WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh,
The photos for the July Youth Keertan Darbar have been uploaded. Click on the below link to view them :
http://www.sevatothemax.com/pictures/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1754
Keertan will be uploaded as soon as possible.
WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!
WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!
Near the end of the 20th century two Sikh Leaders came to the fore, they inspired the Army of the Khlasa to rise and defend the honour of the Path laid down by Siri Guru Gobind Singh Jee. They were Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindrwala and Shaheed Bhai Sahib Bhai Fauja Singh Jee (Picture above shows Baba Jarnail Singh Jee paying respects to the body of Shaheed Bhai Sahib Bhai Fauja Singh jee after the Shahidi Sakhaa of Amritsar 1978).
The two leaders as Sikh Brothers went on to try to advance the conscience of their brotherhood to try and raise it to the esteemed level of its glorious past. After Independence from their colonial masters the British the Sikhs carved out their vision of India unabated by any restrictions. However the Brahmin state negated on their promises and try to cage these Lions. The canniness of their strategy was to use these Lions on their own terms and then keep them in check. Many wars were fought by India, in which a huge factor of their victories was owed to the Sikhs more or as much, as them gaining Independence from the British.
However as we approached the 70’s keeping the Sikhs in check by the brahmins took another turn in which suppression and humiliation were now the key factors. The GOI (Government of India) knew the Sikh leadership was weak and easily controllable, that lead to them believing the Sikh population was also the same. How do you control a religion? by causing in fighting and destroying the foundations of any religion which is belief and faith.
Leaders of men can see straightaway where problems are arising and how to resolve them. Their vision sets them apart form other men. However their belief in Guru Jee and Waheguru, then combines Gurmat Gian into the equation brings thier vision onto a different level. One such man was Bhai Fauja Singh Jee of Akhand Keertani Jatha (India). Sevadaars have decided to post a selection of Articles based on Bhai Sahibs life. The articles are from a Interview between Sevadaars and the Head Granthi of Sri Guru singh Sabha Gurdwraa Bhai Hazoora Singh Jee who was treated like a son by Bhai Fauja Singh Jee. Hope you enjoy them and more importantly learn from this Great Gursikh’s life.
The following is an attempt to narrate the life of Bhai Fauja Singh - a great leader in the Sikh Panth. I was fortunate enough to spend a short time in the company of Bhai Sahib. But from what I witnessed in that short time, it was clear that only a rare individual was capable of such heights and achievements. His sole desire was to serve the Panth with his heart and soul. He was most approachable and his speech was of such a sweet nature. But when he witnessed any violations in terms of Gurmat, he would tackle the situation head on. He had no desire to own lots of land or be wealthy; rather he remained steadfast in channelling his thoughts towards serving the Panth. He welcomed all with love and his humility was quite evident. Those who listened to his speeches and questioned him on Gurmat issues remained influenced by him for the rest of their lives.
Bhai Sahib longed for young Sikhs to come forward and take on a life in the Khalsa army. He would feel great pain whenever he heard of any act of contempt against Gurmat principles. His lifestyle was a throwback to our great forefathers and Sikh ancestors and his speech and conversation levelled on the theme of a warrior lifestyle. He had no regard for his own prosperity and wealth and recognised everything as the property of the Khalsa.
Bhai Sahib’s father once visited him at the Khalsa Farm. He wanted to send a parcel to the village. Fauja Singh told his father to give up the attachments to his sons and daughters and to come and serve the Panth at Khalsa farm. To Fauja Singh, the Khalsa Panth were his brothers, sisters and family.
Fauja Singh was born on 17th May 1936 in Gurdaspur. He gained a great deal of Gurmat knowledge in his childhood while in the village. Later he went on to study at Khalsa college in Amritsar. Fauja Singh was baptised with Amrit in 1944. In 1960 he got married to Bibi Amarjeet Kaur. He began his missionary work in the villages in 1970. From a very young age he was fearless and very brave. When he came to the Jatha he forgot all his worldly duties and remained committed to the interests of the Khalsa Panth. First he and some Sikhs from Amritsar began giving discourses and spreading the Sikh message in towns and villages across Punjab. In the evenings, the Singhs would do Kirtan in the congregation until midnight and in the daytime they would do work and earn a living. They recognised that Gurdaspur and surrounding areas were in great need of attention.
Bhai Sahib’s land was a few kilometres from the Pakistan border and was about 50-60 acres in size. The land was a thick jungle and was not in any condition to be used for agriculture. He decided that this land would be attended to and would become the base from where they would do parchaar. He took some Singhs with him an within a few days there was major progress. One afternoon in May 1973 he came to my village (which was only 2-3km from his land). It was the afternoon. I had just returned from work that day. They told me of their plans to start a great mission of Parchar. I was taken back by his shining character; I had never met such a man before in my life. Even though he wore a shirt and trousers, he wore his Kirpan on the outside. The Kirpan was very beautiful. It was evident that he had the full blessing of Guru Sahib.
To be continued………
WaheguruJeekaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!
