My Hero in Badbar - Maghar Singh

​Today I met a man who instantly became my hero, Maghar Singh.

Maghar Singh removing the spots on the floor.

He was brought to our house by one of the ladies helping us with cleaning work. Seeing the terrible condition of the floor, badly damaged by glue left behind by the carpenter, she wisely brought along an expert cleaner. That expert was Maghar Singh.

The moment he arrived, I noticed his energy. He was not merely working, he was attacking the problem with dedication and confidence. Like a true professional, he brought a special chemical that softened the hardened glue. Then, with patience and skill, he kept rubbing and cleaning the floor inch by inch. Even when some glue remained stubborn, he calmly explained that he would return with another tool to scrape it off properly.

Maghar Singh poses with his signature folded hands

Watching him work, I became deeply interested in him as a person.

I noticed one of his legs was weak, yet he had arrived on a bicycle and was moving around tirelessly. When I gently asked him about it, he told me that he had suffered a polio attack during childhood.

But there was not even a trace of self-pity in him.

I then asked him about his family. With complete calmness and dignity, he shared that he had been married for twelve years before his wife passed away. Now he lives together with his brother’s family. When I asked, “Do you have children?” he smiled and replied, “My brother’s son and daughter are my children. We all live together.”

What confidence. What acceptance of life.

Later I mentioned that I needed some masonry work done to build a small additional room and roofing area. Immediately he responded confidently, “Yes, I know many good masons. I will bring them tomorrow.”

I was so impressed by his personality that I decided to take his photograph.

When I first clicked a picture, he laughed and said, “No, no, not like this.” Then he himself squatted on the floor with folded hands and posed naturally with humility and grace. The photograph came out beautifully.

Maghar Singh relaxes in an Executive chair.

I even requested him to sit proudly on the brand-new chair I had purchased, but in my heart I had already made him something much bigger, the headmaster of life’s school.

Though he works as a cleaner, today he taught me lessons in courage, dignity, positivity, acceptance, and self-respect.

People like Maghar Singh remind us that greatness does not come from wealth, position, or appearance. It comes from attitude, honesty, hard work, and the ability to smile despite pain.

May Waheguru bless him always!

Now I came to know that Maghar Singh is an expert Mason as confirmed by our DhunAnand Ambassador Master Sh Avnish Kumar ji.

Dhun Anand Foundation meeting in Badbar

Both Harvinder and Preet remain deeply committed to passing on our lifelong learnings, experiences, and values to the DhunAnand Foundation. It gives us immense satisfaction to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of its Founder, Shivpreet Singh, whose vision of blending spirituality, education, arts, and humanitarian service continues to inspire young minds and communities alike all over the world.

​It was a very cordial and meaningful dinner meeting at Swagat Restaurant, situated about 3 miles from our Government High School Badbar, Barnala. The meeting was attended by senior teachers Shri Rishi Kumar Sharma Ji and Shri Avinash Kumar Ji, both of whom have been strong pillars and ambassadors of the DhunAnand Foundation’s activities in the village.

Preet with leading torch of Foundation in village Badbar Barnala

Their families also participated in the dinner, making the evening warm and family-oriented. During our discussions, it was decided that the recently improved logos of the DhunAnand Foundation would now be printed on T-shirts and distributed among volunteers and workers so that awareness about the Foundation’s activities spreads further among the local people.

Shivpreet Singh, the brain-behind and the founder of Dhun Anand Foundation. USA and India

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that even Sarpanch Shri Jagji Singh (Jagga) Ji of the village was fully aware of the Foundation’s humanitarian work, particularly our efforts during the flood period when monthly ration and food supplies were distributed to poor and needy families of the village. Though our contribution may appear small, it is certainly a sincere step towards serving humanity and supporting those who quietly help society progress.

The  ladies wing of the Foundation has worked hard to help students to gain confidence in languages and showing brilliant results. Mrs Rishi KumarShrma took a leading part in getting the results in English, while Mrs Avnish has been promoting Punjabi Language.

I express my heartfelt thanks to Rishi Kumar Ji and Avinash Kumar Ji for arranging this wonderful meeting and for their continuous dedication to the welfare activities of the Foundation.

Enjoying the delicious food at Swagat Restaurant three miles from Badbar School.

We also discussed the future plans of the Foundation. One important proposal suggested by Sh Avnish Kumar ji was to organize educational field trips exclusively on the line of two undertaken last year for students, so that budding young minds may learn not only from classrooms but also from the environment, historical places, and important monuments around them. Such exposure can play a major role in broadening their vision and confidence.

The participation of young kids enthused charm in the meeting. The youngest in the meeting is a budding athlete.

It is important to note that our English Language Training Program proved to be a remarkable success. Four to five students scored above 90% marks, and there has been a visible improvement in their confidence, spoken English, and overall learning standards. Seeing rural students grow with such enthusiasm gives us immense satisfaction and renewed energy to continue this mission.  It gives us immense satisfaction to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of its Founder, Shivpreet Singh, whose vision of blending spirituality, education, arts, and humanitarian service continues to inspire young minds and communities alike.

At this stage of our lives, we feel that the greatest wealth one can leave behind is not material possessions, but wisdom, compassion, encouragement, and a spirit of selfless service. Through the Foundation’s activities, we see a meaningful path to share these experiences with the younger generation and contribute, in our own humble way, towards building a more aware, educated, and compassionate society.

With gratitude to all teachers, volunteers, parents, and students who made this effort meaningful.

Jaivik Learning to Share — The Sikh Way

​My sister Mohinder, lovingly known as Bobby, shared a beautiful picture of her grandson, Jaivik, learning one of life’s greatest values at a very tender age,  how to share his food with his little friends and classmates at school.

Jaivik feeding his classmate with his water bottle

To me, this is the purest reflection of Sikh teachings.

Our Gurus taught us “Vand Chhako” , share whatever you possess with others. Whether it is food, happiness, knowledge, or love, life becomes meaningful only when it is shared with fellow human beings.

The lesson gets passed on to his friends who in turn shares his food with Jaivik.

To see this noble value being absorbed by a child still in preschool gives me immense satisfaction and hope for the future. Such small innocent actions often carry the deepest moral lessons for all of us adults as well.

Indeed, character building begins not in universities, but in these tiny acts of kindness learned in childhood. May Waheguru bless little Jaivik to grow into a compassionate, generous, and noble human being.

A man with one Sock

​The Man with One Sock - A Mid-Air Mystery

I was traveling to London on Virgin Atlantic from San Francisco. It was one of those comfortable long-haul journeys, spacious seat, reclining into an almost flat bed, and thoughtful touches like soft cotton nightwear to help us sleep well.

Soon after takeoff, I changed into the nightwear. The steward graciously helped convert my seat into a cozy bed, complete with a warm blanket. I carefully folded my shirt and jeans and tucked them into the small storage space beside the seat. In the dim cabin lighting, I also picked up my socks and tried to keep them safely within that little “well” near the seat.

After a sound and peaceful sleep, we woke up to the aroma of breakfast being served. It was time to change back into my day clothes.

And then, surprise!

I could find only one sock.

The other had mysteriously disappeared.

I called for assistance. The gentleman attending to my seat was extremely helpful, he unfolded the bedding, checked every corner, searched under and around the seat but the missing sock was nowhere to be found.

There I was… a dignified traveler, now reduced to a man with one sock.

Not giving up, I searched again. Then I requested Harvinder to help. She too looked everywhere, but with no success.

After a while, determined to solve this mid-air puzzle, I requested help once again, this time from a calm and attentive English  crew member. She paused for a moment, thoughtfully scanning the area. Then, almost instinctively, she moved toward the opposite corner, bent down, and reached into a dark crevice.

In a flash, she pulled something out.

My missing sock!

Relief, amusement, and a bit of embarrassment all at once.

On reflection, I realized what had happened. While placing my socks in the dim light, I must have secured only one properly, while the other quietly slipped away into that hidden corner.

A simple incident but it reminded me of something we all experience:

Just like socks mysteriously disappearing in washing machines, even at 35,000 feet, they seem to have a mind of their own!

A small loss, a brief worry, and then a joyful recovery, making the journey just a little more memorable.

Remembering S Gurbaksh Singh Dhir

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S Gurbaksh Singh Dhir who pioneered the development of National Museum in post colonial India.

Today, his son Amritpal Dhir, married to my second sister Amarjit (Ambu), messaged me that, with Satgur’s blessings and by virtue of my association with the family, we too have been included in the lineage of Bhai Nand Lal ji’s family.

It would be more fitting to say that it is our honor to be connected with your esteemed family.

Your respected father, S. Gurbaksh Singh Dhir Sahib, was one of the most practical and grounded Gursikhs I have had the privilege to meet in my lifetime. He was truly a hero to me, and I learnt a great deal from his life, his conduct, and his quiet wisdom.

At times like today, when we see some people, who call themselves Sikhs, unfortunately spreading division and widening gaps between Hindus and Sikhs, his example shines even brighter as a guiding light of unity, humility, and genuine spirituality.

You may recall and I take pride in remembering, that when his funeral procession passed by the Gurdwara Sahib, it was a deeply moving sight. Alongside the Sikh Sangat, there stood an equal number of Hindu brothers and sisters near the Mandir, all lined up to pay their heartfelt tributes. It was the same Mandir where he had once laid foundation stone of its building, despite not being a Hindu member - such was the depth of trust and affection he inspired.

It was a powerful reflection of the love and respect he commanded across communities, a true stalwart who cared for all, without distinction. Yet he was a true Gursikh.

This remains one of my most cherished memories of him.

A Salute Across Time - From 12 year Old Boy to Today

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Today, during a short visit to Sacramento for some real estate work, We decided to relax over lunch at a Thai restaurant on an invitation of my niece Jasleen Dhir who recommended it strongly.

As I was passing by to be seated, my eyes fell upon a young United States Army man, quietly having his meal with a companion, perhaps his wife, perhaps a friend. Something stirred deeply within me.

Without thinking twice, I walked up to him… and offered a salute.

He looked at me with surprise, and then with warmth.

I smiled and shared with him a memory from my childhood.

I told him how, 70 years away, as a young boy of about 12 and a high School student, studying in SD High situated on the Grand Trunk Road in Panipat. We would often see long convoys of army trucks passing by at various times when the Indian Army men were moving from one corner to the other of this vast country India.  Grand Trunk Road popularly known as GT Road which was like the longest Artilleries (about 2500 Km) in the body of India  and was realigned by Sher Shah Suri  about 2500 years back. Originally it was  about 3655 Km from Miramar to Bangla Desh to Kolkata to Delhi to Lahore and passing through Peshawar to Kabul and was built by various rulers from Ashoka, to Sher Shah Suri, Sonargaon, Rohtas and Afghan end by Mahmoud Shah Durrani.

The spot, in front of SD High School Panipat main entry gate, where today grown up Palm tree stand and where we would line up and solute to the Army men. You can see a truck passing on GT Road.

Those were different times, simpler, yet filled with a sense of awe. I, along with other students, would rush to the roadside, stand in line, and salute every single truck that passed. To us, those soldiers were not just men in uniform, they were symbols of courage, discipline, and the spirit of the nation.

That small habit, that innocent respect, stayed quietly within me all these years.

And today, seeing him there, it resurfaced, naturally, effortlessly.

What followed was a beautiful conversation, two generations, two journeys, connected by a simple gesture of respect.

Moments like these remind me:
Some values never fade.
They only wait for the right moment to reappear.