News & Update

GENERAL MOHAN SINGH was the founder of INA (Indian National Army), which was later renamed as Azad Hind Fauj by Subash Chandra Bose ji)

It was Mohan Singh started the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauz) in Singapore to fight against the British. But history has all but forgotten his role. He is a man whose contribution to the struggle for independence of India has been suppressed.

When Japanese occupied Singapore in 1941, Mohan Singh who was in the Army, took the initiative to form the Indian National Army (INA), enlisting 40,000 Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army who were imprisoned by the Japanese.

He sold the plan to the Japanese to free the soldiers and let him form the Indian National Army, which would invade India to free it from British occupation. He led the INA in Singapore till 1943.

In the two years as its leader, he realized that the Japanese who were till then supporting the INA were going to be equally bad if they entered India to overthrow British. He then had disagreements with the Generals of Japanese army in Singapore, questioning their hidden agenda to overtake India and establish the Japanese rule.

Mohan Singh was then arrested by the Japanese and jailed in Singapore. The Japanese then got Subhash Chandra Bose from Europe to Singapore and renamed Indian National Army to Azad Hind Force and made him its new commander.

When in 1945 Japan surrendered in Singapore and British came back to power, Mohan Singh was taken into custody by British for planning against them. He was then deported for trial to India. But fearing an uprising in India on his trial, at a time when British were feeling weak in India, he was later released.

Mohan Singh finds an honorable mention in the Singapore History Museum but unfortunately in India and Pakistan, the history is silent about the pioneer who started the Indian National Army army outside the shores of India to oust the British.

-Amardeep Singh

He lives in Singapore. His interests in photography, culture, history and spirituality were honed while pursuing an active career in the financial industry. He contributes to many reputed magazines and maintains a Blog (www.amardeepphotography.com). His email: amardeepsinghranghar@yahoo.com.sg

Malaysian-born Inderjeet Singh has been appointed as the first Canadian Sikh Chaplain at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

The appointment is collective effort by the Sikh community of British Columbia (BC) to place someone with a higher education administration and student affairs background to the position.

The role of the chaplain is now widely used and accepted term to refer to men and women who represent their religion or philosophical traditions.

Inderjeet possess a Master of Education and served in Student Affairs, Residence Life, Greek Life and International Students Admissions for six years, while being a student and graduate student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

“This is an interesting challenge. We need to connect the divide between today’s youth interests and traditionally-inspired spiritual practices,” he told Asia Samachar.

As a practicing Sikh, Inderjeet, known as Indy to his friends, had played an active role in the Sikh camps and activities run by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), a Kuala Lumpur headquartered Sikh youth body.

He had been also involved in coordinating and running Sikh camps in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, United States and Canada since the early 1990’s.

As a chaplain, he will also develop a culture of sharing through Langgar; serve as the advisor and resource to the UBC SSA; increase the visibility of the UBC SSA in all university activities; serve as an essential contact for the parents of Sikh international students while at UBC; and also act as the liaison between UBC and the Sikh community of BC.

Besides serving the needs of the Sikh students, the chaplain participates in international student orientations, Imagine UBC, the Wellness Fair, as well as the convocation. Chaplains also participate in special programs, festivals, cultural exhibitions and art displays.

The Sikh Chaplain will be part of the University Multifaith Chaplains Association, which contributes to the well-being of the UBC community. The association addresses and engages the community in faith and spirituality, meditation and emotional healing, friendship and community, citizenship and leadership, and, intercultural dialogue and collaboration.

On the chaplain role, information at the UBC website notes that opportunities for religious observance are available under the guidance of Ccaplains representing a variety of faiths.

“Chaplains are an important spiritual resource for students, but they are not UBC employees and are completely separate and independent from UBC.

“They are accountable to and financially supported by their own religious constituencies, and they do not act under the direction or authority of UBC,” it adds.

For the past five years, Inderjeet has been developing and conducting his latest programs for 200 teenagers in New Westminster, BC (Sukh Sagar Gurdwara), according to a note at Sikhs On Campus website.

Here, he coaches and mentors youth volunteers, educating and empowering them to run camps, classes, and events focused on religious philosophy, citizenship, culture, and social and communications skills.

Inderjeet also serves as a coordinator for Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, a program to feed the homeless in Vancouver’s Eastside, serving nearly 50,000 meals per year to the needy.

-Asia Samachar

On the banks of the five rivers,
Up rise the Sikhs spontaneous;
With hair coiled above their head
Inspired by the Mantra their Guru spread
Fearless and unyielding…..
“Glory to Guruji” – thousands of them
Resound the horizon;
At the rising sun of the dawn
The Sikhs stare with deep emotion
With new awakening.

“Alakha Niranjan!” (means ‘Holy Spotless’= God)
The war cry of the rebellion;
Let loose their chilvalry;
On their ribs clank swords luminary;
In wild joy was Punjab’s insurrection
“Alakha Niranjan!”

There came a day,
Thousands of hearts were on their way
Without any binding or fear,
Life and death at their feet slaves mere;
There on the banks of those rivers
The tale of that day still shivers.

At the tower of the Delhi palace,
Where the Sikhs are apace –
The Badshajada’s drowsy spell

Time and again they quell;
Whose voices there, the dark sky tear?
Whose torches set the horizon afire?

On the banks of the rivers five,
For supreme sacrifice was their dive,
Unleashed there was the flood
Of the devotee’s blood.
From thousands of hearts torn apart
For destination divine in their lark –
The heroes putting their sacred blood mark
On the forehead of their motherland
There around the five rivers so dear and grand.

In the Mughol and Sikh battle
Their embrace to each other throttle
Like the fight between the eagle and snake,
Deep bruise one to the other did make.

In the fierce fight of that day –
In blood craze “Din Din” the Mughols bay,
“Glory to Guruji” – was the Sikh’s commotion
In their divine devotion.

At Gurudaspur castle
When Banda was captured amidst all bustle
In the hands of the Turani troop,
As if a lion fettered with his group;
To capital Delhi they were taken,
Alas, at Gurudaspur Banda was beaten!

The Mughol soldiers march ahead,
Kicking up the road dust in sneer,
Hoisting the Sikh’s chopped head
At the blade of their spear.
Follow them Sikhs seven hundred,
Tinkles their chain,
Throng people on the road widespread,
Windows open – a glimpse they fain,
“Glory to Guruji”, the Sikhs roar,
For fear of life none is sore,
Sikhs with the Mughols to-day,
Stormed the Delhi road all in gay.

Started the scurry,
For lead in the carnage was their hurry;
They line up at the dawn
Defiant till their execution.
“Glory to Guruji” was their slogan
Until they were done.

Thus over a week,
The arena turned bleak;

With seven hundred lives gone –
Upon the martyrs’ immortalization.
On the last round of cruelty
Banda was ordered by the Kazi
To kill his own son,
At ease to be done.

In mere teen was the boy,
With hands tied thrown as a toy
Into the lap of Banda and without a word
He drew him close to his heart.
For a while he put his hand on his head,
Just once kissed his turban red.
He then draws his dagger,
Whispers in the child’s ear –
“Glory be to Guruji – fear not my son”
A virile in the boy’s face did burn –
In his juvenile voice the court did ring
“Glory to Guruji” as he did sing.
With his left hand Banda held the boy,
With right struck the dagger in his ploy,
“Glory be to Guruji”, was all he did implore
As he took to the floor.

Silence fell in the court,
Guruji’s inspiration still not abort.
Then with tong red hot
Banda’s body was pieced apart;
A word of moan he uttered not
And all in calm did he depart.
As stopped his heart throb
Witnesses closed eyes – silence choked pin drop.

“ਬਿਰਥੀ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ”

ਅਰਦਾਸ ਫ਼ਾਰਸੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ‘ਅਰਜ਼ ਦਾਸ਼ਤ’ ਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਰੂਪ ਹੈ।ਅਰਜ਼ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ
ਹੈ-ਬੇਨਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਦਾਸ਼ਤ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕਰਨਾ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਕਿਸੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਨਾ। ਇਸਤੇ
ਤਰ੍ਰਾਂ ਸੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਵਿਚ ਅਰਦ ਤੇ ਆਸ ਦੀ ਸੰਧੀ ਹੈ।ਅਰਦ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ- ਮੰਗਣਾ ਅਤੇ
ਆਸ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ- ਮੁਰਾਦ।ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਭਾਵ ਮੁਰਾਦ ਮੰਗਣ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਜਾਂ ਕਿਰਿਆ ਹੈ।ਪਰ
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਇਕ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਅਰਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਧਾਰਨੀ ਹੈ।ਇਹ ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਦਾ
ਅੰਗ ਹੈ।

ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਅਧਿਆਤਮਿਕ ਸਾਧਨਾ ਦੇ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਤੱਤ ਵਜ਼ੋ ਸਵੀਕਾਰਿਆ
ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਾਧਨਾ ਦੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਮੁਖ ਅੰਗ ਹਨ- ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਨਾ,ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ
ਅਰਦਾਸ।ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ ਨੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ
ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਲਈ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਨੀ ਹੈ।ਅਰਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਚਿੰਤਨ ਤੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਰਹਿਤ
ਵਿਚ ਇਕੋਂ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਮਹੱਤਵ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੈ।

“ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰਉ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ।। ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਆਣਹਿ ਰਾਸਿ।“। (736-737)

ਅਰਦਾਸ ਇਕ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਸਾਧਨ ਹੈ,ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਲ-ਬੱਧ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਅਕਾਲ
ਤੱਕ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।ਜਦੋਂ ਵੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਇਕ ਮਨ,ਇਕ ਚਿੱਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੇ ਦਰ ‘ਤੇ
ਦਸਤਕ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਖਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਖੁੱਲ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ
ਪੁਰਖ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਜ ਕੇ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਨ-ਸੰਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਸਮੁੱਚੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਓਟ ਆਸਰਾ
ਲੈ ਕੇ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ-ਪੰਥ ਵਜ਼ੋ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨਗੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ
ਹੋਈ।ਇਹ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹਰ ਸਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰ-ਭਾਈਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਜੁਲ ਕੇ ਤੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਰ
ਬਰ ਤਿਆਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਦਾ ਸੰਦੇਸ਼ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ।ਅਰਦਾਸ ਨਾਲ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦਾ ਮਾਧਿਅਮ ਹੈ।

ਅਰਦਾਸ ਰਾਂਹੀ ਵਾਰ-ਵਾਰ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ,ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਿਮਰ ਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਚਿੱਤ ਆਵਣ
ਦੀ ਦਾਤ ਮੰਗ ਕੇ ਮੂਲ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਜਾਗਤ-ਜੋਤ, ਸ਼ਬਦ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ
ਨਾਲ-ਨਾਲ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਦਾ ਸਾਗਰ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਦੇ ਆਸਰੇ ਹੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਚੜਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਅਤੇ
ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਵਾਲੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਜਾਂਚ ਸਿੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ।