DOCSLIB.ORG

Of the SIKH IDEAIS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Of the SIKH IDEAIS PRACTICAT UTITITY of THE SIKH IDEAIS Prof. TARAN SINGH, u.e. FOREWORD Professor Taran Singh, Professor of Divinity, Khalsa College, Amritsar (India), visited Mataya in August, 1956, at the special request of Sikh Missionary Society Malaya on behalf of Sikhs residing in this country. During his lecture tour from Penang to Singapore he also extended invitations to Sikh Youths to meet hitn in groups in every town and have friendly discussions to clarify their doubts on points concerning Sikhisn-r. We are pleased to say that several such gatherings took place throughout Malaya and Singapore which proved very useful indeed. Most of the questions asked in different shapes and shades at the meetings referred to above have been answered briefly in the following pages. This tract, though primarily intended for Sikh Youths, will also enlighten readers of other races to further their knowledge on Sikhism. We earnestly hope that our youths wiU read this booklet with open minds. If any further doubts arise, let them search the Sikh literature or write to the Sikh Missionary Society Malaya. An endeavour will be made to answer their questions. Once we know our scriptures, our religion, our past history, and finaliy ourselves, all complexes will fade away. The motto of the Sikh Youth should be: ..KNOW fI{YSELF.'' BHAG SINGH, Printed at Singapore, President, Star Pl'ess Ltd.. 71, Selcgie Roacl, Sins-aporc-?. 13th April, 195?. Sikh Missionary Society Malaya. I (1) IN'TROD{ICTION A. trs Sikhisrn a clistinct religion or is it only a reformed sect? A. So far as the common definition of religion Regarding this tract, a few things may be is concerned, Sikhism is completely a clarified. distinct religion. Generally, the distinct entity of a religion depends upon the (1) Only the formal side of the Sikh religion following things all of which the Sikhs has' been discussed and that also very possess:- briefly. Mostly the right position, as I under'- (i) A Guru or a line of Gurus. (Ten stancl it, has been sta,ted without arguing. Gurus). Replies are just brief hints to set the reader (ii) A religious Book. (Their holy Book ath-inking and provide reasons for each is the Guru of the Sikhs now- position himself. their eternal Guru). (iii) Certain places of pilgrimage or (2) All comparisons have been avoided out of centres No religion, as of community. The Sikhs respect for other religions. have a number of them; the chief such, is superior to any other religion; a being 'Amritsar.' man can be superior to any other man and he may profesS any religion. (iv) Distinct Symbols. (v) Distinct cerernonies, such as the (3) No authoritativeness, much less flnality, is initiation ceremony, the marriage cla,imed in any reply. ceremony, etc, (vi) Distinct values of life or culture. (4) Rationalism and adaptability are the essen- (vii) Distinct philosophy. tial features of Sikhism. Even though, Sikhism is distinct in ail these respects, it has its 'kernel' common with all the religions. Development of an TARAN SINGH ideal personality of the man is the object of all religions. The basic ethical and (2) (3) moral virtues are the same in all. The religious should go. Study real truth in all is the same. Sikhism has 1lways life minutely and symbols ar-e no quarrel with any other religion, ethic- serving philosophically a great purpose every ally, or culturally. It will where by denoting larger hidden tolerate no aggressiveness upon itself and meanings in smaller space. Reli- it will not be aggressive upon others. Jt gious syrnbols denote believes in peaceful co-existence. the type of character the wearer should have. a. What is the importanee of Sy'mbols in (ii) The symbols, thus, always-him. keep the religion? ideal of man before They are a constant reminder. He is A. The aim of religion is to give the ideal of aware of the fact standard personality mankind and to that some to definite type of 'behaviour' is help achieve that by giving physical, expected from him. psychological, political social aids. This sense and works as a deterrent factor and Symbols are also an aid, mostly psycho- does not allow the follower logical. to falt. (iii) It is so clear that the symbols (i) Symbols, not only play a great part organize the followers and infuse in moral and spiritual attainment what is called 'esprit de corps' in of man, but they also play a great them. United, *e can a,ihieve part in general life too. SYmbols many things and even get manv are used in all sciences to denote wrongs, social or political or certain bigger things. MilitarY economic, righted. Whatever badges, flags, etc. are no more brings the ideal near falls in the than symbols. The sign of a 'Red scope of religion. Secular side js Cross' is a svmbol. The 'arrows' a part of teligion, if not the whole on the maps, the mile stones, etc. of it. are also symbols. The letters of 1iv) Th_ey infuse a sense of physical alphabets and even the words of discipline in man which leads language are fact symbols. to a in moral discipline. Discipline is a So one prejudice that symbols are method of doing things,'and what (4) (5) we call character is also a method var). The ethical standard required of of doing things. the Sikh is also the same. Meriy is the mother of all (Jap So the symbols can never be dispensed virtues Ji). with at any stage. a. What service have the symbols done to a. Did Guru Nanak Dw (the first Guru) not Sikhism? begin by condernming the syrnbols? A, The _symbols have cultural and political Perhaps, in the Jap Ji, Asa-di-var and values also, besides their ethiCal and other hynins, mostly, addressed spiritual values. to"e"t"itt the yogis by Guru Nanak Dev, the I (i) Guru Gobind Singh's chief point effort does not seem to be that of con- regarding the significance of Guru demning the symbols;- rather, it was that Teg Bahadur's martyrdom is that of mak"ing the wearers of the s-ymbois he saved the Hindu culture by aware of- the behaviour expected from dying for their 'tilak' and ,Janju' them. Always, his effort has been to (Vide .. Bachittar Natak). terms the interpret the symbols in of (ii) Political slavery of India had de- inner culture. prived the Indians of any military It is very interesting to see that he tradition. The Sikh symbols are has given a common interpretation of of military nature, especially the ethical virtues to the sy.mbols of different 'kirpan' (sr,vord) and ,kachh' sects of religions. Religion, as such, is t (shorts of a special cut). Thus, universal. they defied t the wishes or the laws Contentment, modestY, self resPect, of the then Government and conquest of heart (vide Jap Ji-xxviii) t organised the masses militarily. are the virtues required by the yogic ', This defi4nce weakened the Gov- symbols; Mercy, Contentment (see ernment by lowering its prestige. Asa-di-var-xv) are the virtues requir- This was a political achievement. ed by the Hindu Janeu,-their chief (iii) The best pa,rt of the Sikh tradition symbol; and Mercy, faith, righf earning lies in their spirit of sacrifice. For of the Muslim symbols (vide Majh-ki- their beliefs, they can break but (6) (7) not bend. Thousands suffered feature of the Khalsa in the death for their distinctive marks world. or symbols. This gave them the (2) Excepting the 'Kara,' (steel bangle), spirit of sacrifice. the value of which is emotional, (iv) The present feeling of 'panth' (Sikh all symbols have their utility. Organisation) is based on com- They are of practical value. mon symbols, common Guru, (3) Sometimes (verses I it is said that the common 'Bani' in the holy 'Keshas' carrse inconvenience to Book-the Granth and Sahib), I man. With some stretch of imagi- common ideals. nation, one can easily understand a. What are the peculiarities of Sikh Symbols? that daily shaving of hair and beards is much more inconvenient. A. I do not wish to enter into any odious comparisons. a. Are_ the Sikhs not Iooked down upon for I, therefore, barely state the case of their 'Keshas' and beard? Sikh symbols only. Perhaps the following A. My reply to this question is a positive ,NO.' features make them the ideal type of (1) A man of character is never looked symbols:- down upon in any society, no (1) The most important symbol of the matter whatever external appear- Khalsa, as ordained by Guru ance he has. If anywhere the Gobind Singh himself, is the - Sikhs are looked down upon, it is 'Keshas' (long hair). One who because they do not come up to removes the 'Keshas' falls from I the expectations related to their Sikhism but not so in case of symbols. other symbols. This symbol is a I (2) Of the Sikhs, in foreign land.s, natural gift is . ^and .a -permanent individuals are respected; but as companion of man; it has not to a community they may not be be purchased nor can it get much respected, for the lapses separated of its own accord or by large number of individuals among accident. It is the most distinct them show, or the bad. associa-- (8) (e) tions which people of a particular to form a determination, hardlY land, may have. begin leading such a life. (3) Certain temptations in foreign lands (4) Discipline of any type can, first, lead the Sikhs astray.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Your Voice in the Community Since 2006
    www.ipohecho.com.my FREE COPY IPOH Your Voiceechoecho In The Community Since 2006 October 1 - 15, 2016 PP 14252/10/2012(031136) 30 SEN FOR DELIVERY TO YOUR DOORSTEP – ISSUE ASK YOUR NEWSVENDOR 244 100,000 print readers 2,315,636 online hits in August By A. Jeyaraj Pics by Luqman Hakim Gurdwaraspoh Echo has been featuring a series of articles on places of worship of the major In Ipoh religions and this issue covers the prominent gurdwaras in Ipoh. I A gurdwara meaning 'door to the Guru' is the place of worship for Sikhs. People from all faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in Sikh gurdwaras. Each gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib which refers to the main hall within a Sikh gurdwara where the current and everlasting Guru of the Sikhs, the holy scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is placed on a Takhat (an elevated throne) in a prominent central position. A gurdwara can be identified from a distance by the tall flagpole bearing the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag. Continued on page 2 Gurdwara Sahib Greentown Central Sikh Temple Gurdwara Sahib Bercham Gurdwara Sahib Buntong 2 October 1 - 15, 2016 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community Gurdwaras: a focal point for all Sikh religious, cultural and community activities erak, where most of the early Sikhs settled, and wherever there were Sikhs, a gurdwara was sure to follow, has the most number of gurdwaras with 42 out of a Gurdwara Sahib Greentown, Jalan Hospital Ptotal of 119 in Malaysia. The Gurdwara Sahib Greentown is situated on a hilltop and commands a majestic view of the surroundings.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report of the Sikh Advisory Board for the Period November 2018 to October 2019
    <> siqgur pRswid SIKH ADVISORY BOARD (Statutory Board Established Under Ministry of Community Development) 2, Towner Road #03-01, Singapore 327804 Telephone: (65)9436 4676 (Malminderjit Singh, Secretary, SAB) Email: [email protected] Annual Report of the Sikh Advisory Board for the period November 2018 to October 2019 1. Meetings of the Sikh Advisory Board (SAB or Board) The Board, which has been appointed to serve a three-year term from November 2017 to October 2020, met for its second year of quarterly meetings as scheduled in 2019 on 13 February, 22 May, 14 August and 6 November. 2. Major Items discussed or addressed by the Board 2.1. Proposed Amendments to the SAB Rules Proposed amendments regarding a more equitable representation of the structure of the community and sustainability and diversity of the Board were submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) for consideration and final approval. The proposed amendments to increase the representation for the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board (CSGB) and the Gurdwara Sahib Yishun – from one to two members each - to ensure parity with other Gurdwaras, will remain. The MCCY asked the SAB to reword sections of the amendments with specific reference to diversity and gender. The MCCY advised the SAB to consider such amendments to be a part of any best practices guidelines rather than to be incorporated into the rules and regulations of the SAB as that will give the SAB more flexibility to review its diversity needs as and when needed. The revised document is now pending the Minister’s approval. If approved, the SAB will have 17 members on the Board when the new term begins in November 2020 instead of the current 15.
    [Show full text]
  • Singapore 2019 International Religious Freedom Report
    SINGAPORE 2019 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution, laws, and policies provide for religious freedom, subject to restrictions relating to public order, public health, and morality. The government continued to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church). The government restricted speech or actions it perceived as detrimental to “religious harmony.” In October parliament passed legislation (not yet in effect at year’s end) that will allow the minister of home affairs to take immediate action against individuals deemed to have insulted a religion or to have incited violence or feelings of enmity against a religious group. The same bill will limit foreign funding to, leadership of, and influence over, local religious organizations. There is no legal provision for conscientious objection to military service, including on religious grounds. Jehovah’s Witnesses reported 11 conscientious objectors remained detained at year’s end. The government continued to ban all religious processions on foot, except for those of three Hindu festivals, including Thaipusam, and it reduced restrictions on the use of live music during Thaipusam. Authorities cancelled a concert by Swedish band Watain after public complaints that the group was offensive towards Christians and Jews. Authorities banned a foreign clergyman from preaching in Singapore after he refused to return to the country for a police investigation into anti-Muslim comments he had reportedly made at a Christian evangelical conference in 2018. The government made multiple high-level affirmations of the importance of religious harmony and respect for religious differences, including in June during a 1,000-person international conference it had organized to discuss religious diversity and cohesion in diverse societies.
    [Show full text]
  • LI-DISSERTATION-2015.Pdf
    Copyright by Wai Chung LI 2015 The Dissertation Committee for Wai Chung LI Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: The Sikh Gurmat Sangīt Revival in Post-Partition India Committee: Stephen Slawek, Supervisor Andrew Dell’Antonio Gordon Mathews Kamran Ali Robin Moore Veit Erlmann The Sikh Gurmat Sangīt Revival in Post-Partition India by Wai Chung LI, MPhil. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2015 Acknowledgements I would like to thank the following individual and parties for making this project possible. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and respect to Professor Stephen Slawek, who always enlightens me with intellectual thoughts and personal advice. I would also like to thank other members of my doctoral committee, including Professor Andrew Professor Dell’Antonio, Professor Gordon Mathews, Professor Kamran Ali, Professor Robin Moore, and Professor Veit Erlmann for their insightful comments and support towards this project. I am grateful to the staff of the following Sikh temples and academic institutions where research was conducted: The Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology; The American Institute of Indian Studies, Haryana; Gurdwara Sahib Austin, Texas; Jawaddi Taksal, Ludhiana; Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road, Singapore; Khalsa Diwan (Hong Kong) Sikh Temple, Hong Kong; Punjabi University Patiala, Patiala; The Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar; and The Sikh Center, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board, Singapore. I owe a debt of gratitute to people affiliated with the Jawaddi Taksal, Ludhiana, as they made my time in India (especially Punjab) enjoyable and memorable.
    [Show full text]
  • 43\Nov 02-1\91\11\21 Address by Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok
    1 Release No.: 43\NOV 02-1\91\11\21 ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER MR GOH CHOK TONG, AT THE CENTRAL SIKH TEMPLE, AT TOWNER ROAD, ON THURSDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1991 AT 9.30 AM I am very happy to join you today on the occasion of the 523rd anniversary of Guru Nanak’s birth. Among the many wise teachings of your religious founder, I want to mention just one of his precepts which Sikhs practice constantly and are justifiably known for - that of sharing and caring or Wand Chanka. The symbolic gestures we all made when we entered the Gurdwara testify to the way of life of Sikhs - of living on one’s efforts, of caring, of giving. I would like to expand on this theme today and share with you some thoughts on the Government’s philosophy towards community self help. gct\1991\gct1121.doc 2 All communities share the common aspiration of attaining a higher standard of living. We crystallized this in 1984 by targeting to reach the Swiss standard of living then by 1999. In other words, we felt we could level up to the Swiss per capita income in 15 years. Today, our capita income is S$20,000 (1984 prices). Our economy is expected to grow by about six per cent per year over the next few years. At this rate we can achieve our income target of S$30,000 (1984 prices) per capita by 1999. This income is the average for the country. Some will earn more than this, while others less.
    [Show full text]
  • Giro Donation Form
    CENTRAL SIKH GURDWARA BOARD – GIRO DONATION FORM My Personal Particulars Dear Sir, I would like to make the following contributions: Name: _____________________________________ 1. A monthly contribution of: Address: _____________________________________ □ $251 □ $101 □ $51 _____________________________________________ □ $21 Other amounts □ $_____ NRIC No.: _______________ Date of Birth: __________ 2. A one-time contribution of: Email: ___________________________________ □ $11,000 □ $5,000 □ $3,000 □ $2,000 Other amounts □ $_____ Telephone: _____________ (Home) _____________ (Hd) Occupation (Optional): __________________________ I have completed the Application Form below. PART 1: APPLICATION FORM FOR INTERBANK GIRO - PART 1: FOR DONOR’S COMPLETION Date: ________________________________________ Name of Billing Organisation: ____________________________________________ CENTRAL SIKH GURDWARA BOARD____ Name of Bank ____________________________________ ________________________________________ Reference Number Branch a) I/We hereby instruct you to process the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board’s instructions to debit my/our account. b) You are entitled to reject the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board’s instructions if my/our account does not have sufficient funds and charge me/us a fee for this. You may also at your discretion allow the debit even if this results in overdraft on the account and impose charges accordingly. c) This authorization will remain in force until terminated by your written notice sent to my/our address last known to you or upon receipt
    [Show full text]
  • Police Gurdwaras of the Straits Settlements and the Malay States (1874-1957)
    51 Arunajeet Kaur: Police Gurdwaras Police Gurdwaras of the Straits Settlements and the Malay States (1874-1957) Arunajeet Kaur Nanyang Technological University, Singapore _______________________________________________________________ Sikh migrants to Malaya, who came under the auspices of the British Empire, were first policemen and were later followed by other Sikhs from the Punjab, who took up other professions in the host land. Gurudwara construction and the history behind these Gurudwaras are reflective of the stationing of Sikh police regiments in the respective Malay States and also the settlement patterns of Sikh communities in Malaya. The prolific construction of Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaya demonstrate ‘hotspots’, where more Gurudwaras were constructed, such as in Perak, Selangor and the Straits Settlements, that were to further encourage Sikh communal activities and culture in Malaya. This article describes the construction and significance of Gurudwaras in Malaya. _______________________________________________________________ Murphy (2012, 189) writes that ‘Places and objects related to the Gurus were important in the precolonial historical imaginary. They provided evidence of a history of relationships in the past–parallel to that narrated within the textual historiography - that constructed the community around the Guru, the Sikhs, in the ongoing present. The landscape of the Sikh past was commemorated by the establishment of Gurdwaras …’ Murphy evidently refers to Gurdwaras affecting the landscape and historiography of the
    [Show full text]
  • Coordinating Council of Sikh Institutions
    Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions Name Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions Key Role Only a Co-ordinating Body Council of Sikh Institutions Ordinary Council Members (16) Gurdwaras President, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Vice President, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board President, Gurdwara Sahib Yishun President, Khalsa Dharmak Sabha President, Pardesi Khalsa Dharmak Diwan President, Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sang Sabha President, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Singapore Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions Other Sikh Institutions President, Isteri Sat Sang (Central Sikh Temple) President, Khalsa Jiwan Sudhar Sabha President, Sikh Missionary Society President, Sikh Business Association President, Sikh Sewaks, Singapore Chairman, Sikh Welfare Council President, Singapore Khalsa Association Chairman, Singapore Sikh Education Foundation President, Young Sikh Association (Singapore) Council of Sikh Institutions Associate Council Member (1) Chairman, Sikh Advisory Board (No Voting Rights) Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions What CCSI WILL DO A platform for discussion on common issues pertaining to the Sikh community. Identify and look into the strategic needs of the Sikh community. Assist in coordinating national level activities for the Sikh community. Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions What CCSI WILL DO Address unattended issues that do not fall within the mandate of Sikh operating institutions. Help mediate differences between Sikh institutions, when requested. Deal with overseas Sikh bodies on issues that are not already being attended to by Sikh Institutions. Suggest best practices for Sikh institutions. Co-ordinating Council of Sikh Institutions What CCSI WILL NOT DO Exercise any Executive Authority Displace any Sikh institution. Take over the management and running of Sikh institutions. Manage any funds or have an account.
    [Show full text]
  • Singapore's Early Sikh Pioneers
    SINGAPORE’S EARLY SIKH PIONEERS Origins, Settlement, Contributions and Institutions RISHPAL SINGH SIDHU CENTRAL SIKH GURDWARA BOARD SINGAPORE Singapore’s Early Sikh Pioneers: Origins, Settlement, Contributions and Institutions Rishpal Singh Sidhu Compiler & Editor CENTRAL SIKH GURDWARA BOARD SINGAPORE Front Cover Photo: A collage of the seven Sikh Gurdwaras and Singapore Khalsa Association in Singapore Back Cover Photo: A collage of some of Singapore’s Early Sikh Pioneers Copyright, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board, Singapore, 2017 ISBN: 978-981-09-4437-7 Printed by: Khalsa Printers Pte Ltd, Singapore DEDICATION Dedicated to Sikh youth in Singapore in the fervent belief they will build on the achievements and contributions of their forebears for a better and brighter tomorrow. OUR SPONSOR Central Sikh Gurdwara Board would like to express their heartfelt thanks to our Patron, S. Naranjan Singh Brahmpura for sponsoring the cost of publishing this book. Naranjan Singh Brahmpura Patron Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Singapore Khalsa Association Trustee Singapore Sikh Education Foundation Sikh Welfare Council Past President Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Sri Guru Singh Sabha CONTENTS Foreword 6 Preface 7 Acknowledgements 8 Fast forward 9 1 Introduction 11 2 Singapore’s first Sikh 15 3 Sikh migration to Singapore: Phases and patterns 21 4 Early Sikh settlers in Singapore 31 5 Sikhs in the British Naval Base 39 6 Establishment of Gurdwaras, Sikh Advisory Board and other Sikh institutions 43 7 Sikh soldiers involvement in the defense of Singapore in World War II and civilian life during the Japanese Occupation 97 8 Early Sikh pioneers and their contributions to nation building 109 9 Colonial Singapore’s first Sikh politician 155 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report of the Sikh Advisory Board for the Period November 2019 to October 2020
    <> siqgur pRswid Annual Report of the Sikh Advisory Board for the Period November 2019 to October 2020 1. Meetings of the Sikh Advisory Board (SAB or Board) The Board, which has been appointed to serve a 3-year term from November 2017 to November 2020, met for its final year first quarterly meeting as scheduled on 5 February 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, in person meetings were cancelled and virtual meetings were held on 21 July and 6 November 2020. 2. Major Items discussed or addressed by the Board 1. COVID-19 The community faced unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The SAB assisted both Gurdwaras and groups from the community to overcome these challenges. The detailed list of actions taken which ranged from circulating government advisories to holding zoom meetings with Gurdwara heads to discuss and clarify the evolving rules related to congregation gatherings, weddings, funerals and more, is documented in Appendix 1. 2. Proposed Amendments to the SAB Rules Proposed amendments regarding a more equitable representation of the structure of the community and sustainability and diversity of the Board were approved by the Minister, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) on 12 November 2020. The SAB will have 17 members on the board when the new term begins in November 2020 instead of the current 15, with one more representative each from the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board (CSGB) and Gurdwara Sahib Yishun. 1 3. Sikhi Hub The tender for the 0.25 hectare site reserved for a Gurdwara in Bukit Batok closed on January 8, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • SIWEC INSIGHTINSIGHT December 2017
    SIWECSIWEC INSIGHTINSIGHT December 2017 RE APO SING NCIL, SIKH WELFARE COU Sikh Welfare Council wishes everyone a Happy New Year! COMMUNITY OUTREACH RIDE FOR CHARITY 2018 PRISONS VOLUNTEER AWARDS 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Our feature story highlights the contribution of our Prisons volunteer counsellors, three of whom were recognised at the Prisons Volunteer Awards 2017 in September. We hope you will be inspired upon reading our profile on Dr Kuldip Singh Wasan who was presented the Gold Award for 25 years of committed service as a Prisons volunteer. Our Chairman’s message summarises some of the work done in 2017 and the implications of demographic trends impacting the social service sector in general as well as implications for SIWEC in future. SIWEC ran one community outreach programme each in the months of October and November, in conjunction the Bandi Chhor Divas/Diwali (October) celebrations at Silat Road Gurdwara, while in November we engaged the sangat at Central Sikh Gurdwara during Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab celebrations. These efforts were carried out in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board, National Kidney Foundation, and the Singapore Women’s Organisation, as well as the Pioneer Generation Office. We are delighted to announce the launch of Ride for Charity 2018, details of which can be found on the back cover of this issue of SIWEC Insight. As SIWEC is one of two beneficiaries for this edition, we are grateful to the Harmony on Wheels movement for raising funds to help sustain and enhance our programmes and services. IWEC NSIGHT S I December 2017 FROM THE Patron Kartar Singh Thakral CHAIRMAN’S DESK Managing in a Changing Demographic Environment Trustees Mohinder Singh Thakral WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA Daljit Singh Gaggarbhana Manmohan Singh Thakral WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH ! Gurcharan Singh Narula During the year 2017, SIWEC provided support to Mahn Singh Bajaj almost 1,000 beneficiaries through our different Jagjit Singh Sekhon support programmes.
    [Show full text]
  • Loved One Passes Away…
    mn When A Loved One Passes Away… Procedural Guide compiled by Sikh Welfare Council in consultation with the managements of Gurdwaras and other Sikh Institutions in Singapore October 2010 mn Contents Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Registration of Death 4 Scenario A – Death in Hospital Scenario B – Death at Home 3. Preparation for Cremation 10 Collection of Body Booking of Crematorium & Hearse Purchase of Coffin Placing an Obituary Arranging for Transport Informing Priest/Gurdwara Items to be procured 4. Cremation Procedures 14 Washing of Body/Embalming of Body At Crematorium At Gurdwara 5. Handling of Remains 19 Collection of Ashes Disposal of Ashes 6. Prayers and Bhog 21 1 Annexes Page 1. Items to be procured 22 2. Assistance of SIWEC 23 3. Death outside the country 26 4. Contact Details of Gurdwaras 29 5. Contact Details of Hospitals 30 6. Contact Details of Police Stations/Posts 31 2 1. IntRoDuCtIon This booklet is intended to help members of the bereaved family understand the procedures to be observed to register the death, arrange for a dignified cremation of the deceased, handle the remains and conduct the prayers thereafter. It is meant to be a guide of best practices. The Sikh Welfare Council (SIWEC) is organized to assist family members in their time of need. It will observe the procedures discussed herein to support family members in giving a dignified farewell to the loved ones. It may be contacted through its 24 hour hotline 62999234 for all such assistance. 3 2. RegIstRatIon of DeatH scenario a: If Death occurs in a Hospital (Call SIWEC @ 6299 9234 for any assistance) step 1 : Obtain Certificate of Cause of Death (CCoD) If the cause of death is known and is natural, a doctor in the hospital will prepare the CCOD.
    [Show full text]