Khalsa Jatha Gurdwarda :How London's oldest Sikh gurdwara has faced the good times and the bad during lockdown

The stunning Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda, and insets, volunteers preparing and transporting meals to members of the community

Faith groups across Kensington and Chelsea have a tradition of joining together to support communities and it’s been no different during lockdown.

They are now making plans for welcoming congregations back - when that is possible.

It’s thought that places of worship could reopen - with careful steps in place in early July.

Europe’s oldest Sikh place of worship the Khalsa Jatha - also known as the Central Gurdwara - on the borders of Kensington is preparing to welcome people back.

 During lockdown the gurdwara put in broadcast-quality cameras  so it could stream prayers which were said five times a day and people joined in by Zoom.

 President Gurpreet Singh Anand said the safety measures will include a one-way system, hand sanitiser and strict observance of the 2m social distancing rule, with everyone wearing a face mask.

 There will be a maximum of 40 worshippers with volunteers on hand to “very kindly, nicely and compassionately” ensure people keep to the safety rules.

Gurpreet Singh Anand carries meals during coronavirus. The gurdwara provided some 550 meals each day to people in need

Mr Anand said: “It’s a time that’s been difficult for us all. We have all lost relatives, we have all seen deaths. It’s human nature to celebrate the good times and the bad.”

Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda were worshippers are now starting to return

And the gurdwara has lost two members of the congregation, an elderly man and another who had returned from overseas.

Because of its 112-year history the gurdwara normally attracts people from as far afield as Reading, Gerrards Cross and Croydon.

And it can attract 400 people at a time, with up to 1,000 attending during the day.

 Mr Anand thinks as lockdown has given people time to reflect on the important things in life and “removed the superficial. We are expecting people to come back not for a social gathering but to meet God.”

Volunteers at the Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda cooking up a storm during lockdown

Volunteers have also helped fund and deliver 550 meals a day to help support the community - with food going to a range of places including the food bank in North Kensington, Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, Beatrice Place for older adults with mental health needs amongst others.

Just one of the many batches of meals prepared at the gurdwara

Mr.Anand said that the gurdwara has united with other places of worship, just as they did after the Grenfell Tower fire just a mile away.“It’s brought us together collectively to do more. One finger can carry so much weight - ten fingers can carry so much more,” he said.

Holland Park Synagogue. One of the many places of worship that have joined together in an Interfaith Forum 

More than 40 places of worship which belong to the Interfaith Forum are embracing technology so their congregations can stay connected apart and they plan to develop it even more after lockdown.

They include the Holland Park Synagogue where services are currently virtual and WhatsApp was pressed into action to find out who would like cheesecake and challah delivered to help celebrate last month’s Shavuot - or harvest festival - remotely.

 And Mr Anand said: “The Covid and Grenfell responses have shown that there is a resilience  across the community, with all these acts of kindness and responses across the community - it’s a positive act of society.”

Link:https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/how-londons-oldest-sikh-gurdwara-18448366

Sardar Bajinder Singh : Sikh vendor Performing Sewa at Khairuddin Mosque For 40 Years in Amritsar

   Sardar Bajinder Singh :  Khairuddin Mosque 's Rare Supporter in Amritsar

      Khairuddin Mosque,Amritsar

With animosity against Muslims growing in India, it is rare to find an ally. One such individual is Sardar Bajinder Singh. Against all odds, he has been serving as a volunteer at the Khairuddin Mosque.

Better known as Jama Masjid, the Khairuddin Mosque is nestled in the heart of Amritsar, which is roughly 29 kilometres away from the Wagah border that divides India and Pakistan.

Singh’s journey started four decades ago.  A greengrocer, Singh, has spent much of his life near the 18th-century mosque, helping Muslim worshipers.  “I’m passionate about helping my Muslim brothers at their place of worship,” said the 62-year-old man.

Singh is so dedicated he never leaves town. And, if, for some reason he does, he makes sure his son takes care of his responsibilities at the mosque. “I can’t imagine staying away from the mosque for too long,” said Sing

The service at the mosque, he said, has been part of his life since the 1980s.  “I’ve dedicated a major portion of my life to this service,” Singh claimed.   During his time at the mosque, Singh ensures that the worshipers are comfortable. “I take care of their shoes outside while they are offering their prayers inside,” said Singh.

According to his family, not a day goes by without him visiting the mosque.  The faithful at the mosque, know him as Bhaji (brother). On days when Singh is unable to visit the mosque, his sons fill in for him. “My sons, Baldev Singh and Varinder Singh, fill in for me if I’m out of town or unable to be there for the Friday prayers,” said Singh, who is also known as Sardarji by worshipers at the Khairuddin Mosque.

  Religiously, each Friday, Singh claimed, he closes his shop so he can be at the mosque.

When asked what does he get out of this service, Singh said, I find peace in serving my Muslim brothers. “I don’t ask for anything. In return, the worshipers offer kindness and love to me,” he said.

Singh is not the only non-Muslim who serves at the mosque.  Ajay Kumar Mahajan, a shop keeper across the mosque, is responsible for its security. “I make sure mosque is safe and protected between 9am and 9pm each day,” said Mahajan.

“I have never seen any person with so much selfless devotion in my life,” Imam of Jama Masjid Maulana Hamid Hussain said.

Link:https://tribune.com.pk/story/2245685/1-khairuddin-mosque-rare-supporter-amritsar/

Canada's Indian-origin Sikh MP Jagmeet Singh

Canada's Indian-origin Sikh MP Jagmeet Singh was removed from Parliament after he called a lawmaker "racist" for denying approval for a motion calling out systemic racism in the police force, according to a media report.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) leader said that he stands by his words even after he was removed from the House of Commons for calling Bloc Quebecois House Leader Alain Therrien a "racist" for denying the approval needed for a motion calling out systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), CTV News reported

"I don't back down from standing up to racism. I don't think it benefits for me to call people names, I was angry at the moment and I stand by it," Singh told reporters after the incident on Wednesday

Singh was seeking the unanimous consent of the House of Commons to pass a motion calling on the House to recognise there is systemic racism within the RCMP and call on the government to review its budget as well as the federal law that governs the police force

"In this moment where Indigenous people are being killed and being brutalised, Black people are being killed and brutalised in Canada. We've not seen any action. And in that moment, we put forward this motion, but I thought given where we are, given what's going on, given the lack of action, here is something we can do concretely to actually make a difference? Kind of shocked that anyone would say no to this motion," Singh told reporters.

Link:https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/canada-s-sikh-lawmaker-calls-mp-racist-removed-from-parliament-1690378-2020-06-18

Sikh youth beaten by group of persons in UP's Amroha

Amroha (Uttar Pradesh) , June 18 (ANI):

A Sikh youth was allegedly beaten up by a group of people after his tractor was stopped by two-three persons in Amroha's Sherpur area on Wednesday.

A video of the incident has also surfaced.

"I was returning home after getting my tractor serviced and then two/three persons put their hand out so I had stopped. I thought they were asking for a lift so I offered," Kulvinder Singh, who was allegedly beaten by the group, told ANI.

During the incident, Singh alleged that the group had taken off his turban.

He added that the two/three people climbed on the tractor and they "started beating" him up. "I kept asking them to explain the reason but they kept saying that they will tell me. Within two minutes, two more people came and surrounded me from all sides. They also joined in to beat me," he added.

"I even called my family to tell them what had happened but they snatched my phone away. My turban was taken off and they started to pull my hair as well," he said further.

Amroha SP Vipin Tanda, while speaking to ANI said: "Based on the video that went viral, an FIR has been registered and two men have been arrested and are being sent to jail. The police is currently investigating the matter."

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/sikh-youth-beaten-by-group-of-persons-in-ups-amroha-video-of-the-incident-surfaces20200618173559/

Amroha: सिख युवक से मारपीट के मामले ने तूल पकड़ा

Sikh Activist Valarie Kaur Makes a Case for Loving Your Enemy in her Book ‘See No Stranger’

“I was part of this generation of Sikh advocates who had this frame that if the nation only knew who we were, then it would be enough, then it would stop this tide of hate,” Valarie Kaur tells Observer on a phone call, not trying to hide the pain in her voice. “But knowing is not enough. We have to be agents of revolutionary love.”

Kaur’s new memoir, See No Stranger, (originally published :16^th June 2020 )is an account of her effort to learn, teach, and live that ethic. Her family’s story in America, she writes, starts with her paternal grandfather, Kehar Singh, or Bab Ji, who came to the United States in 1913 and was immediately imprisoned in line with the country’s racist immigration policies. A white immigration attorney, Henry Marshall, filed a writ of habeas corpus on his behalf and he was released. He became a farmer in California’s central valley, where her family has lived since. If Marshall had seen her grandfather as a stranger, Kaur writes, she would not have even been born.

Kaur finds examples of revolutionary love across many faith traditions: "When we think about Jesus has called to love our neighbor as ourself; or Abraham's decision to open his tent to all; or Buddha to have compassion for all; or Mohammad's to take in the orphan; or Mirabai in the Hindu tradition to love without limit; when we love without limit, then it is revolutionary ... then it becomes a force for interior and political and social and cultural and spiritual change."

 Link:https://observer.com/2020/06/valarie-kaur-see-no-stranger-interview/

https://sojo.net/media/many-faiths-one-commitment-radical-love-conversation-valarie-kaur

An Evening with Suresh Singh (The Cockney Sikh) Connecting Online Via Zoom: Discussion on his Book " A MODEST LIVING, MEMOIRS OF A COCKNEY SIKH"

Suresh Singh's Book  :Modest Living, Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh 

Stefan Dickers and Suresh Singh will be in conversation on Zoom tomorrow, Friday 19th June at 6pm, showing Suresh’s family photographs and discussing his book A MODEST LIVING, MEMOIRS OF A COCKNEY SIKH. All are welcome at this free event which is part of Newham Heritage Month. 

Suresh Singh &  Jagir Kaur at 38 Princelet St,London ,UK

Suresh Singh, author of A Modest Living, Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh recalls his Bengali friends described him as “one of us”.  We join Suresh and Bishopsgate Institute’s archivist Stefan Dickers to reflect on the role of food and music in his journeys around London from childhood to where he now lives in East Ham. 

A Modest Living, Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh is published by Spitalfields Life . Born and bred in London,  Suresh became the first Punjabi punk, playing drums for Spizzenergi and touring with Siouxsie & the Banshees.

In the book, chapters of biography are alternated with Sikh recipes by Jagir Kaur. 

“A timely reminder of all that modern Britishness encompasses”

The Observer

More about your host:

                      Stefan Dickers

Stefan Dickers is the Special Collections and Archives Manager at Bishopsgate Institute and looks after its extensive material on London, Protest and LGBTQ+ History. He qualified as an archivist in 2001 and began at Bishopsgate Institute in 2005. Previous to this, Stefan worked in the archives of the London School of Economics and Senate House Library.

Link:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/suresh-the-cockney-sikh-from-east-ham-tickets-108782988848

Suresh Singh, The Cockney Sikh wearing Jazzy Tank Top for nearly half a century.

Suresh Singh ( London,UK) has been wearing this tank top since 1973

Perhaps everyone has a favourite piece of clothing they have worn for years? I always admired Suresh Singh’s jazzy tank top and I was astonished when he told me he has been wearing it for nearly half a century.

Suresh’s father Joginder Singh came to London from the Punjab in 1949 and the Singh family lived at 38 Princelet St longer than any other family in Spitalfields.

Suresh Singh aged four

In our age of disposable fashion, the story of Suresh’s treasured tank top is an inspiring example of how a well made garment can be cherished for a lifetime.

“My mum made this tank top for me in 1973 when I was eleven. She had friends who all knitted and they had bits of wool left over – what you would call ‘cabbage’ –  so mum collected all these balls of different coloured wool. Otherwise, they would have been chucked away. She kept them in her carrier bag with her needles that she bought at Woolworths in Aldgate East. They were number ten needles.

Suresh and his mum at 38 Princelet St,London,UK

Mum said to me, ‘Suresh, I’m going to knit you a tank top.’ I never asked her because dad had taught me that I should always be patient, but I think mum saw the twinkle in my eyes and she knew I wanted one. I had asthma, so it was to keep my chest warm. She knitted it over the winter, from November to January. Mum never had the spare time to spend all day long knitting, she had to do it in bits as she went along and keep putting it away.

Mum did not follow a pattern, she just looked at me and sometimes took measurements. It started getting really huge, so I said, ‘Mum, it’s going to be too big.’ She had a sense of scale, she did not draw round me and cut a pattern. Mum never did that. She replied, ‘You’ll grow into it.’ The idea was you would slowly grow into new clothes.

When my tank top was finished, it hung down to my knees and the armholes were at my waist, but Mum was adamant I would grow into it. I loved it because it was all the rainbow colours. There was red, then yellow, then black, then pink and that really beautiful green. It was so outrageous. No other Punjabi kid had one like it. They all wore Marks & Spencer or John Collier grey nylon jumpers, but I had this piece of art. To me, it was a masterpiece. It was so beautifully made, it was mum’s pride and joy. When I wore it, people would exclaim, ‘That tank top, mate, it’s classic!’ I would say, ‘Yeah, my mum made it.’ Sometimes, because it was too big, I could pull it up and tie it in a knot at the front.

Mum made it with such love that I have always kept it. Eventually, my children wore it, but I am claiming it these days. It is a one-off. What made the tank top special for mum was that she was making it for her son. People often say it is a work of art but mum never went to art school. She picked up the tradition of making something for your child. She put so much love into it and I wear it today and it is still really nice. It gives me comfort and it keeps my chest warm.

It has got swag, you know what I mean?

It fits me now.”

Suresh Singh & Jagir Kaur at 38 Princelet St,London,UK

Link:https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/06/18/suresh-singh-the-cockney-sikh-on-zoom/

Delhi ACP’s husband dies of Covid: My husband didn’t step out of the house when the lockdown started, but I went out daily because of my job… I will never be able to forgive myself.

ACP Surender Jeet Kaur with  husband Charan Jeet Singh

“My husband didn’t step out of the house when the lockdown started, but I went out daily because of my job… I will never be able to forgive myself,” said Assistant Commissioner of Delhi 

Police Surender Jeet Kaur on Tuesday, a day after her husband Charan Jeet Singh, 54, succumbed to Covid at a hospital in Delhi.

Singh, a resident of Lajpat Nagar and a businessman, is survived by his wife and their 26-year-old son who lives in Canada.

Kaur, 57, ACP (Crimes Against Women) in the South-East district of the Delhi Police, is also ACP (Covid Cell) of the district. On May 20, five days after Kaur tested positive for the virus, her husband Singh tested positive, followed by the ACP’s 80-year-old father on May 24. All of them had symptoms and while Kaur and Singh were admitted to Indraprastha Apollo hospital, her father was admitted to Max hospital in Saket. On May 26, Kaur returned home after recovering from the virus.

Kaur told The Indian Express  “I last spoke to my husband on May 22 night, when we were both admitted in the hospital in different wards. The doctor called me and said that my husband needs to be put on ventilator support. I had a video call with my husband. He was breathless and told me that his oxygen level was dropping. He showed me the monitor, the doctors in the room, and then said he was having trouble speaking and that he would send me WhatsApp messages.”

A day after he passed away, Kaur recalled the messages that Singh sent her just before being put on ventilator support. “He started sending me details of our finances, accounts… I told him to stop and asked him why he was telling me all this. He said I needed to know… Maybe he feared he wouldn’t come back. I prayed every day, at temples, mosques, churches and gurdwaras for him. I am devastated that he’s gone. We were to move to Canada to live with our son in 2023 after my retirement. We had so many plans.”

Kaur’s brother Maninder Ahluwalia said the hospital tried plasma therapy but Singh didn’t respond to the treatment.“He had diabetes and high BP, but those were always under control. We were hopeful,” he said.

The couple’s son joined on video call from Canada to watch his father’s last journey from the ambulance to the entrance of the crematorium. “My son couldn’t attend his father’s last rites because there are no flights… It’s so unfortunate,” said Kaur.

Friends and family remember Singh as a “jolly, disciplined and brave man”, while Kaur said he was the “perfect partner”. She said, “When I was an SHO-rank officer, I would work for 36 hours straight some days, and he would handle the house and our son who was growing up. I would miss family functions and important occasions but he would always go and make up for my absence. I was able to do this job for decades because of his support.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Singh was cremated in the presence of close family and members of the police fraternity. “The DCP and the Joint CP called me daily to enquire about my husband, other police officers too. I am grateful for their support. They didn’t let me feel alone for a single day,” said Kaur.

      ACP Surender Jeet Kaur with  husband Charan Jeet Singh


Link:https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-acp-husband-dies-of-covid-6462491/

UP villagers launch attack on Sikh youth; Throw his turban in sewerage

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—A painful video has emerged over social media in which a mob of Hindu residents could be seen attacking an innocent Sikh youth while disrespectfully pulling his hairs. The incident occurred in village Sherpur of Uttar Pradesh on June 14.

Sources have informed that two Sikh youths were passing through village Sherpur on June 14 when their car suddenly touched the car of another youth who is learned to be a resident of the same village.

Following this, heated exchange of arguments occurred between the duo sides after which the local village youth called his clan members to dominate over Sikh youths.

At this, one of these Sikh youths took out his Kirpan to defend himself, but the locals called up police cops.

When police cops reached there, another Sikh youth went for verbal talk to settle down the quarrel, but the villagers launched attack on him in the presence of cops. The attackers removed his turban and threw it in nearby open sewerage. They also pulled hairs of Sikh youth during this attack.

After this incident, a wave of outrage spread across the Sikh community living in nearby areas. On June 15, local Sikhs of Gajraula and Dhanaura staged a protest outside the local police station seeking indictment of attackers.

Till date, there is no information about any action against these attackers.

Link:https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/17/up-villagers-launch-attack-on-sikh-youth-throw-his-turban-in-sewerage/#.XunhIZozbIV

Haryana: Amid corona restrictions, gatka contest goes online :Dedicated to Miri-Piri Diwas to be celebrated on June 30.

 In the times of Covid, when sports activities have taken a hit, the Haryana Sikh Mission of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is organising an online gatka (Sikh martial arts) competition from June 18 to 24, dedicated to Miri-Piri Diwas to be celebrated on June 30.

The participants would be teenagers in two categories of Class V to VII and Class VIII to X, and the entry and registration can be done up to June 18, said Haryana Sikh Mission in-charge Mangpreet Singh

The competition is being organised with the efforts of SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC dharam prachar (religion propagation) committee secretary Manjit Singh, Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib manager Sukhdev Singh and Mangpreet Singh.

“Participants would have to register themselves on the mobile numbers8059121580 and 9416361984 via WhatsApp and send their videos of 2-3 minutes tenure of gatka performance up to June 24. The results will be declared at 6pm on June 30 and judges will be gatka experts and coaches,” said Mangpreet.

“The concept of Miri-Piri was introduced by Guru Hargobind Sahib, who wore two swords — one symbolising worldly (political) authority and the other spiritual authority,” said Mangpreet.

“The online competition has been conceived to indulge youth in traditional martial arts for physical fitness. Participants may send videos of performance from their respective places and no one will have to visit anywhere and the same will be judged,” added Mangpreet.

Registration in-charge Satnam Singh said they had gotten 72 entries and more were expected in remaining two days. “In both categories, top five participants will be selected. They will be awarded with mementos and certificates. In the final stage, the general knowledge of participants regarding Sikh history will be checked and winners will be selected on the basis of answers,” he said.

 Link:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/amid-corona-restrictions-gatka-contest-goes-online/articleshow/76414598.cms