Gobind Records His Thanks

Gobind called his Dadi Ma and me to share the joy of receiving his very first paycheck in life. He made sure I was on the speakerphone, listening alongside her.

With great sincerity, he said:

“I am very thankful and grateful to you for all that you did for me, for raising me to be on my own.”

Hearing this, Harvinder replied softly:

“Oh Sunny, you are part of my heart. You don’t need to thank us for the efforts we made. It is the duty of every parent and grandparent to raise their children as nicely as possible.”

But Gobind insisted, saying he wanted to express and record his own heartfelt feelings, no matter what.

At that moment, my heart swelled with pride. This gratitude from our grandson felt like the best award of our lives — a living acknowledgment of our small efforts, now shining in the heights he has reached.

No Wine But Dine & Fine

During our four-night, five-day stay in Napa for our 53rd wedding anniversary, we had the joy of experiencing a wide variety of cuisines—Thai, Italian, Indian, American, Chinese, and Mexican.

Our very first dinner was at a small family-run Thai restaurant. The chef was so warm and thoughtful—he prepared a fresh soup tailored exactly to our preferences, which made the meal feel very special. On other days, we enjoyed pizza for a quick lunch in between sightseeing, and one evening we treated ourselves to a flavorful Chinese dinner.

During a river walk outing, we stopped at a beautifully decorated Mexican restaurant—bright, colorful, and filled with charm. The food was delicious and matched the vibrant atmosphere perfectly.

Being a teetotaler, there was no wine in Napa for us—but truly it was “No Wine, but Dine & Fine” all the way. Our anniversary trip became memorable not only for the celebrations but also for the flavors we discovered, each meal adding a special taste to our journey together.

Our 53rd Anniversary - 9th Sep

Double Tree Hilton, Napa Valley American Canyan

This year, Harvinder had thoughtfully planned a short trip to Napa Valley, the wine country, to celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary. We had a suite booked at the DoubleTree for four nights. Since Napa is only about an hour’s drive from our home in San Ramon, it was easy to pack up and head out. The hotel gave us a lovely room and the staff provided excellent service, making our stay comfortable.

Grand Entrance of Gurdwara Sahib named as Guru Nanak Sikh Temple

We arrived a day before our anniversary. On the anniversary day itself, 9th September, we decided to begin the celebrations with a visit to the nearest Gurdwara Sahib in Fairfield, about 20 miles away.

The Beautiful lobby

Folding hands with Ba-Adab (utmost respect) in the lobby.

This Gurdwara is brand new and had just been completed. We had seen it last year, still under construction, when we had visited this location while passing through on our way to meet Gobind at UC Davis. Even then, we had admired the location. Now, walking into the fully completed Gurdwara was a special thrill—absolutely neat, clean, and fully air-conditioned.

Harvinder going ahead towards Baba ji to bow her head. Baba ji was decorated with expansive blue color Rumalas ad the ceiling was lit with matching blue LED lights. They intend to match the color of lights with the color of Rumalas-a beautiful innovation.

As we entered, the shoes were to be left at a beautifully arranged spot in the lobby outside the Diwan Hall. The lobby was welcoming indeed. Babaji’s Prakash was already in progress, and sevadars were giving prasad to every visitor.

Harvinder reads and is thrilled by the Guru’s Hukamnama and so I do and thanks Baba ji for blessing us with this Hukam.

We bowed our heads in gratitude, thanking Babaji for blessing us with 53 wonderful years of togetherness—a journey across countries and continents, across phases of life, but always guided by His grace.

A Selfie to get Baba ji in view from the Lobby.

We felt deeply thankful for the abundance of blessings, for our growing family, and prayed for continued blessings for ourselves and our children.

What a Langar, hot and fresh from the oven.

The visit ended beautifully with langar. Though simple, it felt divine. The sevadars invited us warmly. There was one hot, freshly cooked vegetable curry, chapati, and some sweets. The sabzi was so flavorful that I couldn’t resist taking a second helping.

The Langar details with beautiful and cute reusable steel plates.

Harvinder, too, felt unusually hungry that day and asked for a fresh chapati—something beyond her normal quota! That small, heartfelt meal completed the day perfectly.

A unique feature introduced in this Gurdwara Sahib- a special low lying area on either side for handicapped and old people who can not squat on the floor. A well thought of feature by Gurdwara Sahib administration.

We returned with full hearts, feeling blessed and grateful to Babaji for guiding us through 53 years of love, togetherness, and grace.

Appeal to my own

With Waheguru’s grace, most of us are well-settled and comfortable in our lives. It is only right that, in times of hardship, we contribute a little from what we have received. Our fellow villagers in Badbar, especially the poorer families, have suffered heavy damage to their houses in the recent heavy rains havoc.

DhunAnand Foundation has already begun extending help by providing rations and undertaking small repairs for nearly 70 families. While we may not be able to rebuild everything at once, even small steps together can make a meaningful difference.

At this stage, I am not seeking financial assistance, but it would be truly valuable if we could join hands in Sewa and work together for the welfare of the community. Our standing with the cause would encourage and motivate fellow villagers. I also understand that your own area is facing severe difficulties, but Badbar remains the soil from which our roots draw strength.

Massi Lachhmi Bai attends Shivpreet Wedding Reception

Remembering Two Floods: 1955 and 2025 in Punjab

he Floods of 1955: A Family Memory

After Partition, it took us 7 years to find a new home in Jangpura, Delhi through our Claims against our left over properties in Pakistan. My grandmother, Bhabhiji, was the heart of that home—a woman of warmth and strength who had carried her spirit from Multan to new India. She would spend time with us in Panipat and some time in Chandigarh, with her younger son and my Chachaji Sardar Inderjit Singh.

Not wanting to go between two houses, independent-spirited Bhabhiji decided to live by herself in the village of Badbar. There she would be close to her near and dear friends and family from Multan and moved to an old house slotted to us in Badbar. My father Sardar Vasdev Singh and Chachaji took turns staying with her, a rhythm of care that connected our city lives to her rural peace.

Then, in 1955, the floods came.

The waters rose with a fury that swallowed fields and isolated homes. Badbar, even on its small hill, was cut off from the world. With no telephones, we were left in a silent agony of waiting, our only news the crackling reports from a radio.

For days, our family didn't know if she was safe. It was my Chachaji who finally battled through the receding waters to reach her. And what he found was a miracle of spirit.

Amidst the devastation, Bhabhiji’s faith was unshakable. She greeted him not with fear, but with a joke. “Why should I worry?” she said. “Guru Gobind Singh Ji is right here with me, his sword drawn to fight anyone who comes.”

Bhabhi ji in 1955

No one in our family ever could unsheathe that sword. The funny truth was that sword never came out of its wooden sheathe. She would just scare potential thief’s at the door—and they might have been squeaky and unsuspecting mice at the door—by shouting that she was coming out with her Kirpan. We would laugh at this small woman fierce with her unusable weapon. Actually, her faith was her true weapon. It was her protection, and it became our courage.

Seventy years have passed. Canals were built, the land was secured, and the floods were tamed by human effort. But today, as Punjab faces another great flood in 2025, the old fear returns. We see the same grief, the same loss.

Yet we are reminded of the same truth: Punjab survives not only on its fields but on its spirit. It survives on the unshakable faith of its people, standing together through the waters, just as Bhabhiji did.