29th July as seen in memories.

Preet Mohan Singh Kapoor feeling Cool and Cslm.

Ecstatic feeling with first yo-yo  in the New Swing at Sherwood.

Today is the 29th of July 2025, my 81st birthday. Over the past few weeks, I took some time to look back and gather pictures from my birthday celebrations over the last 15 years. I’ve shared those precious memories below.

Beautiful family pic in the rolling hills of Napa Ca on the occasion of my niece Jasleen and Hardeep Gulati  25th Anniversary Party.

Going through them was deeply satisfying. Year after year, I’ve been surrounded by my loved and cherished wife Harvinder, my adorable son & daughter-in-law Shivpreet Shilpy, and my beloved grandkids Gobind, Jania and Geet. Their presence, love, and warmth have been the biggest gift of all. What touched me most was seeing the beautiful journey of my grandchildren growing from little kids into young adolescents, full of life and promise.

Beautiful Bonded Collage

This collection is not just a set of photos, it’s a reflection of the love, unity, and togetherness we’ve shared as a family. I feel immensely grateful.

Our spiritual Dog ‘Bhaalu’

Bhaalu water a few months soon became playful and little Geet will insert her own hand in his mouth.

We have a dog named Bhaalu. When we brought him home, he was just a few days old—tiny, completely black with brown patches as found in Bernedoodles, too hairy for his size, and shedding skin like anything. 

 In Harvinder’s lap when freshly brought from breeder.

That’s when we decided to call him Bhaalu, like a little bear. And truly, he is such a nice soul. A mountain dog by breed, and by nature, very naughty at times but with a heart that’s full of warmth.

Sitting by our side to enjoy our meditation.

One thing that always touches me deeply is how spiritually tuned he seems. Every time we sit down to pray, he quietly comes and sits by our side, as if he too wants to join in the moment. In the evenings, we have a routine of doing our ‘Rehraas Sahib’ paath, and Bhaalu will walk with us, never needing a call, never getting distracted by anything else. That’s his moment too.

Waiting patiently for Harvinder to finish up her prayers in a closed Baba ji room.

This morning, at, Harvinder went into our prayer room for getting Babaji’s blessings on my birthday. Without fail, Bhaalu followed her, but he knows his boundary. He sat down near her slippers, just outside the door. He will never cross into Babaji’s room. It’s almost as if he knows. And this has become his usual practice.

Sitting on Emperor’s throne - a seat allotted to him.

I keep thinking why not capture him in a photo or a little video? Why not share with my friends how this dog, our Bhaalu behaves with such silent grace, such quiet spirituality?

DhunAnand Volunteers Educational trip for Badbar School

DhunAnand volunteers Sh Rishi Kumar and Sh Avinish Kumar organized an educational visit for the students of our adopted school in village Badbar to Sunam, the revered birthplace of Shaheed Udham Singh.

As part of our commitment to value-based learning, DhunAnand volunteers took the students of our adopted school in village Badbar on a meaningful visit to Sunam.

Here is Punjabi translation of news cutting of Malwa Bani below:

Volunteers Paid Tribute at the Birthplace and Memorial of Shaheed Udham Singh in Sunam

Sunam, July 29 (Malwa Bani)

The volunteers of DhunAnand and the students of the Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Badbar (adopted by the organization), visited the birthplace and memorial of Shaheed Udham Singh in Sunam to pay homage on his birth anniversary.

This educational and inspirational visit was organized in collaboration with the Punjab Government’s Department of School Education, Punjab Youth Development Board, and Punjab Atma Malik Society under the guidance of Harinder Singh. The main purpose was to inspire students with the patriotic spirit of Shaheed Udham Singh, who sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country.

During the visit, students and volunteers first visited the ancestral house of Shaheed Udham Singh, where they were deeply moved by the simplicity and historic significance of the place. The students were informed about the life, struggles, and sacrifice of Shaheed Udham Singh through various stories and displays. Later, the group visited the memorial statue of Shaheed Udham Singh and paid floral tribute to the martyr.

On this occasion, Harinder Singh, a key figure of the DhunAnand organization, addressed the students and emphasized that such visits instill patriotism and a sense of service in children. He encouraged the students to follow the ideals of national heroes like Shaheed Udham Singh.

The school staff and students expressed heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers and DhunAnand for organizing such an enlightening trip. The students were visibly inspired and pledged to serve the nation with dedication and sincerity.

Shivpreet “A Rising Voice in Divine Service”

Tripat and Simer in Sherwood on their recent trip to USA

What a deep sense of consolation, honor, and pure satisfaction I feel when someone closely related to me sends a video of Shiv’s Shabad playing somewhere, or when they tell me that their friends were touched by his singing and then add, “If you know him, you should really listen to him.” How heartwarming it is to hear them proudly reply, “Yes, he’s one of our own our rising star.” The joy in those moments is indescribable.

Tripat and Simren were thrilled to enjoy the Shabad in the Elevator

Just today morning, my dear niece Simer sent me a video of the lift at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. And what was playing there? Shiv’s Shabad ‘Jo Mangai Thakur…’ on a loop.

On my last trip to Bangla Sahib in Mar 2025.

It’s most humbling to note that this very Shabad has now become part of the spiritual journey for anyone who enters the pious Gurdwara Sahib through the underground parking and heads toward the sanctum sanctorum. That his voice is what welcomes them into such sacred space is deeply moving.

Harvinder at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara entrance.

Babaji, thank You from the depths of my heart for blessing Shivpreet with the strength, inspiration, and dedication to spread Your word through his gift of music. He is now fully devoted passionately so to this path. Thank You for guiding him and allowing us to witness this beautiful journey.

Tripat and Simer enjoying the Shabad in the Lift

Geet learning to say ‘Waheguru’

Geet happy to be in grandma lap

Every morning, until the age of five, all three of our grandkids would snuggle into our bed and begin their day playing with us. Or perhaps, more truthfully, we played with them, cherishing those innocent giggles and sparkling eyes.

A short video by Harvinder on Aug 13, 2015 while celebrating her own birthday

Amidst those playful moments, we found a quiet opportunity to share the values that have guided us through life. One such tender moment remains etched in memory, when Harvinder gently taught little Geet, barely over a year old, to say Waheguru.

A historic photo expressing the love of brother and sisters on Rakhi Day in 2015. Shiv is seen to capture the moment but is himself camera shot by Harvinder.

Through play, we planted the seeds of remembrance — softly encouraging them to keep God close to their hearts, even as they laughed and tumbled through childhood.

Fauja Singh: The Turbaned Tornado Who Ran Through

Fauja Singh, the legendary marathon runner from Punjab, passed away yesterday in a tragic hit-and-run accident in his native Beas at the age of 114.

Born in 1911, Fauja Singh didn’t walk until age five and didn’t run his first marathon until he was 89—after losing his wife and son in a car accident. To cope with his grief and loneliness, he turned to running. What started as healing became history.

He ran marathons across the world—London, Toronto, New York—becoming the oldest person to complete a full marathon at age 100. Guinness World Records couldn’t officially recognize him due to a lack of birth documents, but to the world, he needed no certificate.

Fauja carried the Olympic torch, appeared in global campaigns, and inspired millions with his message:

“It’s never too late to start, and it’s never too early to believe.”

With my friend’s grandkids - always inspiring

He defied age, overcame sorrow, and ran with purpose.

His final journey ended suddenly, but his legacy will run forever.

Rest in peace, Fauja Singh ji.

A century-old spirit. A timeless inspiration.

An Evening with Ice-cream with Grandkids

Heading towards the store for Ice-Cream

These may be difficult times in the world outside, but inside our home, we’re wrapped in the comfort of family. With the kids home for summer vacation, the house feels full again—full of voices, footsteps, and laughter. Gobind has just completed his college degree and is enjoying a short break with us before starting his new job in Boston. It’s a rare and treasured time, having him around without the pressure of studies or work.

Waiting for me to join them

Last evening, while we were finishing up dinner, I suggested we all go out for some ice cream from our favorite neighborhood store. Jania immediately brightened up—“Yes, I can go after dinner!” she said enthusiastically. Gobind and Geet agreed just as quickly. Naturally, Gobind offered to drive us.

So the five of us—Harvinder and I, and our three grandchildren—climbed into the car and made our way to the local Safeway, a familiar and favorite place for all of us.

All set to go.

As soon as we entered, Gobind headed straight for the ice cream aisle and grabbed his favorite without a second thought. Jania picked hers right away too. Geet was more deliberate—she picked one, paused, then switched it for another. What I noticed was that all three chose the smaller-sized packs, ignoring the more economical, larger ones that were on sale.

Being the practical elder, I suggested they consider getting the bigger packs—it made more sense in terms of value. But Harvinder gently intervened with a smile, saying, “Their thinking is different from ours. They go for what they like, not what’s cheapest.” And I had to agree.

In the que for paying to the cashier.

We checked out at the cashier and headed back home, all of us enjoying our chosen flavors. For Harvinder and me, it was one of those golden moments—simple yet deeply fulfilling. Just being with our grandkids, watching them enjoy the little joys of life, made the evening unforgettable. And I’m sure, in their own way, they cherished it too.