remove" (pointing at my Dastaar). I said, "No" to the man. The security guard was very nice and seemed that he didn't wish to cause offence or anything. He said, "You will need to take it off. Could you do so in a side-room".

I asked, "Why do you want me to take off my turban? Every time I have been abroad in Europe etc, I have never ever been asked to remove my turban. Do you not have a hand-held metal detector wand to wave over my turban." The man spoke little and just said, "No, Sir." Waheguru. I was gob-smacked that such a big international airport (Copenhagen Airport) didn't have any hand-held metal detector wands and relied only on the huge walk-in metal detecting machines! Rab hee Raakha!

I repeated the request, "I am baffled you have no hand-held metal detector wands at all. Are you sure?" The man looked at another female security guard and then another male security guard who shook their heads to signal they had no hand-held detectors. If it was Tashkent Airport in Uzbekistan or something, I could imagine they might not be able to afford hand-held metal detector wands, but for such a large european international airport to have such poor security equipment was beyond belief.

So, I had no choice. Two security guards escorted me to a small room (it was my like a small box-room with no windows and very dim light!). I slowly unwrapped my dastaar and placed my dastaar on my shoulder. After unwrapping my dastaar, I pointed to my Keski (short under-turban) and asked, "Do I need to remove this as well?" They nodded their head and said, "Yes." So I untied my Keski and placed it on my shoulder as well. Then one of the security guards took off his gloves. It looked like he was getting ready to put his hands through my Kesh! Waheguru, Waheguru. I stopped him and said, "You can look, but you cannot touch my hair or turban." He was nice about it and said "that is fine". But the two security guards still kept looking at me. It felt slightly uncomfortable - I am standing in a small dark and dingy box room with my hair down, and two Danish man just staring like zombies at me! I thought to myself, do they think I have metal item shoved in my scalp or something! Rab Jaane.

I (jokingly) said, "Ermm... do you want me to shake my hair or something." The security guards said "Yes". Sat Naam, Waheguru! (I was only joking!). I was confused! Rab Raakha. So I shook my hair from side to side to show that I had nothing in my Kesh (I probably looked like a hippy at a rave concert or something!). They were happy and said thats fine.

Then they watched me very carefully as I re-tied my dastaar (I tried to be as quick as possible because the lack of space and indirect pressure of hurrying up). It must have been the first time they have seen long Kesh and someone untying and re-tying their Dastaar. They looked really pleased at how the dastaar was tied.


When I got through to the Departures area, I decided to wash my hands in the toilet. As I looked in the mirror, I realised that I looked a MESS. Waheguru! Because the room where I tied my Dastaar was so dark and I felt like I was being rushed, I didn't realise that my Dastaar looked aweful! Waheguru. It looked worst than a Baba from the Pind who ties his Dastaar without looking in the mirror (and no bother in the world!)! Unfortunately I didn't find anywhere suitable to re-tie my Dastaar so I had look like an utter mess until I arrived back home!


Despite being stopped and the lack of competence in the airport security checking facilities, the men were very polite and apologised for taking my time. However, I am worried that the airport staff claimed that they had no hand-held metal detector wands. Secondly, what is their policy for searching turbans (if they have one!). Someone suggested that I contact United Sikhs. So I did so. They replied very promptly and said that they will take appropriate action in finding out what the airport policies are and ensure it doesn't happen to any other Sikhs.



ADVISE & HELP:

If anyone has faced any issues at any airport as a result of their Dastaar or any other issue (e.g. Kirpan), then please contact the United Sikhs. Details below:

Email: Contact@UnitedSikhs.org

Airport Turban Screening Database Form:
http://unitedsikhs.org/turban_screening/ts-form-main.php

Denmark Sikhi Camp

Last weekend a two-day Gurmat camp was held in Copenhagen in Denmark, organised by the local youngsters with the help of the local elders. Particularly, Bhaji Jarnail Singh and his family put a lot of effort into organising and doing seva throughout the camp. The Camp was attended by over 20 youngsters, which involved a series of workshops and classes on Gurbaani Vichaar, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh History, Keertan, and discussions. The youngsters of Denmark are a credit to the Panth and are showing great progress in their Sikhi. May Waheguru keep them alll in Chardikala and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit, and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters.

Some photos from the camp:


SATURDAY


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee


Group Activities:




Langar:

Sangat made lovely Pizzas! (Very tasty!)


Lovely presented (and tasty) ice-cream for Langar!


Group Discussions:






Evening Diwaan:




Late-Night Keertan:



SUNDAY

Amrit-Vela:




Langar:




Class:




Evening Diwaan:




Evening Langar:




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee