France Gurmat Camp 2009 (Photos)

From Friday 3rd July to Sunday 12th July, the annual France Gurmat Camp took place that is organised by Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Bobigny and the Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK). The camp was attended by one-hundred and fifty or so youngsters over the ten days, aged from 3 years old to 18 years old. This year's camp was dedicated to the 25 years anniversary of the 1984 Ghallughara (Holocaust). Over the ten day camp there were classes on mudhlee vidiya (basic knowledge), Panjabi, Gurbani, Keertan and history. Near the end of the week all the campers sit tests and are tested basic knowledge, history, keertan, Gurbani pronunciation, memorising Banian (prayers) and Bana (Khalsa uniform). On the final day of the camp all the campers are given prizes and rewards.

The Gurmat camps across Europe were founded by the Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK) that was started by the late Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh jee from Dudley in UK. Bhai Sahib and the Jatha toured across all of Europe and other parts of the world where no Parchaariks (preachers) had gone before and did sevaa of Keertan, Kathaa, Amrit Sanchaars, and educating the local children about Gurmat through camps. Countless families and children have been inspired into Sikhi through Bhai Sahib's efforts. Currently the sevaa of Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK) is being headed by Mata Balbir Kaur jee who has dedicated her life in nourishing young children into living the Gursikh way of life and being filled with Sikh spirit. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.

It is very uplifting to see the spirit and dedication of the French Sikhs. Despite the dastaar (turban) being banned from schools and some universities all the elder bhenjees (who are not yet Amritdhari) wear Dastaars outside of school time. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa the Singhs who refused to remove their Dastaars or cut their Kesh and instead accepted to be removed from school and had to study from home are doing well and gone on to study at university. It makes one wonder how we take our Sikhee for granted and have it easy compared to our brothers and sisters in France. May Guru Sahib to continue to bless the Sangat of France and may the youth become Gursikh role models for the whole of Europe.


Photos from the camp:


New Gurdwara Sahib being constructed. It will be the first Gurdwara to be built in traditional design and purpose built.


Temporary Gurdwara Sahib across the road.


Morning


Bhenji Navjot Kaur (UK) taking morning registration.


6-8 years old Keertan class.


Bhai Jasvir Singh tying Dastaar on a young Singh.


Veer Dharmvir Singh and Bhenji Navjot Kaur (UK) taking 3 to 5 years old class. The children shared their thoughts on the posters on the wall.


Young children lining up to recite Mool Mantar da Paatth to everyone.


9-11 and elders group


Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh (UK) taking elder children's class.


Youngsters doing vichaar.


9-11 years old group being tested by a Sevadaar.


Evening Diwaan. Children getting ready to recite Rehraas Sahib.


Aunty jees and Bhenjees playing Volleyball.


Younger children having a race. Waheguru :)


"Cherry and spoon race" :)


Singhs playing Volleyball.


Veer Luvpreet Singh (Belgium) and Veer Gurinder Singh (Germany)


Bhaji Manprit Singh playing football with the younger boys. Looks like they've lost the ball!


Group photo in park.


Park's lake.


Aunty jee having a bit of fun and splashing the children with water :)


On Saturday there was a presentation for all the Sangat.


Saturday evening diwaan.


The local Granthi Singh jee - Bhai Rashpal Singh jee. Very Chardikala and pyaar wale Gursikh.


Elder Bhenjees doing Keertan.


Elder boys doing Keertan.


Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh (UK) doing Keertan.


Sunday morning diwaan.


3 to 5 years old doing Keertan in Sunday main diwaan. They sang the Shabad so loudly it was unbelievable! :)


6-8 years old class doing Keertan. This group also sang really loudly and got in the full spirit of the Shabad :)


Bhai Chain Singh jee and other Gurdwara committee members giving prizes and certificate to the children with Mata Balbir Kaur jee.


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

Human Rights Activist Passes Away...

On Sunday 28th June 2009, Ram Narayan Kumar passed away in Kathmandu, Nepal. For those not familiar with him, he was a friend of the Sikh Panth who fought tirelessly to expose the genocide and mass human rights violations of the Sikhs living in Panjab after 1984 and seeking justice on behalf of the Sikhs. Dhan Rab de Pyaare.

Background
Ram Narayan Kumar was born in South Indian Tamil Brahmin family who at one point was a monk and lived in the backwaters of Delhi. Although he had no connection or link to the Panjab or Sikhs, he passionately fought for the rights and justice of the Sikh people in Panjab since Delhi anti-Sikh genocide of November 1984.

He was a human rights activist and researcher who was the author of several books and reports on the state of human rights in India and an unwavering critic of the brutality of the state in suppressing armed political conflicts in Panjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India and other parts of the subcontinent. He campaigned for democracy and human rights against state brutality on the innocent citizens since 1975. He was imprisoned for 19 months for his vocal opposition to Indira Gandhi‘s emergency regime.

He impressed everyone with his diligence, compassion and belief in justice; qualities that are as rare today as the person he was. His ability to combine cutting edge research and ethical principles of justice made him an endearing beacon of hope for many peoples and struggles that are on the verge of being forgotten.

His written work include "The Sikh Struggle" (1991), "Reduced To Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab" (2003), "Critical Readings In Human Rights And Peace" (2006), "Terror In Punjab : Narratives, Knowledge And Truth Terror In Punjab : Narratives, Knowledge And Truth" (2008).


A video produced by Ram Narayan Kumar, entitled "Disappearances in Punjab":

"To accept that justice is impossible is like the end of all sense of purpose of life.”
(Ram Narayan Kumar)

Dhan Rab De Pyaare.

Remembering Giani Baba Gurbachan Singh Jee

28th June marks the Barsee (death anniversary) of Gurmukh Pyaare, Giani Baba Gurbachan Singh jee (Bhindran wale), who passed away in 1969. Giani Gurbachan Singh jee was a great Sikh who dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to Gurmat Parchaar through reciting and explaining the Guru's Word to Sangats far and wide, educating countless students to read and understand Gurbani, writing literature, and inspiring countless people to seek the blessings of Amrit & Naam and live in accordance to Gurmat. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.

A SHORT GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF
GIANI BABA GURBACHAN SINGH JEE

Taken from www.DamdamiTaksaal.org and www.IkOnkaar.blogspot.com

Childhood

Baba jee was born on 12th February 1902 into devout Sikh family. With the influence of his parents and Guru jee's kirpaa, in childhood he learnt the correct pronunciation for reciting Gurbani and memorised the Nitnem banian (daily prayers). With the guidance of his Mama jee (paternal uncle) he was able to participate in reading from Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee in Akhand Paatths at the age of 7. By the age of 13, he learnt the Sanskrit language and read the Faridkoth Teeka (explanation) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, which was one of the first written commentaries on Gurbani.


Meeting Baba Sundar Singh jee
In 1920, Baba jee met Baba Sundar Singh jee, a great saint, who was on preaching tour in the area. Baba jee's mind was greatly influenced by the kathaa and keertan of Baba Sundar Singh jee, which led him to take Amrit from the Guru-roop Panj Pyaare and receive the blessings of Naam. Soon after, he went to Bindra Kalaa(n) Gurdwara to stay with Baba Sundar Singh jee and his Jatha (group) to attain religious and spiritual education. Baba jee would everyday rise at 1am, after doing ishnaan he would do Naam Abhiyaas followed by their daily sevaa of cleaning the Gurdwara Sahib, performing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee’s parkaash, reciting Sri Japjee Sahib and Sri Sukhmani Sahib and starting the keertan. He listened to four complete Kathaas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee from Baba Sundar Singh jee and was trained in reading and understanding other religious and historical Granths.


Becoming Jathedaar
Baba jee accompanied Baba Sundar Singh jee to the village Boparai where Baba Sundar Singh jee did the full Kathaa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, from beginning to end. On the last day of the Kathaa programme, Baba Sundar Singh jee honoured Baba Gurbachan Singh jee with a Siropaa (robe of honour) and announced that he would become the next Jathedaar of Damdami Taksaal. Baba Sundar Singh jee told the Sangat that many Gurmukhs have obtained education of Gurbani however Baba Gurbachan Singh jee (known also as "Khalsa jee") is the only student who met all the teachings of preceding saints.


Parchaar Sevaa
Baba jee was engaged in countless Parchaar sevaa. On many occasions they would walk many miles along with the Jatha Singhs. The Jatha (group) toured Panjab, Kashmir, Peshawar, Banaaras, Patna Sahib, Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaran, Sri Hazoor Sahib, Calcutta, and Bombay. In each village or city they would the Jathaa would go to, they would do Kathaa of Gurbani, teach people how to pronounce Gurbani, do sevaa of the Gurdwara Sahib, and inspire the locals to seek the blessings of Amrit and abide by Khalsa rehat (discipline). As a result of this parchaar countless people became able to read Gurbani and do sevaa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.


Becoming Imbued in Gurbani
In 1927, Baba Gurbachan Singh jee along with other Singhs were doing Akhand Paatth sevaa (which was always free of cost) in a village in Doaba (Jalandhar area). During the Akhand Paatth, Baba jee completed his duty of reading Paatth at 4am and went to a nearby room to recite his Nitnem. Whilst reciting Nitnem, Baba jee fell asleep. From a nearby room, Giani Kirpaal Singh and the other Singhs heard a voice reciting Gurbani out loud. Out of curiosity the Singhs went to see who it was and found Baba jee reciting Gurbani in his sleep. The Singhs sat around him and listened to him do Paatth for half an hour in which time they noticed that he had started reading Gurbani from the Akhand Paatth at the exact place where had finished his Paatth duty (which was "Sorath Raag") whilst asleep. The sevadaars that were sitting there listening to him noticed that he had not made a single error in his recitation and were all left amazed.


Affects of Naam
Once Baba Jee went to a hospital in Ludhiana to see a doctor due to their ill-health. Seeing that the patient looked like a saint, the Sikh doctor asked Baba jee to tell him about himself and who he was. In following Guru Sahib's teachings, in humility Baba jee changed the topic and said, "I don’t know anything much. I am not really anyone. Can you tell me about yourself?" In ego the doctor said that he had done sangat with many saints and shared his spiritual achievements to which Baba jee replied that he was very blessed. Later, the doctor was carrying out the medical examination using a stethoscope. To his astonishment, every time he pressed it against Baba jee’s body, all he could detect was the constant sound vibration of "Vaheguru". He did this against all of Baba jee’s body, but all he could hear were the vibrations of Naam. Seeing this great kallaa (power) of Naam, the doctor fell at the feet of Baba jee in shame. Baba jee showed the sceptics that through Naam-Abhiyaas (practice of the Divine-Name), Naam becomes part of the body and each hair of the body vibrates Naam as instructed in Gurbani.


Last moments
The Sangat of the village Mehta invited Baba jee and his jatha to come and do Parchaar. During this visit, on 28th June 1969 at 2.10am, whilst repeating "Vaheguru" Baba Gurbachan Singh jee breathed his last breaths. Baba jee's body was taken to Amritsar and bathed in the Amrit Sarovar (pool) and then cremated at Kiratpur Sahib in accordance to Baba jee's wishes.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Episode 4 India Trip: Going to Amritsar (Part 2)

...Continued.

As we were nearly approaching Amritsar, I heard a female ticket conductor saying "Show your tickets." I heard her speak only a few times from a distance and the next thing I know the lady was standing in front of me. To be honest from her appearance she didn't look like a typical ticket conductor because she was wearing a dark brown suit and chunni and her hair looked uncombed. She said, "Please show your tickets." I happily got out my ticket and showed the lady.

Waheguru. As soon as the lady looked at our two tickets she stared at me and said, "Why are you sitting here?" I said, "I have the ticket." She replied, "You don't have a ticket to sit in this compartment." I was really confused. The Sardaar next to us (who looked like an off-duty policeman) said "Bhai Sahib jee, this is the sleeping compartment. You must have the tickets for the wooden plank seats compartment." I said, "We are from abroad and haven't been to Amritsar on the train before and so we bought the ticket as we normally buy to go anywhere. No one at the station or here told us."

The lady didn't want to hear any excuses and was adamant that we deserved the maximum fine. I looked towards the Sardaar to perhaps show some words of support (as looked authoritative) but instead he goes to me, "Giani Jee, its your fault. You must now pay. This lady needs to make a days living as well. It is painful but pay up." Rab Raakhaa. The Sardaar could have kept quiet but instead he goes to support the conductor in fining me and my mum. It was so embarrassing with others looking at us.

One college student who looked like a Hindu seemed concerned and didn't look happy that we were being fined but kept quiet. The lady said that we owned 600 rupees. Keeping in mind that original ticket was total of 60 rupees that is a huge fine (especially according to Indian standards!). I was shocked and politely said, "Can you please understand that we were unaware and give us a chance." She could have easily said, "Walk over to the other compartment" but she looked like she found a jack-pot!

Thankfully the Sardaar showed some sympathy and told the lady "Don't charge both of them. Just fine one of them." The lady without question did what the Sardaar said (perhaps because he looked like an off-duty policeman?). So we ended up paying a fine of 300 rupees which accordance to UK standards is like paying a £50 fine (in terms of significance). Once she got the money the lady sat down next to mum and starts to chat about her day and how some passengers didn't pay their fines and gave her verbal abuse. I was bit shocked that she didn't bother to check anybody else's ticket considering there were 10 minutes left to the journey.

Once the train got to Amritsar, the lady got up and the Sardaar said to me, "Giani Jee, you shouldn't have paid 300 rupees. Why did you give her the money? It wasn't your fault and for someone like you she should have some sympathy." I didn't know what to say considering he didn't say that when the lady was there! Then the Hindu student (who seemed a really nice guy) says to me in front of everyone, "You are a man of God (Rab de Bande). She should not fine and make money out of religious people. She should have been understanding as she didn't check anyone else's ticket." I thought "Hai Rabba" when people should have spoke no one did but afterwards everyone was telling me why did I pay!

Chalo. Lesson learnt - be careful of the train ticket you buy in India and be sure to know whether its the comfortable seat carriage of the wooden plank seat carriage!

Episode 4 India Trip: Going to Amritsar (Part 1)

...Continued.

On day 7 of the trip, my mum and I set off to go to Amritsar. We arrived at Jallandhar train station and I went to the ticket office to buy the tickets. For those people who complain about 'customer service' living in the West, you would have a shock of a life time when you see the normal customer service in India!

I got to the ticket counter and said, "Excuse me." The lady sitting at the counter was having a good chin-wag (gap-shap) with her friend sitting next to her about something random. I said, "Excuse me" again and then the lady said, "Wait karo." She finished her conversation and then faced me and said, "What you want" like if I was a beggar asking her for roti or something. I was bit taken aback by the lady's rudeness and how she was laid back like she was sitting at home watching a movie or something. Rab Raakhaa!

I said to the lady, "Hi, I would like 2 tickets to Amritsar please." The lady (in a "can't be bothered" tone) mumbled "60 rupees". Because I couldn't hear her mumbling clearly I said, "Can you repeat that." She then looked really frustrated and said, "60 rupees". Sat Naam, Waheguru.

I gave the lady 60 Rupees, got the tickets and headed towards the platform. If you have been to a train station in a city in India you will know that that it gets really busy! The train arrived and people (in typical India style) were pushing and shoving trying to get on (and I thought the London tube was bad!). My mum and I tried to find the clearest space on the platform so that we could get on in time. We found one place which fewer people than the other places, so we got on to the train from there.

We found some free space to sit going further into the carriage. There was a Sardaar (turbanned man) sitting there with his wife, so I thought it would be a suitable place to sit (as I thought sitting next to a Sardaar will more likely to be a safer place to sit). When we sat down the man and his wife looked at me and then carried on talking amongst themselves. I felt bit cautious of saying hello or starting a conversation with the man because he looked like a typical police officer type of guy from his appearance (old man but with jet black coloured cut beard, red fifty, blue pagh and wearing huge dark sunglasses).

I think my mum went to sleep and I decided to listen to some Keertan on my MP3 player and relax. (I could see the man looking at me and being shocked that I had headphones coming out of my ears and yet from my appearance I looked like a Giani). All was going well, until we got near Amritsar train station.


To be continued...