THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK-
In celebrations of the 555th Gurpurb {birthday} of the founder of Sikh religion, eminent poets converged to the Main Prayer Hall of Gurdwara Guru Dashmesh Sahib on Gipsy Lane on Sunday 24th November where the Guest of Honour was the 1st citizen of Leicester The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Bhupen Dave.
The singing Ambulance man Kuldip Singh Bhamra who was awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Award QAM few years ago was very honoured to start the celebrations by singing religious hymn and religious song for 20 minutes that included ‘Jhoothhee dekhi preet jagat mein‘ and ‘Nanak dian gujhian ramzan nu’. He also praised the efforts of Mr Virk in promoting Punjabi Language and Sikh religion.
Television presenter Giani Ravinderpal Singh Ji who first came up with the idea along with Mr Virk to organise the Poets gathering on this special birthday celebrations did sermon on the life and teachings of the founder of Sikh religion-one of the largest religions in the world and explained that Guru Nanak travelled East West North South on foot as far as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan Saudi Arabia from Punjab to spread the message of God in people’s own language and always had his long companion Muslim saint Mardana {one who will be remembered forever}. It is believed that Guru Nanak also met the Pope in Rome.
The Lord Mayor of Leicester congratulated everyone on the birthday of Guru Nanak and was pleased to be invited to today’s cele0brations. He was presented with a book in English called Guru Nanak by President of the Gurdwara Jarnail Singh Rana and other distinguished guests. Deputy City Mayor Councillor Manjjula Sood who became the came the first Asian woman Lord Mayor of Leicester in 2008 said we are lucky that the city of Leicester’s gems singing policeman and the singing ambulance man are both here to celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurb. Evington Ward Councillor Zuffer Haq read a poem Guru Nanak which was written and sent by the writer and artist Darpana Rathore who especially came from London to take part in last year’s Guru Nanak celebrations at Wigston Library.
Speaking from the stage the Leader of Oadby and Wigston Councillor Samia Haque said” As Sikhs across the world celebrate the birth of Guru Nank Dev Ji, we can all identify with his teachings of truth, love for all creation, gender equality and the need to work for the betterment of everyone regardless of colour, creed, or religion. His message of working hard and sharing with others remains as important today as it was centuries ago. A huge thank you to all the organisers for a great informative event.” Samia Haq and Zuffer Haq were both presented with a poster of the teachings of Guru Nanak.
Leicester’s own remarkable poet Gian Malook Singh Doshi who is the head priest at Leicester’s biggest Gurdwara with footfall more than 10 000 per week Guru Teg Bahadur Gurdwara read his poems written on 7th November 2024 in English and Punjabi which were both equally appreciated by the congregation. He announced that due to too many commitments the President of Guru Teg Bahadur Gurdwara Gurnam Singh Rai was not able to join us today and sent his best wishes for a successful celebration and congratulated all those who became baptised Sikhs at the ceremony last week at the East Park Road Gurwara Sahib. Poet Doshi then announced that the next Kavi Darbar will take place at the Man Prayer Hall at Guru Teg Bahadur Gurdwara on Sunday 5th January 2025 to celebrate Guru Gobind Sigh’s Gurpurb.
Eminent poets from the West Midlands Gurdev Singh Matharu who has written a book of poems was delighted that this Kavi Darbar is taking place and read few of his poems on Guru Nanak and Sikh religion. Similarly, Sukhminder Singh Brar from Birmingham who along with poet Matharu appear regularly at Kavi Darbars held on the different Sikh TV channels and Radios sang his written song on Guru Nanak which he was successful in requesting and getting the congregation to sing the last line of each part of his song.
Famous West Midlands poets Tarlochan Singh Chan Jandalvi who had gone to USA and has written many books sent his poem to be read. Harbans Singh Jandu Littranwalay who has written songs for nearly every Punjabi singer also sent his poem to be read. The well-known woman poet Sukwinder Kaur Amrit from Ludhiana Punjab India sent her song to be sung at the celebrations.
Leicester’s poet Ram Singh Pharwala who has written many songs for Ballads sang his song on Guru Nanak when there was pin drop silence in the hall. Kulbinder Singh Rai sang his song on Guru Nanak and talked about the importance of mother tongue language.
One of the guests read a letter from Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi MP from Houses of Parliament who wrote “Traditions of the Sikh faith incorporates the reciting of Gurbani, religious hymns {Kirtan), sermon {Katha}, ballads {Dhadi}, and reading poetry. The tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to have 52 poets singing praises of the Almighty God and Sikh Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is of course written in poetry form…. Finally, I wish to sincerely congratulate Sardar Tarlochan Singh Virk, Harjinder Singh Rai and all the dedicated team of volunteers of Punjabi Listeners Club, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. I understand you are organising special events, such as a trip to Houses of Parliament, a national Punjabi Language Seminar, Punjabi Writing Competition and a Turban Tying Competition. I respectfully request everyone to support Punjabi Listeners Club, however possible, with such positive endeavours.”
Jaspal Singh Kang of Sikh Federation UK, managed the stage in his unique style as usual, and read a message from Ex President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Leicester who pointed out that Punjabi Listeners Club organised their first anniversary celebrations in 1996 at GNG and after nearly three decades ago and are still promoting Sikh religion and Punjabi Language. He also stressed that organising such high-level events costs money, takes time and you also must listen to various complaints by members of the public but with the blessings of Almighty God everything is possible.
Mr Kang also read messages from Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman of Guru Kashi University in Bathinda Punjab India and from Professor Gurbhajan Singh Gill of Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Punjab India. Jaspal Singh pointed out that in 2022 Punjabi Listeners Club organised a very successful trip to see the National Sikh Museum in Derby as part of Guru Nanak Gurpurb and in 2023 held the event at Wigston Library for 4 hours. Mr Virk is a very valuable member of the Sikh community who always comes up with new ideas to promote Sikh religion.
Organiser of the celebrations Tarlochan Singh Virk thanked Lord Mayor of Leicester, Samia Haq Leader of Oadby and Wigston, Deputy City Mayor Manjula Sood and Councillor Zuffer Haq and the Gurdwara Management committee. He also thanked television presenter and chief editor of Samaj Weekly newspaper Mr. Devinder Chander and Sukhdev Singh Atwal Sokha Udopuria of DEV £K Appreciation Society for their continued support to promote Maa Boli Punjabi Language and Sikh religion, all the poets and invited guests and those who donated.
