DARPAN MAGAZINE VAISAKHI Special 2022

DARPAN

TM

Vaisakhi Special 2022

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Selfless of

Service

Colour&

JoyTraditional

10

Dishes

GREATEST Figures in Sikh Sikh History

Vaisakhi SPECIAL EDITION

2022

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Raman Johal, Partner, Vancouver

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Happy Vaisakhi

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Publishers: Gurvinder Singh Hundal Ramneek Singh Dhillon

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Edited by: Petrina D’Souza

Eco Sikhs

16 Vaisakhi a day of Celebration

Contributing Writers:

24 Has the real Message of Vaisakhi been Lost

Mirnalini Sunder Mehak Dhaliwal Naina Grewal Shweta Kulkarni

31 Recipes by Rohit Ghai 36 Recipes by Harpal Singh Soki

Graphic Designer: Pavithra Nancy Balaji

47 Recipes by Akanksha Khatri 52 Canada’s first Program in Sikh studies

Online Editor: Ish Sharma

58 A Symbol of Selfless Service

Advertising & Sales: Gurvinder Hundal Ramneek Dhillon

62 Celebrating Vaissakhi at Home

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68 Dr. Hardev Sing Vir:A story of Science Sprit and Sikhism 78 Narinder Singh Sabharwal 84 Sikh Health Foundation 94 10 Greatest Figures in Sikh History 117 7 Ways to make you Vaisakhi filled with Color and Joy

Call: 604-300-7000 | Email: info@dhotgroup.com | Website: www.dhotgroup.com 2022 VAISAKHI

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

ECOSIKHS: CARE FOR NATURE,

UN climate change conference also known as COP26. COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and lobal climate change the summit will is not just a buzzword. be attended by The potential future effects the countries that of global climate change are signed the United dangerous and can include Nations Framework several harsh conditions like Convention on frequent wildfires, drought Climate Change in some regions, and an (UNFCCC) – a treaty increase in the number, that came into force in duration, and intensity 1994. of tropical storms. The One such entire world, including community that is politicians, corporate, coming together to Governments, and NGOs combat climate change are working together to draw is EcoSikh. Who are stringent policies. In fact, they and what do media houses and citizens they do? EcoSikh was are constantly following started in 2009 at news about the ongoing Windsor Castle, 2022 VAISAKHI 7

CARE FOR ALL

By Mrinalini Sundar

EcoSikh is all about bringing the community together to fight climate change!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.ecosikh.org

G

VAISAKHI FEATURE UK,as a response from the Sikh community to the threats of climate change and the deterioration of the natural environment. The organization arose as part of the Long Term Plans for Generational Change program initiated in 2009 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, UK (ARC) to help the world’s major religious traditions create long-term plan to improve their relationship with the environment and to guide their investment

towards environmental protection.

The EcoSikh community EcoSikh connects Sikh values, beliefs, and institutions to the most important environmental issues facing our world. They draw on the rich tradition of the Sikh Gurus and the Sikh history to shape the behavior and outlook of Sikhs and the world, ensuring that our deep reverence for all creation remains a central part of the Sikh way of life. The man who started it all is Dr. Rajwant Singh who is the founder and president of EcoSikh. He is also the Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), Communications Director of the Sikh Human Development Foundation, and Secretary of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Maryland. In the past, Dr. Singh has also held the presidency of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, where he convened faith communities in DC for joint discussions.

Dr. Singh currently resides in the Washington, DC Metro Area with his wife and two children.

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Plant a sacred forest! It is doable and nothing is simple than that. If you don’t have space, just donate for 550-trees and EcoSikh will plant your forest in Punjab.

There is a massive ecological crisis looming over the Earth and humanity.”

- Dr. Rajwant Singh, Founder and President of EcoSikh

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This is not an offering for sale, as an offering can only be made after the filing of a disclosure statement, and only in jurisdictions where qualified in accordance with applicable local laws. E.&O.E.

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

The biggest EcoSikh projects After EcoSikh’s tremendous work, World Sikh Environment Day is now celebrated in eight countries, with the involvement of several Gurdwaras and families participating. The mastermind behind this project is Dr. Singh who thought March 14 was the perfect day to celebrate nature in the memory of Guru Har Rai. This event is celebrated worldwide in the gurdwaras and institutions with meaningful actions to protect and celebrate nature.

Dr. Singh also announced one million trees to be planted as part of the 550th birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and launched the Guru Nanak Sacred Forest project in 2019.

Sikh Environment Day aims to sensitize society/students of all ages, social, religious, and academic institutions and organizations.

One of the biggest projects for EcoSikh

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is Guru Nanak Sacred Forests. The idea behind this project is the reforestation and conservation of biological diversity by planting micro forests (aka Guru Nanak Sacred Forests) in Punjab and other states and reviving native forest species of the region. This project was first kickstarted in March 2019 and as of today, EcoSikh has spearheaded 356 projects in several parts of Indian including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, and even one in Kasur, Pakistan.

Overall, EcoSikh has planted 1,95,720 trees under its Guru Nanak Sacred Forest project.

Other than tree plantation, the other thing EcoSikh is doing is that more than 100 native, rare and endangered, wild forest species have been conserved as live seed banks in these forests made with the Miyawaki Methodology (which means planting two to four trees per square meter.)

Wishing you and your family A very

Happy Vaisakhi

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workshops, and is an exclusive educating centre for children,youngsters, and the elders to bridge the gap between Sikhism and Nature. The idea is to get people of all faiths and religions, environmentalists and nature lovers, scholars and professionals, devotees, and all those who seek personal and spiritual benefit to come here.

Giving us tips about reforestation, Dr. Rajwant Singh says, “Plant a sacred forest! It is doable and nothing is simple than that. The current situation doesn’t allow us to plant trees. The call is ‘Plant a forest’. If you don’t have space, just donate for 550-trees and EcoSikh will plant your forest in Punjab. There is a massive ecological crisis looming over the Earth and humanity. If we the people will not take action today, we may not have any other chance to avert the disaster that is coming

upon us. If we love Guru Nanak, then we must serve the entire planet and entire humanity. We just need to remind ourselves, “If one nation sinks, we all sink.” I appeal and invite all the Sikh businesses and institutions to collaborate with EcoSikh and establish 1,500 sacred forests and achieve one million-tree target.”

EcoSikh is going to be part of COP 26 and EcoSikh is aiming to collaborate with all the faith communities to take action on their own and not wait for the Governments to save their planet. EcoSikh will open its knowledge sharing and forest training for all and plant sacred forests for all walks of life. EcoSikh will also explore the possibilities to collaborate with international investors and funding agencies to increase our forest making capacity by 10 times.

Photos: Courtesy of Eco Sikh

VAISAKHI FEATURE

The list of species is well researched through forest surveys; verified and validated by renowned experts, and by referring to various research papers.

These forests are made with 100% organic material and have more than a 95% survival rate. They attract many native species of birds, insects, and small creatures who feel secure enough to make them their habitat.

The third big project under EcoSikh is the Guru Granth Sahib Bagh which is situated at Patto Hira Singh Moga and inaugurated in August of 2018. Ravneet Singh who is the project manager of EcoSikh spearheaded the establishment of the first-ever five acres Gurbani-based garden, Guru Granth Sahib Bagh which exhibits all the plants referred in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

This particular spot also serves as a space for live

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

Vaisakhi A Day of Celebration Celebration

By Mehak Dhaliwal

Every year, on either April 13 or 14, people all across the world get together to celebrate Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi marks the Punjabi New Year as per the Nanakshahi calendar. This traditional spring harvest festival has been celebrated for centuries in Punjab and other parts of Northern India, where farmers thank God for an abundant harvest and pray for another successful one. Vaisakhi is a shared festival for people of many different cultures and religions.

Individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and races come together to celebrate Vaisakhi - a day of celebration.

A Symbol

Selfless of

Service

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The Wheat Crop The festival has a strong connection to the wheat crop. Wheat is very important in Punjab as it is the main source of income and food for most people in the region. The crop is sown around October-November and harvested in March-April. Farmers work hard all season long, and look forward to Vaisakhi. During the month of April, they harvest, sell, and store their wheat. After the harvest, farmers take a short break before getting busy with the next season.

Vaisakhi Melas Several fairs, called melas, take place all over Punjab for people to get together and celebrate Vaisakhi. It’s a time of celebration that includes socializing, sports competitions, performances, rides for kids, and stalls filled with tasty Punjabi food. Every corner of the mela is filled with colors, mirth and laughter.

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

Photos: Courtesy of Darpan archives istock

Bhangra Bhangra is a Punjabi folk dance and a prominent symbol of Vaisakhi. After harvesting their wheat crop, farmers would attend melas where bhangra was performed. Many bhangra moves actually originate from certain farming activities, as bhangra was originally performed by farmers while they carried out agricultural chores. Therefore, the dance illustrates Punjabi culture, tradition, fashion, and even lifestyle. Bhangra is usually performed to the fast beat of a dhol.

Today, this folk dance can be seen all around the world, especially in the music and film industries. Despite its evolution, bhangra remains the dance of joy, happiness, success and prosperity.

The Birth of Khalsa

Vaisakhi took on a special significance for Sikhs in 1699, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji - the tenth Sikh Guru - formally established the Khalsa Panth by baptizing the Panj Pyare(the five beloved ones). Guru ji conveyed a special message to all Sikhs and promoted the principles of Sikhism during the Vaisakhi of 1699. Sikhs comeogether every year onVaisakhi to commemorate and reflect on this significant historical event and celebrate the community’s growth.

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Happy Vaisakhi ਵਿਸਾਖੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਿਧਾੀਆਂ

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Nagar Kirtan

VAISAKHI FEATURE

Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikhs across the world by conducting Nagar Kirtans, or more commonly known as Vaisakhi parades, which involve the processional singing of holy hymns, kirtan, through the community.

Food is a big part of Vaisakhi melas and Nagar Kirtans.

Every year, hundreds of people set up tents during Vaisakhi festivities to give away free food to everyone that attends.

The act is a form of selfless service, sewa, which is an important concept in the Sikh religion. The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, taught the value of sharing. Expanding on that, Guru Nanak Dev Ji also started the practice of langar, free food without discrimination of caste, religion, gender or ethnicity

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Photos: Courtesy of Darpan archives istock

Langar

VAISAKHI FEATURE

Has the real message of Vaisakhi been lost?

By Mehak Dhaliwal

For many centuries, April has been the month when farmers in Punjab harvest their wheat crop and celebrate their earnings. The excitement of the hustle and bustle of transporting and selling the crop runs high. Without a good harvest, communities would perish, as wheat is one of the main sources of food and income in Punjab.

The spring harvest has always been an important and decisive time in the region. So there was always great joy when a 24

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good harvest resulted at Vaisakhi time.

Since 1699, Sikhs have had a further reason to celebrate on this day.

On April 14, 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji, initiated the Khalsa Panth. The day signifies the transformation of ordinary individuals into a disciplined and responsible army of pure and fearless people, ready to protect the helpless and defenseless.

For centuries, the citizens of India had been living under constant

fear and oppression of invaders and tyrant rulers. They had been continuously exploited and forced to adopt the religion of the people in power. During the Vaisakhi of 1699, Guru Gobind Singh ji, gave people the option to create their own destinies by standing up against the rulers of the day. Guru Gobind Singh ji institutionalized the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh ji’s, concept of Sant-Sipai, or Saint-Soldiers.

Wishing You a Very Happy & Prosperous Vaisakhi

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Keeping it Simple®

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Bank. Borrow. Insure. Invest.

VAISAKHI FEATURE Guru Gobind Singh ji invited everyone to Anandpur Sahib on Vaisakhi in 1699. Eighty thousand people had gathered from all over the country.

Standing with a sword in his hand, he asked for a head from the crowd for an unstated cause. One by one, five individuals came forward. These men came from different castes and different regions of India, a Khatri from Punjab, a Jat from Delhi, and three other low-caste Hindus respectively from Gujarat, Odisha and Karnataka. Then, through a unique ceremony of “Amrit Sanchar” Guru ji transformed them into the Panj Pyare, the ‘Five Cherished Ones’. Once complete, Guru Gobind Singh ji bent down on his knees and took amrit himself from the Panj Pyare. He set an example of equality and fraternity by transforming himself into a

disciple as well (Guru-Chela).

This event led to the emergence of the Khalsa Panth.

Guru Gobind Singh ji turned “sparrows into hawks” and taught them to fight against unjust and help the helpless and defenseless. On this auspicious day, Guru Gobind Singh ji assigned the 5 kakar, the identity of every Sikh, and a specific code of conduct (Rehat Maryada), creating the Khalsa Panth. That is why, Vaisakhi is known as ‘Saajna Divas’ or the ‘Day of Creation

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

The religious significance mixed with the cultural festival of Punjab makes Vaisakhi an exciting and festive time. However, as time goes by, we are gradually losing sight of the fundamental importance and significance of this day. We keep forgetting the guidelines established by Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The celebrations are getting more and more elaborate and Vaisakhi is turning into an event of hollow festivities, without any attention to what it truly stands for.

Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdeva mentions in his article, ‘Celebrate but 28

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Vaisakhi is a day of reflection for all of us. It should be the day we renew our vows to uphold the golden principles of Sikhi, educate ouralso Resolve to Follow selves on the original its Intent’, “Certainly, significance of this day, in saying so, I do not intend to imply that one make new resolutions, and reintroduce the should not celebrate Sikh-Rehat into our this festive occasion lives rather than runin great jovial spirit that it is worthy of. On ning away from it. The need for Guru ji’s Sikhs the contrary, I would is still there today. Vaicategorically state that sakhi should be the day this being the ‘Day of Creation of Khalsa’, the when Sikhs intoxicate themselves with amrit celebrations should encompass all the hap- and follow the path our Gurus have shown piness and excitement us. Only then will the that they can muster.

But unfortunately, what festival of Vaisakhi have a real meaning for us. is missing in all these celebrations is the lack of motivation to understand and then act on the message that was imparted to the Sikhs on this particular day.”

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Happy

Vaisakhi

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Celebrate Vaisakhi in the Tastiest Way with recipies from . . .

Harpal Singh Sokhi is a

celebrity chef from India. Also known as the “Energy Chef of India”, he is now a “Dancing Chef Of India”. Chef Sokhi anchored Grand Trunk Rasoi Season 1, he also started his fine-dine restaurant Karigiri in Noida, New Delhi, and one of the largest clubs in the country, club D’Neo at Jalandhar, Punjab. He is known as the most entertaining and energetic chef and is a sought-after name within the Indian food industry.

Chef Sokhi was awarded as the Best Chef of the Year in the year 2016 by National Indo-Australian Cultural by the Victorian Council Australia, for promoting Indian food and culture in Australia. He also has achieved the Iconic Achievers Award 2018 and the Food Fusion Leadership Awards 2018, among other notable recognition. Chef Sokhi is amongst the top five food Youtubers honoured by Google in the year 2014. He was further recognized as the top 100 channels on food on YouTube.

Harpal Singh Sokhi

Rohit Ghai

restaurateur Rohit Ghai is hailed as one of the UK’s most creative and accomplished Indian chefs. Chef Ghai began his international career working with Michelin-starred restaurant Benares in London in 2008. He then moved on to lead several other Michelin-starred kitchens. He then went on to launch the Leela Groups’s first London venture, Jamavar, in 2016, where he became the fastest Indian chef to win a Michelin star - being awarded the accolade within 10 months of the restaurant’s opening. Ghai then opened Bombay Bustle to critical acclaim. Ghai’s highly anticipated solo restaurant, Kutir opened in late 2018, and it received instant success. In 2019, he launched Koolcha - a street food concept offering Indian favorites. He recently released his first cookbook titled, Tarkari: Innovative Vegetarian and Vegan Indian Dishes with Heart and Soul.

Winner of India’s Digital

Chef, finalist of the show Femme Foodies and the most loved contestant of Masterchef India Season 6, Chef Akanksha Khatri was a born foodie. But, her love for cooking started a little later in life. Cooking for her started just as a means to an end. But, the food experiences she gathered on her travels to different cities led her to experimenting with her own creations. These trial and error experimentations with food led her to know what her true passion is. Khatri participated in the contest, India’s Digital Chef and won the title of India’s First-ever Digital Chef. It led to her hosting the latest season of Pickles of India Season, 2019.

Khatri hosted this 29-episode season and gained even more love, support and popularity than before. Encouraged with the new earned popularity, her parents’ support and passion to do something, she decided to enter in India’s most reputable culinary show MasterChef India and make a name for herself nationwide.

Akanksha Khatri

Michelin-starred chef and

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Misal Pao

Vaisakhi Recipes Recipe Vaisakhi

By Chef Rohit Ghai

Ingredients

- 3 1⁄2 cups mixed beansprouts - 1⁄2 tsp ground turmeric - 3 tbsps rapeseed oil - 1 tsp mustard seeds - 1 tsp cumin seeds - 1 large or 2 medium onions, finely chopped - 10-12 fresh curry leaves - 1 1⁄2 tbsps ginger-garlic paste - 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped - 1 tsp ground coriander - 1⁄2 tsp red chilli powder - 1-1 1⁄2 tbsps kala masala - 1 1⁄2 tsps tamarind paste - 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves - 2 tbsps chopped onion, for garnish - Lemon wedges, to serve - Salt to taste

Preparation

- Rinse the beansprouts under cold running water, drain, then place in a pan of simmering water with 1⁄4 teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of salt and cook, covered, for about 10–12 minutes. Heat the oil in another pan, then add the mustard seeds. When they begin to pop, add the cumin seeds and sauté for a few seconds until they become golden.

- Add the onions and sauté until they become translucent. Add the curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste and green chillies and sauté, stirring, until the raw aroma of the ginger-garlic disappears.

- Add the remaining turmeric, the ground coriander, red chilli powder and goda masala. Stir in the tamarind. If using your own tamarind pulp, sauté until the raw aroma of the tamarind disappears.

- Drain the cooked beansprouts, then stir into the pan with the onions, adding 170–240 ml of water, if needed. The mixture should have a semi-thick consistency. Season with salt and simmer for 8–10 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened.

- Just before serving, garnish with the coriander leaves, chopped onion and a lemon wedge.

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Jeera Aloo

Vaisakhi Recipes

By Chef Rohit Ghai

Ingredients - 500 g potatoes - 2 tbsps rapeseed oil - 1 tbsp cumin seeds - 2 green chillies, finely chopped - 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger - 1⁄2 tsp ground turmeric - 1 tbsp ground coriander - 1⁄4 tsp red chilli powder, or o taste a generous pinch of asafoetida - 2 tbsps chopped fresh coriander - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Salt, to taste

Preparation

- Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until tender, making sure they don’t overcook or break up. Once drained and cooled, peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes. Set aside.

- Heat the oil in a pan on a medium heat, then add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Immediately lower the heat so that they don’t burn. Add the chopped green chillies and ginger, ground spices and asafoetida, and sauté for a few seconds.

- Add the boiled and cubed potatoes to the pan and toss with the spices. Let the potatoes cook for two to three minutes on a medium heat, then mix in the chopped coriander. Check the seasoning and add the lemon juice to finish.

- Serve with pooris, parathas, or as a side dish with dal and rice.

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Aloo Matar Tikki

By Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi

Ingredients

- 1 cup green peas

- 3 potatoes (boiled and peeled)

- 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped - ½ tsp cumin seeds

- Pinch of hing (Asafoetida)

- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped

- ¼ tsp turmeric powder

- ¼ tsp red chilli powder

- ¼ tsp garam masala powder - ½ tsp chat masala

- Salt to taste - ½ lemon juice

- 2 tbsps chopped fresh coriander leaves - 2 tbsps bread crumbs - 3 tbsps corn flour

- Oil for cooking

- Green chutney for serving

- Refresh the green peas and crush them in a mixer.

Keep it aside.

- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a kadai; add chopped ginger, cumin seeds, hing and green chili chopped, mix well and sauté for one minute.

- Add crushed green peas, mix well and sauté for 30 seconds. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, chat masala and salt, mix well and sauté for one minute.

- Remove in bowl, add

lemon juice and chopped coriander and mix well.

Keep it aside.

- Take boiled potatoes in a bowl and mash well. Add bread crumbs, corn flour and mix well. Add salt and mix well.

- Take a plate and dust some corn flour on it.

Divide the potato mixture into equal portions.

- Make a cavity in the center of each potato mixture portion, put one portion of green peas stuffing in the center, bring the po-

tato mixture together, seal and shape into tikki. Dust with corn flour and keep it in plate.

- Heat some oil in another non-stick pan. Place tikki and shallow-fry from both sides till golden brown.

Drain on absorbent paper.

Sprinkle some red chilli powder and chat masala on top.

- Place the tikki on serving plate, garnish with coriander leaves and lemon wedge and serve hot with tomato ketchup and green chutney.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Preparation

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Kadhi Methi Pakoda

By Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi

Ingredients For kadhi: - 4 tbsps gram flour - 1 cup yogurt

- ½ tsp turmeric powder - ½ tsp red chilli powder - 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste - Salt to taste - 4-5 cups water

For methi pakoda: - 1 bunch fenugreek (methi) leaves - 1 onion, chopped - 1 tbsp ginger, chopped - 3-4 green chillies, chopped - ½ tsp turmeric powder - 1 tsp red chilli powder - A pinch of baking soda - Salt to taste - 1½ cup gram flour - Water as required - Oil to deep fry For tempering: - 3 tbsps ghee

- ¼ tsp asafoetida powder - 1 tsp cumin seeds - 1 tbsp coriander seeds - ½ tsp fenugreek seeds (methi dana) - 8-10 cloves - 1 tsp black peppercorn - 4-5 dry red chillies - 1 tbsp ginger, chopped - 2 green chillies, chopped - Ginger juliennes for garnish - Coriander sprig for garnish

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Preparation For kadhi:

- In a mixing bowl add gram flour, yogurt, turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, salt and water, whisk well.

- Heat a pan and add the mixture, mix well and keep on stirring until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil the kadhi for 15-20 minutes, keep stirring in between.

For methi pakoda:

- Take fenugreek (methi) leaves in a bowl, add chopped onion, ginger, green chilli, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, baking soda, salt, garam flour and water, mix well and keep it aside.

- Heat oil in a pan to deep fry. Take water in another bowl and wet your palms, with wet palms drop small portions of the batter to the hot oil.

- Fry the pakodas until crisp and golden brown. Once pakodas are fried till golden brown remove in an absorbent paper and keep aside.

For tempering:

- Heat ghee in another pan, add asafoetida powder, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, cloves, black peppercorn and dry red chilli, mix well and sauté for one minute.

- Add ginger and green chilli chopped and mix well. Add the kadhi to the tempering, mix well and boil for two to three minutes.

- Add the fried pakodas, mix well and cook for one minute. Transfer the kadhi with pakodas to a serving bowl.

- Garnish with ginger juliennes and coriander sprig. Serve hot with steam rice.

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Gud ka Halwa Vaisakhi Recipes

By Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi

Ingredients

- 1.25 ltr. water - 1 cup jaggery - 1 tsp cardamom powder - 1 tsp ginger powder - 1 cup ghee - 2 tbsp cashew nuts - 2 tbsp almonds - 2 tbsp pistachio - 1 tbsp raisins - 1 cup semolina

- 1 tsp saffron

Preparation

- First in a sauce pan add water, jaggery, cardamom powder, ginger powder and let the jaggery dissolve in it properly. Once the jaggery melts, add saffron in it to enhance the color.

- Heat ghee in another pan, add cashew nuts, almonds, pistachio and cook till they are brown in color. Remove and keep it aside.

- Now in same pan add semolina and roast till light brown in color. Add raisins, mix well and roast till raisins are fluffy.

- Add jaggery water in it, mix well till it is thick in consistency. Keep the halwa little bit watery, because once it gets cool, it will get thick. Now add mixed nuts in it and mix it properly.

- Serve in a glass bowl and garnish it with mixed nuts on it.

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By Chef Akanksha Khatri

Ingredients Vaisakhi Recipes

Lachha Rabari - 2 litres of full fat milk - 10-15 strands of saffron - ½ cup sugar - ½ tsp rose water For garnish: - Slivers of almond or pistachio - Dried rose petals

Preparation

- Take a heavy bottom pan, and add milk to it. Bring the milk to a boil and then add saffron. Lower the heat to medium and let a layer of malai form on top.

- Using a skewer, push the layer of malai on the side of the pan. Keep repeating the process and keep pushing the malai on the sides.

- Cook the milk for one to one and half hours till you are left with half a litre of milk.

Then add sugar to this milk and mix well.

- Add the laccha collected on the sides back to the rabri, add rose water and cook for another minute.

- Pour the rabri in earthen pots for more flavor or just transfer it in a serving bowl.

Garnish with almond and pistachio slivers. Serve.

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By Chef Akanksha Khatri

Ingredients - 1 ½ cups of ground breadcrumbs - ½ cup panko - ¼ cup melted butter - ¼ cup mascarpone (can substitute with fresh cream) - ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese - ½ cup honey - ¼ cup hot water - Few drops of rose extract - Orange slices - ¼ cup powdered pistachios

Preparation

- Preheat oven to 180-degree C.

- Take bread in a blender and powder till its fine. Then, take it in a bowl, add panko and melted butter, and mix well.

- Spoon half of the mixture into the baking pan. Press flat and firm.

- Then spread the mascarpone cheese/cream and mozzarella cheese on it. Top with remaining breadcrumbs and press lightly. Bake this for 25 to 30 minutes.

- Take water in a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil. Switch off the flame and add honey, rose extract, and two to three orange slices, and mix well.

- Pour this over the bread kunafa and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Bread Kunala

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DARPAN FEATURE

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY IS SOON SLATED TO LAUNCH THE NATION’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SIKH STUDIES

SPEARHEADED BY A DYNAMIC DUO.

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY OFFERS

CANADA’S FIRST PROGRAM IN SIKH STUDIES

By Naina Grewal

“One of the main impacts this program will bring is selfconfidence. Many students sometimes feel under-confident and don’t feel up to par when it comes to their Sikh heritage. When you

C

anada is home to the largest population of Sikhs in the Sikh diaspora. With over 700,000 Sikhs in the country, it is no surprise that the time has come to reflect and represent Sikhism in the education system. Hoping to accomplish just this, the University of Calgary is soon slated to launch the nation’s firstof-its-kind Sikh Studies program, spearheaded by a dynamic duo.

learn more, you have more to be proud of,” says Jay Dhillon.

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Jay Dhillon

Law student from Thompson Rivers University Jay Dhillon, currently pursuing a Degree in Law from Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Law, took an introductory Sikh studies course with Dr. Harjeet Grewal in 2017. For him, the class was very engaging and interesting, laying out Sikh philosophies and principles, alongside its evolution over time in the world and in Canada. Further conversations led Dhillon and Dr. Grewal to realize that there is no real Sikh Studies program in Canada. Some universities do offer courses about the Punjabi language, but no programs exist focused exclusively on Sikhism.

The student and professor decided to take matter into their own hands.

While Dhillon’s interest in the creation of the program bloomed after taking the course,

Photos contributed by Dr. Harjeet Grewal, Jay Dhillon, istockphoto

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Donation booth at the Dasmesh and was raised in Alberta. As Culture Center an undergrad, Dr. Grewal

“We frame this as a multicultural

anyone can partake.

With this breadth, there is both Sikh history applicability and community building. Students interact with Sikhs in their daily lives and want to learn more about Sikhism,” says Dr.Harjeet Grewal.

Dr. Grewal has practically grown up with a keen interest in Sikhism.

Born in British Columbia, Dr. Grewal moved to Edmonton in the 1980s

and poetry such a program could bring to the table, Dr. Grewal and Dhillon started the journey towards creating a legacy through the establishment of a Sikh Studies program at the University of Calgary. Alongside his active involvement, Dr. Grewal describes the initiative to be one that is student-led.

Benefitting from the currentlyoffered course content and Dr. Grewal’s teaching style, students began connecting with alumni, other students, and community members to kickstart a Sikh studies program. “One of the main impacts this program will bring is self-confidence. Many students sometimes feel underconfident and don’t feel up to par when it comes to their Sikh heritage. When you learn more, you have more to be proud of,” says Dhillon.

While a positive aspect of 2022 VAISAKHI

DARPAN FEATURE

approach, in which

specialized in Molecular Genetics at the University of Alberta for four years.

However, he was personally attached to Sikhism and wanted to know more about it. This led him to attending the University of British Columbia for Asian Studies, where he became especially interested in the intellectual components of Sikh traditions and often found himself questioning why they had not been highlighted enough. Throughout his Masters, he was quite engaged in the philosophical and literary aspects of Sikh literature and began to further his interest by pursuing at the PhD level at the University of Michigan.

In his works, he studied the structure of the literature what is embedded in it in terms of ideas.

Recognizing the valuable stories, literature,

Dr. Harjeet Grewal Professor at the University of Calgary

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DARPAN FEATURE

the program will entail a learning opportunity to become better Sikhs, the courses will not just be limited to Sikh Students.

For non-Sikh students, such courses encourage acknowledgement of Sikhs, and a better understanding of their Sikh classmates and co-workers. Dr. Grewal describes, “We frame this as a multicultural approach, in which anyone can partake. With this breadth, there is both Sikh history applicability and community building.

Students interact with Sikhs in their daily lives and want to learn more about Sikhism. Even in current courses, we have had students from every background you can imagine.”

Dr. Grewal’s stance is that we are still coming into grips with where we are within our country.

The gap right now is a knowledge gap. Allowing people who want to learn more to see who Sikhs are and how those teaching can be applied to one’s daily life enables closure of that gap. Dhillon shares that he still takes learnings from the course he took and applies it in his life, “While attending law school, I constantly ask myself how I can be an advocate for

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voices that are not really spoken for. The values of autonomy, liberty, and justice are always at the back of my mind and I am striving to integrate my Sikh values into becoming a better law student. The courses can be applied into becoming a better teacher, doctor, engineer, worker, and human.”

As of now, University of Calgary does offer an Introduction to Sikhism course, which explores the components of key Sikh concepts, central texts, and main practices. Dr. Grewal details that the second course offering will be a course surrounding Sikh diaspora and what it means to be a community that is living in a hostile atmosphere laced with racism and antagonism.

Further, a course on Sikh philosophy will touch on themes of social justice, Sikh ethics, and what it means to be human. Sikh literature courses will dive into a range of early texts, colonial writing, and the transition to modern writing. “The intention is to extend these courses so that students can exhaust the option to minor in Sikh Studies,” explains Grewal.

The program will maintain focus on language and literature. Course related

to culture and higherlevel courses to do with themes on religion will be offered. Sikhs in modernity, democracy in Sikhism, multiculturalism in Sikhism, and contemporary issues are expected to branch out from the program.

The long-term vision, however, is to create a Chair for the Sikh Studies program. This would be the first in Canada, allowing for a research component that could become the catalyst towards a more multidisciplinary approach.

“Simply put, there is not a lot of research out there about Sikh Studies. Having a chair allows for research, a dedicated focus and a voice that has the program’s best interests at heart,” Dhillon articulates.

When it comes to the University of Calgary, the university has been on board since the very beginning. As per Dr. Grewal, they have risen beyond expectations and have gone to great lengths to understand the Sikh community’s history. For the university, this is one of their top projects and the team is getting the most support from the Arts side. Dr. Grewal shows utmost appreciation for the encouragement, “It is

just so beautiful that we can come together. Right from the beginning, I felt the kirpa (grace) – all these things came together in a beautiful way. You couldn’t ask for more genuine engagement.”

Outside the university, the larger community has also been onboard.

Thus far, funds raised to support the program are just shy of $500,000 and the community continues to give. The team is eager to continue reaching out to the community and chat with anyone that wants to collaborate. Dr. Grewal encourages people all over the country to

keep a watch, via social media platforms and in the community, on how they can get involved and provide feedback.

Ultimately, the Sikh Studies program is an initiative that every Canadian – especially Sikh Canadians – should be immensely proud of. As the program continues to grow, the impact is beyond powerful. For future generations, this initiative creates an accessible space for having important conversations through actively engaging with knowledge and connecting with each other.

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

A Symbol of Selfless Service: The Tradition of Langar

By Naina Grewal

F

eeding food to others is known to be one of the most noble deeds in the world. In this light, the tradition of Langar is a longstanding symbol of selfless service. No matter where one is in the world, free food is offered to anyone who reaches the doorstop of any Gurdwara regardless of faith. As the largest communal free kitchen in the world, Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji, renownedly known as the Golden Temple, serves 50,000 to 100,000 people a day. The concept of Langar, in the Sikh context, originates from the first Guru, who, in his youth, received money from his father to conduct business.

However, rather than yielding a profit, Guru Nanak Dev Ji chose to feed hungry pilgrims. Today, many pay homage to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib Ji, situated

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on the monumental spot where the pilgrims were fed. This event gave rise to a tradition which was further solidified by the Gurus that followed.

Sathaa & Balvand, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 967

The strongest wave surrounding the format of Langar came from Mata Kheevi Ji, wife of the second Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji. Being in charge of serving Langar, she has been praised in historical texts for her genuine generosity and passion towards serving others, including various mentions in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, like

After Guru Angad Dev Ji’s time, the third Guru, Guru Amardas Ji, implemented a rule at Sri Goindwal Sahib Ji, according to which no one could meet the Guru until they had eaten Langar. This rule was not even bent for the emperor, which was a revolutionary move in a hierarchical society. This Gurdwara is at the center of the inception of many religious elements including sports, Gurmukhi and Langar.

the following: la(n)gar dhaulat va(n) ddeeaai ras a(n)mrit kheer ghiaalee || “She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.”

- Raag Raamkalee, Bhatt

The importance of Langar and its unique purpose can be traced back to its beginnings in India. At a time when the caste system was heavily dominant, the poor could not even enter religious temples. Using separate utensils, food was

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Therefore, Langar depicts a message of equality and oneness, breaking the shackles of color, caste, community, gender or status. There is no special treatment and nothing is hidden from the public, instilling values of humble acceptance and gratitude.

Moreover, the original term being Guru Ka Langar, implies that the Langar does not belong to a specific country, person,

or institution. Transcending beyond discrimination, even the process of preparation, cooking, serving, and cleaning is a shared experience.

For this reason, it is also important to recognize that Langar is not just limited to food; it entails serving people to fulfill their needs in any area – be it of medication, clothing, or even education. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many organizations have stepped up to provide information, vaccinations, and resources. free of cost.

While Langar comes in many forms, the essence of serving others wholeheartedly allows one to find in themselves the heart to give without expecting anything in return. For both the giv-

er and receiver, the impact is a treasured experience.

In the modern age, however, we must be careful in preserving the true meaning of Langar, rooted in its simplicity and compassion towards humanity. As the channels through which we serve evolve, we should not compete with others, but recognize service as a catalyst of unity. Playing our role entails simple steps such as being more mindful, taking only what we need, reducing imperishable waste and promoting health. Taking these steps paves the path for one to reap maximum utility from a more wholesome involvement and truly embrace the glory of Langar, treating it as a holy experience that feeds both the body and soul!

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

often thrown at devotees rather than served, based on discriminatory grounds.

The concept of Pangat, or Langar, introduced a philosophy where both the king and beggar would eat the same food at the same level. Symbolically, and literally, one would not be higher or lower than the other.

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Celebrating

Vaisakhi at Home

By Naina Grewal

The celebrations and processions of Vaisakhi are undoubtedly a visual treat. The strikingly exuberant colors, decorations, and symbols come together to create a meaningful sea of celebration infused with tradition, culture and community.

However, following two years of cancellations, the Vaisakhi parade, one of the most celebrated parts of the festival, has yet again been announced to be a no-go. Worry not! There are still plenty of ways to bring Vaisakhi to life in the comfort of your homes, or locally within the community:

2

Decor Galore: You decorate for Christmas, Halloween, and birthdays. Vaisakhi should be no exception! In shades of yellow, orange, black, blue, and white, make your home reflect the month of Vaisakhi. Get everyone involved and do not hesitate to go overboard with the Vaisakhi bling. After all, Vaisakhi only comes once a year.

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1

Artsy Approach: With plenty of online resources, coloring pages, crafts activities, and more, bring in some fun with group activities where adults and kids can come together to get their creative juices flowing! Choose from coloring the photo of a Vaisakhi scene, or even creating a “Happy Vaisakhi” card to gift the grandparents. By making Vaisakhi hands-on, the art angle is bound to be a hit.

Dess to Impress: For many, getting ready for the Vaisakhi parade was the best part of Vaisakhi. Why let that go? On Vaisakhi morning, tell the family that they should come out in their suits, cholas, and dastars to celebrate the big day. Many workplaces and schools also encourage all to come dressed in their best Vaisakhi wear.

2022 VAISAKHI

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Food Fest: The Vaisakhi parade is known for its selfless service, much of which comes in the form of langar. Indulge in the delicacies of popular Vaisakhi dishes.

Look up recipes and make it a family event to cook up some yummy food.

To make it even better, consider sitting on the ground when eating, as you would in a Gurdwara, to feel the humility and gain the full experience.

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Gurdwara Trip: Although you can’t take on the streets this year, feel free to get out of the house to pay a respectful and safe visit to your local Gurdwara. Mingle with other attendees and soak in the bliss of sangat as you hear the many speeches, poems, and hymns on the auspicious occasion.

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Story Time:

There are many Sakhis and sagas that are classics and can be easily tied to Vaisakhi. No matter how old you are, the recollection of these real-life events is bound to give you goosebumps. Either through a book or via the creativity of your own mind, get everyone together as you tell the tales of bravery to celebrate the holy occasion.

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Movie Night: With Sikh cinema upping its game in recent times, there are many available films that can educate the family about Sikh values and history. Microwave some popcorn, grab those drinks, and sit tight in a pillow fortress as you glue your eyes to the TV screen for some cinematographic genius. Suggestions include Chaar Sahibzaadey, Sunny the Proud Sikh, or shorter documentaries about Vaisakhi.

8

Talent Show: The Vaisakhi parade, as it is usually held, features talented individuals coming together to show off their skills in singing, poetry, martial arts, and more! Get together with a few friends or family members to encourage all the performers in the crew to come out and share their talents for the most supportive audience

Trivia Session: Followed by an optional Q&A session, through which kids can ask parents more information about why Vaisakhi is celebrated, a trivia session or contest can be held within a family. With one moderator to keep things from getting too heated, Vaisakhi-related questions can be asked to two opposing teams, instilling both a sense of healthy competition and enhancing knowledge about Vaisakhi.

With unique embodiments, each Vaisakhi activity brings with itself a distinct purpose, history or meaning that is ultimately weaved into the fabric of Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is more than just the Vaisakhi parade and can be celebrated just as sincerely at home and in the local community. Rather than keeping an event at the face value of what it offers, divulge into unique ways to celebrate the much-loved event. As you soak in the celebration delights, also remember to embrace the ‘why’ behind whatever you choose to do this Vaisakhi!

2022 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

A Story

of

Photos credits A Master Media

Science, Spirit, Sikhism Dr. Hardev Singh Virk

By Naina Grewal

The realm of the sciences

is a vast field of information, characterized by unbounded theories, questions, and explorative queries. The research of these topics then goes on to better the lives of humankind, creating the backbone of global progress, advancement, and breakthroughs.

Accomplishing all this and

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more, such is the story of the scientist, educationist, author, and Sikh theologian, Dr. Hardev Singh Virk, who is a world renowned physicist and celebrated author. Dr. Virk has published 450 research papers, 45 books, and nearly 200 articles on science education, science policy, the Sikh religion and Punjabi literature. Presently, his

research entails working on the issue of groundwater contamination in Punjab, due to uranium and heavy metals, and its mitigation.

Born in Gujranwala's Kamoke Mandi, now in Pakistan, Dr. Virk recalls having spent most of his childhood at his maternal grandmother’s home in the care of his beloved mother.

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Vaisakhi Spotlight He distinctly describes memories of tough times, especially in light of a decade-long property dispute, “Sometimes, we had to live from hand to mouth with a dim hope of keeping the body and soul together.

Life went through many trials and tribulations, but I believe this helped me build my character.” Regardless of any external circumstances, Dr. Virk reveals that he always excelled in the field of education at school. Upon encouragement from his teachers, who were always of the utmost support to him, Dr. Virk decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree at Goverment.

Mohindra College, Patiala.

Yet again, he received guidance to nurture his gift of intellectualism under the counsel of Indian physicist and pioneer in Cosmic Rays Physics, Dr. Piara Singh Gill, at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

Here, he went on to receive his Masters in Physics in 1963. Dr. Virk describes working under Dr. Gill as an honor and privilege.

Soon, this experience would be the first step to opening up doors to joining the galleries of the greatest world scientists as colleagues, mentors, and teachers. Through sheer hard work, brilliance, intelligence, and his distinct and unique accomplishments, Dr. Virk arose to join the company of elite scientists

and scholars of national and international prominence.

In 1972, Dr. Virk obtained his Doctorate in Nuclear Physics from Marie Curie University, Paris. Here, he created history by writing a thesis rejecting the hypothesis of his own Ph.D. supervisor. This proved to be a turning point in his life and he resolved to uphold the truth at all costs. Moving forward, with hardly any facility in his own area of research, he took a plunge in the interdisciplinary areas of Nuclear & Radiation Physics; Geochronology; Earthquakes & Environment; Ion Tracks & Nanotechnology; History & Philosophy of Science; Sikh Religion and Punjabi Literature.

Taking a look at his career, Dr. Virk secured the position of a government college lecturer at the young age of 21 but did not join, on the advice of his teacher, and went on to serve in Guru Nanak Engineering (GNE) College, Ludhiana from 1963 to 1965. He then served at Punjabi University in Patiala from 1965 to 1979, and Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar from 1979 to 2002. At GNDU, Dr. Virk started a new physics department from scratch, navigating through the challenges of university administration,

and creating infrastructure for teaching and research from the grassroots. The popular and loved professor retired from GNDU in June 2002 after serving as Director of Research and Dean of Academic Affairs.

He was re-employed as Director of Research at DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar, where he served as Director Nanotechnology Center from 2008 to 2011. His professional endeavors also include working as a Visiting Professor at SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib from 2013 to 2017, and Professor of Eminence at Punjabi University, Patiala from 2017 to 2019. Presently, he sits on the posts of Adjunct Professor at Eternal University Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh and Professor of Eminence (Honorary) at SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.

The literary genius elaborates, “When people ask me why I love Sikhi, I tell them it is in my genetic code.

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Reflecting on his career and professional milestones, Dr. Virk shares, “20 years after retirement, I am still actively working on research projects in India and Canada. That said, although 90% of my time is devoted to scientific research, most of my awards

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are from the literary field.”

Dr. Virk is recipient of several awards, including the Senior Associateship of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy (1988-1993); Shiromani Award as Best Writer of Scientific Literature in Punjabi awarded

by Punjab State Languages Department (1993); S. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Award for Scientific & Literary Writing in Punjabi

by Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana (2000), and Honorable Mention Award of Templeton Foundation (USA) for a Project on Global Perspectives of Science & Sikh Religion (2005).

Dr. Virk’s literary prowess is of the highest esteem, and he has also penned a captivating and engaging autobiography, My Journey in Science: Autobiography of an Indian Scientist. Dr. Virk writes about more than just his scientific research and personal journeys, especially exploring themes of Sikhism. He was always influenced by his mother's recitation of Gurbani at Amritvela from his early childhood;

he himself started reciting Nitnem Banis during his college years.

The literary genius elaborates, “When people ask me why I love Sikhi, I tell them it is in my genetic code. My mother did so much recitation of Gurbani (utterances of the Gurus) when I was in her womb, that it changed my genetic code. If transmutations are possible in radioactive substances in nature and can be induced artificially in a research laboratory where I worked in the Marie Curie University of Paris, then why not at the biological level in a fetus?”As expressed in the foreword of Dr. Virk’s autobiography

by Dr. Daya Singh Sandhu, Director of Research at Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, Kentucky, Dr. Virk’s ingenuity in applying scientific explanations to religious or spiritual questions is reputed to be at par excellence. With fascinating and thought-provoking scientific questions for others to explore, it is evidently very difficult, if not impossible, to dispute Dr. Virk’s assertions and logical explanations. An example

Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Hardev Singh Virk

Vaisakhi Spotlight

Recently, Flogen Technologies has proposed to organize the Virk International Symposium on Physics, Technology and Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development, in 2022, in Phuket, Thailand, to celebrate Dr. Virk’s research contributions along with nine other Nobel Laureates. The symposium is dedicated to honoring the lifetime achievements of Dr. Virk, as he is a pioneer in interdisciplinary research in India, using heavy ion beams for irradiation of minerals, glasses, polymers and other insulators. Dr. Virk has been instrumental in using Radon concentration in indoor air, soil, and groundwater for estimation of health hazard effects and earthquake prediction in the Himalayas to develop applications for sustainable development of the region.

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Dr. Virk’s quest for knowledge, influential research, and long list of accomplishments is unmatched.

Not only is he a role model to scientists, researchers, academics, authors, and philosophers, the multitalented and multifaceted scholar is a symbol of pride for our communities.

Having traveled through 50 countries for his academic pursuits, Dr. Virk vividly remembers being the only Amritdhari Sikh in those times, particularly in the 1970s of Europe. He discloses that wearing a turban was prohibited at many places in France, including university convocations and restaurants. Given the lack of ethnic and religious awareness, many thought that he was Muslim and the ignorance would sometimes go as far as the allusion to Dr. Virk as “Pakistani” in the media. Recounting tales from his experiences, Dr. Virk shares a story, “One day, some Saudi Arabian girls, wearing

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hijabs, entered the scene during my time in Paris.

The French students began throwing pieces of bread on them, born out of racist sentiment, of course. A fist fight broke out between the Saudi Arabian and French boys. The result? They not only backed off from teasing the Saudi Arabian girls, but they stopped bothering me, too, as a turbaned Sikh.”After this incident, Dr. Virk describes that his treatment in international festivals was nothing short of a maharaja, or king. In fact, his colleagues would use his name for exclusive access to hard-to-book resorts, for instance. All in all, apart from a few misunderstandings and incidents, the science legend mostly enjoyed his status as a Sikh man with a turban.

Commenting on the topic of discrimination, Dr. Virk

“

of his notable works in this area includes his critical essay, “Implications of God Particle for Science and Gurbani”.

details that scientists are mostly secular and look at one’s work more than their identity. Nevertheless, after the 1980s, many others from Punjab began relocating across the world, and there has been a prominent change in the last decade, notably, as turbaned Sikhs can now be found all over the globe.

In regards to the state of things in current days, Dr. Virk believes that the narrative of Sikhism must be changed at a global level.

According to him, the Sikh psyche must, along with “love for martyrs”, also prioritize “love for scholars” and changemakers, as the Jews have done. Dr. Virk’s mindset is that education is a catalyst of any such change, both within the Sikh community, and as well as globally. As he puts

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Vaisakhi Spotlight it, “The promotion of science education is important. If more Sikh kids go into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), there can be a change in the overall status and thinking of Sikhs, and the larger community.” Looking at his own personal front, Dr. Virk and his wife, Ranjit Kaur, a qualified teacher with Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts in Music, have raised their three sons to become qualified engineers with master degrees in their professions. The elder two sons are settled in Surrey, BC, Canada while the youngest one is in San Jose, California, USA.

and significant, everlasting contributions to the world of Science, Sikhism, and beyond.

Undoubtedly, Dr. Virk’s quest for knowledge, influential research, and long list of accomplishments is unmatched. Not only is he a role model to scientists, researchers, academics, authors, and philosophers, the multitalented and multifaceted scholar is a symbol of pride for our communities. Persevering through an array of hardships, he has developed a personality and presence laced with courage and determination, in addition to his intellectual caliber. Breaking boundaries and making possible the impossible are actions of second nature to Dr. Virk, made crystal clear by his unprecedented career, unbreakable spirit, Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Hardev Singh Virk 2022 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

Photos: Courtesy of Narinder Singh Sabharwal

Singh with Style:

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Diving into Sabharwal’s background, he immigrated from Delhi to Canada in 1995. He had left amidst the completion of his studies at Delhi University, where he was pursuing a Bachelor’s of Commerce.

When he reached Canada, Sabharwal switched gears and obtained a diploma in the electronics field.

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He initially started out trying his hand at a couple of jobs, but faced rampant racism, often tied with promotion-related issues; Sabharwal was a turbaned Sikh. After having to deal with such problems twice in a short period of time, Sabharwal decided that he won’t be applying for another job. Rather, his interest shifted to growing his family business, which was spearheaded by his father at the time. In 2000, he started his own company and eventually bought his father’s company as well. After buying out his

father’s business partner, the two companies merged into one and A Class Fabrication was born. An organization that started in Sabharwal’s garage, today operates under the banner of A Class Fabrication Co Ltd. and has upsized warehouses several times given its notable growth.

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authentic to him, he began exploring the fashion realm, expanding what style means as a turbaned Sikh. Coming from the very happening city of Delhi, Sabharwal grew up around a lot of cultural influences. After all, Delhi is a prominent clothing hub and a leading textiles market in Asia. That said, Sabharwal’s most significant inspiration, by far, has been his father. Although he worked, his father was always suited and booted when he’d go out - that too, never without a tie. Slowly, Sabharwal began integrating a similar style into his own clothing choices. He’d sketch and draw designs, completely out of interest.

Now, everything Sabharwal wears (aside from casual outfits) comes from Delhi.

Sabharwal designs his outfits, and his trailer customizes every piece to his liking. Sabharwal shares, “I’m often asked if I’m scared to wear the clothes I design, but I always say that I want to experiment because I know that it will be appreciated. When people see my clothing,

they want to know where I got my outfits from. Some even ask for my tailor’s number!”

In addition to his business acumen and dressing sense, Sabharwal gained another important style statement from his father: a well-groomed, fashionable, and sturdily-curled mustache. A descendant of the Majha region of Punjab, where men are often known for their majestic mustaches, Sabharwal claims that he just had to emphasize the mustache in his appearance. This very mustache has opened new doors for the gentleman.

Vaisakhi Spotlight

That isn’t to say that success came without hurdles and personal challenges. Shook by the racist outlook of those in the workforce, Sabharwal initially did change his appearance. Carrying a haircut and clean-shaven look, Sabharwal attempted to fit in, but remembers feeling ashamed every time he looked in the mirror, “Nobody was expecting this from me. My family, relatives, and friends were all shocked. I also presented religious programming on the radio, which is another reason why people around me were surprised by my actions. After a few years, I myself realized that I had taken the wrong step and returned back to my roots, keeping my true beliefs and value system intact.” Having worked in the South Asian media industry as a radio jockey and television show host, Sabharwal credits his turban and Sikh appearance as the propellent behind him getting such opportunities.

As Sabharwal got back into living the life most

One day, while working in downtown Vancouver with his brother, Sabharwal spotted a caucasian man who had a mustache that resembled his own.

Sabharwal proceeded to compliment him, which sparked a conversation.

Upon further discussion, Sabharwal realized that the man was an actor, who ended up inviting Sabharwal to join the Vancouver Facial Hair Club and take part in an upcoming facial 2022 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

hair competition. Sabharwal relayed the encounter to his supportive and appreciative wife, who was eager for the competition and encouraged Sabharwal to take his shot. The competition took place in Vancouver’s downtown in a club; this would be Sabharwal’s first-time stepping foot in such an environment.

Sabharwal recalls, “I saw people and thought to myself that they seem pretty hardcore. I was a bit nervous. But as soon as I walked in, someone came up to me and said that he is going to lose this year, after looking at my mustache.

Within 10 minutes of my wife and I finding a table, all these people started coming up to us. They were super excited that another community was joining the competition! That definitely gave me the boost I needed and taught me to never judge a book by its cover.” Once the competition started, Sabharwal excelled. At the end, there was to be a tie breaker between Sabharwal and another contestant, who was a makeup artist for The Walking Dead. As they walked the ramp together,

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the loudness and cheering undoubtedly fell to the favor of Sabharwal. That year, he placed first. The next year, he won first place again. Since then, Sabharwal has won many competitions: First Place in the 2018 Facial Hair Competition, Vancouver (Canada); Second Place in the 2019 Facial Hair Competition, Vancouver (Canada); Third Place in the 2019 Rose City Beard & Mustache Competition, Portland (USA); Third Place in the 2019 Beard and Mustache Competition, Spokane (USA); Third Place in the 2019 National Beard and Mustache Championships, Chicago (USA). He is currently looking forward to competing in the 2023 World Beard and Mustache Championship, which is to be held in New Zealand.

To keep his facial hair on point, Sabharwal washes his mustache and beard every morning and every night to ensure cleanliness.

He details, “In the mornings, with the help of my hair spray and hair dryer, I style my mustache, which can take about 2 to 3 minutes. If I’m styling my beard as well, then it can take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Every night before going to bed, I wash my mustache and beard to remove the hair spray, and massage it with oil. Washing your beard at night is essential, otherwise hair strands will

begin to break and fall out.

Putting oil on keeps in the moisture, which protects your beard and keeps it soft.”

Aside from his mustache pursuits, Sabharwal is a motorbiker, having been part of the Sikh Motorcycle Club and currently freelancing. He also shows deep interest in photography, both as photographer and as subject, modeling from time to time as a hobby. Owning a horse of his own, the multifaceted man also enjoys horse riding with his 19-year-old son, who himself has competed in and won many competitions in the sport. Sabharwal is, in addition, a lover of antique weaponry, which he collects and creates; he owns 15 different swords and shields, some of which are up to 400 years old.

Creating a healthy balance between a prosperous business and a flourishing personal life, Sabharwal shares that he makes it a point to not run after money. For him, it is all about contentment and satisfaction. Evidently, Sabharwal is creating new benchmarks of accomplishments and achievements outside of traditional paths, alongside spreading community pride across the seven seas. A Singh with style, Sabharwal’s personality, much like his mustache, is unique and stands strong!

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By Naina Grewal The pandemic has brought about a multitude of changes from local and global standpoints. Undeniably, near or far, instrumental to the fight against COVID-19 have been changemakers, volunteers, and organizations that tirelessly devote their time into making sure our loved ones are safe and protected. Such is the story of an organization, the Sikh Health Foundation, that was born during these unprecedented, tough times.

This organization is now a community catalyst in the realm of health and public education.

Sukhmeet Singh Sachal,

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University of British Columbia (UBC) medical student and Founder of the Sikh Health Foundation, traces the beginnings of his idea to a visit he took with his father to the local Gurdwara. He observed that, of everyone present, only he and his father were wearing masks. Sachal details, “I’d see Dr. Bonnie Henry on TV everyday telling everyone to wear masks, so I decided to ask one of the Gurdwara attendees why they weren’t wearing a mask, out of curiosity.

They expressed that they were unable to find a mask they could tie around their turban. They also explained that most pandemic-related

information disseminated was in English and therefore inaccessible to those with language barriers.”

Sachal realized that these problems are indeed significant and can possibly have a tremendously negative impact if not addressed.

With his school shifting to online learning and the inability for Sachal to assist COVID-19 patients physically in hospitals, he decided to help the community in another way. By creating a campaign to keep patrons visiting Gurdwaras safe, he committed to shining light on public health practices and providing related COVID-19 resources in

Photos credits A Master Media

Vaisakhi Spotlight

From Local to Global: Sikh Health Foundation

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

local communities. Sachal then went on to become one of 38 youth worldwide to receive funding from the Clinton Foundation for his efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, which is how the COVID-19 Sikh Gurdwara Initiative was conceived.

were in place at the time that were targeted towards our communities’ elderly populations. This was a fairly new idea. Since the Gurdwara is a place for the elderly to connect, I was intrigued by the COVID-19 Sikh Gurdwara Initiative” shares Joshi.

Once funding was secured and the organization had the means to become established, Sachal put out a call for volunteers; many South Asian youth reached out. At a time when many organizations were shutting doors for volunteers, the COVID-19 Sikh Gurdwara Initiative was welcoming volunteers with open arms.

As the world was living through history, 150 youth joined the community initiative - all through social media and word of mouth!

Sachal notes that South Asians were, at the time, being relatively negatively portrayed in the media as a group that wasn’t necessarily following COVID-19 protocols. However, his organization strived to understand the reason behind why that may be the case and what the gaps were. With the three pillars of seva (selfless service), compassion, and unity, volunteers managed to hand out over 4,000 masks and educated more than 200,000 individuals about COVID-19 using methods, languages, and demos that were most relatable and accessible for their target audiences.

A key member to the organization’s success has been the Sikh Health Foundation’s Project Coordinator, Anandita Joshi. “Given that I work with Fraser Health Authority, I took a keen interest in the concept. I saw that not many programs

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 Sikh Gurdwara Initiative’s education-ori-

ented practices broke myths and combatted the problem of fear mongering as well. By showing Gurdwara attendees how to properly wash hands, for example, volunteers were able to bridge the gap of misinformation by making learning easy, accessible, and interactive. “Everyone at Gurdwaras was very thankful because they truly began to understand what we were doing. People were asking us to come back so they could bring in more friends and family.

One person told me that he was initially scared to mask up since his friends would make fun of him; he thanked us for educating his friends! Another Gurdwara attendee thanked us for giving him information on testing and symptoms, because of which he was later able to successfully self-isolate in a multigenerational household”explains Sachal as he puts into perspective the direct impact the organization has had on many in the community.

The campaign surely broke a lot of boundaries, includ 2022 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Spotlight

ing changing the narrative that South Asian youth do not spend time with elders; volunteers spent many evenings and weekends stationed at their local Gurdwaras. Additionally, volunteers were able to develop their confidence and gain valuable experiences. It is of no surprise, then, that the model has since spread to Toronto and Calgary in Canada, and as well as California, Kenya, and India, with the organization spreading worldwide.

As the campaign was successfully running and the team began venturing beyond just information dissemination, the COVID-19 Sikh Gurdwara Initiative transformed into the Sikh Health Foundation. Because Gurdwaras are considered to be culturally safe spaces, the Sikh Health Foundation saw an opportunity to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at places of worship. The team broke down exactly what is inside vaccinations through impactful infographics and

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debunked misinformation.

With collaborative efforts in partnership with Fraser Health Authority, the Sikh Health Foundation set up vaccination sites at Gurdwaras, Churches, Mosques, and Mandirs. At the forefront of all these efforts has been carefully constructed, culturally relevant messaging and communication.

Even when the team first launched their campaign in Gurdwaras, the intention was to ensure that the information was not generic.

Moving beyond just literal Punjabi translations, the team implemented images and graphics that were simple to understand and relatable, such as symbolizing the six-feet distance rule by showing the length of a turban. Inderpal Dosanjh, Bachelor of Science student at UBC, volunteered at vaccination clinics held at places of worship with the Sikh Health Foundation.

He elaborates, “The culturally targeted approach has been highly successful, which is evident through

the number of patients that were vaccinated at Gurdwaras. I shared the information provided by the Sikh Health Foundation with my own grandparents, who can’t understand English, allowing them access to reliable and easy-to-understand information. They have found it very useful!

Working with the Sikh Health Foundation has allowed me to expand my own knowledge through investigating different aspects of prominent health problems in the community. We are consistently brainstorming novel methods to address these health issues in a culturally relevant way.”

Having worked with the Sikh Health Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic in an advisory role, Dr. Mary Kestler is a faculty member at the UBC Medical School and her specialty is Infectious Diseases. She describes working with youngsters who care deeply about their communities as an antidote

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Vaisakhi Spotlight to despair brought on by the pandemic, “I was deeply inspired by the Sikh Health Foundation’s initial work in Gurdwaras and believe that the most effective and authentic work will come from the community itself. In my role as an educator, I have been continuously amazed by the energy and leadership of young people.”

Moving forward, the Sikh Health Foundation plans to continue the work around culturally effective public health messaging. The team is now busy at work starting a new monthly health campaign, where a new public health concept will

be highlighted every month to educate communities and raise awareness about different health-related themes. In process is also a documentary-style feature that will shine light on South Asian youth’s actions to help mobilize change in South Asian communities during the pandemic. The hope is that this documentary will be useful for future health crises, through which governments and organizations can see, firsthand, how to help create change. After all, youth energies and perspectives always come without limits; the Sikh Health Foundation believes that they are very valuable to have.

Evidently, by enabling accessible education, the Sikh Health Foundation truly encompasses what it means to be a Sikh, a lifelong learner. With the beauty of people from different religions, cultures, and backgrounds coming together for one cause, the organization is a role-model for all. Starting with a simple observation a young community member made at his local gurdwara, the initiative has now become globally recognized, expanding to a multifaceted organization. As Founder Sachal himself puts it, "The world is so small. Dream big. You CAN make it happen"

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

By Shweta Kulkarni

T

he Sikh history is enshrined with glorious sagas, plenty of struggle, relentless battles and the perseverance of some remarkable warriors and saints who have played a key role in shaping the social, religious, and political milieu of the Sikh faith.

This Vaisakhi, we bring to you some of the most significant and revered Sikh figures, who have made their mark in the pages of Sikh history eons ago.

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839)

Popularly known as Sher-

e-Punjab or Lion of Punjab, history pages are replete with tales of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s bravery and conquests. A man of valour, Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaj of the Sikh Empire and reigned it from 1801 to 1839.

Born on November 13, 1780, to Maha Singh and Raj Kaur in Gujranwala, Punjab region (now in Pakistan), Ranjit Singh displayed all the traits of becoming a great leader from an early age. He lost sight in his left eye during infancy due to smallpox, however, loss of eyesight and lack of education didn’t stop Ranjit Singh from becoming one of the greatest warriors.

When kids his age were busy playing, Ranjit Singh showed unimaginable gallantry and fought his first battle alongside his father at the age of 10. In 1792, 12-year-old Ranjit Singh lost his father, and the responsibility of leading his father's Sukerchakia Misl (confederacy) estates as chief came upon his young shoulders. Needless to say, the young leader once again showed his indomitable spirit and commendably took charge of his inheritance and even survived an attack made on his life by Hashmat Khan when he was merely 13 years old.

When Ranjit Singh was

15-year-old, he was married to the daughter of a chieftain of the Kanhayas — Mehtab Kaur, and for many years his affairs were directed by his mother-in-law, Rani Sada Kaur, who guided his destiny and helped him to acquire the Sikh Empire.

Ranjit Singh fearlessly fought several wars to expel the Afghans, amongst which was the epic conquest of the Lahore Fort, where he rode up to Samman Burj and challenged Shah Zaman to single combat.

Shah Zaman was defeated and Ranjit Singh was rightfully proclaimed as the ‘Maharaja of Punjab’ at age 21 on 12 April 1801, on the day of Baisakhi. Under Ranjit Singh’s outstanding leadership, his empire continued to flourish in the Punjab region.

Before Ranjit Singh’s rise, the Punjab region had several warring misls (confederacies), seeing the need for unification of the Sikh community the Maharaja commendably absorbed and united all the Sikh misls and also took over the other local kingdoms to form the Sikh empire.

His domains extended from the Khyber Pass in the northwest to the Sutlej River in the east and from the Kashmir region at the northern limit of the Indian subcontinent southward to the Thar (Great Indi-

an) Desert. Interestingly, the Maharaja was never conquered by the Afghans and his Punjab region happens to be the only region that successfully defeated Afghanistan. What’s more, such was the valour of the Maharaja that when Afghan prince Shuja Shah Durrani needed help to win his throne back, he approached Ranjit Singh for assistance and gave him the coveted Koh-i-Noor diamond in return for his help.

Apart from bringing together all the Sikh territories and building the prosperous Sikh Empire, Ranjit Singh also introduced reforms, modernisation, investment into infrastructure and general prosperity. Ranjit Singh was also a secular and forward-thinking leader and his Khalsa army included Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and European warriors and generals.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is not only credited for immensely contributing to the rich Sikh cultural and artistic renaissance, but he is also responsible for the rebuilding of the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar, which is now known popularly as the Golden Temple. He also built the Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar and Hazur Sahib Nanded, Maharashtra. The great Maharaja has indeed made a distinctive mark in the annals of history.

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Rani Sada Kaur Vaisakhi FEATURE

(1762-1832)

Talk about Maharaja

Ranjit Singh, and you can’t miss mentioning the formidable force behind his success — his mother-inlaw — Rani Sada Kaur. The feisty Rani was indisputably one of the most remarkable characters in Sikh history, who played a key role in the spread of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s domain and the expansion of the Sikh Empire.

Born in 1762 to Sardar Daswandha Singh Dhaliwal, Rani Sada Kaur was married to Gurbakhsh Singh, the son of the chief of the Kanahiya Misl at a young age. After Gurbaksh Singh was killed by Ranjit Singh’s father Maha Singh, Sada Kaur, an ambitious and intelligent young woman, served as the chief of the Kanhaiya Misl from 1789 to 1821. Blessed with exceptional foresight, it was Rani Sada Kaur who

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proposed the marriage of her only daughter — Mehtab Kaur, to Ranjit Singh’s mother Raj Kaur, when Ranjit Singh was just six-year-old. In 1792, when Ranjit Singh’s father Mahan Singh passed away, making the 10-year-old Ranjit his heir, Sada Kaur took it upon herself to run the affairs of his state with the help of Mahan Singh’s Diwan – Lakhpat Rai. Sada Kaur became his regent and used both Kanheya and Sukerchakia misals to push Ranjit forward.

While Ranjit Singh was courageous and displayed great leadership qualities, it was Rani Sada Kaur who was the guiding force behind him. In fact, very few people know that Rani Sada Kaur was also instrumental in making Ranjit Singh the king of Lahore.

It so happened that the people of Lahore were tired of the rule of the Bhangi

misl and requested Sada Kaur and Ranjit Singh to take over Lahore. Sada Kaur had great wisdom and far-sightedness, she convinced Ranjit that whoever controls Lahore controls Punjab. Thus, Ranjit Singh along with Sada Kaur attacked Lahore with 25,000 troops and conquered Lahore. Thereafter, the son-in-law and mother-in-law duo fought several battles together and she also played a huge role in unifying the several Sikh Misl, however, their relationship turned sour when Ranjit Singh married Datar Kaur and declared their first-born Kharak Singh as his heir. The relationship kept growing bitter and ended on an unhappy note.

Sada Kaur died in Lahore in 1832.

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

Maharani Jindan Kaur (1817 – 1863)

Maharani Jindan Kaur

is not just well-known in the history of Sikhism but is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable personalities of 19th century Indian history. While her primary identity was that of the youngest wife of the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire — Ranjit Singh, the gutsy Rani carved a name for herself in the annals of history by fearlessly waging two wars against the British rule in India.

Popularly known as Rani Jindan she proved to be a mighty regent to her son Duleep Singh who came into power at the age of 5 after the assassinations of Ranjit Singh's first three successors. Though she may have made big strategic mistakes due to her lack of military expertise and young age (she was in her early 20s), Rani Jindan was a fierce ruler, who was feared by the British. The British regarded her as a threat to their power in India and described her as the ‘Messalina of Punjab.’

Born to Manna Singh and Mataji Kaur, in a small village called Chicharwali,

of Sialkot district, Gujranwala (now Pakistan), Jindan Kaur was renowned for her beauty. It is said that having heard tales about her beauty and virtues, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, sent his arrow and sword to her village and sought her hand from her father. Jindan Kaur was married to the Maharaja at the age of 18 in the year 1835.

Apart from her valour and beauty what also makes Rani Jindan Kaur extraordinary is how she defied age-old traditions like Sati and purdah, which were dominant in those days, spearheaded court meetings and took a keen interest in running the kingdom on behalf of her son.

Despite being confronted with several obstacles, which tested her political and administrative skills, Rani Jindan proved her mettle as a regent, introduced changes in the revenue system, reconstituted the Supreme Council of the Khalsa and restored a balance between the army and the civil administration. She held regular courts, did public hearings, ran state business, and

reviewed troops.

After the British’s victory in the Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, the British seized Punjab, imprisoned and exiled Rani Jindan Kaur, and separated her from her son Duleep Singh, as they still considered her influential enough to revive the Sikh dynasty. However, the British couldn’t keep the daring young queen behind the bars for too long. Rani Jindan managed to escape the prison by disguising herself in beggars’ rags. She even scrawled a taunting note for her British captors, which read — “You put me in a cage and locked me up. For all your locks and your sentries, I got out by magic… I had told you not to push me too hard – but don’t think I ran away.

Understand well, that I escape by myself unaided… don’t imagine I got out like a thief.”

After her escape, Jindan then traversed 800 miles to reach a sanctuary in Nepal and eventually reached England where she was reunited with Duleep.

Unfortunately, the daring queen never regained the Sikh kingdom.

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Hari Singh Nalwa (1791- 1837)

Vaisakhi FEATURE

Known as Baghmar

(Tiger-killer) because of his bold act of killing a tiger that attacked him with his bare hands, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was the Commander-in-chief of the Sikh Empire and was regarded as one of the most feared Sikh warriors, who once tamed the notorious Afghan forces.

One of the most trustworthy sardars in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army, Hari Singh Nalwa is known for his role in the conquests of Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud. Hari Singh Nalwa was also responsible for expanding the frontier of the Sikh Empire beyond the Indus River right up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass.

Born in Gujranwala in the year 1791, Hari Singh was always inclined towards martial arts and displayed shrewd intellect and physical prowess from a young age. He started training in horse riding and martial arts at the age of 10, and when he was 13, his mother sent him to Maharaja Ranjit Singh to resolve a property dispute. This meeting led to the Maha-

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raja giving him a position at the court as a personal attendant. Soon enough, Hari Singh impressed the Maharaja with his gallantry and became Ranjit Singh’s right hand and received the commission of 800 horses and footmen along with earning the title of Sardar.

Over the course of 30 years, from 1804 to 1837, as the commander-in-chief, Nalwa fought several battles against Afghans and shot to fame as one of the most feared Sikh warriors who sent shivers down the spines of Afghan forces.

Despite having all the odds against him in each battle, Hari Singh defeated the Afghans in all the battles with his incredible skills and warfare tactics. He gained control over various regions along the boundary of Afghanistan and also prevented Afghans from entering Punjab through the Khyber Pass, which was the main route that foreign invaders used to enter India from 1000 AD till the early 19th century.

After a series of victories, the epic battle of Jamrud proved to be Nalwa’s last battle. In that battle, Dost Muhammad Khan along with his five sons fought

against the Sikh army, which only had around 600 men and limited supplies.

At that time, Nalwa was in Peshawar and marched towards Jamrud to save the Sikh army which was surrounded by Dost Mohammad’s troops. When the Afghan troops heard about his arrival, they started leaving the battleground in haste. However, Nalwa got seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

Interestingly, the brave warrior, before his death, told his army to not disclose the news of his demise till the forces from Lahore arrived to support them.

Historians strongly believe that, had it not been for Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his commander Nalwa, Afghan forces would have taken control of Peshawar and the northwest frontier, which is part of Pakistan now, thus making these areas a part of Afghanistan.

Resulting in Afghanistan not only making these areas a part of their country but it could have also led to more Afghan incursions into Punjab and Delhi.

Here's a grand salute to one of the fiercest warriors in Sikh history.

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

Mai Bhago An extraordinarily skilled

warrior-saint, Mai Bhago became immortalized in the pages of history after she motivated 40 Sikh warriors to return to the battlefield and courageously led the small group against thousands of Mughals in the epic battle of Muktsar in 1705.

Born in the Chabal Kalan district of Punjab, into a devoted Sikh family, Mai Bhago, also known as Mata Bhag Kaur, was trained in Shaster vidya at a young age and displayed remarkable proficiency in the use of arms. Since her childhood, she was highly influenced by the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh and was his ardent devotee.

Cautioned by the rising power of the Sikhs, in the

early 1700s, the Mughals, under the orders of Aurangzeb, launched an attack on Anandpur, where Guru Gobind Singh resided and forced evacuation by stopping food supplies.

Grappled by the fear of the Mughals, during the Anandpur siege, some Sikh men deserted the Guru and renounced their association with him. Mai Bhago, a staunch Sikh, was distressed by the incident and openly criticized the men for abandoning their Guru in an adverse situation.

Eventually, Mai Bhago not only succeeded in persuading them to meet the Guru and apologize but also led them into the battlefield to fight the Mughal army to save Guru Gobind Singh. Taken aback by her

courage, the Mughals were forced to retreat. However, all the 40 warriors died in the battle and attained martyrdom. Guru Gobind Singh blessed the 40 men as Chali Mukte (the liberated ones). Mai Bhago survived the battle and stayed on with Guru Gobind Singh Ji as one of his bodyguards, arming herself with a large lance (weighing about 102 pounds) and musket. After the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, Mai Bhago dipped herself deep into meditation and followed the path of Guru (Gurmat).

The very place where she meditated and taught for the rest of her life is now a centre of worship and learning called Gurudwara Tapashthan Mai Bhaigo.

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Sardar Sham Singh Attari Vaisakhi FEATURE

(1790-1846)

Talk about great Sikh

warriors, and Sardar Sham Singh Attari’s name is sure to be topping the list.

Also known as the grand old lion of Attari, tales of Sardar Sham Singh Attari’s heroism and bravery are inspiring even today. Born in the 1790s to well-known Jat farmers in the town of Attari (a few kilometres from the border of India and Pakistan), Amritsar, in the Majha region of Punjab, India, Sham Singh was the general of the Sikh Empire led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

As a child, Sham Singh Attari was educated in Gurmukhi and Persian, and also displayed outstanding martial arts skills. Noticing his extraordinary fighting abilities and valour, Maharaja Ranjit Singh made him the Jathedar of 5,000 horsemen in his army. Thereafter, Sham Singh, who was also known as Attariwala actively led military expeditions into the northern frontier.

His unconquerable character along with his excellent martial arts skills made him shine through various

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expeditions, notably in the campaign of Multan, the campaign of Kashmir, the campaign of the Frontier Province etc. But what really etched his name in history is his jaw-dropping courageous role in his last battle – The Battle of Sobraon, which was fought on 10 February 1846, between the forces of the East India Company and the army of the Sikh Empire of Punjab.

Historians believe that the battle of Sabraon of the First Sikh War (1846) where Sham Singh Attari was in command of troops would never have been lost, had it not been for traitors like Tej Singh and Lal Singh, the commanders of the Sikh Army, who starved the troops of ammunition and other administrative support.

It is also recorded that the night before the battle, Tej Singh had come to Sham Singh's camp and tried persuading him to beat a retreat while the pontoon bridge was still intact. A loyal soldier, Sham Singh was furious at the proposal and Tej Singh had said to

have taunted him saying if he was so brave, he should pledge to fight until his last breath. Sham Singh immediately asked for the Holy Granth to be brought and standing before it in all humility took a vow that he would either return victoriously or perish in the battle.

Unfortunately, Tej Singh and Lal Singh had already given the British their positions of guns, etc. and Tej Singh fled across the Sutlej and sank a part of the bridge of boats after him, trapping nearly 20,000 of the Sikh Khalsa Army on the east bank. But none of this deterred Sham Singh Attari from fearlessly charging against his enemies. Attariwala, the white beard hero, donning saffron robes, rode a top of his horse and dauntlessly went into the battlefield drawing the sword in his right hand and shouting Sat-siri-akal.

As he rode, the British army was taken aback as they had never seen any heroic act like this before. However, cause of Tej Singh’s betrayal, Sham Singh couldn’t hold

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the fort for too long and the old Sardar fell at last.

When Sham Singh’s body was found, seven bullets had pierced his chest. The battle of Sabraon was lost but out of respect for the brave warrior, the British

Vaisakhi FEATURE

ordered a ceasefire and allowed Sham Singh's troops to take his body away. The body was brought back to Attari with full respect on an elephant back after seven days of march. His wife performed sati at

his funeral pyre. (This is the last Sati recorded in history.) As a respect, to the brave warrior, even today people from Attari do not wear saffron colour at weddings or on any other joyous occasions.

Mata Khivi

(1506 - 1582)

Mata Khivi also known

as Khivi or Bibi Khivi is renowned amid the Sikh community as the person who established the tradition of Langar, the free kitchen, which is still considered the highest form of selfless offering.

Born in 1506 to Devi Chand and Karan Devi, a wealthy Marwaha Khatri family of village Sangarkot near Khadoor Sahib, Mata Khivi was the wife of the second Sikh guru — Guru Angad.

Mata Khivi’s father Devichand was a money lender and a businessman. As for

the old traditions, Mata Khivi was also married early in her childhood at the age of 13 in 1519. Her husband Lehna also belonged to the same village and later on, he became the second guru of Sikhs, Guru Angad.

Once Guru Angad Dev was given the Guruship, Mata Khivi got actively involved in spreading Sikhism’s teachings to women.

It was during this period that decided to take up Guru Nanak’s tradition of giving free meals to everyone forward and established the Langar system, which even today serves meals to all free of charge, regardless

of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity across the globe.

Mata Khivi managed the Langar system in a systematic manner, which was also known as Mata Khivi ji da Langar. She institutionalised the tradition of langar and set rules and training methods for volunteers. She not only made it work in a way that will never create any discontinuation of the tradition but also established a method where visitors could participate and play their part in the offering, which is called Sewa Tradition in Sikh.

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Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Vaisakhi FEATURE

(1718 – 1783)

Sardar Jassa Singh Ah-

luwalia is one of the most celebrated figures in Sikh history. An intelligent and powerful administrator, Jassa Singh was a prominent Sikh leader during the period of the Sikh Confederacy, who led the Ahluwalia Misl. A legendary warrior, Jass Singh victoriously fought several battles against the Afghans and Mughals and was also responsible for bringing Mughal’s centre of power at that time (Red Fort) under the Khalsa flag. The Khalsa honoured Jassa Singh with the title of Sultan-ul-Qaum (King of the nation) when he captured Lahore in 1761.

Jass Singh was born in 1718 in a village called Ahlu near Lahore, at a time when the spirit of Punjab was completely crushed and the freedom movement was brought to a standstill after the horrific execution of the legendary Sikh warrior Banda Bahadur and his followers. The Ahlu village he was born in, was established by his ancestor, hence

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Sadda Singh used the name Ahluwalia (meaning from Ahluwal).

Jassa Singh was only 5 years old when his father passed away and he spent the next 7 years with his mother in Delhi in the company of Mata Sundari, Guru Gobind’s widow where he imbibed the lessons of the Gurus, and became an ardent devotee of Guru Gobind and made his mission his own. It wasn’t until he was 12-year-old that Jassa Singh left Delhi and joined his mentor — Kapur Singh’s Dal Khalsa, where he honed his martial arts skills and became a fearless warrior. The young and daring Jassa Singh soon enough made his mark and in March 1748 was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Dal Khalsa. In 1753, Kapur Singh, also announced Jassa Singh as the head of the panth, giving him Guru Gobind Singh’s mace to reinforce his leadership of the community. Now there was no stopping the legendary leader.

Under his spectacular leadership, the Dal Khalsa began its conquest of the whole of Punjab. His victories included the defeat (in combination with Kaura Mal) of Shah Nawaz of Multan, he conquered Khwaspur and Fatehabad in 1753, he overpowered Aziz Beg and Bakhinda Khan (1754), the commanders who attacked Amritsar. He then defeated Buland Khan at Mahilpur (1757) and again in 1757 he conquered Saadat Khan, Abdali’s representative at Jalandhar.

In 1761, Jassa Singh along with Ranjit Singh’s grandfather — Charat Singh Suckerchakia, defeated Ubaid Khan and took over Lahore, thus freeing Punjab after 700 years.

Apart from freeing people from the tyrannical oppressors, Jass Singh also instilled in the Sikhs faith in God and the belief that if you are just, ultimately victory has to be yours. No wonder he was regarded as a warrior-saintsent for Punjab’s salvation.

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Vaisakhi FEATURE

Bebe Nanaki (1464-1518)

Revered as one of the most important figures of Sikhism, Bebe Nanaki holds a special place in Sikh history.

Not only was she the elder sister of Guru Nanak dev ji, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism, but she was also his first disciple and is often known as the first Gurkish.

It was Bebe Nanaki, who first noticed that her younger brother was no ordinary man and had a philosophical and spiritual inclination.

Born in 1464 to Mata Tripta and Mehta Kalu ji in a village called Chahal, Lahore, now in Pakistan, Bebe Nanaki was five years elder to Guru Nanak Devji. She was born at the house of her maternal grandfather and grandmother, who loved her a lot and named her Nankian, which means house of maternal grandparents.

Later the word Nankian was changed into Nanaki. Interestingly, her brother was named after her, and people would call him Nanak of

Nanaki. The brother-sister shared a beautiful bond and heart-warming tales of their relationship are narrated in some of the Sakhis. Bebe Nanaki was extremely fond of her younger brother and often protected Nanak from their father’s wrath. There are also many stories of Nanaki’s deep and devoted affection for her brother, Nanak.

Bebe Nanaki was also instrumental in getting Nanak settled and finding a suitable match for him — Mata Sulakhni. When Bebe Nanaki was married in 1475 to Bhai Jai Ram, a revenue officer at Sultanpur, Nanak was sent to live with them.

Bhai Jai Ram not only got Nanak employed as a storekeeper under the Nawab of Sultanpur but along with Bebe Nanaki, he also took it upon himself to arrange his wedding.

Nanaki didn’t have any children of her own and she helped Mata Sulakhni in bringing up her sons, Sri

Chand and Lakhmi Chand.

When Guru Nanak Devji planned to start his missionary work to spread his message in the world, Bebe Nanaki assured him that she will look after his family in his absence. In fact, she also is the one who encouraged him to use music as an instrument of devotion to God. Nanaki knew of Guru Nanak’s musical talent, and also bought a Rebab (musical instrument with strings) for him. This tradition of recitation of hymns with the help of music is still prevalent in Sikhism and has played a big role in the preachings of Sikhism.

Bebe Nanak lived in Sultanpur for about forty years and breathed her last in presence of her brother while Guru’s sacred hymn, Japji Sahib, was being recited to her. Bebe Nanaki had unconditional love for Nanak, for her, Nanak was not only her brother (Veer) but also her Guru (Peer).

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Bhagat Puran Singh Vaisakhi FEATURE

(1904 – 1992)

None can define Sewa,

the nature of human life in Sikhism, better than Bhagat Puran Singh. Devoted to the service of mankind, Bhagat Puran Singh was an epitome of love, kindness and compassion. He was an Indian writer, environmentalist and philanthropist, who spent all his life tirelessly doing humanitarian work.

Bhagat Puran Singh was born into a Hindu family on 4th July 1904 in Rajewal Ludhiana district of Punjab and was given the name Ramji Das. However, later in life, being impressed by the Guru’s teachings and the philosophy of selfless service of Sikhism, he chose to become a Sikh.

As a young child, Bhagat Puran Singh grew up listening to stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwad Gita from his mother. His mother played a huge role in inculcating the feelings

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of compassion, sympathy and love in him for all humans and animals.

After his father’s death, his mother shifted to Lahore with him, where he began visiting the Gurudwara Dehra Sahib. Bhagat Puran Singh started helping in the Gurudwara by cleaning, managing cattle, serving people helping in the kitchen etc. He would even clear the streets of Lahore and cremate the unclaimed dead bodies. He took care of the destitute and took the sick to the hospital for treatment. Realizing the joy of selfless service, Puran Singh decided to spend the rest of his life dedicated to humanitarian work.

One day in 1934, a child with leprosy was left at Gurudwara and Bhagat Puran Singh took this fouryear-old under his care and named him Piara Singh.

This episode completely transformed his life. There

on, he made it his life’s mission to serve the destitute and helpless in whatever ways possible.

He established a home for the sick and the disabled in Amritsar called Pingalwara.

Even today, The All-India Pingalwara Charitable Society has retained all the essence of Bhagat Puran Singh’s philosophies and teachings and is completely devoted to several humanitarian works.

Bhagat Puran Singh also campaigned for soil erosion and pollution awareness and wrote many books about environmental awareness. In 1981, Bhagat Puran Singh was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri award, for his exceptional and distinguished service to humanity. In 1991, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work.

VAISAKHI DIYAN LAKH LAKH VADHAIYAN On this auspicious occasion, Simon Fraser University would like to thank and wish the Sikh community a joyous and blessed Vaisakhi!

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7 Ways to make your

Vaisakhi filled

with colour and joy!

By Mrinalini Sundar It is that time of the year again! Baisakhi is here! It is the beautiful harvest festival that brings people hope, happiness and a lot of joy. This festival marks the beginning of the spring year and usually falls in the month of Vaisakh of the Hindu calendar. It is also an important occasion as this day is also the birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Besides visiting the gurdwara, Vaisakhi is also an amazing time to get together with the entire family and enjoy delicious meals prepared for the entire family. So before all the festivities hit the peak, how about we give the house a little makeover and make sure the house and you are both Vaisakhi-ready?

Follow these simple steps you can take to give the house a festive look:

1. Flower rangolis: This is a great way to welcome people to your house. You can either make a rangoli with colours or with flowers. We personally love flowers because they just give an authentic Indian feel to them. Pick flowers like marigolds, roses, and lilies, just different coloured flowers will give you enough variety to draw a rangolis and fill it with different petals. Let the artist ion your come out if you chose to draw rangolis with coloured powder. We suggest you first draw the outline of the design and then fill it with colours.

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2. Light the house

Vaisakhi is all about the bright colours and a fresh start to everything. How about lighting diyas around the house? They add a natural charm to the house and also make everything look so much prettier. You can choose the desi-styled diyas which are painted in different colours and also have some sparkles. We recommend lighting lamps and placing them at the entrances of the house or the pooja room. You can also place them in a circular design making the look like a flower.

3. DIY kites:

Vaisakhi is also the time when kids and adults alike spend time with the family chatting and flying a kite. Make them as colourful as you can - well that's the aim.

You can either spend time with the kids and create your own kites so you can fly them during the day, or you can design the kites and make them as beautiful props or wall accents. This way you will give the walls a beautiful colourful mix and also celebrate Vaisakhi the traditional way.

5. Flowers are a big deal:

Adding flowers to the interior can be very refreshing. Welcome spring and the festive season by decorating all the vases in your house with fresh flowers. Place them as showstoppers on the dining table, centre table or the kitchen - adding a bit of colour can be soothing to your eyes and can also be a grand gesture around the festive time.

7. Create a garden bench:

The easiest way to add some colour to your house and exterior is by investing in a garden with flowering plants. We personally think you can create a flower bench.

Use the old worn-out bench in your house as a planter. Build a shelf on the bench and plant flowering seeds in there. You can hope to have some flowers blooming a few days right in time for spring. When the flowers are in full bloom, they also can become amazing showstoppers and add a lot of charm during summer.

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4. Yellow all the way:

Give your house a bright and fresh look by changing the curtains and upholstery in the house. Yellow curtains can bring a warm and welcoming feel to your house.

You can also add yellow and floral-inspired cushion covers that will scream spring and are perfect for festival time.

We also love the idea of having an entire wall painted yellow. You can decorate this wall however you want which means it will be that special photo booth corner with an Indian twist.

6. Sweets galore:

Vaisakhi is that time when the family gets together for a scrumptious meal and no meal is ever complete without sweets. We know sweets are not a part of your decor. (we don't mind even if they are). But welcoming guests and spending Vaisakhi with loved ones means feeding on sweets.

From besan and motichoor ladoos, milk barfi, to kaju katli - sweets on the living room table just add a festive look to the house no matter what. We don't need a special occasion to take a bite of these amazing sweets.

We wish that this Vaisakhi, you try our interior ideas and enjoy a day filled with laughter, joy, and blessings!

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