Kar Sewa at Harmandir Sahib

Kar sewa at Harimandir Sahib Amritsar

My late father Sdr Vas Dev Singh was affectionately addressed as 'Bhagat Ji' by his near and dear. So was addressed his brother late Sardar Inder Jit Singh and to be precise 'Chhote Bhagat Ji'. Both the brothers enjoyed their childhood under the strict eyes and control of their Bhua Bibi Kishoree Bai (the maternal grand mother of Late Sardar Hari Singh). My grandfather late Lala Bhagwan Dass was advised to refrain from non-vegetarian food and Alcohol so as to get the blessing of a son. After the birth of his first son ie my father Sardar Vas Dev Singh in 1919, his near and dear encouraged him to resort to the debarred food. As the story is narrated to me by grandmother and confirmed by many of my older generation people that Lala Bhagwan Dass fell sick immediately after intake of non-veg food and after a brief period of about one month left for his heavenly abode. As the children grew up and followed the tradition of restraining the non-veg food through their life time, most of their kith addressed them as 'Bhagat'. In my family we have still the tradition of eating only vegetarian food.

I would like to mention it over here that meat eating has been a taboo with us. In the family of Sdr Vas Dev Singh, no meat was ever served in the marriages of his daughters, even if there was a lot of pressures from the boys side. All my sisters and me have been blessed with a son except in one case we served non-veg food on the eve of marriage. Incidentally she was blessed only one issue ie a girl. 

And Sdr Inder Jit Singh's two daughters, non-veg food was served at the time of marriage, they were only blessed with daughters. At the marriage of his first son Tarlochan Singh, again non-vegetarian food was served and again two daughters were blessed to him. after this the other brothers decided not to have non-veg food and are blessed with two sons each.There is no scientific reasons for all this, I am only trying to figure out the facts though.

Sh Vas Dev Singh 1919-1997

At the beginning of the year 1923 one youth committed suicide at the Sarovar. His body went deep inside and got struck in the silt at the bottom. It was during this time that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee decided of performing the Kar Sewa. 

Darbar Sahib with Clock Tower under construction

ca. 1860's, albumen print, SSB Collection

On Sunday 17th June 1923 the sewa was started with the five beloved one’s heading a Nagar Kirtan which started from Pipli Sahib. After performing Ardaas at Har Ki Pauri, Five Golden Shovels along with five silvers vessels were carried on the head by the five beloved one’s. 

After which the entire Sikh community consisting of common people, intellectuals, Ex rulers, performed the Sewa, with devotion. The entire gathering exceeded to almost six lac’s.

Sdr Inder Jit Singh 1920- 1990

Bibi Kishoree Bai undertook this pilgrimage along with Bibi Kesar Devi, two children Vas Dev Singh Nad Inder Jit Singh to participate in the 'Kar Sewa' in 1923. Sdr Vas Dev Singh often told me how enjoyful was the first 'Kar Sewa' when he as growing kid along with his mom, aunt and toddler brother undertook it with great enthusiasm.

Kar Sewa in 1973

About fifty years later in 1973 SGPC passed on the resolution of performing the Sewa at the Sarovar , responsibility of which was given to Baba Jiwan Singh Ji. On Saturday 31st March 1973 under the guidance of the Five beloved one’s Nagar Kirtan started from Gurdwara “Shaheed Baba Deep Singh”. Sewa at the Sarovar started after ardaas was performed by the Five beloved one’s, who went down the Sarovar with Five Golden Shovels and five silver vessel’s and initiated the Kar Sewa. In this Sewa nearly ten lac’s of people participated. My dad was very excited and was ever waiting to join the same which he ultimately did. It was at this time that he remembered the first 'Kar Sewa'.

In the year 1984 on 4th, 5th, 6th June operation Blue Star was conducted at Harmandir Sahib during which the dead bodies and blood of various Sikh martyrs including women and the children’s fell into the Sarovar thus making it un-sacred and dirty. Therefore a decision was taken by the five beloved to perform Sewa at Sarovar ,responsibility of which was given to Baba Kharag Singh and his descendent Baba Darshan Singh. On 12th October at about 12.0 Clock in the afternoon Sewa started with the help of five Golden shovels and five Silver vessels. All the people including the women and the children’s performed the Sewa by removing the silt with the help of vessels and even with the help of their own hands. In this Sewa people from all over the world participated included the Hindus and the Muslims. After 1984 the social as well as political situation in the entire state of Punjab went through lot of disturbance. The Harmandir Sahib complex also faced some problems. Due to this need was felt to perform Sewa here. Therefore the intellectuals who were already participating in the sewa of the Akal Takhat Sahib performed Sewa. In this Sewa again people from the entire city of Amritsar and the entire world participated He was thus three-time-lucky when he participated in May 1988 'Kar Sewa'.

Kar Sewa at Harmandir Sahib in 1984

When the Kar Sewa for the construction of Savorer at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara New Delhi was being performed in 1977, my Dad emphasized again to participate. So in 1979, My dad, me, Harvinder and Shivpreet all went to join hands for doing our bit in the construction of Savorer.

He felt proud to see all of us joining hands for performing an act of rare opportunity. Kar Sewa reflects the serving nature of the community and it strengthens the unity among people. It creates an awareness among the people regarding the selfless service. Time from the starting period till now many times Kar Sewa has been performed at Harmandir Sahib. Sdr Vas Dev Singh guided us to learn humility by indulging in this act of selfless service for mankind, by shredding our ego, proud, status or wealth.

To be continued and edited ...

© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved.

My Village Badbar

                   Badbar

Badbar is situated 10 miles of Sangrur on one side and 10 miles of Barnala on the other. A Tee junction offshoots towards Langowal and further to Sanam.

This is a village mostly inhibited by refugees from Pakistan. My father late Sardar Vas Dev Singh and his brother late Sardar Inderjit Singh, Advocate Punjab and Haryana High Courts Chandigarh, along with their cousins were allotted about 800 Acres of agricultural lands in Sirsa ( now Haryana) in lieu of their lands mainly in Multan and Muzaffargarh and other places.

One of my uncles late Sardar Hari Singh was a law graduate from Banaras University and was a Public Prosecutor posted in Patiala. with his influence in the Punjab Government managed to get a consolidated piece of land of 800 acres in a backward area of District Sangrur and that's how My Dad, my uncle and their cousins got a piece of land in village called BADBAR.

The only way to go to Badbar was the same but from Sangrur to Badbar and it stopped there. In the Fifties the road was further extended to Dhanoula and then to Barnala, cutting through he piece of land of my uncles late S Bakhshish Singh and his brother late Sardar Mnamohan singh. They were, however, compensated as per the prevailing law.

We were also allotted 9 Acres each to four of our uncles in Patiala, as the land was inferior and was hence practically given 36 Acres each. At this stage only late Sardar Partap Singh's two sons i.e. Sardar Anand Bir Singh and Sardar Brij Bir Singh are still having that piece of land. Sardar Hari Singh who managed to get our 9 Acres (now 36 acres) transferred in his name, bequeathed to his five sons. I understand that at this moment most of them are not into the business of farming.

Many of our cousins have sold of their lands, except me, Sardar Pritam Singh, Dr Sardar Manohan singh and a couple more. Presently we hold about 150 acres or so in Badbar besides Patiala lands mainly held by brothers Sardar Anand Bir singh ad Sardar Brij Bir Singh.

Bhagwant Maan, on his election compaign 2014 in Badbar.

BADBAR

Badbar is situated 10 miles of Sangrur on one side and 10 miles of Barnala on the other. A Tee junction offshoots towards Langowal and further to Sanam.

This is a village inhibited by refugees from Pakistan. My father late Sardar Vas Dev Singh and his brother late Sardar Inderjit Singh, Advocate Punjab and Haryana High Courts Chandigarh, along with their cousins were allotted about 800 Acres of agricultural lands in Sirsa ( now Haryana) in lieu of their lands mainly in Multan and Muzaffargarh and other places.

One of my uncles late Sardar Hari Singh was a law graduate from Banaras University and was a Public Prosecutor posted in Patiala. with his influence in the Punjab Government managed to get a consolidated piece of land of 800 acres in a backward area of District Sangrur and that's how My Dad, my uncle and their cousins got a piece of land in village called BADBAR.

The only way to go to Badbar was the same but from Sangrur to Badbar and it stopped there. In the Fifties the road was further extended to Dhanoula and then to Barnala, cutting through he piece of land of my uncles late S Bakhshish Singh and his brother late Sardar Mnamohan singh. They were, however, compensated as per the prevailing law.

We were also allotted 9 Acres each to four of our uncles in Patiala, as the land was inferior and was hence practically given 36 Acres each. At this stage only late Sardar Partap Singh's two sons i.e. Sardar Anand Bir Singh and Sardar Brij Bir Singh are still having that piece of land. Sardar Hari Singh who managed to get our 9 Acres (now 36 acres) transferred in his name, bequeathed to his five sons. I understand that at this moment most of them are not into the business of farming.

Many of our cousins have sold of their lands, except me, Sardar Pritam Singh, Dr Sardar Manohan singh and a couple more. Presently we hold about 150 acres or so in Badbar besides Patiala lands mainly held by brothers Sardar Anand Bir singh ad Sardar Brij Bir Singh.

Gobind First Graduation

GOBIND GRADUATES

GOBIND GRADUATION

On June 4, 2008 was a great day for our grandson Gobind Kapoor son of Our son Shivpreet and daughter-in-law Shilpy. Gobind this day successfully graduated from pre-school Class of 2008 from Acorn Learning Center, San Ramon, CA.

Gobind qualified for graduation along other 25 other kids. This little step is a leap foot forward for this bubbly kid. As the ceremony was in the neighborhood park, the kids and their parents and some of the grand parents had a nice picnic like gathering. Every kid's family had contributed towards snacks and pizzas, hence all were overjoyed to enjoy the occasion.

So was overjoyed his two and half years old sister Jania. She was all over the place, matching point to point. She even positioned herself next to Gobind in the row of Students lined up for graduation. She proudly hanged a Hawaiian garland around her neck, while Gobind refused to have one, the same was mandatory for him though. Gobind is typical as he refused to follow the dress code and dressed himself in formals with a Tie and a half jacket.

There was, indeed, fun and rejoicings all around.

HOW I GRADUATED

There was nothing like gradation ceremony in my times i.e. about six decades away. However, there was a stiff entry into the Primary School run by the Municipal Committee of Panipat a small town in Punjab(now Haryana). That was known as Ward 10 Primary School. The school just situated about 100 feet from my house, had a large gate of dull yellow color of 15 ft hight. There were four halls and a front yard. Ist , 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will sit in those so called halls which used to leak profusely during the four months of rainy season and utterly cold in the winter. During one such rainy seasons the 3rd grade hall, which had been badly leaking, succumbed down on a week-end. Thank god, there was no casualty. The headmaster Mr Sat Pal used to teach the 4th grade



The headmaster Mr Sat Pal will not admit me as I was a year younger to stipulated age of 5 years. Many students were able to get in to the school by some means, but the headmaster was scared to allow me as my dad was in an important position of Rationing Inspector in the government service.

" Master Sat Pal (as Bhagwant reminds me later was a frail and tall
looking
man who will divide his hair on his head from sideways) could not
dare to take
the bribe of Rs 1 as normal charge for admitting any student
and was obviously
scared of my Dad's position in the Government. Hence a via
media solution was
thought off and I was placed under the guidance of
private tuition for a period of
one month at the residence of Master Sat
Pal. Master Sat Pal had always a gang
of 5-6 students undergoing tuition at
one time. He had three older sons besides
daughters. The oldest son was
bright and preparing for entry exams for a
Government Job in Delhi. The
other two used to wild away time and boss over
us, while the older will
pitch in his two cents."

My mother in mean time had taught both me and my younger sister Bhagwant thoroughly at home and was always challenging my Dad to take me to the headmaster or any body for a test. She was very sure that I knew my Hindi Alpha-Bets and numbers very well. The early tables were taught to us by our Dad. Mom had problems in teaching the Alpha-bets to my sister who will not budge away beyond four words. But she was very adept in numbers though.



Finally one day, I was taken to the school by my Dad for a interview and test. The headmaster Mr Sat Pal stood up from his seat and greeted my father. There was small bench lying on the right hand side and he requested us to get seated. So I was seated in between the headmaster on the chair on my right and Dad on my left.



After pleasantries and asking my name, the headmaster asked me to go through my favorite book which I had brought with me from my Mom. In no time I narrated the entire book

"(Kaida, which had a picture of a monkey as a judge deciding the fate of two fighting
cats on last page)

My mother continued to remind me and my sisters not to fight among each other, otherwise some clever person like the monkey in the picture will take away our shares. May be to this day we among the sisters and brother might differ on any matter but will never fight."

And while going through the book, I continued to shake my legs. The headmaster interrupted me couple of times to stop shaking but I would resume in a while. May be I was nervous. He asked me the tables to which I reproduced them in no time. Shocked as he was, the headmaster told my Dad that I was fit to be admitted into 2nd grade. He advised, thereafter, that when the present session was over, he would be allowed to join the school in 2d grade.


I was overjoyed and so was my Dad. My Mom's joy knew no bounds. She repeatedly said,"I told you so". My Dad later gave a box of 'Laddoos' as a gratitude to the headmaster and all was fine.




So in came the Graduation or the 'passing out ceremony' as it used to be called. Every student will be ready on a stipulated day of March with a garland of Marigold flowers. The name of the passing out students will be announced one by one and every passing student will go forward and put the garlands around the teachers neck. some of the students who could not afford the garland will bring a couple of Marigold flowers for their respective teachers.



But the worst thing to happen was when some of the students who could not score and will not be promoted. They were seen crying. A day prior to the ceremony, there was a famous song was prevalent among the friends. The meaning of the song goes like this:



"there will be a lot of fun tomorrow, some will rejoice and others get sorrow"

To be continued and edited ...

© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved.