Some Special Events in 2023 – 2024

The Vancouver Police Prevention Team for Seniors took their time to meet with the Sunset Indo Canadian Seniors Society on Oct 19, 2023 at the Sunset Community Center in Vancouver, BC.



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Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society is a harbinger of social harmony based on diversity – The Link Newspaper – July 2023
By Zile Singh

‍  The Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society, housed at 6810, Main Street, Vancouver, boasts of a group of very amazing, experienced seniors. They are physically as active and mentally as sharp as any youth in his twentieth and thirties. What else can one expect when seniors aged 80, 90 and hundred recite a page -length of poetry by memory and can talk on Gurbani extempore without taking help of a written script.   Some are adept at describing religious and political matters. Others excel in cracking civilized jokes and meaningful stories related to life.   It has proved to be a useful platform for politicians of different hues at city, provincial and federal levels. In the recent past, Mr. Michael Lee, Member Legislative Assembly of BC United Front addressed the Seniors hitting the health, housing, and education policies of the ruling New Democratic Party. Some time back, Mr. George Chow, ex-Minister of the NDP visited the Society. He spoke about his party’s policies. 

Prominent visitors from Punjab and other parts of India also have visited the Society. Last week’s address by Mr. Jaswant Zafar, a retired Chief Engineer from Punjab Electricity Board and a writer of high esteem needs to be highlighted as a befitting analysis of the present situation of Sikhs settled abroad. He, without mincing words, said that the Sikhs in Punjab do not need any outside propaganda. The Sikhs in India are capable of looking after their interests on their own. 

He pinpointed the lacunae of the Sikh diaspora as far as Sikhi tenets are concerned. Today, the rituals and superstitions are eroding the basic values taught by Guru Nanak. His book, “Bhagat Hamare Guru” exhorts the sectarian Sikhs to a large extent. To him, the hymns of Bhagats of lower castes are no less authentic and important. Zaffar elaborated on some other hymns of Bhagat Sain, Baba Farid, and Ravidass. 
 

Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society Celebrates Milestone Birthdays Of Members:  Desibuzzcanada.ca   October 14, 2023 By Zile Singh


 

Daljit Singh Dhillon celebrated his 100th birthday on Aug 5th, 2023 and Harchand his 90th birthday on September 5th, 2023 with the members of Sunset Indo Canadian Seniors Society at Sunset Community Center, Vancouver BC.

Sitting Left to Right: Amrik Mann (General Secretary), Harchand S. Dhaliwal, Gurpal Singh Pandher(President), Daljit S. Dhillon, Jarnail Singh Sahota(Treasurer), Rughbir Singh Uppal (Director)
Standing Left to Right: Kuldeep S. Jagpal, Surjit S. Manhas (Member) Zile Singh, Gurdarshan S. Matharoo, Gurcharan Singh Waraich, Manjit Dhillon, Sucha Singh Claire, (All Directors)

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The month of September 2023 remained a wonderful, joyous, and inspirational month for the Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society, Vancouver. There goes a saying about the month of September, “September blows soft, till the fruits in the loft.”  This is the time to gather up the harvest and prepare for the winter months. There is something for everyone: the last days of Summer and the first days of Fall.    September 5th was celebrated as the 100th Birthday of Mr. Daljit Singh Dhillon. Daljit is a living embodiment of Mark Twain’s saying – “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”  He is from the village Pandori Ladha Singh (Jalandhar). Daljit’s grandfather Naranjan Singh came to Canada in 1906. He worked for Canada Railways as Foreman. His father Gurdev Singh came here in 1931. Naranjan and Gurdev put their heart and soul in Gaddari Lahar. They wrote many patriotic poems.  Daljit and his younger brother Manjit recite those poems in the Society’s weekly programs. Dajit joined his father in 1951. His two brothers, Manjit and Jagjit Singh had already arrived in 1948. Daljit got married to Pritam Kaur in 1955. He has a son and a daughter. His son lives in Toronto and the daughter lives in Vancouver. Daljit worked in Lumber industry. The Dhillon family is related to former Federal Minister Hon’ble Ujjal Dosanjh through his sister-in-law Bibi Harjit Kaur. At age one hundred, Daljit’s voice is as forceful as that of a young army officer. Once he told me that he does all his personal work himself. He is a good cook. He hosted a dinner party for his well-wishers on September 10 at Fraser View Banquet Hall, Vancouver. As a Centenarian, Daljit was felicitated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Justine Trudeau, Minister Harjit Sajjan, MLAs George Chau and Michael Lee.

Mr. Harchand Singh Dhaliwal turned ninety on 27th September 2023. He lost his vision at the age of 43. He fulfills Elie Wiesel’s quote, “Even in darkness it is possible to create light.”   His father, Mr. Dharam Singh left his native village Deegrian (Jalandhar) in 1906. Via the USSR (now Russia) and the United States, he reached Canada in 1908. Young Harchand joined his father in 1954 in Vancouver. He left behind his wife Tej Kaur and a two-year old son Harbans Dhaliwal. Harbans and his mother joined his father Harchand in 1958. Harchand worked in Lumber industry. Hon’ble Herb (Harbans) Dhaliwal has the distinction of being the first Indo-Canadian Federal Minister for two terms in Prime Minister Hon’ble Jean Chretien’s Cabinet. Credit goes to Mr. Harchand Dhaliwal and his wife Tej Kaur who brought up their son Herb in such a way that he became a fine feather not only in the community but, in their own cap. Herb will remain a torchbearer for Indo-Canadians in the arena of politics. Herb helps many charities. Though Harchand lost his vision in 1975, he exemplifies the following quote that “Light cannot be understood without the wisdom of darkness.”  At age 90, he recognizes hundreds of people by their voice. We do not know how many telephone numbers and Punjabi folklores he has at heart. He attends and addresses the Society’s weekly meetings with a message. Society celebrated his birthday on October 5th. Herb hosted a party in his father’s honor on 13th October at Quilchena Golf and Country Club, Granville Avenue, Richmond.   

“In me thou see the twilight of such day.  As after sunset fades in the west.  Which by and by black night doth take away.  Death’s second self that seals up all in rest.”                                                     
--William Shakespeare 

September coming from the Latin word Septem, meaning seven, was the seventh of the Roman calendar originally. The calendar had 304 days starting from the month of March. Also, the Roman deity of fire relates to this month. Some of the significant Days in the month of September are: International Day of Democracy, International Day of Literacy, World First-Aid Day, International Day of Charity, World Suicide Prevention Day, World Ozone Day, International Day of Peace, World Alzheimer’s Day, International Day of Sign Languages, World Day of the Deaf, World Heart Day, World Tourism Day, World Maritime Day, and Zero Waste Day.   Teachers’ Day, Engineer’s Day, Hindi Diwas, and Antyodaya Diwas (in India).    

‍Zile Singh is a well-respected Columnist and Writer.   He has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights. His book “Truths of Life – Life Enlightened” is on Amazon.   He can be reached at zsnirwal@yahoo.ca
 

The New Board of Director since August 8, 2024

‍  Sitting from left to right:  Mr. Rajinder Singh Pandher, Mr. Jaswinder Singh Bajwa, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Supervised the election procedure) Standing from left to right: Mr.(s) Ajent Singh Sandhu, Zile Singh, Surjit Singh Minhas, Kuldeep Singh Jagpal, Balkar Singh Lalli, Dinesh Malhotra, Dr. Gurbax Singh Sidhu Malkit Singh Sandhu, Mukhtiar Singh Boparai and Raghbir Singh Uppal. Mr. Gurdarshan Singh Matharoo is missing here.
 

This Society was registered with the BC government in 1977. It is nearing its Golden Jubilee. Some salient features of the Society are:  It is apolitical, non-profit, non-partisan, multicultural and multi-religious. Financially it is self-sufficient without any grant from the government so far. The office bearers are chosen unanimously. The members and office bearers are from different professions and backgrounds with varied experience.  Thursday, Eight of the Eighth, 2024, was a red-letter day in the history of the Society. Keeping in view the changing times and the emergence of new thought and enthusiasm, some major decisions were taken unanimously by all members present in the meeting.    Since its inception, some office bearers have served for indefinite periods spanning from 5 to 15 years. In some cases, even till death. The Society’s Constitution is silent on this subject. However, for some time, ideas were brewing among members to do away with long tenures and some old Resolutions passed at different times in the past regarding holding of posts in the Executive Committee. Keeping in view the unity, and harmonious relations among members, the following six office bearers stepped down voluntarily paving the way for the newcomers. The outgoing office bearers were Mr. Gurpal Singh Pandher, (President); Manjit Singh Dhillon, (Vice President) Amrik Singh Mann, (General Secretary); Jarnail Singh Sahota, (Treasurer), Sucha Singh Claire and Gurcharan Singh Waraich (Directors). The total number of office bearers or the Directors is eleven. The five directors retained from the previous committee are Mr. Raghbir Singh Uppal, Dinesh Malhotra, Gurdarshan Singh Matharoo, Kuldeep Singh Jagpal and Zile Singh. To elect the replacements for the outgoing six Directors, an election committee headed by Mr. Rajinder Singh Pandher, with Jaswinder Singh Bajwa and Bhupinder Singh Dhillon as members, was appointed. For six posts, seven nominations came forward. To avoid election, Mr. Sagan Gandhi, one of the nominees, was persuaded to withdraw to facilitate six vacancies to be filled by unanimous vote. He withdrew and was applauded by all. The new office bearers of the Society are as follows: Dr. Gurbax Singh Sidhu, (President); Mukhtiar Singh Boparai, (Vice President); Surjit Singh Manhas, (General Secretary): Ajant Singh Sandhu, (Assistant Secretary): Dinesh Malhotra, (Treasurer); Kuldeep Singh Jagpal, (Assistant Treasurer), and Zile Singh, Secretary (Public Relations). Raghbir Singh Uppal, Gurdarshan Singh Matharoo, Balkar Singh Lalli and Makhan Singh Sandhu (Directors).
 

Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated At The Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society: Desibuzzcanada.ca – November 17, 2024 By Zile Singh
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“Truth is the panacea of all ills,” and that “Truth is high but higher still is truthful living.” God’s name, according to Sikhi is said to be the “Truth.”  November 15, 2024, was the 555^th birth anniversary (Gurpurab) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Sikhs celebrated the day all over the world.  The Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society, Vancouver also celebrated this pious day.  Dr. Jagjit Singh, Dr. Kala Singh, Dr. Gurbax Singh Sidhu, Mr. Sucha Claire, Giani Gurbachan Waraich, Mr. Rajinder Singh Pandher. Mr. Gurpal Singh Pandher, Mr. Joginder Sunner, Surjit Singh Gill spoke about Guru Nanak’s contribution to uplift the society from inequality, dogmas, rituals, and superstitions prevailing at that time.  Dozens of other members of the Society recited poetry related to Guru Nanak’s life. This day highlights Guru’s teachings of equality, selfless service, devotion to God, and universal love. Celebrations include processions, prayers, and community meals (Langar), emphasizing his values of justice and compassion.  
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Equality: Guru Nanak preached that all are equal irrespective of caste, creed, and gender. He believed God lives in every human being. Therefore, all should be treated in a dignified manner.

Selfless Service (Seva): He promoted selfless service with the belief that people should provide service without any intention of reward. 
Devotion to God: Unlike the concept of priests and rituals, Guru Nanak focused on personal connection with God through devotion and prayer. The Guru further cautioned that true godliness emanates only from faithful devotion and a virtuous life.

Universal Love and Compassion: His message is about love for all beings, harmony, and reconciliation among communities.

Debunking Superstitions: He was against the current social norms and superstitions. He felt that spiritualism needs to be tackled logically with truth and just values. These values are written in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the seminal scriptural text of Sikhism. It is a guide to truthful living.  ‍

Today, when we look around, we find that an atmosphere of hate, division in the society, including the Sikh community, selfishness, and dogmas are having an upper hand. There is a fight to control the Gurudwaras for selfish purposes. There is a division even on the date of Gurpurab.  Some say it is in the month of Kartik; same say it is in Baisakh. There are numerous other issues on which there is a tussle going on.  We are fighting even on ‘how to eat’? Like any other religion, Sikhism also is divided in different manners. It is a truth that Guru Nanak’s (the first Guru) message of ‘Ek Onkar’ and also the 10^th Guru Gobind Singh’s   Hukam ‘Guru Manyo Granth’ have lost sight of. Instead of a logical par excellence thinker we have painted him as a “Karamati.’ Are we the worthy inheritor of Guru Nanak’s heritage? Let us introspect and raise ourselves to understand Guru Nanak. That is the real Celebration.  Waheguru.

Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society Honors Sikh Heritage at December Gathering:  The Link Newspaper – December 20, 2024

Rai Azizullah Khan (with Saropa around his neck) and Balkar Lalli holding the picture of Guru Gobind and Ganga Sagar.  
By Zile Singh

The Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society, Vancouver held its last meeting of 2024 on December 12^th.   In addition of its normal agenda of discussion on Gurbani and news, Martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s family and Guru’s gift of Ganga Sagar to Rai Kalha III of Raikot, too were discussed The focus was on the significance of the month of December in Sikh History.  A light was shed on the gruesome events of the seize of Fort Anandpur Saheb and the battle of Chamkaur Garhi. It was the time when Guru’s family was separated at three separate places.  Aurangzeb was the Mughal ruler at that time. December is a significant month in Sikh history for several reasons, including the martyrdom of the four sons of the 10^th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who were martyred in a matter of days at the end of December 1705.  The four sons, called as Sahibzada were Ajit Singh (19), Jujhar Singh (15), Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6).  The martyrdom of Mata Gujari, mother of Guru Gobind also took place during the same time.   The martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru also happened in the month of November/December in 1675.  Some views were also expressed about the authenticity of some historical events related to the Sikhs.  For example, the release of Guru Hargobind the sixth Guru from Gwalior Fort with 52 Hindu rajas. The day is celebrated as Bandi Chod Diwas coinciding with Diwali. In December every year, is a dictate from the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar that Sikhs all over the world should not indulge in any type of celebrations because it indicates disrespect to the martyrdom of the Sikhs.  The other main event of last meeting of the year was the presence of Rai Azizullah Khan, the 9^th generation of Rai Kalha III, the then-Muslim Rajput Chief of Raikot State. Guru Gobind Singh stayed for some time with Rai Kalha to escape Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s forces after leaving Chamkaur Garhi. Guru Ji, in appreciation of the services and hospitality extended by Rai Kalha, gifted him the holy Ganga Sagar, a Sword and a Rehal (small wooden stand to read a religious book).  The Ganga Sagar is a Surahi shaped metal vessel having many holes around it.  The speciality of the Ganga Sagar is that despite all these holes, water and milk do not pour through the holes, whereas the sand comes out through the holes.  Guru Sahab used Ganga Sagar to drink milk and water. It was one of his personal belongings.  To quote Prof. Bhajan Singh Grewal, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, “The Rai family, throughout the generations has shown love and respect towards the Guru, even with the obvious risk of serious reprisals from the rulers of the day.  In this sense, the Ganga Sagar is a symbol of love that transcends the manmade boundaries of religion, race, and caste and this is the essence of Guru Gobind Singh’s life and teachings.” Rai Azizullah Khan, grandson of Khan Bahadur Rai Inayat Khan and heir of the Rai family is the present custodian of Ganga Sagar. Rai Azizullah Khan has displayed this holy relic to the Sikh Sangat in Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Once a Member of Parliament in Pakistan, he is a citizen of Canada and lives in Surrey, British Columbia.  Khan Sahab was honored with a Saropa by Dr. Gurbax Sidhu, President, and Surjit Minhas. General Secretary of the Society.     The meeting concluded with a note of “Happy New Year.”  to all present.     
                                      
  ————————— (Zile Singh)  is a columnist and author of “Truths of Life- Life Enlightened.”  The book is available on Amazon. He is Secretary (Public Relations) of the Society.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji – at the time of founding the Khalsa  By Zile Singh                                                  

On Vaisakhi Day, lakhs of people of all religious backgrounds gather at Khalsa Diwan Society, Ross Street and on the Main Street, Vancouver and also separately in Surrey, British Columbia to celebrate Vaisakhi according to Sikhi traditions.   Vaisakhi is an ancient Hindu festival marking the Solar New Year and also celebrating the spring harvest.  It is one of the three Hindu festivals chosen by Guru Amar Das to be celebrated by Sikhs (other being Basant Panchami and Diwali).  The Khalsa calendar (New Year) also starts from the creation of Khalsa Panth on Vaisakh 1, 1756 Bikrami (30 March 1699). Vaisakhi has been a harvest festival in Punjab for a long time, even before it became important to Sikhs.  The History of Vaisakhi, in relation to Sikhism, traces its origin when on March 30, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth in succession called a congregation ceremony from across the country at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab to instil the spirit to fight against the tyranny of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.   At the call of the Guru, among thousands, five persons, later on called “Panj Piaras” – (five beloved) stood up to shed their lives to fight the tyranny and the injustice.  They were Bhai Daya Singh (a shopkeeper from Lahore), Bhai Dharam Singh (a farmer from Meerut), Bhai Himmat Singh (a water- carrier from Jagannath Puri, Odisha), Bhai Muhkam Singh (a tailor from Dwarka – Gujarat), Bhai Sahib Singh (a barber from Bidar, Karnataka).  Thus, the Khalsa Panth was founded.  

From then onward the followers of the Guru were given the surnames 'Singh' and 'Kaur' for male and female, respectively. They were also commanded to bear the following articles of faith: Kesh (hair), Kanga (wooden comb), Kacchera (loose undergarment), Kirpan (short, curved sword) and Kara (iron or steel bangle). The Sikhs were required to refrain from:  Hukka (smoking and intoxication), Hajjamat (shaving of hair), Halaal (meat made in Muslim way), and Haraam (adultery and undue earnings).  

Sikhism is the fifth largest religion of the world. It is a distinct monotheistic religion with its own unique divine scripture and beliefs. Kirat karo (right earnings), naam japo (remember God) and vand cchako (share your earnings with needy) are its basic advisories.  It was founded in the Punjab Province (Undivided India) in the 15^th Century by Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of the Sikhs.  The Ten Gurus in their succession are: Nanak, Angad, Amar Das, Ram Das, Arjan Dev, Hargobind, Har Rai, Har Krishan, Teg Bahadur and Gobind Rai (later Gobind Singh). The Tenth Guru bestowed the Gurudom forever to Guru Granth Sahib - the Holy Book containing the teachings of all the Gurus in addition to the teachings of some renowned Bhagats/ saints of different castes of that time.  They are Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, Trilochan, Dhanna, Sheikh Bhikan, Jaidev, Surdas, Pipa, Sadhna etc.    The fifth Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Adi Granth in 1604 and installed it in Harminder Sahib, Amritsar. Mian Meer, a Muslim fakir laid the foundation of the Golden Temple in 1588.    

Retrospectively, why only the Panj Piaras belonging to the lower castes? Were there no one in the gathering brave enough from higher castes to come forward? Maybe no one from higher castes was there at that momentous moment. Not only during the ceremony to establish Khalsa, but the lower caste bravery is also an example in Sikhism.  When Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs was beheaded (martyred) on the orders of Aurangzeb on 24 November 1675 in Delhi, the mortal remains of the Guru were stealthily taken to safer places to avoid their falling into the hands of the barbarians. Bhai Jaita took Guru’s head to Anandpur to hand over to Guru Gobind Singh. Bhai Lakhi Vanjara took the body to his village Rakab Ganj and cremated by setting his hut on fire. Today, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi, stands at that place. Both   the Bhais, Jaita and Vanjara were of lower castes. Guru Gobind escaped from Chamkaur battle by wearing the cloths of Bhai Sangat Singh, an outcaste. As a result, Sangat Singh, donned in the attire of the Guru was killed.  In literary circles, the contribution of Giani Ditt Singh, another lower caste Sikh cannot be ignored. Gurus, especially the first and the tenth understood the importance of lower castes. Bhai Mardana, a lifelong companion of Guru Nanak was a low caste Muslim. Nanak borrowed a lot of mystic knowledge from Kabir and Raidass who were his contemporaries but senior in age.    

Introspectively, after 325 years of the founding of the Khalsa Panth, there are some causes of concern.  As for the casteless society, let us pay heed to what Gurbani says “Neechan andar neech jaat, neechi hun att neech… and Ek noor te sab jag upjia”….  Today, the Panth has compartmentalized itself on the basis of caste.        For example, Jatts, Ramgarihas, Muzhabis and Ravidasia Sikhs have their own separate Gurdwaras and social institutions.   Matrimonial columns in the newspapers are a clear indication of heterogeneity in society. The Sikh diaspora has suffered a stark discrimination on the basis of race from the Canadian system over the years. Yet, unfortunately, they have not understood the pain of discrimination on the basis of caste.  

Not only this, but some other cardinal principles have also been ignored. Drug menace, domestic violence, extravagance, caste pride etc. are quite apparent. The complexes among the residents of Doaba, Malwa and Manjha regions are distinct in the Diaspora.   Superstitions and rituals are on the increase.  


Finally:          Let us be indebted to these lowly folks. Their sacrifices are many,  Panth talks.                      

Let us include  them  in our everyday life. Accept them happily as husband and wife. The living  Spirit of Gurus,  then and now. Not all the power and  fame belongs to you. They stood out  bravely,    in testing times. Their hearts beat in Gurbani’s  all rhymes