SaadhRayn Kaur

This was on their websites homepage: http://www.waheguroo.com Waheguroo! Network UPDATE Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! Dear Khalsa Jee, In the early hours of Wednesday February 02, 2005, a vital component of Waheguroo! Network was infiltrated and removed from our databases. The entire forums section, which was established over the last two years, was transfered to an independent server. Our forums section, with Guru Sahib's kirpa, had been integrated into all of the other sections of our website and was being used by hundreds of gursikhs around the world each day. Unfortunately, we regret to inform you that that the forums have been removed without the sangat's consent or any discussion. We did not receive any warning whatsoever of this plan. We sincerely apologize to the entire sangat, as we are accountable to Guru Sahib and the Khalsa sangat. This was not in our control and we are currently working to restore our databases so that our websites run more efficiently. The sevadars of this website are not operating with any political or emotional agenda, and we are devoted to providing the best services to the sangat. We humbly request the sangat to bear with us as we attempt to restore our websites functionality within the next 24 hours. Daasre, Waheguroo! Network | Search Engine | Forums | Recipes | Saakhis | Keertan.net | Kathaa.net | News | Sikhi |

oops Japnaam Singh already explained it sorry for my double psot but Nama singh ji I think you jumped the gun a little on assuming that its politics i don't even think waheguroo network sevadars have anything to do with this - i mean it looks like this took them off guard from what japnaam singh has posted above.

i think it was more technical it has nothing to do with politics i know some of the sevadaars and they would not take the whole network down like that they are all seperate sites but they are interlinked i think because you remember sikhsangat.com's right-side column on the front page? with the "3 Chardi kala Gursikhs" and "Daily hukamnama" and "Keertan" and "photos" all of that was waheguroo network stuff and now it's not there on sikhsangat.com and all of the User Id's were waheguroo network's so i think their sites are probably a little messy right now with all those changes maybe that's why they're down - i hope it's not for long though

Waheguru jee this is incorrect MATA BHAG KAUR jee survived that battle she lived on to become Guru Gobind Singh ji's personal bodyguard In future battles Guru Gobind Singh ji THEMSELVES tied Mata Bhag Kaur's dumaalaa She passed away several years later but by Guru sahib's hukam it was not shaheedi She was a mahaan gursikh with warrior spirit

bhai gurdas jee has written some nice vaars about love i think you will find them at sikhitothemax.com or searchgurbani.com waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh

so many people have read this post but only a few replied.. does that mean that the other people on sikhsangat have done nothing to help the tsunami victims? not even a jap ji sahib paath?

PLEASE VOTE - or if you aren't doing anything POST AND TELL US why not?! let's see how active and involved sikhsangat peeps are !

caught your eye :wub: apathy means "not caring" or not being concerned gursikhs never worry but they do care about their fellow humans please show you care, have empathy (hamdardhee) and help the victims of the tsunami donate online at http://www.unitedsikhs.org, http://www.khalsaaid.org, http://www.snsm.org.my register your prayer at http://www.sikhhelpline.com/

January 14, 2005 2nd Magh, Nanakshahi Press Release NICOBAR RELIEF CAMPS IN NEED OF FOOD SUPPLIES AND CLOTHING UNITED SIKHS will update you as we receive reports. For Relief Team updates see: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/ghanaia/fieldreport.html CAMPBELL BAY (Great Nicobar Island, Indian Ocean) - The homeless in one relief camp in Great Nicobar were found to be in need counseling, clothing and bedding and their children needed milk. Five hundred Sikh settlers have been without their staple food since the Tsunami disaster destroyed flour mills and wheat stocks on the island. The Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy enlightener scripture) was also damaged when the Gurdwara (Sikh Place of worship) was damaged by the tidal floods. UNITED SIKHS' GHANAIA Tsunami Project Leader for South India, Esher Singh, obtained this first hand account when he arrived at Campbell Bay today. He joined the Sikh community for its first Gurdwara prayers since the Tsunami disaster. Esher Singh, who was joined by Kulwant Singh of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle from Bombay, visited the victims in one relief camp after being briefed by the president of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Dasmesh Nagar, Paramjit Singh. "We need about 10 tons of wheat flour and lentils per month until the situation resumes to normal," Mr Paramjit Singh said. On hearing about the Sikh community's problems, Esher Singh arranged with the Gurdwara in Chennai to bring a Guru Granth Sahib, Rumalae (cloth covering) and canopy to the Gurdwara in Campbell Bay. UNITED SIKHS GHANAIA Tsunami Relief headquarters has been working round the clock to find a solution to the food problems of the displaced families of the Nicobar community. "During the tour of the relief camp, RS 450,000 was disbursed to the homeless. There are some 8,000 people in relief camps and their total needs will only be known when all the camps are visited," Esher Singh said. UNITED SIKHS is working with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president, Bibi Jagir Kaur, to provide supplies of wheat and lentils to the islanders. "Bibi Jagir Kaur has directed that part of the SGPC's grain stock, which had been sent to Naggapatnam for the Tsunami victims in Tamil Nadu, be transported to Campbell Bay," said Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, UNITED SIKHS Director of Community Relations. "We do not know when this transport of grain to Campbell Bay can take place but we hope it will be very soon. I have spoken to Tamil Nadu Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala who has assured me that the transport will be expedited," Dr Gurbachan Singh added. Dr Gurbachan Singh also contacted the Chief Khalsa Divan Amritsar and the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for assistance. Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of DSGMC, and Bhag Singh Anki of the Chief Khalsa Divan said that they will guarantee that the supply of grains to the Sikhs in Great Nicobar is not interrupted Since the Tsunami disaster struck, no non-governmental relief agency has been to the island. Nicobar and Andaman Islands are India.s frontier islands where, for security reasons, the only relief work being done is by the Indian armed forces. "Our Team's priority was divided between the relief work in Tamil Nadu and the trip to Nicobar to identify the condition of the Tsunami victims there. Our Project Leader, Esher Singh, wasted no time to get to Port Blair to look for a way into Nicobar," said Gurmeet Kaur, UNITED SIKHS project co-ordinator for South India. Esher Singh's flight from Port Blair on a civil aviation authority plane yesterday brought the first non-governmental humanitarian aid to this island. UNITED SIKHS will not only arrange for immediate relief to the islanders but also identify mid to long term developmental projects. "We will do house to house interviews to determine the community's needs. For a start, the Gurdwara needs to be rebuilt. A new Gurdwara building was being constructed and it has been damaged." "We will have to fill the gaps left by government aid. For the homeless, houses will have to be built if governmental aid is limited," Esher Singh said. "In the spirit of sarbat da bhela, service to all, we will provide humanitarian aid to any needy member of the Nicobar community," he added. Great Nicobar, one of 324 islands in the Indian Ocean, was settled by Sikhs in the early 70s when the Indian Government, in a bid to secure its frontier territory, offered land to Sikh farmers from the Panjab . Today the 3,500 Sikh settlers on this 1,000 square-mile island are unsure of their future. "Many of us who have lost all our property don't know if we should go back to Panjab or remain on the island," said History professor, 55 year-old Tara Singh, whose Vijay Nagar was destroyed by the Tsunami. When asked what could be done for the islanders he said, "Apart from psychological support and financial help for families who have lost everything, you could persuade the government to compensate the victims." "Those who want to return to Panjab should be given land or equivalent jobs in Panjab. Those who wish to remain on Great Nicobar should be given government jobs because the salty flood waters have made their land unsuitable for farming." he told UNITED SIKHS. Please donate, even if you cannot give a lot. Your contribution will help victims directly. hs.org/reliefproject.html#donate' target='_blank'>http://www.unitedsikhs.org/reliefproject.html#donate You may donate online by clicking above, or choose one of the following options for your convenience: - Donate by cheque/check payable to UNITED SIKHS, and mail to a UNITED SIKHS regional office. See: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.htm. - Donate at your local bank by over-the-counter direct payment into the UNITED SIKHS account using the following information: o In the UK: Any Branch of Natwest Bank Deposit Details: Payable to: UNITED SIKHS Natwest Bank Kensington Royal Garden Branch Account No: 25023772 Sortcode: 50 30 10 o In Punjab: Any Branch of Bank of Punjab Deposit Details: Payable to: UNITED SIKHS Bank of Punjab Doaba Complex, Court Road, Amritsar Account No: S/B 143216293 o In the USA: Any Branch of CitiBank Deposit Details: Payable to: UNITED SIKHS Citibank NYB PO Box 291, Brooklyn New York, NY 11220-9020 Citibank Account #: 63916964 Memo should be marked : For Deposit only. OR Wire Transfer Details: A/C # is: 63916964 A/C Name: UNITED SIKHS Routing Number: 021000089 Citibank Branch is 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10043 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GHANAIA TSUNAMI PROJECT, VISIT WWW.UNITEDSIKHS.ORG Contact : gurmeet.kaur@unitedsikhs.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Mission To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity. UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organizations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or politi cal- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities. UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organizations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavor than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good. Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfill its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all. We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision. __________________________________________________________ To volunteer, please contact the UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you. See: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.htm

Aceh village cut off from aid BY B.K. SIDHU PETALING JAYA: A village – just outside Banda Aceh – where more than 3,200 people were killed by the Dec 26 tsunamis and earthquake, has not received any help at all in the past 20 days. The flattened Paros village, just 15 nautical miles from Banda Aceh, was found by the Global Sikhs Aceh Relief team two days ago. “It is so devastating to find out that just a short distance away from Bandar Aceh there are thousands of bodies lying around and survivors are so disoriented they do not know what has happened to their world. “They had no means of communication until our team arrived. Our team had to walk 1km from the coastline before it found survivors. So far we have found only 2,800 of them and most are ill. OFFLOADING:The relief team unloading aid for the tsunami victims in Sabang Friday. “They are in dire need of medical aid, food and clean water,” Global Sikhs Aceh Relief director of operations Harvinder Singh told The Star in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The Global Sikhs Aceh Relief team found the Paros village as they sailed along the west coast of northern Sumatra. While most of the relief efforts have been concentrated in Banda Aceh there was a vast coastline still unexplored with thousands of survivors in need of help, said Harvinder. “Our team needs body bags, medical supplies, food and water for the survivors. There is an urgent need to dispose of the 3,200 bodies quickly to avoid an epidemic. “We have asked the US army in Banda Aceh to help us in the relief work in Paros,” he said. Global Sikhs Aceh Relief is spearheaded by the Malaysia n Sikh Youth and its partners, the US-based United Sikhs, and a group of sailors from Langkawi who called themselves Waves of Mercy. FAMILIAR SIGHT: The killer wave did not spare the port town of Sabang either. Last Friday, three ships packed with RM5mil worth of foodstuff and medical supplies set sail for Aceh. A control centre has been set at the Malaysian Sikh Youth headquarters to co-ordinate relief efforts. The team is now using the port town of Sabang on Pulau We as its base while its vessels sail along the coast looking for more such villages. “We are the only relief team with ships and that is why we are scouting the west coast of Aceh to look for survivors. “Now that we have found a new village, this will not stop us from going to more areas to find survivors. Our aim is to help as many as we can but we cannot do it alone,” Harvinder Singh said. The group's medical team has taken over the local hospital – which it operates in the morning. In the afternoon, the team tends to the needs of victims at refugee camps. Two days ago the medical team performed an emergency caesarean operation but could only save the mother. “At present, we are in great need of funds. We also need medical supplies and transportation in the form of ships to ferry our volunteers and goods to Aceh. We are calling for everyone to help us aid the victims,” said Harvinder Singh. Donate online at www.snsm.org.my or www.unitedsikhs.org

13 January 2005 0030hrs The Medical Team has started treating various refugees and survivors who needed medical attention. The team has also managed to set up clinics. 1300hrs Everyone on the Medical Team is doing fine. One of our doctors...Dr Jaswant has been picked up and is proceeding to Pulau Rusa. 1310hrs The Medical Team has treated around 200 people at the base camp at Sabang. Dr Kanta & Dr Mahinder performed a caesarean operation. 1815hrs Some of our contingent members had gone to the villages nearby with medicine and also vegetables because a lot of the people there are very malnourished. 2140hrs The Medical Team has enquried about the schedule of the next shipment and details of the cargo ship that is bringing it.

12 January 2005 0224hrs Kapal Silolona reached Banda Aceh and plans to head down the western coast line of Aceh all the way till the town of Calang. 0930hrs There were changes in the plan due to weather and other reasons and Kapal Silolona headed back to Pulau Weh 1440hrs Kapal Silolona anchored at Pulau Weh 1845hrs All the goods had been unloaded from the cargo ship (Newcastle Explorer) 20150hrs The required dry groceries and gas cylinders are set up by the Logistics Team and they ready to start cooking.

Wednesday, 12 January 2005 WAVES OF MERCY --Red Crescent member speaks at GLOBAL SIKHS daily briefing --Captain Hugo: "I'm just a simple Irish man." "THE Acehnese were very helpful....I think they love Punjabis," says Kulwant Singh, one of the first humanitarian relief workers to find their way into the Indonesian island ravaged by a combo of undersea earthquake and a devastating tsunami. Kulwant, a serving member on board of the Malaysian Red Crescent (the equivalent of Red Cross) has just returned from the Aceh mission a couple of days ago. In what is probably his first engagement with the public, he spoke at the GLOBAL SIKHS' daily briefing at its headquarters at Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday. (Jan 10). "They were very happy to see Malaysians. They would insist on talking to in Malay," says Kulwant who has been to many previous missions. Malay is the official language of Malaysia, and has similarities with the Indonesian language. Still, he cautioned potential volunteers on relief missions to Aceh to be watchful. He cautioned that the people would not hesitate to resort to looting and turning violent. "You must understand: They have gone through a traumatic experience." "What about lady volunteers? Any issues of them joining the relief mission," asked one participant of the briefing. "No! They are welcome. There are many lady volunteers out there in Aceh at the moment," he replied. In his 40-minutes presentation, he also shared with viewers photographs taken during the relief mission. Yes, they were gruesome. As the number of volunteers increase, the briefing at 8.30pm was initiated. It is also open to the public. Kulwant S ingh was the second invited guest at the briefing at its headquarters (Sabha House, 71, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur). Irish Captain On Sunday, volunteers were able to hear firsthand from Captain Hugo Crawford -- the wonderful Irish-born former carpenter - who patched together the sea logistics that made the GLOBAL SIKHS mission possible. Capt Hugo and friends were at Langkawi when tidal waves rocked the shores of Langkawi, an island on west side of Peninsular Malaysia. The US$10m ship under his care - it belongs to a businessman - was one of the few that were spared during the incident on Dec 26. The 52-year old former carpenter, who hails from Belfast, refused to the tragedy get the better of him. 'The images haunted my mind as I tried to sleep," says Capt Hugo. "In a flash, it was clear to me what I had to do. I'm a captain of a 130-foot motor yatch. So, why not I attempt a rescue mission for the thousands of unfortunate people along the coastline of Northen Sumatera." He bandies around his fellow-seamen. That's how WAVES OF MERCY came about. While Capt Captain and Hugo and friends were busy pooling resources at Langkawi, in Kuala Lumpur, GLOBAL SIKHS were busy putting together a team of relief workers to be sent to Aceh. They began mobilizing people and collecting material. The folks from UNITED SIKHS were already preparing to board their flights out of UK and Canada. Hence, the match between GLOBAL SIKHS and WAVES OF MERCY was a marriage made in heaven. "We had a team that all ready to go," says Harvinder Singh, GLOBAL SIKHS' director of operations. "We had the medical personnel and other relief workers. They had all gone through a training programme that we had put up instantly. They also had received the necessary inoculation. Hence, Capt Hugo and team provided us the means." Asked how did the name came about, Capt Hugo says: "Well, after some discussion, it just hit me: The waves of mercy will come after the waves of destruction."

13 January 2005 1 Magh (Samvat 536 Nanakshahi) STOP PRESS LATEST: UNITED SIKHS FLIES INTO NICOBAR ISLAND TOMORROW www.unitedsikhs.org contact@unitedsikhs.org Message just in from UNITED SIKHS project Leader in South India, Esher Singh in Port Blair ( Andaman Islands): "By Guruji's Grace we have been able to get on a flight to Campbell Bay (Nicobar island). We fly out first thing tomorrow morning. "The Sikhs we met at Port Blair, who had managed to leave Nicobar Island, have not been taken care of. All the local relief camps are full. The administration has stopped shipping victims. The air force ships and planes have stopped taking people since yesterday. The situation is very grim. Rest we will update later. Tomorrow, Sikh organisatiosn will be making the first contact with Nicobar Sikhs since the Tsunami disaster on 26th December 2004. We do not have a satellite phone. Therefore, we will not be making contact with you until we return to the mainland. But have no fear we will be in Chardi Kala." PORT BLAIR, Andaman Islands, SE India - After assessing the situation in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, and providing short term relief operations in the neglected villages in the South India, UNITED SIKHS' South India team makes a breakthrough and will fly to Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island, tomorrow to assess the situation and provide relief in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean. See Team Leaders detailed report at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/ghanaia/fieldreport.html UNITED SIKHS will be joined b y Ravinder Singh of Khalsa Aid and Kulwant Singh of Sri Guru Gobibnd Singh Study Circle (Bombay). The Trio who are heading for Campbell Bay tomorrow had to fight tooth and nail for tomorrow's flight. After spending half a day at Port Blair, the team found out that Campbell Bay, where a lot of damage has occurred, is accessible only through the army or air force. It is 300 nautical miles from Port Blair. It takes 2-3 days for a boat to get from Port Blair to Campbell Bay. According to their findings, there is only one flight that transports relief material to Campbell Bay and the flight could take only one person along. There were 5 organizations including UNITED SIKHS negotiating access. There was also no assurance of a return date. Most flight seats are being used by MPs, MLAs and government officials. Ultimately, in Bhai Esher Singh's words, "The Guru made way" for his servers and all three members of the team were able to get tickets through a private arrangement with the Civil Aviation Authority which will take them to Campbell Bay - to the center of the Tsunami destruction, which is merely 60km from the epicentre of the Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. There are more than 350 Sikh families in Campbell Bay out of which approx 70-75 have disappeared. Some families have come to Port Blair and are putting up in a gurdwara where there isn't enough care available. The administrators from the affected areas have already moved to Port Blair. The initial assessment of Bhai Esher Singh and his teammates upon reaching Port Blair yesterday is that there is extreme shortage of relief supplies in the islands which have restricted access to them. The team has found that government administrators are still in confusion and limited in their efforts to get relief to victims in a timely manner. He added that the Port Blair got its first relief flight 70 hrs after the disaster and people are in bad shape. The relief camps at Port Blair were full and they met few families who were crying ; they had lost everything and yet they were refused to be admitted in the camp since it was full. In Bhai Esher Singh's words "The officials' attitude here is unhelpful. The people who came here have not been taken care of. All the local relief camps are full. The administration has stopped shipping victims in Andaman and Nicobar. The air force ships and planes have stopped taking people since yesterday. The situation is very grim" Whilst UNITED SIKHS Project leader Esher Singh has headed for the next mission on the islands, the rest of the Team works in a coordinated effort with other Sikh groups, to deliver immediate services to victims without duplicating effort and expenditures. Bhai Esher Singh and his UNITED SIKHS team had by now been phenomenal in banding up with other Sikh organizations, providing short term relief in 4 villages in Cuddalore, adopting one village and starting rehabilitation work there. The trip to Campbell Bay was on cards from the beginning, as UNITED SIKHS relief efforts are targetted at neglected pockets of people to provide them not only short term relief but also long term projects for re-building their lives. UNITED SIKHS will update you as we receive reports. for Relief Team updates see: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/ghanaia/fieldreport.html Please donate, even if you cannot give a lot. Your contribution will help victims directly. http://www.unitedsikhs.org/reliefproject.html#donate

January 6th, 2005 24 Poh (Samvat 536 Nanakshahi) COMMUNITY VOICE TSUNAMI RELIEF AID IN SOUTH EAST ASIA - TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS www.unitedsikhs.org contact@unitedsikhs.org KUALA LUMPUR - The attempts to provide relief aid to areas worst hit by December 26th’s Tsunami disaster has proven a challenge for international relief agencies. Logistics of transportation to the areas for volunteers and relief aid supplies, furthered by security issues and a history of political unrest in many areas has complicated attempts to reach the victims. The crash of a supply plane at Banda Aceh airport delayed flights coming into the affected areas for more than 17 hours. The constant barrage of flights into the airport has further slowed delivery of supplies, prompting the test of an innovative solution to access the out lying and remote villages by GLOBAL SIKHS, a Tsumani relief team comprising of Malaysian-based organization MALAYSIAN SIKH YOUTH (Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia) and global human development organization UNITED SIKHS. Instead of moving by air into Banda Aceh, the band of volunteers originating from Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Canada are moving via sea. The plan: to reach directly to affected areas without delay. Volunteers receiving supplies Above: Volunteers receiving supplies in Kuala Lumpur. The group, which has gathered more than 500 tons of relief aid material, leave the island of Langkawi, Malaysia on Friday at 10am local time. They will be carrying medicine, emergency supplies, food, water, and several tons of body bags. Besides that, GLOBAL SIKHS will also be taking along w ith them generators, water purification equipment, and mechanical diggers. Earlier, the team wanted to go into Aceh via air, having secured some 30 seats on flights chartered by a newspaper group. However, after the crash of the supply plane, the team's intelligence sources had found out that many relief teams were already at the airport, waiting in queue to move out into affected areas beyond the airport in Banda Acheh. After much deliberation, it was resolved that the sea route, despite its inherent drawbacks of speed and last mile access, now seems more attractive. The team of about 25 volunteers include 10 medical personnel. The others are engineers and Langgar (food) specialists. The team and supplies are being transported by a passenger ship and cargo barges. The passenger ship which carries the team members would be converted into a hospital ship on arrival as it has water purification equipment on board. “We have chosen this method of access after consulting the Indonesian authorities and intend to setup base camp in Lhokseumawe in north eastern Aceh,” says Malkith Singh, a senior volunteer with Global Sikhs, who will be leading the first excursion. The transport ships have been organized by a group of Langkawi-based sailors. They will be form a supply road from Langkawi to Lhokseumawe on a weekly basis. Coordination team finalizing details. Above: Coordination team finalizing details. GLOBAL SIKHS have their operations centred at Sabha House in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. The centre has been frantic with activity for the last few days receiving donated items such as food and medical supplies from the public. Coordinator receives briefing. Above: Briefing meeting The collaboration started with a simple request from UNITED SIKHS directors in New York and London to one of its directors, Rishiwant Singh in Malaysia: “We want to got to Aceh. Can you lead the way?” Ri shiwant Singh’s first reaction as he recalls was: “But there are loads of other aid agencies. What could we do? It is difficulty territory.” Nonetheless, the phone calls to Rishiwant Singh didn’t stop. Jagdev Singh, UNITED SIKHS director based in Spain, called Rishiwant Singh at 5am and asked, “If no one else can help us, why can't five of us go?” He was referring to the five beloveds central to the Sikh traditions. “I couldnt sleep that night,” recalls Rishiwant Singh. “First thing in the morning I went to Sabha House and met Malkith Singh of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia.” From there the partnership started and the rest is history. Since new year’s eve, the phones haven’t stopped ringing to the Indonesian authorities to get permission to enter the affected areas. Jagdev Singh arrived in Kuala Lumpur with a team of volunteers from the UK. Amongst them is Dr. Susheelwant Kaur, a young doctor who starts her posting at a hospital in Wolverhampton in February. Dr. Kaur says that the medical supplies kindly donated by the Malaysian pharmaceutical companies and the international public are sufficient for the few weeks but will need to be replenished regularly. Harbhajan Singh, diarist for Global Sikhs, reports, “The last few days have been hectic, with plans changing by the hour. Each new development has required tweaking of the plan previously crafted.” Meanwhile, Sabha House has been a hub of activity. Carloads of medicines and water bottles have been delivered. Phones haven’t stopped ringing. Now, after the long pause of waiting, the team is preparing to finally enter the field. Reports are received that the situation is very grim. Grown men who came to the affected areas to help have had to be sent back because they couldn’t stomach the smell of death. Coordination team finalizing details. Above: Operations Centre in Bangsar, KL Gurpreet Singh, a young volunteer for UNITED SIKHS from Eastern Canada, arrived on Thursday in Malaysia and joins the team at Langkawai as they depart for Aceh. UNITED SIKHS director in England, Mejindarpal Kaur, says the number of volunteers has been encouraging and overwhelming. “We have a sufficient number of volunteers at this stage of our project, which focusses on immediate food and medical assistance and assessment of long-term needs,” Kaur said, “However, we encourage individuals who would like to volunteer in the next stages to e-mail their applications to volunteer@unitedsikhs.org and to visit our website for further updates. This relief effort will require many volunteers and financial assistance from donors worldwide." Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat relief aid Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat relief aid Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat relief aid Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat relief aid Above: Devastation in Tamil Nadu is evident as victims mourn and volunteers work to provide relief aid. Meanwhile, GLOBAL SIKHS team members have undergone the necessary vaccinations and are psychologically preparing themselves. On Tuesday, team members who volunteered to go into Aceh also underwent a one-day course on basic relief work. The course, patched up at the last minute, brought together some experienced relief workers. Their experience and advise will surely better prepare the Sikh relief team. At noon local time on Thursday, GLOBAL SIKHS held a press conference in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, to describe their plans to the local and international media. Office bearers of Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat discuss relief efforts. Above: Office bearers of Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat discuss relief efforts in Cuddalor This year Sikhs celebrate the 300th anniversary of the revelation of the ‘Red Cross’ ideology by the 10th Sikh master when he gave the 'first-aid box' to Bhai Ghanaia who provided relief aid to war-victims, regardless of their affiliation. In the 18th Century Bhai Ghanaia was a revolutionary, seeing di vinity in all beings and providing assistance to everybody without prejudice. Inspired by this, UNITED SIKHS is calling their relief project GHANAIA (Giving Humanitarian Aid Necessities and Assistance Impartially to All) and hopes to live up to the great legacy. In addition to their involvement in current efforts by GLOBAL SIKHS, the GHANAIA Tsunami Relief Project continues to extend in other areas affected by this tragedy. UNITED SIKHS coordinator in Thailand Amarjit Kaur reports that volunteers there are in consultations with local community organizations to arrange for rehabilitation of victims in Phuket, which has been a popular international tourist destination for many years. A team of UNITED SIKHS volunteers from the UK, Canada and USA will be providing medical assistance to victims in Phuket beginning in the middle of January. Teams heading for Chennai and Sri Lanka, lead by UNITED SIKHS project leader Esher Singh of Patialia, are also departing soon, as they prepare for the largest relief effort in history. In Cuddalor area of Tamil Nadu, teams are working together under the banner of Guru Nanak Sarbat Sikh Sangat, to help rebuild the community’s infrastructure there. Fundraising efforts have continued around the clock and around the world, as the increasing costs for rehabilitation efforts are overwhelming. UNITED SIKHS has drafted posters and sample letters, available on their website, for fundraising efforts to be coordinated around the world. UNITED SIKHS director in New York, Hardayal Singh, requested donors worldwide on Thursday to help with fundraising. “We ask individuals to approach their local community organizations, churches, gurdwaras and social groups to assist the GHANAIA Tsunami Relief project so that we can provide direct, immediate and effective aid to the victims of this tragedy.” He added, “We appreciate the support of the community thus far and we hope the continued support will be there as this is a long-term project with overwhelming cos ts. Donations to UNITED SIKHS can be made by bank transfer, cheque, in person, or online. The information for all of these formats is available on our website at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/reliefproject.html.".