newsletter 2012 apr jun 51 web

7/31/2019 Newsletter 2012 Apr Jun 51 Web

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Vesahki 2012 AkhandPath celebrations at theCentral Sikh Temple wasa great success this year

as it started and finishedin the evening, givingmany members of thesangat, including youngschool going children,families, and older folk,the opportunity toparticipate together inthis important event inthe Sikh calendar. Thegurdwara was jam-packed.

The Board is launching anew Gurmat basedprogram called Sojhi.The aim is to inspire ouryoung children to leadGuru-centric lives.

New s le t t e r o f t he Cen t r a l Si kh Gurd w ara Boa rd

I ssue No : 51

J un / Aug 2012

Sikh MarriageIn the last issue, Jasmine and Jaswinder announced their intention to get married and theirrespective families made arrangements for paath.Remember Him First.A deep chorus of SatnaamWaheguru SatnaamWaheguru starts getting closer and closer asJasmines father, a group of her male relatives and 3 men clad in white granthi outfits finally make theirappearance at the door of her home. A hush falls as all present bow in respect as the Guru GranthSahib is brought in. Another round of buzz takes place as the 3 men in white busy themselves in gettingthe peerha set up. Finally, the Guru Granth Sahib is respectfully laid and covered with a rumala, beforeeveryone sits down to a breakfast of cha and aloo parathas topped with achaar and dahi on the side.As Jasmine is washing her hands after a delicious paratha, she hears a commotion in the living room.Bhua Amrik and Masi Kuljit are busy wrapping a coconut in red cloth. They have transformed intogenerals and are ordering Jasmines mum to get dhoof, a water pitcher and a jot. Jasmine looks at herpoor confused mum scurrying around the kitchen trying to salvage the situation with a steel bowl for awater pitcher. She sends her son downstairs to the nearby Indian shop to get some dhoof. For the jot,Bhua Amrik pours ghee into a steel bowl and roughly twists some cotton to make a wick.

Seated in the far corner of the room, Dadaji is silently watching events as they unfold. He summons thegranthi. Jasmine watches as the two are locked in serious discussion for a few minutes. Then Dadaji getsup and in his authoritative voice, orders that the coconut, the red cloth, the dhoof, the water, and the jotbe taken away from the vicinity of the Guru Granth Sahib1. All fall silent. They do as they are told. No oneever questioned Dadaji when he spoke in that tone. The paath commences and everyone takes turns toread a few pages. The whole family sit silently in Gurujis presence and listen to paath attentively.Later, Jasmine finds Dadaji in a relaxed mood and grabs the opportunity to ask him about the morningsincident. He reminds her of how Guru Nanak rejected meaninglessrituals2 and the importance of thinking and not blindly following others3.He relates the beginnings of the paath practices that her aunts wereinsisting on and how meaningless they are today*. He stresses theimportance of deliberating and putting into practice the advice andphilosophy of the Gurbani. People put so much emphasis on ritualisticpractices because they are easier to follow. Reading Gurbani andunderstanding what it says, is a lot more hard work, Dadaji laments.When you were studying, didnt you read your textbook, then applywhat you learnt to the practice questions? That is exactly what Gurbani is - we have to first read andunderstand, then apply it in our lives4. Surely you wouldnt place your Mathematics textbook on apedestal and merely bow down to it? Or for that matter, place your teacher on a pedestal and bow toher? Neither would make you a good student.Hmmmmakes sense! thought Jasmine and further enquired, Dadaji, one more question -Jaswinders family is doing an Akhand paath. Why did you insist on a Sehaj paath before our wedding?I want the family to listen to and understand and then practise what our Guruji says to us. Would youpay someone to read your school books? If you did, how would you know what is written in them? That ishow people are misled by so-called religious men. They do not read what our Guruji advises but verywillingly take the advice of these people. I want you to know and understand the Gurbani and never letanyone misguide you. Your wedding is a happy occasion; it gives us a very good excuse to read theGurbani before your mother and aunts get carried away with the wedding shopping.In the next issue, Jasmine and Jaswinder start getting organised with the nitty gritty of wedding plans

*Coconut and red cloth associated with a Hindu deity*Dhoof used for fragrance but it actually suffocates the Gurbani readers

*Water pitcher in olden times there was no running water, so it was placed outside the entrance ofthe venue where paath was being conducted, for people to cleanse off dirt and mud beforeproceeding inside. Today, it has no meaning.

*Jot it was used because there was no electricity then or it was intermittent, and ghee waspreferred because it does not smoke and blacken walls.

*Akhand paath a practice probably started during the Moghul period when Sikhs could not readthe paath at leisure, so they condensed the full reading to periods of respite from warfare.

References:Placing a pitcher, ceremonial clarified-butter-fed lamp, coconut, etc. during the course of theuninterrupted or any other reading of Guru Granth Sahib, or reading of other Scriptural texts side by sidewith or in the course of such reading is contrary to the gurmat (Guru's way). (Sikh Code of Conduct)

I nside t his issue

CST Vesakhi

Celebrations 2012 Upcoming Sikhi

Courses

Sikh Centre Tuition

Classes

Sojhi Program for

Children

Launch of Sikhi

Parchar Fund &Sikhism 201

Graduation

1 . k r m k Wf b h u k r i h A c wr ] i b n un wv Y

i DRg ui DRg uA h Mk wr ]

2. d yKwd yKI s B k r y mnmuiK b UJ n p wi e ]3.AklI piV@ kY buJIAY]4. i f T Ymuk i q n h ov e I i j c r us b i d n k r y

v I c wr u]

1. People perform all sorts of religious rituals and rites, but without

the divine Name, these are egotistical and useless. (m3, 162)

2. All try blindly following others but one does not obtain divineunderstanding, in this way. (m3, 28)3. Use your intellect and comprehend what you are reading. (m1, 1245)

4. One is not liberated by having a glimpse of the Guru unless one

contemplates on the Shabad. (m3, 594)


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Central Sikh Gurdwara Board HighlightsPage 2

SOJHIThe Sikh Centre is launching a comprehensive

Gurmat based curriculum called Sojhi. In the

Panjabi language Sojhi means insight. The

Curriculum aims to inspire a Gur-centered life.

Sojhi has been developed by the US-based Sikh

Research Institute. Its content and curriculum has

been reviewed extensively by educators, child

development specialists, and experts and

Sikh scholars. The Sikh Centre has acquired this

complete curriculum from levels K1 to Primary 5.ContentBoli : Punjabi Language and Culture

Virsa : Sikh Heritage - History, Values and

Principles.

Volunteer Teachers NeededThe Sikh Centre needs volunteer teachers to run the Sojhi program.

Commitment :Each teacher needs to devote only 2 hours every alternate Sunday over a term of 8 weeksi.e. only 4 Sundaysof 2 hours each over a period of 8 weeks.

Training and materialsTeacher training and full resource materials will be provided. No need to prepare any materials or teachingplans of your own.

What others have said about thisprogramI loved this program. It was a great eye-

opener. I really wish and hope we have more of

these kinds of programs in the near future. I

would definitely recommend it to others.

Noni M. Bawa, Sterling, VA

I highly recommend your program to all Sikh

schools who may be considering giving more

structure to their program. This programengages the children and at the same time this

covers the multiple facets of Sikh education

that must be addressed.

Gurmeet Kaur Bhatia, Atlanta, GA


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Outreach ProgramThe Board continues to raise awareness of Sikhi amongst

other communities in Singapore, and was delighted to host

a visit on request from the British High Commissioner to

Singapore and his staff. The High Commissioner, Mr

Antony Phillipson, later commented on the "generous

hospitality they received and the long shared history

between the British and Sikh communities in Singapore-most poignantly commemorated, of

course, on the walls of Kranji War Cemetery".

PSLE Tuition Class

(English, Math & Science)I find this tuition very useful as my Maths,English and Science teachers are verypatient, kind and understanding. They teachme new ways to tackle the different questions.Tarenjit Kaur

N Level Tuition Class(English & Math)

The classes have helped me greatly... I likethe teachers - they are ever ready to render

their help when neededJuslinder Kaur

O Level Tuition Class (Math)This tuition is helping me practise andrevise the various topics I have learnt. I amable to constantly remember how to goabout doing various questionsTaranjit Kaur

Feedback on Sikh Centre Tuition Classes

Jointhecl

asses

today!

Sikh Sewaks recently launched its newest initiative, the S3. S3 is

a youth hub located at level 1 at Central Sikh Temple(CST). WithS3, the youth now have their own space in CST to play games,

study, watch movies and hang-out. We believe with the S3 theGurdwara can be a place where youth would love to come.

Sikh Sewaks Singapore has been bringing quality youthprogrammes for the Sikh Youth in Singapore. Itsinitiatives include the very successful Bahadur BacheyCamps and Camp Miri Piri. Sikh Sewaks Singaporehas been bringing quality youth programmes for the Sikh Youth in Singapore. Its initiativesinclude the very successful Bahadur Bachey Camps and Camp Miri Piri. Recently aspeaker-series was launched under the S3 where high-profile or successful speakers share

their experiences and journeys with the youth. Stay tuned to www.sikhsewaks.org to find out the upcoming activitiesat S3. S3 is strongly supported by the Central Sikh Temple.

Sikh Sewaks is also pleased to invite all youth and adults to its upcoming camp, CAMP MIRI PIRI 2012, 2-6 June2012 @ St Johns Island. Participants at this camp will experience a truly Sikh lifestyle for 5 days with Amrit VelaNitnem & Meditation, Physical Exercise, Self-Defence workshops, Kirtan beautiful Sangat and Yoga. Details atwww.campmiripiri.com

A sharing forum with the teachers at Camp Miri Piri will alsobe organised on 1st June, 6:45pm 8:30pm All at the SikhCentre, this forum is open to all.

All these init iatives arebrought to you by the Sikh

Sewaks Singapore
http://www.sikhsewaks.org/http://www.campmiripiri.com/http://www.campmiripiri.com/http://www.sikhsewaks.org/


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The Mighty Khalsa organised a highly successful Children's Vesakhi party for150 children at CST on Sunday 15 April 2012

A Family Outing to the Woodlands Waterfrontwas organised by Care & Share on Saturday 28 April2012 for 110 persons, leaving from the Central SikhTemple in three buses . Participants took in the beautyof the new Waterfront, the leisure destination in the northof Singapore for the first time. The Waterfront consists ofa 1.5km long promenade, a 9-hectare park, and arefurbished jetty which provides stunning views of the sea and the shores of Johor Bahru.

CARE & SHARE - As part of Vesakhi celebrations, donations totalling $2,444 werereceived from the sangat for the purchase of dry rations and hand towels for the Kwong Wai

Shiu Hospital & Nursing Home.

AMRIT SANCHAR 2012

Nine ablakhis took Amrit on Vesakhi under the guidance of

Dr Jasbir Singh.

CST Vesakhi Celebrations 2012Vesakhi 2012 at CST was uniquely different this year.

Besides the regular programs which included the Nishan

Sahib Salami, Amrit Ceremony and the Paath Mala, the

most significant change was the timing of the AkhandPath at Central Sikh Temple . It commenced on the

evening of 12 April 2012 at 7.30 pm and concluded at

7.30pm on 14 April 2012. This was a change from the

traditional morning commencement. The evening

commencement of the Paath gave families including

children the opportunity to participate and there was more

than 600 sangat in the Darbar Hall on 12 April 2012. More importantly, on 14 April 2012 during

the final Ardass, the Darbar Hall was packed, including the open space surrounding the

fountain and some commented that this was like the New Year Countdown.


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World Turban Day was also celebr ated on Vesakhi and

t he Sangat was encour aged t o wear a Turban on t hat day. Free

Turbans were pr ovided and t ied f or any member of t he Sangat who

was keen. One par t icipant was really t ouched when t he Turban was

tied and remarked, It has been more than 20 years since I wore a

Turban on my wedding day.... A young Sikh, Elvinder Singh, had the volunteers who were

t ying Tur bans re-do it 3 times. He said, I am proud to be a Sikh and that the Turban

must be of a high st andar d. We wish Elvinder spor t s a smar t ly t ied Turban when he

becomes an adult .

Upcoming SRST Celebrations


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Personalit ies at t he Cent ral Sikh Gur dwara Boar dOur Central Sikh Temple Raagi Jetha comprising of Ratanjeet Singh, Ratandeep Singh and HarpreetSingh have been doing daily kirtan here sincetheir arrival in January 2011.Twins Ratanjeet and Ratandeep were born and

raised in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Aftergraduating with a B.Com from Jiwaji University,Gwalior, they were engaged in theirfamilys business. Harpreet was born and raisedin Khanna City, Ludhiana and is in the midst ofcompleting his BA university studies.Ratanjeet and Ratandeep originally did kirtan as aform of sewa. They then upgraded their skills withformal training and are now equipped with theability to do all 30 odd raags from the GuruGranth Sahib. Harpreet watched his father playthe tabla and this influenced his decision to pick it

up as well. "I enrolled myself in Punjabi ShaheedMission College in Khanna, and then Natraheen Sangeet, Anandpur Sahib where I formalised my musictraining in 2.5years".

How did you meet and do you have any memorable experiences?In 2007, the Ajit Newspaper placed an advertisement for a jetha in Khanna City. We responded and thatwas where we met Harpreet and formed our jetha. In 2008 and 2009 we held summer camps where wetaught children kirtan. This was a good experience where we shared our knowledge and skills with manychildren.

What makes a good jetha?We have to be tuned in to each other and our music skill levels should be on par. And of course, Gurussewa should be important to the group.

Besides singing the Gurbani, you also read the Guru Granth. What difference do you feelin the two experiences?

Music relaxes the mind. Our Gurus have written the Gurbani in Raags. It is meant to be sung. Singing hasa far greater impact than merely reading it. We feel the connection greater when singing. Not all thesangat can appreciate traditional raags. So, it better to sing in a popular style that will draw the sangat tolisten rather than not come and listen at all.

What advice do you have for young people who would like to learn kirtan?First they have to have a love for Gurbani. Then they should learn the proper Raags. Our message toparents is to motivate their children and then engage a good teacher to teach them.The trio perform beautiful kirtan in Central Sikh Temple daily.

Holla Mohalla Children's Program

The Holla Mahalla Children's Program held on 4

March 2012 at Labrador Park was a fun-filled event

attracting participation by more than 160 members

of the sangat. In addition to learning about the

history of Holla Mohalla, the children learnt through

games, important values and sakhis to reinforce the

idea that Sikhi should be a part of their everydaylives.

Ratandeep, Ratanjeet and Harpreet


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Launch of Sikhi Parchar Fund & Sikhism 201 Graduation

The Sikhi Parchar Fund was officially launched onSunday 11 March 2012 in conjunction withgraduation of Sikhism 201 class. The Board was

delighted to acknowledge the Sikh MissionarySociety's initial contribution of $15,000 towards thisfund, and hopes other benefactors will comeforward to contribute to this worthy cause for theedification of the Sikh community in Singapore.

Vacancies @ CSGBThe following vacancies are available for

Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and

Dependent Pass Holders ONLY.

Gurdwara Manager

Facilities Manager

Admin and Accounts Executive

For more details visit the website

www.sikhs.org.sg


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For info on Central Sikh Gurdwara Board activities,

Please visit our Website @ www.sikhs.org.sg

Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Highlights

newsletter 2012 apr jun 51 web

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