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sher_panjabi

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  1. I remember reading an article in a newspaper. It was something on the lines of: " I was offered a glass of alcohol. I said, "no thanks, I don't drink". "What will one drink do to you!? Come on, just one glass." I drank one glass. That day I was in control. Today I am an alcoholic. If only I had been strong enough to not drink alcohol the first time. Now I am the slave of this poison."
  2. In Birmingham I have heard that "Smethwick Youth & Community Centre" is doing a good job. They do discussions, make funny videos with kids and do fun trips. Making a Youth support network is also important. Also Birmingham I believe that there is a Sikh Helpline - for kids to ring in with problems such as bullying may maharaaj bless all those who are doing this type of seva! Ps. Bhaaji Jujhaar Singh from Birmingham = inspirational! He is the main sewadaar helping out in the above mentioned things.
  3. Problem in my area: * Sikh children ignorant about Sikhi * Sikh parents not knowing enough or not bothered enough to teach kids about Sikhi * Pakistani boys on the look out to make Sikh girl-friends. Cases of Sikhs girls leaving home. Action: * Started Weekly Gurmat Class on Friday evenings How to get children together? * Making small flyers * Got names of Sikh children from secondary school and sent messages via Tutors and teachers about Gurmat classes * Phoning parents * Constant advertising at Gurdwara * Word of Mouth What can you do together? * Rehraas Sahib (if in evening) * Discussions (held with no adults present - when no adults, youngsters tend to be more open) * Learning how to do Sukhaasan, Prakaash, Ardaas * Quizes, Competitions * Making Langar together * Sharing each others Dukh Sukh and sharing our thoughts amongst the Youth Sangat
  4. Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! Guru Pyaaree'o it has evident that generally our youth are drifting away from Sikhi. I don't want to wallow and dwell on how Gurdwaras have let us down, on how parents have not fulfilled their duties or on how no parchaar is done in your area! Let us not think about the problem! Let us address the problem and DO SOMETHING! Please share ideas we can (realistically and practically) do to encourage the Sikh Youth to explore and come closer to Gurmat. Bhul chuk maaf karnee ji Manvir Singh
  5. As a Sikh starting University… By Manvir Singh Khalsa I have written an article about my experiences starting university. Some people may find it useful because sometimes if you are starting university you have a lot concerns and worry about what it will be like and how you will cope. During the summer holidays before I started university, I was looking forward to starting university. I had been brought up and lived in an English area and not been exposed to a large Sikh community or presence, therefore I was excited to go to King’s College London because it was known for having a large number of Sikh students and had the largest Sikh Society in England. I heard people call it ‘Singh’s College’. The days get closer and closer and soon I was to move to Halls of Residence and start university. The day, which I had to move into Halls of Residence, my family had a wedding to attend to. So we decided to drop my stuff at the accommodation on Saturday and move in properly on Sunday after the wedding. My brother was going to drop me off in London. On the Sunday going back to Halls of Residence I didn’t know what to accept. The day before, I didn’t see many people or really get a feel of what it would be like. So I wondered how many Singhs I would be living with at Halls or how many Sikhs I would get to know on the first day. My brother and I arrived in London in the evening. He dropped me off and came inside with me. No one was around and I wondered where everyone had gone. The place looked dead. My brother suggested that we should go to the student union bar or something similar to get to know people. I felt nervous, as I was not used to going to bars, clubs or pubs. Across the road from the Halls of Residence was the King’s College Waterloo Campus. We decided to see what was happening there. At the Student Union Bar everyone from the Halls of Residence had got together as an opportunity to socialise. I felt out of place and struggling not to breathe in cigarette smoke from some people standing around me. I could see no Sikh, no person wearing a Pagh (turban) and no person, which looked Panjabi. I thought ‘Waheguru, where am I?’ This wasn’t what I was expecting. Trying to mingle with people and introducing myself, I felt out of place and not comfortable in the smoking and drinking environment. My brother left a little while after. I was thankful for him that he at least helped me by coming with me to the Student Union, by myself I don’t know how I would have coped. I got to know some people. But I didn’t get to meet any Panjabis. The next day I got to know all my flatmates. All of them were nice and easy to talk to. During the week I felt bit let down and shocked that I didn’t see any Panjabi or Sikh. Was this ‘Singh’s College’? I was the only visible Sikh in the whole Halls of Residence. One of the people who I was sharing a flat with asked me to go to a student Club Night. She said that all of the people from our flat were going and perhaps it would be a nice place to meet people. ‘You don’t have to drink and perhaps you might see some Sikhs there’, she said. Feeling bit low and lonely, I thought that I might as well go clubbing, despite not feeling comfortable with the idea considering I have never been before and that don’t like a smoky environment. I bought a ticket for the student Club Night from a boy selling tickets at the Hall’s reception area. Getting the ticket I walked back to my room, I opened my door and I looked straight at Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Jee Bhindranwale’s photo, which I had in my windowsill. It dawned to me, why am I doing this? Why am I doing something, which I am not comfortable with? Why don’t I have faith in Waheguru? Waheguru will make me meet up with Gurmukhs and Saadh Sangat when He wishes to do so. I felt guilty for buying a ticket. I walked back to the reception and asked the boy whether I could get a refund. He said that he usually doesn’t do refunds however he said he would make an exception for me. I thanked him. That night, it felt as if everyone had gone either clubbing or to the Student Union bar. The Halls or Residence was dead silent. I didn’t know where to go or who to meet up with, without having to go to place where there is alcohol or people smoking. I got out my vaaja (harmonium) and did simran and sang some Gurbaani Shabads that night. I thought and meditated on Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s shabad: Our Father, Guru Gobind Singh Jee, has written this beautiful shabad. He composed this Divine shabad, at a time when he had lost his wife, children, family, home, wealth and disciples. Walking barefooted in the jungle of MaacheewaRa, with thorns pricking Guru Jee’s feet, no pillow to rest on, and no four walls to give him shelter, Guru Jee composed this uplifting hymn. Thinking about Guru Gobind Singh Jee and this shabad, something dawned upon me. Looking around I realised that I was blessed with four walls and a roof around me to give me shelter. I was blessed with a bed, pillow and a nice place to live. I was blessed with an opportunity to go to university. The realisation was that I was blessed and that I should be grateful about all I had and not feeling sad or disappointed. With the grace of Waheguru, I met with Sikhs through Sikh Society. It was great. The people I met at Sikh Society were like a family to me. I met so many people. I then became familiar where Shepard’s Bush Gurdwara was and found out the way to get to Southall Gurdwara. Once or twice a week I would go to the Gurdwara. I felt so happy. I had made friends in the Saadh Sangat (the company of the holy), I had made friends with people whom I could share Gurmat (the Guru’s teachings) with and I could relate to. This is not to say that I wasn’t friends with the people that I lived with or with the people who were on my degree course. However, I had never had Panjabi or Sikh friends at school or Sixth Form, it was great to be able to socialise and do things with friends who could appreciate Gurmat and do Saadh Sangat with them. Sometimes people I would see around at university or Halls would say, ‘Come out tonight with us’. However I would kindly say ‘No thanks’ and say that I had other plans. I was conscious to make sure that no one thought I was being judgemental about people going clubbing or looking down at them, because I wasn’t. However, I didn’t personally feel comfortable being a Sikh of the Guru and going clubbing or sitting at the bar. Some people would ask me, ‘Do you think going out clubbing is wrong?’ I would answer them: “Whatever you do in life, imagine Guru Gobind Singh Jee is watching you and is with you. If the Panj Piyaare who gave you Khande-Pahul Da Amrit saw a CCTV video of you being somewhere, and the same video was shown to the Saadh Sangat in the presence of Guru Sahib, you must ask yourself, would you feel embarrassed, or comfortable with that idea? If you would feel comfortable with Guru Jee, the Panj Piyaare and the Guru Piyaaree Saadh Sangat knowing where you have been socialising and hanging out then all the best to you and may Waheguru bless you. However, if you would feel embarrassed, even the slightest, then you must ask yourself, ‘why are you at that place and is it worth being there?’ Who I am to tell someone not to clubbing or to clubbing? What does you Aatma (soul) say?” I enjoyed university so much. The Sangat, going to the Gurdwara Sahib, meeting knew people, making friends, the Sikhi events across London and the various universities and the pyaar which people have one another as Sikh brothers and sisters. This year I am living at Halls again. I had to move earlier than everyone else because I am a Senior Student. All that means is that I work for the Residence Office to help and support the students at Halls. The first day back at Halls this year, I felt a little bit low because I missed my family. That night the Residence Office had organised an evening out for the Senior Students and Staff to socialise and to get to know one another. On the form it said that we were going Super Bowl. So I thought I would go along and socialise as well. Arriving at the reception I met up with all the other Senior Students and introduced myself. They all seemed nice people and we chatted. Everyone was ready to go out now. The person who had organised the evening said, “Right we are going to the pub for a couple of pints and then we’ll head down to the restaurant”. I thought, ‘Hey Waheguru Ji, Eh Ta Pub Noo Jaan Lage… O Waheguru, they’re going to the pub!’ I thought to myself how could I say to them that I don’t want to go the pub without sounding odd or unsociable. Everyone was about to walk outside and then said, ‘Sorry, I won’t be able to go to the pub. It’s because of religious reasons. Sorry, hope you don’t mind, but I don’t mind meeting you up at the restaurant.’ They smiled back and said that’s fine and that they’ll meet up at the restaurant in about an hour or so. Going back to my room I felt a bit isolated and awkward. My friends hadn’t come back to university yet and no one had moved into Halls of Residence yet apart from about ten people, including myself, who were working for the Halls of Residence. I recited my evening Rehraas Sahib, followed by Ardaas. The Ardaas has power. I am not talking in terms of Waheguru answering your prayers but just by looking deep into the meaning of the Ardaas, which we read. The Ardaas starts (using English translation to explain): In the Ardaas first we invoke the power and blessing of Waheguru, then the Ten Gurus, and the Living Spirit of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We then seek power and strength in remembering the glorious deeds of the Panj Piyaare – who surrendered their heads for Guru Ji, the four Sahibzaade – the eldest two sons of Guru Ji valiantly fought and died in battle defending righteousness. The youngest two sons were bricked alive for refusing to give up their Sikhi at the age of 5 and 7yrs old, and till their last breath they kept in high spirits and cried the slogans of ‘Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal’. We remember the Chaalee Mukte, the forty Singhs who deserted Guru Gobind Singh Ji but then returned to die fighting for him. Remembering all glorious actions and deeds of such pure devotees we get strength. We get a feeling of ‘wow’ – these people are great, they are inspiration and source of strength for us; hence we say, ‘Vaheguru’ (Wonderful Lord). The Ardaas continues with: If we think we have problems or that we face suffering, then we should think again. Reciting this verse of the Ardaas we are reminded of the courage, determination and supreme faith of the Sikhs such as Bhai Mani Singh Ji who was cut limb by limb yet he never gave up his faith, Bhai Taru Singh Ji had so much faith and a spirit of courage that he refused to have his hair forcibly cut and instead had his scalp removed. Bhai Mati Daas Ji who was sawn alive on refusing to comply to the demands of the Mughal rulers to convert and to abandon the Sikhi of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji. We share the strength of these brave Singhs and Singhnian we remember them and we realise that we are blessed, we are lucky and that we are here because of them and that we should always be in a state of mind of victory. Reciting the Ardaas and contemplating on it, I realised that I was worrying about trivial matters. Finishing the paath, I went to the restaurant and had a meal (everyone ordered food dishes, but I stuck to eating salad because I felt uncomfortable eating cooked food in a restaurant). Half of the people afterwards went back to the pub and half of them went back to Halls. I went back to Halls and rested for the night, knowing that Waheguru and my Guru were always with me. By realising the big picture, we realise how the issues in our lives can be so trivial and small. From my experiences I have learnt to always have 100% faith in Waheguru and always take the support of the Shabad Guru. Gurbaani has all the answers and can answer all our problems. During the summer, I went to a Gurmat Camp. At the camp students had an opportunity to take a personal hukamnama (taking an order or instruction for guidance from Guru Ji) with the help of a sewadaar. You wouldn’t believe it but the people who took part in taking a personal Hukamnama realised that Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not ink and paper. But that Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Ji had spoken to them. Their heart and soul was touched by the personal message from Guru Ji to them. This is the power of Gurbani. Realising that Waheguru is always with us, we have nothing to fear. Realising that Waheguru does everything for the good of us, we realise that our stumbling blocks become our building blocks of life. Realising that Waheguru is everything and that I am nothing, we become everything, we realise everything is Waheguru and we enjoy the power and glory of the Supreme Being. Be inspired and inspire others. May Waheguru bless you. manvir.khalsa@gmail.com
  6. Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! Paaji's story is inspiration!!!! It always comes to my mind: I can't praise Waheguroo enough!!! Dhan Waheguroo! Dhan Guru who unites us with Waheguroo! Dhan Dhan Guru Ke Sikh!
  7. UCL SIKH SOC & L.I.N.K.S. present part 1 of the "Keep on Walking" seminar series: ----------------------------------------------------------------- An Obsession for Wisdom 10 keys that will open the doors to your future ----------------------------------------------------------------- WHO: Cpt. Sukhdev Singh was born in Malaysia, educated in England and travels the world as a 747 pilot with Malaysia Airlines. In this seminar he shares some of his insights and thought provoking ideas formed through his experiences as a community leader and youth worker around the world. WHEN: 6.30pm (last entry 7pm) Thursday 27th January 2005 WHERE: UCL, Cruciform Lecture Theatre 2, Cruciform Building, Gower Street Tube: Euston (Northern) Euston Sq. (Central, Metropolitan, H'smith & City) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/images/map_arounducl_l.jpg *Also featuring the launch of the "Keep on Walking" album! --WWW.mus1k.COM-- For further info contact: Seleena: 07979 857 584 or Dilpreet: 07931 150 525 email: links@# Not by studying, but through understanding, is the Mystery revealed"
  8. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BEFORE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> AFTER The first photo = about 8 yrs old Second photo = 18 yrs old
  9. OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE by Manvir Singh Khalsa Why are our children not attracted to going to the Gurdwara? Why are our children drifting away from Sikhi? Why are our children forgetting their great Sikh history? Why are our children not respecting their parents? Are the Gurdwaras to blame? Are the schools to blame? Is the Panth to blame? The fundamental blame goes to the mothers and fathers. Parents say that our children don’t listen? Parents say that our children are not interested? Parents say that they don’t have enough time? How can we inspire our children to realise how precious and beautiful Sikhi is?How can we inspire our children to realise how great our Guru is and how rich our history is? How can we inspire our children to respect their parents and to become successful adults? SACRIFICE! Our Spiritual Father is Guru Gobind Singh Jee Mâhârâj. Our Spiritual Mother is Mâta Sahib Kaur Jee. Our Brothers are the Four Sahibzâdas (Princes). Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his four sons for us! Guru Gobind Singh Jee s acrificed his father for his us! Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his home for us! Who are we? We are the children of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! We are the family of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! We are the sons & daughters of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! However, how much have we listened to our Father? How much have we accepted our Father’s instructions? How much respect have we shown our Father? How are our children going to listen to us, if we don’t listen to our Father? How are our children going to respect us, when we don’t respect our Father? How are our children going to do what we say, when we don’t do what Guru Gobind Singh Jee tells us to do? SACRIFICE! We leave our children with babysitters. We leave our children in nurseries We leave our children with their grandparents. ‘I have no time to look after my child’s Kes!’ ‘I have no time to discuss Sikhi with my children!’ ‘I have no time to send them to Panjabi classes!’ Where is the SACRIFICE? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to read them bedtime stories about our great Gurus and Martyrs? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to recite with them, the ‘Mool Mantar’ before they go to sleep? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to discuss with them about life, their ambitions and the rewards of following Sikhi? Do we want our children to grow up to be proud of who they are and where they come from?< br> Do we want our children to live happily and be successful, with the support and guidance of the Lord and Guru Ji? Do we want our children to take care of our Father Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s pagh [turban] and make it sparkle? Involvement, love and participation are crucial if you want your children to do something. Involve your children in the Gurdwara and they will take interest. Involve your children and explore Sikhi and they will be inspired. Involve your children and they will never forget HOW MUCH SACRIFICE HAVE YOU MADE FOR YOUR CHILDREN? Be inspired and inspire others! May Waheguru bless you! manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  10. OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE by Manvir Singh Khalsa Why are our children not attracted to going to the Gurdwara? Why are our children drifting away from Sikhi? Why are our children forgetting their great Sikh history? Why are our children not respecting their parents? Are the Gurdwaras to blame? Are the schools to blame? Is the Panth to blame? The fundamental blame goes to the mothers and fathers. Parents say that our children don’t listen? Parents say that our children are not interested? Parents say that they don’t have enough time? How can we inspire our children to realise how precious and beautiful Sikhi is?How can we inspire our children to realise how great our Guru is and how rich our history is? How can we inspire our children to respect their parents and to become successful adults? SACRIFICE! Our Spiritual Father is Guru Gobind Singh Jee Mâhârâj. Our Spiritual Mother is Mâta Sahib Kaur Jee. Our Brothers are the Four Sahibzâdas (Princes). Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his four sons for us! Guru Gobind Singh Jee s acrificed his father for his us! Guru Gobind Singh Jee sacrificed his home for us! Who are we? We are the children of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! We are the family of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! We are the sons & daughters of Guru Gobind Singh Ji! However, how much have we listened to our Father? How much have we accepted our Father’s instructions? How much respect have we shown our Father? How are our children going to listen to us, if we don’t listen to our Father? How are our children going to respect us, when we don’t respect our Father? How are our children going to do what we say, when we don’t do what Guru Gobind Singh Jee tells us to do? SACRIFICE! We leave our children with babysitters. We leave our children in nurseries We leave our children with their grandparents. ‘I have no time to look after my child’s Kes!’ ‘I have no time to discuss Sikhi with my children!’ ‘I have no time to send them to Panjabi classes!’ Where is the SACRIFICE? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to read them bedtime stories about our great Gurus and Martyrs? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to recite with them, the ‘Mool Mantar’ before they go to sleep? Could you sacrifice 5 minutes for your children to discuss with them about life, their ambitions and the rewards of following Sikhi? Do we want our children to grow up to be proud of who they are and where they come from?< br> Do we want our children to live happily and be successful, with the support and guidance of the Lord and Guru Ji? Do we want our children to take care of our Father Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s pagh [turban] and make it sparkle? Involvement, love and participation are crucial if you want your children to do something. Involve your children in the Gurdwara and they will take interest. Involve your children and explore Sikhi and they will be inspired. Involve your children and they will never forget HOW MUCH SACRIFICE HAVE YOU MADE FOR YOUR CHILDREN? Be inspired and inspire others! May Waheguru bless you! manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  11. Sikhi in Punjab and experience after Sep. 11 by Manvir Singh Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh UK, Nov. 20, 2004 Below is a something, which I wrote roughly three years ago. I used to log my experiences on the computer. The article below is my experiences and thoughts just before and during my time at Sixth Form College. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Once again, I come back here to write my experiences. It is now early November 2001, summer holidays have past and school has started again. I am now in Sixth Form (in the first year). Before my GCSEs I decided that during my long summer holidays, I wanted to go to India. My dad didn't seem to keen or enthusiastic, however my mum was happy about the idea. I made plans to go with my eldest Bhua Ji (aunt) because she is retired. It is nice when you have someone to go with you, and she also had a wedding to attend in October. So the plan was made for the two of us to go to India. My Bhua Ji was planning to stay for 3 months. The tickets had been bought and I was excited to go to Panjab, to visit the family and to pay my homage to Siri Darbaar Sahib and other historical Gurdwaras. My dad wanted to me to get a job, but I wanted to go India. Before I went to India I applied for a telesales job. If I got the job then I planned to start once I had come back from India. The holiday was great. We travelled in Panjab and Delhi. I preferred Panjab to Delhi. In Delhi we stayed with some of my Bhua Ji's friends. I noticed Sikhs in India, especially Delhi wearing caps instead of dastaars ( turbans). It was strange. How can the people born in our native country wear caps? People preferred to speak English than Hindi or Panjabi. Even Sikhs or Panjabis who live in Panjab speak Hindi or English. No-one speaks Panjabi. When I spoke Panjabi I was laughed at (in a polite manner). I couldn't believe that people were drifting away from the language given by our Gurus. In Panjab I saw alcoholics, people who had cut their unshorn hair, Radha Soamis, Nirankaris and other self-proclaimed Satgurus. On the other side I saw inspiring Gursikhs. Generally, Sikhs outside India appreciate Sikhi more. The children of Panjab are gradually speaking Hindi instead of Panjabi. Parents are trimming their children's hair and youngsters are ignorant about our recent Sikh history. It was disturbing to find elderly men had either trimmed their beards or cut their unshorn hair. Children know little about real Sikh practises and principles, and parents don't bother about religion, however instead they were caught up in pity rituals and superstitions. Sikhs in the villages are more concerned with celebrating Sangrand, Pooran Mashee and Masiyaa rather than Gurpurbs. In some Gurdwaras, there would be a Baba wearing a white pagh and clothes and people would be treating him differently than the normal sangat. It seemed that people were drifting away from seeing Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and as the light and soul of the Ten Gurus. Instead people flock to people who call themselves 'Sant'. With Guru's Kirpa, when I arrived back in the UK, straightaway I started the telesales job, which I earlier applied for. Also thanks to Vaheguru Ji I got respectable GCSE results. At school children and students seemed more tolerant and found me less curious than before. The September 11. attack had not occurred and the English people's curiosity had got triggered on again. Instead of wondering why I was wearing a turban, now they wondered if I was a member of the Taliban or one of Osama Bin Laden's followers. I have had stares from people in streets, cars, at school and down town staring not with curiosity but staring with hatred, 'nafrat' (intolerance), racism and disgust. Some people have even hauled abuse from their cars, and put fingers up while I walk to work or walk back from school. At school I was walking to school across the field past one of the school buildings. As I was walking a boy dropped his football outside on the field from the classroom on the second floor. To grab my attention to pass the ball, the boy shouted "OIH MATE". I kept walking because I didn't want to throw a football into the classroom. He shouted "OIH, OSAMA BIN LADEN, YEAH. BIN LADEN!" I kept walking and he shouted again "BIN LADEN". I shouted back with frustration and anger. Another day I was walking home from lunch, and a group of girls said to another boy standing near me, "Oih mate, call him BIN LADEN (pointing at me)." I could here them and see them from the back of my eye, but I kept on walking. Then I hear the main girl of the group say something again. She says, "Look at him, look at Bin Laden, people like him shouldn't be able to walk like that. They should have stones thrown at them and chased (while staring and pointing at me)." I felt shocked, and kept on walking. I didn't know what to do. I got home. I felt so angry, I didn't have anything to eat. On the way back to school I saw the group of girls again. I approached the girls and asked them if they had a problem. I told them I could here them laughing, and saying something to me. If they had said something than I said say it to my face. The girls said, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING ON ABOUT (in a cheeky manner)". I said "WELL I DON'T CARE, IF I SEE YOU SAYING ANYTHING EVER. IF I SEE YOU STARING OR LAUGHING AT ME AGAIN, YOU WILL PAY THE CONSEQUENCES." The girls went quiet and the main girl said WE'VE DONE NOTHING." I walked away. The girls had got the message and walked off to the ir lesson. One day, in the morning I was walking to school. I got near the entrance door to the Sixth Form, and then I heard someone shout "OIH LOOK THERE'S THE TALIBAN". I could here laughter as well. I walked over to the group of boys and went straight up to the boy and asked him what he had said. As usual to my face no-one would say anything. Walking home from school, I would experience young immature boys shouting 'Bin Laden' or 'Taliban' at me. It was so frustrating, answering them back, going up to them and asking them if they wanted a fight with me and if not then not to say anything. I find that nearly everyday now that someone is staring at me in a weird manner, or says something like TALIBAN, TURBANATOR, DALER MEHNDI, PAGH MAN, or BIN LADEN, or laughs or jeers when they walk pass me. It seems that Pakistanis or some English boys seem to be racist and cause trouble on purpose. I sometimes its annoying that I have to keep on going up to people and asking them to either shut up or say it to my face or if they wanted to fight me then they can. But then I think to myself oh well Rab Raka. Going to sleep and waking up I ask Vaheguru Ji for strength and thank Him. Since I came back from India, I started to read or listen on a tape Japji Sahib regularly in the morning, Rehraas Sahib in the evening, and Sohila Sahib at night. Walking to school I recited Mool Mantar and try to do Simran, so that I feel positive and enjoy my day. I have learnt from all my experiences to respect everyone. To treat people, as you would like to be treated by others. "Naa Koyee Bairee, Naahee Begaana. Sagal Sang Ban Aayee… No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone" (Ang 1299, SGGS). In India a Sikh I met said, "Sikhi and Gurbani teaches that if you give out in one hand, you will receive in the other. If you give out abuse, and hatred, you will receive it back. However it can also be the reverse. If you give out goodness, you will receive goodness." I rem ember what a Raagi Singh performing Kirtan said: "If Guru Nanak believed in Sarbat da Bhala (praying for good for all) then why don't we? Who are we not to? It does not hurt anyone to be nice. If a person does bad, lie, swear at people, laugh at them and be hurtful then person will never be at peace inside. He or she will always be reminded one time or another of their guilt of doing bad to others and themselves. The guilt will haunt you and keep revisiting you. This will cloud your soul and mind. However if you do good for peope, ask and pray for the good for all and mankind, if you work honestly; share with others; and pray & meditate on Gods name, you will not have anything to feel guilty of. You will sleep and live peacefully and will not lose anything but instead gain everything." Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Manvir Singh Khalsa manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  12. Sikhi in Punjab and experience after Sep. 11 by Manvir Singh Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh UK, Nov. 20, 2004 Below is a something, which I wrote roughly three years ago. I used to log my experiences on the computer. The article below is my experiences and thoughts just before and during my time at Sixth Form College. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Once again, I come back here to write my experiences. It is now early November 2001, summer holidays have past and school has started again. I am now in Sixth Form (in the first year). Before my GCSEs I decided that during my long summer holidays, I wanted to go to India. My dad didn't seem to keen or enthusiastic, however my mum was happy about the idea. I made plans to go with my eldest Bhua Ji (aunt) because she is retired. It is nice when you have someone to go with you, and she also had a wedding to attend in October. So the plan was made for the two of us to go to India. My Bhua Ji was planning to stay for 3 months. The tickets had been bought and I was excited to go to Panjab, to visit the family and to pay my homage to Siri Darbaar Sahib and other historical Gurdwaras. My dad wanted to me to get a job, but I wanted to go India. Before I went to India I applied for a telesales job. If I got the job then I planned to start once I had come back from India. The holiday was great. We travelled in Panjab and Delhi. I preferred Panjab to Delhi. In Delhi we stayed with some of my Bhua Ji's friends. I noticed Sikhs in India, especially Delhi wearing caps instead of dastaars (turbans). It was strange. How can the peo ple born in our native country wear caps? People preferred to speak English than Hindi or Panjabi. Even Sikhs or Panjabis who live in Panjab speak Hindi or English. No-one speaks Panjabi. When I spoke Panjabi I was laughed at (in a polite manner). I couldn't believe that people were drifting away from the language given by our Gurus. In Panjab I saw alcoholics, people who had cut their unshorn hair, Radha Soamis, Nirankaris and other self-proclaimed Satgurus. On the other side I saw inspiring Gursikhs. Generally, Sikhs outside India appreciate Sikhi more. The children of Panjab are gradually speaking Hindi instead of Panjabi. Parents are trimming their children's hair and youngsters are ignorant about our recent Sikh history. It was disturbing to find elderly men had either trimmed their beards or cut their unshorn hair. Children know little about real Sikh practises and principles, and parents don't bother about religion, however instead they were caught up in pity rituals and superstitions. Sikhs in the villages are more concerned with celebrating Sangrand, Pooran Mashee and Masiyaa rather than Gurpurbs. In some Gurdwaras, there would be a Baba wearing a white pagh and clothes and people would be treating him differently than the normal sangat. It seemed that people were drifting away from seeing Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and as the light and soul of the Ten Gurus. Instead people flock to people who call themselves 'Sant'. With Guru's Kirpa, when I arrived back in the UK, straightaway I started the telesales job, which I earlier applied for. Also thanks to Vaheguru Ji I got respectable GCSE results. At school children and students seemed more tolerant and found me less curious than before. The September 11. attack had not occurred and the English people's curiosity had got triggered on again. Instead of wondering why I was wearing a turban, now they wondered if I was a member of the Taliban or one of Osama Bin Laden's followers. I hav e had stares from people in streets, cars, at school and down town staring not with curiosity but staring with hatred, 'nafrat' (intolerance), racism and disgust. Some people have even hauled abuse from their cars, and put fingers up while I walk to work or walk back from school. At school I was walking to school across the field past one of the school buildings. As I was walking a boy dropped his football outside on the field from the classroom on the second floor. To grab my attention to pass the ball, the boy shouted "OIH MATE". I kept walking because I didn't want to throw a football into the classroom. He shouted "OIH, OSAMA BIN LADEN, YEAH. BIN LADEN!" I kept walking and he shouted again "BIN LADEN". I shouted back with frustration and anger. Another day I was walking home from lunch, and a group of girls said to another boy standing near me, "Oih mate, call him BIN LADEN (pointing at me)." I could here them and see them from the back of my eye, but I kept on walking. Then I hear the main girl of the group say something again. She says, "Look at him, look at Bin Laden, people like him shouldn't be able to walk like that. They should have stones thrown at them and chased (while staring and pointing at me)." I felt shocked, and kept on walking. I didn't know what to do. I got home. I felt so angry, I didn't have anything to eat. On the way back to school I saw the group of girls again. I approached the girls and asked them if they had a problem. I told them I could here them laughing, and saying something to me. If they had said something than I said say it to my face. The girls said, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING ON ABOUT (in a cheeky manner)". I said "WELL I DON'T CARE, IF I SEE YOU SAYING ANYTHING EVER. IF I SEE YOU STARING OR LAUGHING AT ME AGAIN, YOU WILL PAY THE CONSEQUENCES." The girls went quiet and the main girl said WE'VE DONE NOTHING." I walked away. The girls had got the message and walked off to their lesson. One day, in the mornin g I was walking to school. I got near the entrance door to the Sixth Form, and then I heard someone shout "OIH LOOK THERE'S THE TALIBAN". I could here laughter as well. I walked over to the group of boys and went straight up to the boy and asked him what he had said. As usual to my face no-one would say anything. Walking home from school, I would experience young immature boys shouting 'Bin Laden' or 'Taliban' at me. It was so frustrating, answering them back, going up to them and asking them if they wanted a fight with me and if not then not to say anything. I find that nearly everyday now that someone is staring at me in a weird manner, or says something like TALIBAN, TURBANATOR, DALER MEHNDI, PAGH MAN, or BIN LADEN, or laughs or jeers when they walk pass me. It seems that Pakistanis or some English boys seem to be racist and cause trouble on purpose. I sometimes its annoying that I have to keep on going up to people and asking them to either shut up or say it to my face or if they wanted to fight me then they can. But then I think to myself oh well Rab Raka. Going to sleep and waking up I ask Vaheguru Ji for strength and thank Him. Since I came back from India, I started to read or listen on a tape Japji Sahib regularly in the morning, Rehraas Sahib in the evening, and Sohila Sahib at night. Walking to school I recited Mool Mantar and try to do Simran, so that I feel positive and enjoy my day. I have learnt from all my experiences to respect everyone. To treat people, as you would like to be treated by others. "Naa Koyee Bairee, Naahee Begaana. Sagal Sang Ban Aayee… No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone" (Ang 1299, SGGS). In India a Sikh I met said, "Sikhi and Gurbani teaches that if you give out in one hand, you will receive in the other. If you give out abuse, and hatred, you will receive it back. However it can also be the reverse. If you give out goodness, you will receive goodness." I remember what a Raagi Singh performing Kirta n said: "If Guru Nanak believed in Sarbat da Bhala (praying for good for all) then why don't we? Who are we not to? It does not hurt anyone to be nice. If a person does bad, lie, swear at people, laugh at them and be hurtful then person will never be at peace inside. He or she will always be reminded one time or another of their guilt of doing bad to others and themselves. The guilt will haunt you and keep revisiting you. This will cloud your soul and mind. However if you do good for peope, ask and pray for the good for all and mankind, if you work honestly; share with others; and pray & meditate on Gods name, you will not have anything to feel guilty of. You will sleep and live peacefully and will not lose anything but instead gain everything." Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Manvir Singh Khalsa manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  13. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh I have wrote an article about my experiences at starting university. Some people may find it useful because sometimes if you starting university you have a lot concerns and worry about what it will be like and how you will cope. Thanks As a Sikh starting University… my story By Manvir Singh Khalsa During the summer holidays before I started university, I was looking forward to starting university. I had been brought up and lived in an English area and not been exposed to a large Sikh community or presence. Therefore I was excited to go to King’s College London because it was known for having a large number of Sikh students and it had the largest Sikh Society in England. I heard people call it ‘Singh’s College’. The days get closer and closer and soon I was to move to Halls and start university. The day which I had to move into Halls or residence, my family had a wedding to attend to. So we decided to drop my stuff at Halls on Saturday and move in properly on Sunday after the wedding. My brother was going to drop me off in London. On the Sunday going back to Halls I didn’t know what to accept. The day before, I didn’t see many people or really get a feel of what it would be like. So I wondered how many Singhs I be living with at Halls or how many Sikhs I would get to know on the first day. My brother and I arrived in London in the evening. He dropped me off and came inside with me. No-one was around and I wondered where everyone had gone. The place looked dead. My brother suggested that we s hould go to the student union bar or something similar to get to know people. I felt nervous, as I was not used to going to bars, clubs or pubs. Across the road from the Halls of Residence was the King’s Waterloo Campus. We decided to see what was happening there. At the Student Union Bar everyone from the Halls of Residence had got together as an opportunity to socialise. I felt out of place and struggling not to breathe in cigarette smoke from some people standing around. I could see no Sikh, no person wearing a pagh and no person, which looked Panjabi. I thought ‘Waheguru, where am I?’ This wasn’t what I was expecting. Trying to mingle people and introducing myself, I felt out of place and not comfortable in the smoking and drinking environment. My brother left a little while after. I was thankful for him that he at least helped me by coming with me to the Student Union, by myself I don’t know how I would have coped. I got to know some people. But I didn’t get to meet any Panjabis. The next day I got to know all my flatmates. All of them were nice and easy to talk to. During the week I felt bit let down and shocked that I didn’t see any Panjabi or Sikh. Was this ‘Singh’s College’? I was the only visible Sikh in the whole Halls of Residence. One of the people who I was sharing a flat with asked me to go to a student club night. She said that all of the people from our flat were going and perhaps it would be a nice place to meet people. ‘You don’t have to drink and perhaps you might see some Sikhs there’, she said. Feeling bit low and lonely, I thought might as well go clubbing, despite not feeling comfortable with the idea considering I have never been before and that I don’t like a smokey environment. I bought a ticket for the student club night from a boy selling tickets at the Hall’s reception area. Getting the ticket I walked back to my room, I opened my door and I looked straight at Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale’ s photo, which I had in my windowsill. It dawned to me, why am I doing this? Why am I doing something, which I am not comfortable with? Why don’t I have faith in Waheguru? Waheguru will make me meet up with Gurmukhs and Sikhs when He wishes to do so. I felt guilty for buying a ticket. I walked back to the reception and asked the boy whether I could get a refund. He said he usually doesn’t do refunds but because he said he would make an exception for me. I thanked him. That night, it felt as if everyone had gone either clubbing or down the Student Union bar. The Halls or Residence looked dead silent. I didn’t know where to go or who to meet up with, without having to go to place where there is alcohol or people smoking. I got out my vaaja and did simran that night. I thought and meditated on Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s shabad, This beautiful shabad was written by our Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He composed this divine shabad, at a time when he had lost his wife, children, family, home, wealth and disciples. Walking barefooted in the jungle of Maacheewala, with thorns pricking Guru Jee’s feet, no pillow to rest on, and no four walls to give him shelter, Guru Jee composed this uplifting hymn. Thinking about Guru Gobind Singh Ji and this shabad, something dawned upon me. Looking around I realised that I was blessed with four walls and a roof around me to give me shelter. I was blessed with a bed, pillow and a nice place to live. I was blessed with an opportunity to go to university. The realisation was that I was blessed and that I should be grateful about all I had and not feeling sad or disappointed. With the grace of Waheguru, I met with Sikhs through Sikh Society. It was great. The people I met at Sikh Society were like a family to me. I met so many people. I then became familiar where Shepard’s Bush Gurdwara was and found out the way to get to Southall Gurdwara. Once or twice a week I would go to the Gurdwara. I felt so happy. I had made Sikh friends, I had made friends with people who I could share Sikhi with and I could relate to. This is not to say that I wasn’t friends with the people who I lived with or the people who were on my course. However, I had never had Panjabi or Sikh friends at school or Sixth Form, it was great to be able to socialise and do things with friends who could appreciate Sikhi and do Sangat with them. Sometimes people I would see around at university or Halls would say, ‘come out tonight with us’. However I would kindly say no thanks and that I had other plans. I had to make sure that no-one thought I was being judgemental about people going clubbing or looking down upon them. Because I wasn’t. However, I didn’t personally feel comfortable being a Sikh of the Guru and going clubbing or sitting at the bar. Some people would ask me, ‘do you think going out clubbing is wrong?’ I would answer them, ‘Whatever you do in life, imagine Guru Gobind Singh Ji watching you and with you. If the Panj Pyaare who gave you Khande-Pahul Da Amrit saw a CCTV video of you being somewhere, a nd the same video was shown to the Sadh Sangat in the presence of Guru Sahib, you must ask yourself, would you feel embarrassed, or comfortable with that idea? If you would feel comfortable with Guru Jee, the Panj Pyaare and the Guru Pyaaree Sadh Sangat knowing where you have been socialising and hanging out then all the best to you and may Waheguru bless you. However, if you would feel embarrassed, even a little bit, then you must ask yourself, why are you at that place and is it worth being there?’ Who I am to tell someone not to clubbing or to clubbing? I enjoyed university so much. The Sangat, going to the Gurdwara, meeting knew people, making friends, the Sikhi events across London and the various universities and the pyaar which people have one another as Sikh brothers and sisters. This year I am living at Halls again. I had to move earlier than everyone else because I a Senior Student. All that means is that I help out with the Residence Office to help and support the students at Halls. The first day back at Halls this year, I felt a little bit low because I missed my family. That night the Residence Office had organised an evening out for Senior Students and Staff to socialise and to get to know one another. On the form it said that we were going Super Bowl. So I thought I would go along and socialise as well. Arriving at reception I met up with all the Senior Students and introduce myself. They all seemed nice and we chatted. Everyone was ready to go out now. The person who had organised the evening said, “right we are going to the pub for a couple of pints and then we’ll head down to the restaurant”. I thought, ‘Hey Waheguru Ji, Eh Ta Pub Nu Jaan Lage… O Waheguru, they’re going to the pub!’ I thought to myself how could I say to them that I don’t want to go the pub without sounding odd or unsociable. Everyone was about to walk outside and then said, ‘sorry, I won’t be able to go to the pub. It’s because of religious reasons. Sorry, hope you don’t m ind, but I don’t mind meeting you up at the restaurant.’ They smiled back and said that’s fine and that they’ll meet up at the restaurant in about an hour or so. Going back to my room I felt a bit isolated and awkward. My friends hadn’t gone back to university yet and no-one had moved into Halls of Residence yet apart from about ten people, including me, who were working with the Halls of Residence. I recited my evening Rehraas Sahib. Then I did Ardaas. The Ardaas has power. I am not talking in terms of Waheguru answering your prayer but just by looking deep into the meaning of the Ardaas which we read. The Ardaas starts (using English translation to explain), In the Ardaas first we invoke the power and blessing of Waheguru, then the Ten Gurus, and the Living Spirit of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We then seek power and strength in remembering the glorious deeds of the Panj Pyaare – who surrendered their heads for Guru Ji, the four Sahibzaade – the eldest two sons of Guru Ji valiantly fought and died in battle defending righteousness. The youngest two sons were bricked alive for refusing to give up their Sikhi at the age of 5 and 7yrs old, and till their last breath they kept in high spirits and cried the slogans of ‘Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal’. We remember the Chaalee Mukte, the forty Singhs who deserted Guru Gobind Singh Ji but then returned to die fighting for him. Remembering all glorious actions and deeds of such pure devotees we get strength. We get a feeling of ‘wow’ – these people are great, they are inspiration and source of strength for us; hence we say, ‘Vaheguru’ (Wonderful Lord). The Ardaas continues with, If we think we have problems or that we face suffering, then we should think again. Reciting this verse of the Ardaas we are reminded of the courage, determination and supreme faith of the Sikhs such as Bhai Mani Singh Ji who was cut limb by limb yet he never gave up his faith, Bhai Taru Singh Ji had so much faith and a spirit of courage that he refused to have his hair forcibly cut and instead had his scalp removed. Bhai Mati Daas Ji who was sawn alive on refusing to comply to the demands of the Mughal rulers to convert and to abandon the Sikhi of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji. We share the strength of these brave Singhs and Singhnian we remember them and we realise that we are blessed, we are lucky and that we are here because of them and that we should always be in a state of mind of victory. Reciting the Ardaas and contemplating on it, I realised that I was worrying about trivial matters. Finishing the paat, I went to the restaurant we had a meal. Half of the people afterwards went back to the pub and half of them went back to Halls. I went back to Halls and rested for the night, knowing that Waheguru and my Guru were always with me. By realising the big picture, we realise how the issues in our lives can be so trivial and small. From my experiences I have learnt to always have 100% faith in Waheguru and always take the support of the Shabad Guru. Gurbani has all the answers and can answer all our problems. During the summer, Sikh Student Camp took place. At the camp students had an opportunity to take a personal hukamnama (taking an order or instruction for guidance from Guru Ji) with the help of a sewadaar. You wouldn’t believe it but the people who took part in taking a personal Hukamnama realised that Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not ink and paper. But that Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Ji had spoken to them. Their heart and soul was touched by the personal message from Guru Ji to them. This is the power of Gurbani. Realising that Waheguru is always with us, we have nothing to fear . Realising that Waheguru does everything for the good of us, we realise that our stumbling blocks become our building blocks of life. Realising that Waheguru is everything and that I am nothing, we become everything, we realise everything is Waheguru and we enjoy the power and glory of the Supreme Being. Be inspired and inspire others. May Waheguru bless you. Manvir Singh Khalsa manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  14. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh I have wrote an article about my experiences at starting university. Some people may find it useful because sometimes if you starting university you have a lot concerns and worry about what it will be like and how you will cope. Thanks As a Sikh starting University… my story By Manvir Singh Khalsa During the summer holidays before I started university, I was looking forward to starting university. I had been brought up and lived in an English area and not been exposed to a large Sikh community or presence. Therefore I was excited to go to King’s College London because it was known for having a large number of Sikh students and it had the largest Sikh Society in England. I heard people call it ‘Singh’s College’. The days get closer and closer and soon I was to move to Halls and start university. The day which I had to move into Halls or residence, my family had a wedding to attend to. So we decided to drop my stuff at Halls on Saturday and move in properly on Sunday after the wedding. My brother was going to drop me off in London. On the Sunday going back to Halls I didn’t know what to accept. The day before, I didn’t see many people or really get a feel of what it would be like. So I wondered how many Singhs I be living with at Halls or how many Sikhs I would get to know on the first day. My brother and I arrived in London in the evening. He dropped me off and came inside with me. No-one was around and I wondered where everyone had gone. The place looked dead. My brother suggested that we s hould go to the student union bar or something similar to get to know people. I felt nervous, as I was not used to going to bars, clubs or pubs. Across the road from the Halls of Residence was the King’s Waterloo Campus. We decided to see what was happening there. At the Student Union Bar everyone from the Halls of Residence had got together as an opportunity to socialise. I felt out of place and struggling not to breathe in cigarette smoke from some people standing around. I could see no Sikh, no person wearing a pagh and no person, which looked Panjabi. I thought ‘Waheguru, where am I?’ This wasn’t what I was expecting. Trying to mingle people and introducing myself, I felt out of place and not comfortable in the smoking and drinking environment. My brother left a little while after. I was thankful for him that he at least helped me by coming with me to the Student Union, by myself I don’t know how I would have coped. I got to know some people. But I didn’t get to meet any Panjabis. The next day I got to know all my flatmates. All of them were nice and easy to talk to. During the week I felt bit let down and shocked that I didn’t see any Panjabi or Sikh. Was this ‘Singh’s College’? I was the only visible Sikh in the whole Halls of Residence. One of the people who I was sharing a flat with asked me to go to a student club night. She said that all of the people from our flat were going and perhaps it would be a nice place to meet people. ‘You don’t have to drink and perhaps you might see some Sikhs there’, she said. Feeling bit low and lonely, I thought might as well go clubbing, despite not feeling comfortable with the idea considering I have never been before and that I don’t like a smokey environment. I bought a ticket for the student club night from a boy selling tickets at the Hall’s reception area. Getting the ticket I walked back to my room, I opened my door and I looked straight at Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale’ s photo, which I had in my windowsill. It dawned to me, why am I doing this? Why am I doing something, which I am not comfortable with? Why don’t I have faith in Waheguru? Waheguru will make me meet up with Gurmukhs and Sikhs when He wishes to do so. I felt guilty for buying a ticket. I walked back to the reception and asked the boy whether I could get a refund. He said he usually doesn’t do refunds but because he said he would make an exception for me. I thanked him. That night, it felt as if everyone had gone either clubbing or down the Student Union bar. The Halls or Residence looked dead silent. I didn’t know where to go or who to meet up with, without having to go to place where there is alcohol or people smoking. I got out my vaaja and did simran that night. I thought and meditated on Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s shabad, This beautiful shabad was written by our Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He composed this divine shabad, at a time when he had lost his wife, children, family, home, wealth and disciples. Walking barefooted in the jungle of Maacheewala, with thorns pricking Guru Jee’s feet, no pillow to rest on, and no four walls to give him shelter, Guru Jee composed this uplifting hymn. Thinking about Guru Gobind Singh Ji and this shabad, something dawned upon me. Looking around I realised that I was blessed with four walls and a roof around me to give me shelter. I was blessed with a bed, pillow and a nice place to live. I was blessed with an opportunity to go to university. The realisation was that I was blessed and that I should be grateful about all I had and not feeling sad or disappointed. With the grace of Waheguru, I met with Sikhs through Sikh Society. It was great. The people I met at Sikh Society were like a family to me. I met so many people. I then became familiar where Shepard’s Bush Gurdwara was and found out the way to get to Southall Gurdwara. Once or twice a week I would go to the Gurdwara. I felt so happy. I had made Sikh friends, I had made friends with people who I could share Sikhi with and I could relate to. This is not to say that I wasn’t friends with the people who I lived with or the people who were on my course. However, I had never had Panjabi or Sikh friends at school or Sixth Form, it was great to be able to socialise and do things with friends who could appreciate Sikhi and do Sangat with them. Sometimes people I would see around at university or Halls would say, ‘come out tonight with us’. However I would kindly say no thanks and that I had other plans. I had to make sure that no-one thought I was being judgemental about people going clubbing or looking down upon them. Because I wasn’t. However, I didn’t personally feel comfortable being a Sikh of the Guru and going clubbing or sitting at the bar. Some people would ask me, ‘do you think going out clubbing is wrong?’ I would answer them, ‘Whatever you do in life, imagine Guru Gobind Singh Ji watching you and with you. If the Panj Pyaare who gave you Khande-Pahul Da Amrit saw a CCTV video of you being somewhere, a nd the same video was shown to the Sadh Sangat in the presence of Guru Sahib, you must ask yourself, would you feel embarrassed, or comfortable with that idea? If you would feel comfortable with Guru Jee, the Panj Pyaare and the Guru Pyaaree Sadh Sangat knowing where you have been socialising and hanging out then all the best to you and may Waheguru bless you. However, if you would feel embarrassed, even a little bit, then you must ask yourself, why are you at that place and is it worth being there?’ Who I am to tell someone not to clubbing or to clubbing? I enjoyed university so much. The Sangat, going to the Gurdwara, meeting knew people, making friends, the Sikhi events across London and the various universities and the pyaar which people have one another as Sikh brothers and sisters. This year I am living at Halls again. I had to move earlier than everyone else because I a Senior Student. All that means is that I help out with the Residence Office to help and support the students at Halls. The first day back at Halls this year, I felt a little bit low because I missed my family. That night the Residence Office had organised an evening out for Senior Students and Staff to socialise and to get to know one another. On the form it said that we were going Super Bowl. So I thought I would go along and socialise as well. Arriving at reception I met up with all the Senior Students and introduce myself. They all seemed nice and we chatted. Everyone was ready to go out now. The person who had organised the evening said, “right we are going to the pub for a couple of pints and then we’ll head down to the restaurant”. I thought, ‘Hey Waheguru Ji, Eh Ta Pub Nu Jaan Lage… O Waheguru, they’re going to the pub!’ I thought to myself how could I say to them that I don’t want to go the pub without sounding odd or unsociable. Everyone was about to walk outside and then said, ‘sorry, I won’t be able to go to the pub. It’s because of religious reasons. Sorry, hope you don’t m ind, but I don’t mind meeting you up at the restaurant.’ They smiled back and said that’s fine and that they’ll meet up at the restaurant in about an hour or so. Going back to my room I felt a bit isolated and awkward. My friends hadn’t gone back to university yet and no-one had moved into Halls of Residence yet apart from about ten people, including me, who were working with the Halls of Residence. I recited my evening Rehraas Sahib. Then I did Ardaas. The Ardaas has power. I am not talking in terms of Waheguru answering your prayer but just by looking deep into the meaning of the Ardaas which we read. The Ardaas starts (using English translation to explain), In the Ardaas first we invoke the power and blessing of Waheguru, then the Ten Gurus, and the Living Spirit of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We then seek power and strength in remembering the glorious deeds of the Panj Pyaare – who surrendered their heads for Guru Ji, the four Sahibzaade – the eldest two sons of Guru Ji valiantly fought and died in battle defending righteousness. The youngest two sons were bricked alive for refusing to give up their Sikhi at the age of 5 and 7yrs old, and till their last breath they kept in high spirits and cried the slogans of ‘Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal’. We remember the Chaalee Mukte, the forty Singhs who deserted Guru Gobind Singh Ji but then returned to die fighting for him. Remembering all glorious actions and deeds of such pure devotees we get strength. We get a feeling of ‘wow’ – these people are great, they are inspiration and source of strength for us; hence we say, ‘Vaheguru’ (Wonderful Lord). The Ardaas continues with, If we think we have problems or that we face suffering, then we should think again. Reciting this verse of the Ardaas we are reminded of the courage, determination and supreme faith of the Sikhs such as Bhai Mani Singh Ji who was cut limb by limb yet he never gave up his faith, Bhai Taru Singh Ji had so much faith and a spirit of courage that he refused to have his hair forcibly cut and instead had his scalp removed. Bhai Mati Daas Ji who was sawn alive on refusing to comply to the demands of the Mughal rulers to convert and to abandon the Sikhi of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji. We share the strength of these brave Singhs and Singhnian we remember them and we realise that we are blessed, we are lucky and that we are here because of them and that we should always be in a state of mind of victory. Reciting the Ardaas and contemplating on it, I realised that I was worrying about trivial matters. Finishing the paat, I went to the restaurant we had a meal. Half of the people afterwards went back to the pub and half of them went back to Halls. I went back to Halls and rested for the night, knowing that Waheguru and my Guru were always with me. By realising the big picture, we realise how the issues in our lives can be so trivial and small. From my experiences I have learnt to always have 100% faith in Waheguru and always take the support of the Shabad Guru. Gurbani has all the answers and can answer all our problems. During the summer, Sikh Student Camp took place. At the camp students had an opportunity to take a personal hukamnama (taking an order or instruction for guidance from Guru Ji) with the help of a sewadaar. You wouldn’t believe it but the people who took part in taking a personal Hukamnama realised that Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not ink and paper. But that Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Ji had spoken to them. Their heart and soul was touched by the personal message from Guru Ji to them. This is the power of Gurbani. Realising that Waheguru is always with us, we have nothing to fear . Realising that Waheguru does everything for the good of us, we realise that our stumbling blocks become our building blocks of life. Realising that Waheguru is everything and that I am nothing, we become everything, we realise everything is Waheguru and we enjoy the power and glory of the Supreme Being. Be inspired and inspire others. May Waheguru bless you. Manvir Singh Khalsa manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk
  15. Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada - Before Dawn = when it is dark In Winter time (like now in UK), Amrit-vela can be from 4am - 7am, and in winter it can be from 2.30am to 5.30am So it is situational and depends on the Sunrise. Generally it is dark outside at Amritvela and I usually use the street-lamps outside as an indicator - coz they usually switch off when sun light comes. All Sikhs should strive to wake up Amritvela. We are always talking about Guru Ji doing Kirpaa on us and through this Kirpaa we will feel or come close to Waheguru. So how do we get this kirpaa??? I remember Gyaani ji last sunday saying at the Gurdwara, that we got to make the environment right, the conditions have to be suitbale for kirpaa to take place. Hence, we wake up amritvela, remember waheguru morning, evening and nightime. In hope that our life's environment and conditions is one suitable for getting Naam Ras and remembering Waheguru. I asked Jathedaar Sahib of Takhat Damdama Sahib Ji about what happens if you accidently mis s Amrit-vela because of work, over-slept or alarm didnt work. He said, well a Sikh should do full Nitnem within 24 hrs of the day compulsary. We should all strive and aim to wake up amrit-vela, but maharaaaj is all-knowning and all-loving and so that for a reason which you can't help, you didnt wake amrit-vela or you un-intentionally missed amrit-vela then don't feel guilty. In that case it makes sense that your Amrit-vela is the time you sing Gurbaani for that individual. food for thought. i may be wrong. bhul chuk maaf karnee ji.
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  17. I would like to say that with maharaaj's kirpaa my chhoti (gatraa) kirpaan got through!! The kirpan which i wore was this one: Chhoti Siri Sahib
  18. just found out i was going yesterday! didnt know much info - i found out last night It was mentioned at Sweden at the Camp - but during last week even if I knew the info, i was too busy with finishin uni work to advertise the event
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