SANT TEJA SINGH JI considerate for the needs of others. Singh, then Assistant Professor, (1877 - 1965) later Principal, he went to pay his As a senior teacher in a premier respects to Sant Attar Singh Ji, who Sikh institute, he was required to was visiting Lahore. He found Sant Teja Singh's old name was attend Sahib regularly. internal peace by meeting and Niranjan Singh Mehta, until his To avoid bowing to the Guru Granth talking to Sant Ji. He decided to family took Amrit in 1905. He was Sahib, he decided to be there follow Sant Ji's advise and born in 1877 in village Balowali, before anybody else would come. guidance. The first lesson he district Gujranwala, , One day he had unique spiritual received was to give up ill-will or Pakistan. His father, S. Rala Singh experience which gave U-turn to his bad feelings in his mind for those was a physician. After getting the life. He intuitively felt the presence who had misbehaved with him or degree of M.A., L.L.B. in 1901, he of the Gurus, where the Guru treated him wrongly. He returned to appeared for a state level Granth Sahib was installed. He was his job only after cleaning his mind competition and was chosen for the magnetically attracted towards of all bad feelings with whomsoever coveted post of a civil officer of the and fell before the scripture he had, one of them being his step- British Raj. His love for education, like a log. Some super-power made mother. In 1905, he and his family however, brought him to the him utter the names of the Gurus took Amrit. His old name Niranjan College Amritsar in 1903 as its first and pray to God before he could Singh Mehta was changed to Teja Sikh Vice-Principal. raise his head from the floor. Singh.

The young man was non-religious, Meeting a Holyman Sant Attar Singh Ji wanted to a free thinker, argumentative and a establish a school for providing critic. Because of his western style After the incidence in the Gurdwara complete education, worldly education, he never cared to listen Sahib, he lived in an unusual state knowledge amalgamated with to the Sikh Sants or other religious of mind and felt the need of going to spiritual experience. Teja Singh preachers. He lived in the material a spiritual doctor, a Sant. He paid a offered his services to teach in that world, totally forgetting the spiritual visit to Baba Sham Singh, the institute. He also thought of getting aspect of life. He did not bow to the famous musician at Harmandir training in western universities for , considering it to Sahib, Amritsar, who guided him to this great mission. Sant Ji approved be an idol worship. But he was very Sant Attar Singh Ji. After some the proposal and suggested him :- honest, sympathetic and very days in the company of Bhai Jodh 1. To retain his Khalsa form, not to When told to take off his turban and agreed to give two lectures, one on remove the turban or cut the hair put on a cap, he convinced the and Sant tradition and and enter into an argument with authorities of the requirement of the second on Indian society. The anyone about it. wearing a turban by a Sikh and got professor advised the dates of the their permission to keep it while lectures for information of the 2. To establish Gurdwara Sahibs. attending classes. general public as well. Among the 10,000 audience, there were 3. To tell western society that ridhi- Later, more came there and students, professors, citizens, sidhi (miracle powers) are of no they started holding regular Sikh social leaders and press reporters. significance, the stage of self- Sangats on Sundays. To organize realization is far beyond it. them formally, Khalsa , British These lectures not only recognized Isles was founded. Teja Singh who had hardly FOREIGN VISIT, FIRST PHASE : completed his twenties as a scholar but also raised the image of the USA : Before completing the sixth Sikh faith in the west. About a UK : In 1906, Teja Singh reached and final term at Cambridge, the dozen of European-Americans met UK and joined London University pre-destined program made him to him to express their great College for the degree of Doctor of move to the Columbia University, satisfaction and wanted him to give Science. As advised by his mentor, New York, USA, where he was a weekly discourse to their group of he attended the University while awarded a scholarship. One day, 100 persons. The attendance wearing his turban. He wished other when Kippling's poetry was being during the lectures doubled very Sikhs there to also retain their long discussed in the class and the soon. During the discourses, they hair and turban. Pointing to his teacher made observation about his realized the truth of the Nanak's turban, one day, a friend remarked, character. Teja Singh differed with message that ridhi-sidhi is not the "you can wear your turban only him and gave his own evaluation of path for realization of the goal of here. At Cambridge, all are required the author. These daring and very human life. They mentioned to Teja to wear a cap and a gown. How can correct observations of him gave a Singh that they were earlier mislead one wear a turban there?" During great surprise to the teacher. After by an Indian Sadhu. the next term, Teja Singh got the class, he called Teja Singh to admission at Cambridge, becoming his office and asked him to give a CANADA : The two lectures were the first student with a turban there. public discourse on Indian life. He covered well by the newspapers in North America. A well-wisher of the by his European audience. Their unfolded later, his visit was not just Sikhs read the news in Vancouver, representatives requested him to to help Mr. Crawford in need but British Columbia, Canada and continue his weekly discourses on also to save 10,000 Indians from talked about it with Bhai Balwant the mission of Guru Nanak. Mr. being pushed out of Canada (to Singh, the Granthi Ji of the T.C. Crawford got very deeply Honduras), where they had made Gurdwara Sahib. The Indians, interested in the Sikh faith and their homes with hard work. mostly Sikhs, were in trouble and started regular meditation. He were thinking of inviting a scholar almost daily visited Teja Singh Ji to SERVING SIKHS IN CANADA from to help them. They discuss some spiritual topics with immediately approached Teja Singh him. To the surprise of Teja Singh Teja Singh Ji met a Canadian Ji. On getting an urgent invitation Ji, one day he came early in the passenger on the train, on his way from Canadian Sikhs, he left for morning and stated his problem like to Vancouver, who told him, " Mr., Vancouver. this, " Over a time, I built my right to Singh, a big misfortune is looming be a share holder of a gold mine in large on the Sikhs in Canada. By After the morning in the Jacksonville California. My friends making one or the other excuse, Vancouver Gurdwara Sahib on who have turned unfaithful to me, Canadian government is planning Sunday, Teja Singh Ji gave a want to deprive me of that. I need to pack them all in a ship and discourse and explained the $50,000 to retain my ownership of dispatch them to Honduras in South message of Guru Nanak to the mine. In exchange, I can America. It is a very bad land, humanity. After the function, he was transfer one-fourth share of the gold infested with yellow fever and introduced to all the Sikhs mine to the Sikhs. I have been without any employment assembled there who invited him to intuitively told during my meditation opportunities. You, a scholar and a their houses. These home visits that only you can help me." lawyer, can save them from that made him feel closer to the Sikh misery. I wish you to help your Sangats, understand their strengths Teja Singh Ji could not say "no" to fellow brothers." and know their difficulties. Before such a devotee of the Guru. He the summer vacation ended, he thought of Sikh brothers in This time an unexpected arrival of returned to Columbia, New York, for Vancouver, British Columbia, for Professor Teja Singh Ji in completing his studies. this project. He suspended his Vancouver was a pleasant surprise studies and the very next day he to everyone in the Gurdwara Sahib. His return was more than welcome left for Vancouver. As the matters After praying and reading a hymn from Guru Granth Sahib to get the persons, Doctor Knapp and Mrs. blessing of the Almighty, the Sikh Professor Teja Singh Ji assured Campbell Johnson became leaders discussed the situation from them, "The Almighty is on their side devotees of Guru Nanak. all aspects. They explained their as revealed just now by the hymn problems in the following words, read from Guru Granth Sahib. BY-LAWS DRAFTING : "The government is throwing Maybe the Almighty wanted me to baseless blames on our community. serve the Sikhs that this Professor Teja Singh Ji drafted and They say that we have no jobs and unexpected visit to Canada was finalized the rules, regulations and no other sources to support us. Our arranged according to His Will." by-laws of the Khalsa Diwan living is not clean. Actually they are Guided by Teja Singh, Sikhs Society, Vancouver and the jealous of us. We have contributed approved to register a Mining and organization was got registered in about $20,000 to build our Trust Co. and purchase land for BC He also drafted by-laws for the Gurdwara Sahib and have joint building Guru Nanak town. They Guru Nanak Mining and Trust Co. langars to feed any needy person. agreed to buy one-fourth share of and it was got registered within a All of us earn a good living. We live the gold mine in Jacksonville and week. With the assistance of Dr. well and take our bath everyday sent money to Mr. Crawford. They Knapp, a real estate man, a block while they don't take shower for also decided that lectures should be of 250 acres near Eagle Harbour days together." arranged to tell people about the was purchased for $25,000. A down truth regarding Sikhs in Canada payment of $10,000 was made for " A week ago, a Commissioner from and expose the fake propaganda that bargain. The stipulated money Ottawa took Bhai Satnagar Singh made by the Canadian government $15,000 was also sent to Mr. and Bhai Sham Singh Dogra with against their community. Crawford. him to Honduras. With his influence and wrong pressure, he will get a A couple of lectures were delivered After doing all this, a big gathering fake report signed by them that in a week which were published in of the people was held in Honduras is a good country. They the newspapers. This built a correct Vancouver and they were informed will use that report to rope us all image of the Sikh community. Many about the firm position of the Sikhs and ship us like sheep to that European also got interested in in Canada. Their strong financial country. Our Gurdwara Sahib learning more about the message strength was made public. This sent building will be taken over by them of Guru Nanak for humanity. a wave of good image of the Sikhs and the Sikhs flag uprooted." Among them two important not only in the province of British Columbia but also through out about the adverse conditions in the Hall to listen to his Canada and the world. The fake Honduras and told them that some report. During this dialogue outside propaganda made by the Canadian Indians already there want to go the Gurdwara Sahib, the Sikhs government against the Sikhs was back to their motherland but do not inside shouted their routine slogan, thus exposed. have sufficient money to pay for "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal". On their return fare. After listening to hearing that slogan, the (Later on, before leaving California, them, Sikhs passed a resolution Commissioner taken aback and left Teja Singh Ji also prepared by-laws that they would stay in Canada and the place. Dr. Knapp followed him for the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan fight all the legal battles for their and told him that the function was Society and got it registered. This rights. over, the Sikhs were in the Langar was done to avoid any problems Hall and he could read his later in building more Gurdwara This obviously upset the Canadian Sahibs or conducting Gurmat government. They wanted the Sikhs teachings in the state.) to listen to the report of the report to them. The Commissioner Commissioner before making any returned and the Sikhs told him, decision. The Sikhs agreed to that. "You may read your report and we HONDURAS EPISODE : When the Commissioner came, he will listen to it. The response to your was told to take off his shoes and report will be discussed by us in the It was during this favorable wave for join the congregation in the Darbar presence of Guru Granth Sahib the Sikhs that Satnagar Singh and Hall of the Gurdwara Sahib. His upstairs and the decision will be Sham Singh returned from associates advised him not to go in taken there". The Commissioner did Honduras. The environment had lest the Indians get displeased not agree with it and left the place become so much favorable for the because of the desecration of their without reading his report. community that they dared to temple (Gurdwara Sahib) by the disregard the Canadian government entry of a white man. On hearing The Canadian government played pressure on them. Further, the this, Dr. Knapp was sent to tell him another card to send the Sikhs to Almighty so arranged that the that about 50 white people like him South America. They called the Commissioner went direct to were already sitting inside the Governor of Honduras to Ottawa leaving the two Sikhs free to temple and he too was welcome. Vancouver to motivate the Sikhs by tell truth to their fellow brothers. However, the Commissioner going to their houses and seeing They explained to the community wanted the Sikhs to come down in their living conditions with his own eyes. He submitted a faithful report, In Victoria when the party reached for building a Gurdwara Sahib. "Whatever Professor Teja Singh a Sikh place, they found the group stated is true but his words were busy drinking alcohol. To avoid On high land, a good plot was harsh. Sikhs are doing very well in them and to leave them alone, Bhai purchased through Mr. Robert W. B.C. and no one is willing to leave Balwant Singh Ji decided to go to Clark, a real estate agent. His wife the place. If they are forcefully another Sikh house. However, arranged public lectures by Teja shifted to Honduras, 50,000 Sikh Professor Teja Singh Ji decided to Singh Ji in a big hall in the city. soldiers in British Army may protest stay at the very place. The host Many Europeans started loving the and create a serious problem which Sikhs gladly provided all the Sikh doctrines. Mrs. Clark got two may require 200,000 white men to services for the stay of the visiting pamphlets written by Professor Teja control them." This report was the party. Next day, during the morning Singh Ji about Guru Nanak Dev Ji fatal blow to the Canadian congregation, Teja Singh Ji gave and Ji. She government plan to expel the his usual sermon. He wished that printed 10,000 copies of each Indians from Canada. Sikhs having come that far from pamphlet and sent them to different their homes should prove to be cities in Canada, America and AMRIT PARCHAR IN NORTH jewels of the Guru and not be a Europe. AMERICA : cause to bring the Guru a bad name by their improper and un-Sikh After this successful visit to the Spreading the message of Guru like behaviour. After listening to Vancouver-Island, the group went Nanak and making it to reach the him, about 15-20 Sikhs decided to to the Sikhs in Washington, Oregon heart of the Sikhs living in North change the course of their lives and (Portland) and California states in America was the next project wanted to take Amrit, which was U.S.A. Lectures were given at all undertaken by Professor Teja Singh administered to them on that very these places to the Sikhs and Amrit Ji. Along with Bhai Balwant Singh Ji day. They were also suggested that was administered to many of them. (the Granthi Ji) and his associates, being residents of the capital city Visit to California state was Teja Singh Ji first undertook a tour they should collaborate to raise the arranged by Bhai Partap Singh Ji to Victoria and the Pacific coast. He Sikh flag in the city. Their response (later Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib, was to give discourses on Sikh faith was quick, "if you join us, we will Amritsar) working there. and to motivate the Sikhs to take contribute money right now." Amrit. Professor Teja Singh Ji agreed and On returning to Vancouver BC, Bhai every Sikh gave one month's pay Balwant Singh Ji told the success stories of Amrit Parchar tour to the A BOLT FROM THE BLUE : The Sikhs in London agreed to buy Sikh Sangat, during formal and a building for the Gurdwara Sahib. informal talks. These reports After all these developments, it Before any action could be started, motivated more Canadian Sikhs to looked that no outside force could an urgent letter along with money take Amrit. Accordingly, the Jatha do any harm to Sikh community. for return ticket was received from was invited to Port Moody, Millside, They were enjoying a great political Vancouver requiring Teja Singh Ji Abbotsford and many other places image and having good financial to reach there immediately. He left for Amrit Parchar sessions. A large status. However, the plans of the London without a second thinking. number of Sikhs having got into the Almighty are strange and the Khalsa Fold, the need of having beyond the comprehension of we SERVICES TO THE WORLD their registered organization was humans. During this good image of PEACE : strongly felt by everyone. Rules, the Sikhs, a bolt from the blue regulations and by-laws of the struck them. Comfortable life After landing at New York, he Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver without fear of being ousted from reached Chicago on his way to were finalized by Professor Teja Canada became the cause of Vancouver. There he met Rev. Singh Ji and the organization was mutual bickering among the Sikhs. Jenken Lloyed Jones, Lord Bishop got registered in B.C. The unity of the community was of the largest Unitarian Church of broken, they started splitting into Chicago, who organized the first When these reports of the Amrit groups opposing one another. Parliament of Worlds Religions in Parchar in Canada reached U.S.A., 1893. They exchanged views on more Sikhs in California and around Internal conflicts in the community various aspects of spiritual life. Teja got prepared to take Amrit. They very much disappointed Teja Singh Singh Ji explained the mission of invited Professor Teja Singh Ji Ji and directed his thoughts inward. Guru Nanak and the Sikh again to visit U.S.A. The second He was reminded of his pending philosophy for obtaining divine visit also turned out to be very duty in U.K. Sant Attar Singh Ji had peace. Rev. Jones was so much successful. It helped many Sikhs to advised him to build a Gurdwara inspired by the talk that he got up join the Khalsa Panth and enjoy the Sahib in London. Accordingly he left from his chair, warmly shook hands self-esteem by being an Amritdhari Vancouver to go there. He called a with him and exclaimed, "Brother Sikh. meeting of old friends, students and Teja Singh, Light shall come again other Sikhs for discussing the from the East. We in the West are Gurdwara Sahib project with them. quite unfit for it." Before they parted, he invited Teja Singh Ji to the In the formal meeting, Teja Singh Ji $15,000 taken from them. He was Congress of Free Christianity and was told that the auditor suspects sorry to do that because he wanted Religious Progress in Berlin, misuse of funds by him and that Sikhs to build a university with the Germany. The Professor agreed to was a reason that he was called to income from the mine and preach go there to participate in that Vancouver. Teja Singh Ji wanted the mission of Guru Nanak. The assembly. During his discourse public audit of all the accounts 250 acre land near the harbour, regarding the message of Guru immediately to satisfy the Sikh now worth billions of dollars was Nanak to observe the same holy community of his honest handling of also sold by the new members of spirit in every human being for the funds. In the presence of the the committee. Had the Sikhs bringing peace on earth, a German Sangat, office bearers of the remained united and kept these philosopher got up and interrupted company and the appointed auditor, properties, the Canadians would his lecture saying loudly, "This is all account books were checked have treated them with great the thing that we want." and the results recorded, both in respect, later during the Komagata English and Punjabi, so that Maru incident. (This lesson needs everybody could later examine the to be learnt even today. For HONOR VINDICATED : details by himself. The result personal whims or for individual approved by the auditor gains, some Sikhs sacrifice the On reaching Vancouver, he found embarrassed Raja Singh and his image of the whole community). that the European auditors, jealous associates. He signed the final of the success of Guru Nanak statement saying, "He is a juggler", GURDWARA SAHIB IN LONDON : Mining and Trust Co., took and making everybody laugh at his advantage of mutual bickering remarks. This ill-motivated Returning to London, Akhand Path among the Sikhs. Secretary Raja allegation, when found to be false, was recited for obtaining the Singh joined hands with the auditor. raised the image and respect of blessing of the Almighty before However, Bhai Bhag Singh Ji, even Professor Teja Singh Ji to new raising the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh when pressurized repeatedly to join boundaries. flag) on the Gurdwara Sahib them, stuck to his own independent building. Teja Singh Ji had desired judgment. He refused to sign a Because of lack of mutual faith and to purchase a freehold plot, but charge sheet alleging bungling of understanding, gold mine shares there were some individuals who accounts by Teja Singh Ji. were withdrawn. Mr. Crawford did not agree with it. They did not returned $19,000 to the Sikhs for have sufficient faith in the Guru to be sure of the contributions needed Vancouver B.C., Canada had been Bliso Perry, his teacher, came to his for purchasing that building inspite received by them and he could not house and gave him the required of the fact that a good amount of be permitted to rejoin for the money saying, "When one studies money had already been degree. Having been given a firm in foreign land, such problems do contributed for the Gurdwara Sahib. "No" by the University, he came to come. Here are $60, whenever you Further, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Columbia, New York, U.S.A. to have them, you pay them to any of Patiala promised Rs. 1,25,000 continue his studies for completing needy student". Finally, in 1911 out of which he paid 1,000 pounds his degree. The same response Teja Singh Ji obtained his degree on the spot. The Sikhs instead was obtained from there. Rather, he as desired by Sant Attar Singh Ji decided to have a building on lease was told that because of his political and reached California for returning for 60 years for the Gurdwara Sahib activities in North America, the to India via Japan. which needed smaller investment. degree would not be granted to him even if he completed the study POST - STUDY SERVICES After this assignment was requirements. GURDWARA SAHIB IN completed, Teja Singh Ji was STOCKTON : reminded by his friends that he was While still in India, Professor Teja to obtain a degree from some Singh Ji had applied to the Harvard Some more sewa was to be taken western institute before returning to University in Massachusetts and his from Professor Teja Singh Ji by the India. The Sikhs wanted him to application had been accepted. He Almighty. In California, he met Baba devote his time to earn a degree reached there and joined for A.M. Baisakha Singh Ji and Baba Jawala before undertaking any other degree in English Literature. He Singh Ji, the famous Gadri Babas. responsibility. All of them together was admitted there probably During his Sunday discourse there, got "yes" for this, from him. because no information about the about two dozen Sikhs decided to services rendered by him to the take Amrit. Actually, his lectures ACADEMIC STUDIES : Sikh community was sent there. He started a wave of devotion to the had many financial problems but Guru among the Sikhs living there. Teja Singh Ji approached the the grace of God and his faith in Observing high spirits of the Sikhs, Cambridge University authorities for Him pulled him through. For the Teja Singh Ji suggested raising of permission to complete the last second trimester, he had no money the Sikh flag in Sacramento. It was term for his degree. He was told to pay his fees and he was barred agreed by all and immediately that the report of his activities in from attending classes. Professor contributions were made for purchasing the land. A plot having a conducting Gurmat teachings in the arranged in a public hall and all good house and a wind mill for state. people were welcome to it. To an pumping water was purchased for audience of more than 10,000 white $3,400. Later by spending another DEPUTATION TO OTTAWA : people, Teja Singh Ji explained the $20,000 a very respectable building history of great empires and their was constructed for the Gurdwara The Sikhs in Vancouver told him fall. He told them that the justice to Sahib. Langar sewa was started that all things were fine with them the people is the keystone of any there, the advantage of which was but they were not allowed to bring empire, once shaken, it destroyed also taken by many Europeans. At their spouses and children from the whole structure. The same thing many other places, his Jatha was India. After consulting the Sikhs, a would happen to the British Empire, invited for administering Amrit to the deputation including Rev. L.W. Hall, if it continued to ignore the just Sikhs there. a Roman Catholic Priest, very much demand of their subjects. The sympathetic to the Sikhs, was lecture was covered in the press Baba Jawala Singh Ji got a big chosen for going to Ottawa and which supported the right of the farm. With the income of this land, convincing the Canadian Sikh residents to call their family he founded some scholarships for government to be fair to the Sikhs. members to Canada. This was later higher studies in the University of The government made many approved when Maharaja California. It was agreed to found a excuses to deny the demand of the Bhupinder Singh of Patiala raised Gurdwara Sahib at Burckley too. Sikhs but all their arguments were this point during an Empire For getting the blessings of the proved to be baseless and hollow. Conference in London. Almighty, Guru Granth Sahib Though the minister was convinced recitation was started before raising of the genuineness of the demand GURDWARA SAHIB VICTORIA, the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag) but he did not concede it because B.C. : there. However, an urgent letter, of the undeclared policy of keeping again from Vancouver, made him to Indians (majority Sikhs) out of The Sikhs in Victoria had already go there. Before leaving California, Canada. purchased land for the Gurdwara Teja Singh Ji prepared by-laws for Sahib. They took advantage of the the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Therefore it was decided to educate visit of Professor Teja Singh Ji and Society and got it registered. This Canadian people about the injustice approached him to help them was done to avoid any problem done to the Sikhs by their construct the Gurdwara Sahib. He later in building more or government. An open lecture was agreed to undertake that holy responsibility. He got the design "On watching the carriage and the near Sangrur. approved and the estimates of the Sikhs moving, I felt the spirit of the expenditure made. The construction Guru managing all that and being SPIRITUAL TRAINING : work was undertaken and the there among the Sikhs". Prominent Gurdwara Sahib was ready in a articles and reports were published Having obtained the worldly couple of months. about this function in Victoria and education from the West, Professor Vancouver newspapers. It was Teja Singh Ji underwent a spiritual NAGAR KIRTAN IN VICTORIA mentioned to be a procession of its course during 1913 through 1916 (Sikh Parade) : own kind, never seen earlier in the under the direct guidance of Sant history of Canada. Attar Singh Ji. He passed all the Professor Teja Singh Ji thought of hard physical, mental and spiritual installing the Guru Granth Sahib BACK TO INDIA : examinations to qualify for his there with a grand befitting function. blessings and the grace of the Accordingly a huge and well After thus completing the mission Almighty. Details related to this organized procession was planned. assigned to him by Sant Attar Singh period may be read from Jiwan There were about 5,000 Sikhs in Ji, Teja Singh Ji returned to India. Katha Sant Attar Singh Ji. Briefly it uniform moving four abreast and may be mentioned that he sold his singing hymns. Guru Granth Sahib On his way back, he visited house and offered his all, Tan, Man was gracefully positioned on a well different places in Japan, Shanghai, and Dhan to the Sant Ji. Teja Singh decorated six-wheel horse-drawn Hong Kong, Malaya, etc. Ji, (earlier Niranjan Singh Mehta), carriage. Teja Singh Ji with a sword Thousands of people welcomed was then loved and respected as rode on a horseback. At three him on all the sea ports. He gave Sant Teja Singh Ji double M.A. intersections, the procession halted discourses at every place he and lectures were given by the visited. His lectures were well In India too, he served people Professor to a large gatherings attended and they rekindled the under the direction of Sant Attar there. It took five hours for the deep love of the Sikhs for their faith. Singh Ji. In 1917, he founded Guru procession to reach Gurdwara Many Sikhs took Amrit. Nanak Khalsa College Gujranwala, Sahib, passing through important now in Pakistan. He continued to be streets of Victoria. Mrs. Clark, a He landed at Calcutta from where its Principal till 1919, when he was devotee of the Gurus, was very he proceeded direct to pay homage told by Sant Attar Singh Ji to start a much fascinated by it. She said, to Sant Attar Singh Ji at Mastuana Teachers Training College at Benaras Hindu University, as FOREIGN VISITS, SECOND and getting a Gurdwara Sahib built requested by Pandit Madn Mohan PHASE : there. In 1956, while returning from Malvya. In 1920, he was called from the West, he visited Japan. There there to manage Akal College Sant Teja Singh Ji again took three he gave a lecture, "The Way to Mastuana. tours to western lands. In 1952-53, Establish Permanent Peace" at the he along with a Jatha of three Eighth Congress of World Religion In , now in Pakistan, he Sikhs, paid a visit to the Eastern for Peace, organized by the Ananai- founded Khalsa High School Kallar. countries on the invitation of the Kyo at Shimizu. He did sewa for the construction of Sikhs there. The group went to a Gurdwara Sahib at Kanoha, also Bangkok, Malaya, Singapore and now in Pakistan. At Cheema, the many other places where the Sikhs SANT ATTAR HARI SADHU birth place of Sant Attar Singh Ji, a had successfully established ASHRAM : Gurdwara Sahib, a Gurmat school themselves. and a Kirtan Training Centre were He passed away in July, 1965. also established. A large number of In 1954, he visited African countries Before his death, he founded in rooms, he got built at Gurdwara where Sikhs had moved in large 1957, Sant Attar Hari Sadhu Paonta Sahib, which became handy numbers. He gave famous Ashram, Baru, about 20 kilometers to accommodate the refugees discourses in all important cities from Rajgarh, Himachal Pradesh. A coming from Pakistan in 1947. A and many Sikhs motivated by his trust was registered to manage the school was also built there along speeches took Amrit. institute. Akal Academy is being run with the Gurdwara Sahib building. there under the guidance of Baba His visit during 1955-56 to U.K., Iqbal Singh Ji. Sant Teja Singh Ji spent his whole Canada and U.S.A. is still in the life giving discourses in schools, memory of many Sikhs. He gave colleges and Gurdwaras, discourses on the mission of Guru particularly in the rural areas, Nanak Dev Ji and motivated many motivating Sikhs to take Amrit and Sikhs to join the Khalsa Panth. get on the Ship of Guru Nanak. Gurdwara Sahib Victoria Sangat gave him a formal welcome because he was the major force behind the organization of the Sikhs