Story from Denmark Smaagam...

Author: Bhai Vijay Singh

I wanted to share a story with the Sangat about an opportunity I was blessed with when coming back from Denmark Keertan Samaagam on Sunday. I was sitting on the plane and it was not very full. There was only me and a Danish man sitting on the row. I noticed he was reading a very thick book, called the 'History of Europe'. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that occasionally he was looking in my direction so I thought I'd start a conversation. 

I asked him about the book and he was really enthusiastic about it and started talking to me about the different parts of it. He mentioned he had met Sikhs before and then I saw it as an opportunity to talk to him about Sikhi. I started to discuss the appearance of a Sikh because I realised that was the most intriguing thing for him initially. 

I talked about the dastaar being our crown of principles and our Kes forming our spiritual link with God. He seemed very impressed. I noticed that a number of people in the plane started listening too and turning around occasionally. He asked "How does one become a Sikh?" I talked very briefly about Amrit Sanchaar and how it is different to a normal baptism in terms of giving your head to the Guru. 

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਚਨੀ ਹਾਟਿ ਬਿਕਾਨਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ ਤਿਤੁ ਲਾਗਾ ||੧||
"I sold myself at Your store in exchange for the Guru's Word; whatever You link me to, to that I am linked."
(Ang 991)

I mentioned the commitment of refraining from the 4 bajjar kurehits (cardinal prohibitions) and a person who does one of these 4 is no longer a Sikh. I also discussed the qualities of a Gursikh mentioning: 

ਨਿਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਅਖਰੁ ਖਵਣੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਮਣੀਆ ਮੰਤੁ ||
"Humility is the word, forgiveness is the virtue, and sweet speech is the magic mantra."
(Ang 1384)

He said, "I have noticed that whenever I have spoken to Sikhs they are very softly spoken." This man then began complementing Sikhi saying how he didn’t know anything about Sikhs before and now I can see that a Sikh is an ideal person who has an ideal way of life to have happiness all the time. 

Right at the end I asked him why he was coming to England. He said he works for the Danish Government in the area of Cultural Awareness and was going to UK to attend a course. I thought to myself Dhan Guru Nanak Dev ji has given this gareeb Sikh a chance to share knowledge about his wonderful path to such an relevant person. I said to him that he should always go up to Sikhs when he sees them and speak to them. I said they are all friendly and nice. I also told him to attend Gurdwara Sahib in Copenhagen. 

An important learning point from this is that we should always be prepared to share knowledge about Sikhi with the world no matter who they are. We must first arm ourselves with information and then look for opportunities to educate. A candle does not lose anything by lighting another candle. But one point to note, only share this with the people who want to learn and hear about it otherwise we fall into the trap of: 

ਵਿਣੁ ਗਾਹਕ ਗੁਣੁ ਵੇਚੀਐ ਤਉ ਗੁਣੁ ਸਹਘੋ ਜਾਇ ||

"If virtue is sold when there is no buyer, then it is sold very cheap."

(Ang 1086)

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Denmark Sikh Family Camp, April 2016...

From 22nd April to 24th April, a three-day Sikh Family camp was held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha Copenhagen in Denmark. The camp was attended by children and adults. Bhai Rajpal Singh and Bibi Prabhujit Kaur from Holland came to do seva of leading classes for children. Approximately fifty people attended the camp over the three-days. Going to camps for me is not about teaching the Sangat about Sikhi, but more importantly taking something from the Sangat. I can say that this camp was so inspiring. So many campers and members of the Sangat had so much to give and learn from.

The main topics that the parents and adults class covered over the camp were (i) exploring female foeticide, dowry, why some cultures dislike the birth of girls and the Gurmat perspective; and (ii) exploring the role of family in Gurmat, learning from family relations of the Ten Gurus, and issues affecting children in today's modern world. The younger children learnt Saakhis, basics of Gurmat, why and how we should come to the Gurdwara Sahib, and Panj Vikaar.

Some photos from the camp:
 

 Bhenji Prabhujit Kaur (Holland) with the younger children's class

 Younger children's class

 Family and Gurmat workshop

 Adults workshop - group discussions

  Adults workshop - group discussions

  Adults workshop - group discussions

 Dastaar tying - Bhenji Isha Kaur, from Turkish background from Holland having a Dastaar tied.

 Veer Jasbir Singh playing the Dilruba.

 Question and answers session

 Degh being prepared by Gursikhs

Evening divaan - Bhai Gursewak Singh doing Kirtan of Aarti Aarta

On Sunday morning we visited 9 year-old Deenpal Singh in hospital who wanted to be at the camp but due to ill health was in hospital.

Bhai Subegh Singh Ji, thanking the Sangat at the end of the camp

At the end of Sunday divaan, the younger children presented what they had learnt and received prizes.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Denmark Trip (Part 2)

Continued...

Group photo with Naujawan and Giani Jee.

Every opportunity the youngsters had they would surround the Vaajas (harmoniums) and practice Keertan.

Langar time.

During the week children prepared and practiced drama plays based on themes relating to Sikhi. Everyone participated and enjoyed acting. The dramas were really good and it showed how creative and confident the youngsters are as well as presenting their thoughts on Sikhi through their acting:

Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh jee presenting a prize to Prabhdeep Singh for getting questions right in a Gurmat knowledge quiz about Bandi Chhor Diwas and questions about Japji Sahib Vichaar.


Daas enjoying a nice cup of Chaa sitting next to Veer Jarnail Singh. He is a very nice guy (like all the other youngsters).


Group photo with Prabhdeep Singh, Bhoopjeet Singh and Anmol Singh from Denmark and Ramandeep Singh from Germany.

Bhai Subeg Singh jee, one of the Gurdwara Sahib Parbandhaks. He is a lovely man. So much nimartaa (humility), pyaar (love) and Sikh spirit. Waheguru.


Photos from Saturday night's Bandi Chhor Diwas celebrations:








Children doing Keertan with great enthusiam and pyaar during the Sunday morning Diwaan.


It was a great camp and the Naujawan were chardikala. The children who attended the camp showed great love for Sikhi and are a credit to the Sikh Panth. Many of the children who previously kept short cut hair, have kept their Kesh through being inspired by Gurmat through the various camps throughout the year, especially through the efforts of Bhai Kulwant Singh from the Chalda Vaheer Jatha, and the great input by the Giani Harkeerat Singh, the local Granthi, who teaches the youngsters Keertan, Sikh history, Punjabi and Gurmat. May Waheguru continue to bless these children and may they become Parcharaks (preachers) of the Sikh faith who can share their inspiration and knowledge of Sikhi with other children and the wider Danish community.

Part 1 - Denmark Sikh Family Camp - Inspirational Stories

Story from the Sikh Family Camp held from 22-24 April, 2016, in Denmark:

Story of Brother Rakesh

ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ||
ਛੋਡਿ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਧਰਿ ||

"When your soul is feeling sad, offer your prayers to the Guru. Renounce all your cleverness, and dedicate your mind and body to Him." 

(Gujri M:5, 519)

At the end of the Sunday divaan, Bhai Gursewak Singh came to me and said that someone would like to talk to me. I thought it must be someone who is upset with the lecture I had given about Gurmat and felt offended that I spoke about alcohol or Amrit etc. Bhai Gursewak Singh brought to me a Veer jee with cut hair, wearing an orange rumaal and an 'Om' Hindu symbol around his neck. The Veer jee said to me, "Sat Siree Akaal jee." He spoke Hindi. He asked, "Can I take a few of your moments, I wished to talk to you." 

We took a seat at the back of the Darbar Sahib and began talking. The Veer jee introduced himself and said, "My name is Rakesh. I am a Hindu. I am originally from Gujarat. I come here, to the Gurdwara regularly. The one thing I love about Sikhs and the Sikh religion is - simplicity. Everything is so simple and everyone is so welcoming. Although I am a Hindu, I don't get the same inner-peace and joy that I get from the Hindu temple as I get from the Gurdwara Sahib..."

He continued, "I wish to share with you a story about this Gurdwara and how this is a special place for me." He explained that he was married to a Danish lady, who had a daughter from a previous marriage but was accepted by Rakesh as his own. When he arrived in the country he used to go school to learn how to speak Danish. Whilst learning Danish he met a Punjabi aunty who was also learning Danish. One day the Punjabi aunty invited Rakesh to the Gurdwara Sahib because they had an Akhand Paatth Sahib.

Rakesh explained, "From when my daughter was born, her feet were not flat. They were curved upwards. Because she could not place her foot flat, she could not walk. The doctors said that there was no cure and wrote that she would never ever be able to walk." He explained that on the Saturday of the Akhand Paatth Sahib, they visited the Gurdwara Sahib in Copenhagen for the first time. He didn't know much about Sikhs and it was the first time he was visiting a Gurdwara in his life. Rakesh, his Danish wife and daughter which they carried to the Darbaar Sahib, stood before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 

Rakesh said, "Sardar Ji! My wife and I decided we would pray to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to make our daughter better so that she can walk. My wife and I stood before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with our hands together and prayed. My wife said to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that if he makes our daughter better, she would raise her as a Sikh. We later had langar and went home." He explained, that evening they arrived home, they noticed their daughter's curled feet had gone one inch down. The following morning they woke up, they noticed their daughter's feet had gone down by another inch. By seven days, both feet of their daughter were straight and touching the ground. Rakesh smiled and said, "The doctors said she could not walk. Within a week Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji blessed our daughter and she is able to walk now. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not just wisdom - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a Power. I know - I have experienced this. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a real, a Living Power. Since then, I come all the time to the Gurdwara, listen to Gurbani and Keertan, and do Seva. I love coming here. It gives me so much peace, joy and satisfaction."  

ਸਚੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੁਖੁ ਕੀਜਾ ਹੇ ||੫||

"True is Your Power, and True is GurBani. O my Lord and Master! True is the peace which You give. ||5||"

(Maaroo M:5, 1074)

Germany Trip (Part 1)

Daas has been away for the past week attending a Gurmat Camp that was held for Sikh youngsters in Duisburg, Germany. The camp was held from Sunday 1st April to Sunday 8th April at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Duisburg. Bhaji Ranjit Singh from Germany (who has done immense sewa in inspiring and attracting the Sikh youth towards Sikhi through Gurmat Sangeet) and organising camps) organised the camp with the help of Duisburg Gurdwara Sahib and the Sangat from the surrounding areas.

Over 60 youngsters from the local area as well as other parts of Germany attended the camp. The week long camp involved a series of workshops and classes on Keertan, Sikh History, Gurbaani Santhiyaa (training in how to pronounce and understand Gurbaani), Gatka (Sikh martial arts), training in how to tie Dastaars and Keskian (large and small turbans), Q & A, discussions, hands on workshop and a day out in the park.

The children were amazing and had so much enthusiasm, pyaar and dedication. Everyone enjoyed learning, playing and listening to Keertan. The local Granthi Singh, Giani Baba Makhan Singh jee is doing great seva at the Gurdwara Sahib and inspiring the youngsters with Gurmat knowledge and gives youngsters and families support and advise in problems they face outside the Gurdwara Sahib.

The camp atmosphere was great. There were times of uncontrollable laughter (so much so that on the first day I laughed so much that I got asthma! And the worst thing was that I didn't bring my inhaler! Waheguru!). Hearing the personal stories of the sevadaars and some of the children brought tears to everyone's eyes and a feeling of bairaag. It was incredible to see the colours of Waheguru unfold.

The youngsters of Germany are a credit to the Panth (nation) and are showing great progress in Sikhi. May Waheguru keep them in Chardi Kalaa and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters. The words to sum up the feeling at the end of the camp were: "Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi" (Blessed is the Guru, Blessed is Your Sikhi).

Here are some photos:

Veer Ramandeep Singh with his brother Robin Singh from Hamburg who stayed over on the weekend. Chardi Kalaa Singhs who recently came into Sikhi. I met Veer Ramandeep Singh in October at the Denmark.


Children doing Keertan on Sunday 1st April.


Group photo with the Singhs from Hamburg and with Bhaji Ranjeet Singh jee's mother and brother (Bhai Iqbal Singh). On the left-hand side is Bhai Jarnail Singh jee from Hamburg who has immense gyaan (knowlege) of Gurbaani and Gurmat.


Boys being taught how to do Pentraa for Gatka.


Bhaji Ranjeet Singh jee and Giani Makhan Singh jee showing the children how to do Fateh-naamaa in the Gatka class.


Two cute Chardi Kalaa kids from the younger children's class. Rajinder Singh (7) and Eikpreet Singh (4).

We had a class of Gurmukhi Hang-man game. The kids had to pick a word which the others had to guess by suggesting letters.



Below are photos from the Dastaar tying class. At the end of the week there was a dastaar tying competition for all the boys and girls. It was breath taking to see all the boys and girls donned with Dastaars on the last day of the camp in the roop (image) of Pitaa Guru Gobind Singh Jee and Mata Sahib Kaur jee:





To be continued...

Hamburg Smaagam Photos

With Satguru's kirpaa last week a three-day Smaagam was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Hamburg, Germany, to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj's Gurpurb Diwas. The Smaagam was organised by Veer Ramendeep Singh whose birthday it was during the Smaagam! Sangat from Germany, UK, Denmark, Sweden, France and Holland attended the Smaagam and Rainsbai Keertan.

I took a Ryanair flight from Stanstead to Hamburg. I realised that it is better to go on a normal airline because by the time you pay all the hidden charges, luggage cost, payment charge etc, and add up the cost and hassle of getting to Stanstead (which is in the middle of nowhere!) you realise you can pay a little extra and save hassle. Chalo. Arrived there safe and well. The flight back was aweful! A 4 hour delay! Waiting around in a half empty airport which looked like a giant tent! Left Hamburg at 7am and got back home for just over 6pm!

Despite the long journey back home the Smaagam was really nice. It was oranganised by the youth and the majority of the Keertan was done by youth from across Europe. It was inspiring to see all the European Sangat and youth get together and support such programmes. May Guru jee continue to bless the Sikh Sangat with pyaar, eiktaa, and Gursikhi.

Some photos below from Smaagam:

Saturday morning - Aasa Ki Vaar & Simran





Saturday Evening - Akaal Ustat & Rehraas Sahib Paatth





Saturday Night -Rainsbaaee Keertan








Sunday Morning - Keertan Darbaar








Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee