Voice of Truth...

I came across this video of Lokh Sabha (Indian parliament) in which a Singh called Sardar Avtar Singh who is a MP for Uttar Pradesh speaks to the assembly.

May Guru Jee bless the Panth with more leaders like Sardar Avtar Singh who have the spirit, strength and moral integrity to speak the truth and stand up for justice.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Transformation - Story of Giani Sukha Singh...

Transformation, a weekly programme shown on Sangat TV (Sky 847) that shares the inspiring stories how people's lives changed with Guru jee's blessings. The below show is about the story of Giani Sukha Singh jee (Malaysia) who lives Birmingham, UK.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Saka Sirhind... Story of Undying Faith & Spirit

26th December commemorates the Shaheedi divas (martyrdom day) of the younger Sahibzaadey (princes of Guru Gobind Singh jee), Baba Zoravar Singh (aged 9) and Baba Fateh Singh (aged 7), and the elderly mother of Guru Jee, Mata Gujjar Kaur Jee. In tribute to their shaheedi, a brief summary of the events leading up to their shaheedi and the great souls that risked their lives in doing their seva (service) is below. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare. 

 

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF SAKA SIRHIND AND THE SUPREME SACRIFICE OF THE YOUNG SAHIBZAADEY

Evacuation of Sri Anandpur Sahib

On the night of 5-6 December 1704, Guru Gobind Singh jee and all the Sikhs had to evacuate the Fort of Anandpur Sahib after the Mughals and Hindu hill kings made false oaths stating that they would not attack the Sikhs. During the evacuation Mata Gujri Kaur jee, who had been caring for the younger two Sahibzaadey (princes), escorted them to the River Sirsa. While crossing the River Sarsa on a mule, in the darkness of the night and rush, Mata Gujjar Kaur jee and the two younger Sahibzaadey were separated from Guru Gobind Singh jee and the rest of the family.

Crossing River Sirsa

After crossing the River Sirsa, Mata Gujjar Kaur jee and youngest Sahibzaadey spent a night in the hut of Bhai Kumma jee Maashki (boatman), known also as Kareema Mallaah. He used to be a Hindu and was known by the name Karma Jheevar. He was forcibly converted to Islam, but still practised Hindu religious rites. Mata jee's mule had carried some important articles and ornaments. The Sikh accompanying them got separated from them due to floods and bad weather during darkness of night. Mata Gujjar Kaur jee stayed in his hut for two days. A Brahmin lady by the name of Bibi Lakshmi jee looked after them serving food and shelter.

 

 

Meeting Gangu

During this time Gangu Brahmin met them. Gangu used to be devotee of the Guru's House for 16 years. According to Principal Satbir Singh he was called "Gangu Rasoeeyaa" because he had a bad temper and was always irritated. A rasoyee (kitchen) is always hot when food is cooked. Since Gangu was always in bad mood, some started calling him Gangu Rasoee i.e. Gangu the kitchen. From this some historians misinterpreted that he was a Rasoeeyaa (cook) in the Guru's House. Gangu escorted Mata jee and the Sahibzaadey to his own house in the village of Kheri, now known as Saheri, near Morinda in present day Ropardistrict. While unsaddling the horse he saw that there was some gold coins in the saddlebag of Mata Gujri Kaur Ji. This tempted him to treachery and turning his back to Guru Sahib. He not only stole the saddlebag during the night, but also planned to betray the fugitives to the government in hope of a reward.

 Arrest & Detention

On the morning of 7th December 1704, the day of the fateful battle of Chamkaur Sahib, Baba Zorawar Singh jee, along with Baba Fateh Singh jee and their grandmother, were taken into custody by Jani Khan and Mani Khan Ranghar, the police official of Morinda. They were despatched on the following day to Sirhind where they were detained and kept in in the Cold Tower (Thandda Burj) of the Fort. Mata jee and the Sahibzaadey stayed in the top of the Cold Tower, where there were no four walls to guard them from the winter cold and chill of December. The young children had no extra clothes or blankets to protect them from the winter chill, other than the warmth of listening to Gurbaani and the huddling around their beloved grandmother.

Meeting Bhai Moti Raam jee

One of Wazir Khan's kitchen staff was a Hindu man called Bhai Moti Raam 'Mehra' who was from Jheevar (waterman) family. His family had respect and devotion for Guru jee. Many Sikh travellers on their way to Anandpur Sahib used to take rest in his small hut. The Daroga (police chief) asked Bhai Moti Raam jee to serve food the prisoners. Bhai Moti Raam jee paid his respects to Mata jee and the Sahibzaadey and explained he had brought them food. Mata jee refused to eat the food. He fell at his feet and explained who he was. Mata jee calmly explained that she would not eat the food from the kitchen of evil people. The Daroga was informed and instead food was brought from the house of Sucha Nand (the Hindu courtier who hated Guru jee). Mata jee refused the food again. The Nawab became angry and gave orders that no one should co-operate with these prisoners and anyone helping them from now would be severely punished. Bhai Moti Raam jee discussed with his family that he would risk his life to ensure that Guru jee's elderly mother and children do not hungry.

 
 

The price of giving milk

Bhai Moti Raam jee milked his cow he had at home and filled a bowl and brought it to drink for Mata jee and the Sahibzaadey. Knowing that their would be high security around the Thandaa Burj he took whatever silver coins were available in his house in to his pocket to pay the guards. He assured Mata jee that as a sincere devotee of Guru jee he had brought the milk from his own home and from his own income. Mata jee and the Sahibzaadey happily drank the milk and thanked him for his seva (selfless service). This seva continued for number of days. Mata ji was so delighted, that she showered blessings on him. After the Sahibzaadey were martyred, another worker called Pamma found out about Bhai Moti Raam jee's seva and reported it to Divaan Such Nand. Bhai Sahib was brought before Nawaab Wazir Khan and he was asked if he had served milk to Mata jee and the Sahibzaady. With high spirits, fearlessness and sincerity he replied, "I have nothing to hide. Yes! I have served milk to them. I have done no crime in feeding hungry people." Bhai Moti Raam jee and his whole family (elderly mother, wife -Bibi Bholee jee, and baby son) were given the punishment of being crushed in in Kohlu (a wooden mill used to extract oil from seeds). (Note: this was time after the Sahibzaadey attained shaheedi).

 

Presented in Court 

 On 9th December 1704, Baba Zorawar Singh jee and Baba Fateh Singh jee were produced before the faujdaar, Nawaab Wazir Khan, who had just returned from Chamkaur Sahib with his feudal ally, Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan of Malerkotla. Wazir Khan tried to lure the Sahibzaadey to embrace Islam with promises of riches and honours, but they spurned the suggestion. He then threatened them with death, but they remained undaunted. Death sentence was finally pronounced. Upon Sher Muhammad Khan's intercession for the innocent children to be spared their lives, they were given some more time to ponder over the suggestion to convert. 

 

 

Punished with Death  

Baba Zorawar Singh jee and his brother spent another two days of the severe winter in their old grandmother's lap in the Cold Tower. Still adamant to live and die for the Sikh faith and to never turn their back to Guru Sahib, on 11th December 1704 a 'fatwa', religious edict, was issued for the Sahibzaadey to be bricked and sealed alive in a wall. According to Gur Bilaas Bhai Mani Singh, one of the oldest written records, Baba Zorawar Singh jee and Baba Fateh Singh jee were bricked alive, tortured by having their ligaments cut where it came in the way of the wall, and then suffocated in the sealed wall. The aged Mata Gujjar Kaur jee who had all along been kept in the Cold Tower, only a little distance away, breathed her last while joined in the Simran (remembrance) of Waheguru, as the news reached her ears.

  
Sacrifice and Seva of Divaan Todar Mal jee

Seth Todar Mal jee, a wealthy merchant of Sirhind, risked his life by seeking permission for performing the cremation of the three dead bodies of the great shaheeds (martrys) the following day. With Mata Gujjar Kaur jee and the Sahibzaadey (aged 7 and 9) shaheed (martyred) the despicable Mughal authorities refused their funeral rites on government land, it was decreed that there funeral rites could only be performed on land bought from Chaudhari Atta. Not only this, but the land could only be bought by laying gold coins (ashrifs) on the required area, vertically. Bhai Todar Mall jee did not shun his responsibility and laid down the required coins and made arrangements for the cremations and paid the heavy sum of 78,000 gold coins. His wife gave all her jewellery and ornaments to be sold for the cause. Maybe he had to also beg and borrow to raise the total amount, who knows, but the fact remains this was truly a noble deed. Bhai Todar Mal jee and his wife forsaked everything for his love of Guru jee, which is the reason why Sikhs hold Divaan Todar Mal jee in such high esteem. Bhai Todar Mal jee with the help of Bhai Moti Raam jee collected fire wood and cremated the three bodies.

Conquering of Sirhind and delivering justice

In 1710, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur jee conquered Sirhind and searched punished those responsible for committing atrocities. The murderers of the Sahibzaadey and Bhai Moti Raam jee's family were punished. Sucha Nand was beaten, had a bull's ring put in his nose and made to beg from house to house from the people he had robbed over so many years. He was later killed. Nawaab Wazir Khan was killed and his body was tied to a donkey and dragged across all of the Sirhind. Baba jee also searched for loyal people who tried to help Guru jee and done seva of Mata jee and the Sahibzaade. Bhai Kareem (the boatman), who later took Amrit and became Bhai Karam Singh jee, and Bibi Lakshmi jee (from a Brahmin family) were honoured by the Khalsa and given thanks.

In Loving Memory: Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib

The site of the fateful happenings, since named Fatehgarh Sahib, close to the old town of Sirhind, is now marked by four Sikh Gurdwara Sahibs. A Jorr-Mela, large religious fair, is held there from 25th to 28th December every year to honour the memory of these great martyrs.

A Reflection - Sikhs and Christmas...

Christmas and New Year is a great time to get together as its a public holiday and everyone tries to be a good mood and share generosity and kindness. During the cold and dark time of year it is nice to see lights lit up and and people reflecting over the past year and try to plan forward for the next.

Most Panjabis of Sikh heritage living in the West on Christmas day will buy alcohol, a big fat turkey, and eat Christmas pudding (which has alcohol in it). On Christmas day the atmosphere in many homes is like a party, the booze is flowing, the smell of meat fills the house and children are engrossed in what gift they have got. Yet, we forget a big part of what makes us who we are!

Sadly many people of Sikh heritage forget during the Christmas holidays there are key historical events that are remembered. December doesn't mark one Sikh's martyrdom but countless martyrdoms. For this reason Christmas time is a sombre time for Sikhs.


21st December
On this day the Battle of Chamkaur took place. Guru jee and his 40 Sikhs fortified a mud house on a hill in the village of Chamkaur whilst the Mughal army led by Wazir Khan pursued them. In a bloody battle, the 2 elder sons (Sahibzaadey) of Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj, Baba Ajeet Singh jee aged 17 and Baba Jujhar Singh jee aged 15, and 36 of Guru jee's beloved Sikhs were martyred fighting against an army of hundred thousand Mughals.

26th December
On this day the younger sons (Sahibzaadey) of Guru Gobind Singh jee, aged 7 and 5, were barbarically bricked alive for refusing to embrace Islam and give up their faith. Hearing the news of the martyrdom of her grandchildren, Mata Gujjar Kaur jee, who had been kept imprisoned in a cold tower with her younger grandchildren, embraced martyrdom and breathed her last.



I suppose December for Sikhs is a period of "thanks-giving". Thanks-giving to whom? To four incredible Sahibzaadey, Mata Gujjar Kaur jee and the other countless Shaheeds (martyrs) who split their blood for us and sacrificed their tomorrow for our today. We enjoy the freedom of being Sikhs because of their sacrifices. If anyone was planning to have a Turkey or drink alcohol this Christmas, perhaps take some time to reflect upon how Baba Fateh Singh jee at the age of 5 and Baba Zoravar Singh jee at the age of 7 sacrificed their lives but not their Sikhi. Could those who eat meat and drink alcohol, sacrifice their turkey and drink in their loving memory?

May Guru jee guide us all to be proud Sikhs who live the Guru's Teachings.



Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Brilliant awareness poster...

I recently came across this poster, which is quite humorous approach to tackling alcohol awareness in the Panjabi community. I assume the poster is made for Panjab...

Translation of poster:

Good news! Good news! Good news! Good news!

A golden opportunity for those who take intoxicants
Take the most intoxicants and get the biggest prizes
Take cigarette, tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, weed, opium and obtain big prizes

• First prize --> at home and outside getting hit with shoes
• Second prize --> perforated lungs
  
• Third prize --> liver and kidney damage
  
• Fourth prize --> guaranteed Tuberculous
  
• Fifth prize --> 100% cancer disease, the burden of debt
  
• Sixth prize --> destruction of family life, including children, wife and parents
  
• Seventh prize --> 3 1/2 yard plot, 300 kilos wood, and 2.75 of plain white cloth
  
• Distribution of prizes ---> done by Dharamraaj (the Righteous Judge) personally
• Place for prizes ---> crematorium of every village and city.

Arriving guests: All drug addicts and enemies of the local area

Note: Coupons for the prizes will be distributed at all off licenses and by drug dealers.

Intoxicants - a license to die.
Save yourself!

Upcoming events...

NORTH SMAAGAM - AKHAND PAATH & AKHAND KEERTAN

Monday 13th December till Saturday 18th December
For break down of times and venues check www.akj.org

Rainsbaaee Keertan & Amrit Sanchaar
Saturday 18th December
7pm till 5am
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib, Usher Street, off Wakefield Road, Bradford, BD4 7DS.

Youth keertanis will be given priority in all keertan divans, and Gurbani Veechar with “Jeevan wale” elders has been organised to allow youth to increase their understanding of Gurmat. These include Jathedar Raghbir Singh, Bhai Surjit Singh, Bhai Jarnail Singh and Giani Kulwinder Singh, amongst others.




MAHAAN MEDICAL GURMAT CAMP
Saturday 18th December & Sunday 19th December
12pm to 4pm
Mata Sahib Kaur Academy, 8 Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex, IG2 7PL.

Sevadaars from all over the UK representing Professional Sikh Organisations will be blessed with Seva offering:
FREE Diabetes Check & Advice
FREE Genereal Health Check & Advice
FREE Dental Check & Advice
SIGN-UP to give Blood Donations

www.SikhAcademy.co.uk
Contact 07540 646 982



BARSI OF BABA TAKHUR SINGH JEE - AKHAND PAATTH SAHIB
Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th December
5pm Arambh/bhog
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Havelock Road, Southall, UB2 4NP.

Dhadis, Kavicheeris, Keertan and Veechaar from various Gurmukh Pyaare and Gatka display also taking place.



BRADFORD SIKH FAMILY CAMP
Saturday 25th December to Sunday 26th December
10am till 5.30pm
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib, Usher Street, off Wakefield Road, Bradford, BD4 7DS.

Learn and share Sikhi, open to children and parents. Inspirational and motivational workshops, children's activities, clown and baloon show for children, and veechaar with elder Gursikhs like Bhai Surjit Singh jee from India.



THE FANTASTIC FOUR
Sunday 26th December
5pm till 8pm
Guru Nanak Prakash Gurdwara, Harnall Lane West, Coventry.

There will be a video and presentations about of the Four Sahibzaadey and the lead up to their shaheedi, followed by keertan.




COVENTRY CHRISTMAS GURMAT CAMP
Monday 27th December to Friday 31st December
8.30am till 3.30pm
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Cross Road, Coventry.

The camp will have classes for children aged 6 and above. There will special classes for teenagers and adults also. There will be various inspirational speakers.

Sikhi in Punjab - Who is responsible?

Veer Satpal Singh, a young Gursikh from Punjab, took it upon himself to show the wide world Sangat a glimpse of what is happening in Punjab in regards to Sikhi with the help of some other Gurmukh Pyaare. Last Vaisakhi, Veer jee goes to Sri Anandpur Sahib and other nearby Gurdwara Sahibs and asks the Sangat basic questions about the Sikh faith like why are we celebrating Vaisakhi today, what are the 4 Sahibzaadey's names, what are the Panj Pyaare's names and what are the 10 Gurus' names. Veer jee had 100 gifts for people who could answer all the questions correctly. Sadly on the day of Vaisakhi, only 2 people were awarded gifts. The below documentary is titled "Kaun Jimmevaar" (Who is responsible?):

The video makes us realise that we should not take Sikhi for granted. Sikhi is not our birth right but a blessing we have to be grateful for. It is everyone's duty to ensure that we educate ourselves firstly about who we are and what a great treasure we have for a religion and way of life. Secondly, we have to help inspire and educate others through Parchaar through our positive actions, words and lifestyle. May Guru jee bless us all.




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

West Coast Sikhi Camp 2010... Coming up!

West Coast Sikhi Camp was held for the first time last year in California, USA, which designed to cater for teenagers and young adults who are seeking inspiration, knowledge and support in their Sikhi in a relaxed, friendly and welcoming environment. Last year, with Guru jee's kirpaa, I had the opportunity of attending the camp, which was inspirational with the great Gursikhs, Sangat, atmosphere and pyaar. With Guru jee's kirpaa, West Coast Sikhi Camp is back this year, bigger and better. Details are below, the Sangat is urged by the camp sevadaars to apply for a place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

... At the camp, the campers can “hang out” with peers; ask the questions that never got answered and be inspired by Sikhi in an environment which has not yet been offered here before. The camp is for encouraging Sikh kids to be involved in Seva, discover Gurbani and develop a desire to learn Sikhi history on their own. West Coast Sikhi Camp is a camp for the youth to come to and relax, have fun, open up.

It is a 4-day, 3-night camp where the environment is full of love for Sikhi in a relaxed environment. This year arrangement has been made for speakers to come from Canada and California to attend and inspire.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY - REGISTER NOW at WWW.WCSIKHICAMP.COM

THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES - SO DON'T MISS OUT.

Last Sunday we were invited to do Parchaar to celebrate the Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev jee in place just outside Norwich called Hevingham. There is a very small community there and so they get together to do Satsang only four times a year on certain Gurpurbs. There is about 100 Sangat members, which includes Hindus and Muslims, however on Sunday there was slightly less people because of the weather and snow.

After the keertan and veechaar, the local children came to the front and sang a Shabad without any saaj (instruments). It was very inspiring to see the local children had memorised the shabad:

ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ||
eiko naam dhiaae man mere ||
Meditate on the Name of the Lord alone, O my mind.

ਕਾਰਜੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਪੂਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ ||
kaaraj teraa hovai pooraa har har har gun gaae man mere ||1|| rahaao ||
Your affairs shall be perfectly resolved; sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, O my mind. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 896)

It was so uplifting to see that in such an insolated community which has no large Sikh community nearby has educated their children to memorise and recite Gurbani. Afterwards the children sang a poem called the "Mighty Khalsa", which is originally written by the American Sikhs living in Espanola, New Mexico. About 10 or so children with confidence and spirit sang the song to the Sangat. Here is a clip of the song, sung in New Mexico to give you an idea of how the children performed:

The children were really impressive. I was later told that the relatives of a local family had come from America and they had learnt the song "We are the Khalsa" from a trip to Espanola in New Mexico. During the family's short stay with their relatives in England they had taught the local children the song and the actions to go along with it. It was heart moving to see the spirit of the children.

The pyaar that the local community had for one another for Gursikhs was inspiring and moving. The dedication of some of the parents I met and how they had taught their children Gurbani with little resources, no Panjabi teachers, no Gurmat classes, and little exposure to Parchaariks. Many of the parents said they encouraged their children with Sikhi through sitting with them and listening to Sikhi programmes on Panjab Radio and watching the Sikh Channel. One child learnt Gurbani through the opportunity of singing Gurbani on one of the Gurbani shows on Panjab Radio and getting encouragement from other radio listeners.

May Guru Sahib bless the Norwich area Sangat with more Chardi Kalaa and Guru Sahib's kushee'aa.



Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!