THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Be Fearless in the Pursuit of “Justice and Truth” “Love All Serve All” and Stand against Tyranny and Oppression.” Guru Gobind Singh Ji
I tell the truth that all may hear, He who loves, he alone has found God…Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Gurpurb of Sarbansdani Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Holy Bones Leicester on Sunday 11 January 2026 with a Turban Tying Competition and Kavi Darbar organised by the 1995 formed voluntary organisation Punjabi Listeners Club was successful in which King Charles’ representative Rob Nixon Deputy Lieutenant gave a speech from the stage of the Gurdwara and presented trophies to winners of the Turban Tying Competition and participants of the Kavi Darbar.
The major achievements of Guru Ji were:
Creation of the Khalsa…a community of initiated warriors in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab known as the pure.
Eternal Guru…Declared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji { Sikh Holy Scripture } as the final eternal Guru, ending the line of Human Gurus.,
Compilation of Texts… Finalised the Adi Granth and authored the Dasam Granth a collection of hymns central to Sikh prayers and rituals.
Introduction of the 5K s…Mandated the wearing of the five articles of faith {Kesh, Kashera, Kirpan, Kara, Kanga} as visible signs of Sikh identity
Spiritual and Miltary Leadership…..Developed the “Saint- Soldier” ideal, inspiring Sikhs with courage and self-sacrifice to resist oppression,
Defined Sikh Identity…gave Sikhism its present-day structure, rituals, and strong sense of collective identity, emphasizing equality and service.
Zafarnama…wrote a letter to Mughal Empower {Zafarnama} Aurangzeb denouncing his broken oaths and asserting moral victory over tyranny.
All the above contribution established Sikhism as a powerful spiritual and socio-political force, inspiring Sikhs to uphold justice and righteousness.
The Turban Tying Competition was held in the basement gym of the Gurdwara sahib. The participants had brought their own turbans and mirrors. Jaspal Singh Kang, one of the judges said it was very pleasing to see the participants in their Sikhi ‘Banna’. He also said Sikh children and youth who wear the turban to schools, colleges and universities automatically promote Sikh religion. Head of the judges Balinder Singh Samra who has been doing sewa for the local Sikh community for decades pointed out that in deciding the winners we took note of time taken to do the Dastar, length of the Dastar and how good the appearance of the Dastar when completed.
Winner in the 7-10 years age group was Anmol Singh Dhillon. The winner in the 11-14 years age group was Sukhdeep Singh Dhillon. The Runner-Up in the 11-14 years age group was Kanvarveer Singh Bedi. All these winners and runner-up were also presented with a trophy for doing their turbans in the special Dumala Style.
In November 1976, Her Majesty The Queen gave her Royal Ascent to a Bill to exempt turbanned Sikhs from having to wear crash-halmets when riding a moto-cycle: The motor-cycle . Crash-Helmets Act, 1976. This took about 3 years to achieve and was a story of human kindness, religious and philosophical toleration in Britan……The Turban Victory, Sydney Bidwell MP Southall-Ealing
The Guest of Honour Rob Nixon Deputy Lieutenant thanked the organisers for inviting him and said it was a great privilege to join the congregation on the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The standard in the Turban Tying was clearly very high and it is linked to your culture. Those who took part made their community proud. I have come here on behalf of Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE who is the local representative of His Majesty King Charles. So in effect I am representing the Royal family. Guru Gobind Singh Ji teachings were of courage, justice and equality. The former Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police pointed out that he is no stranger to the city of Leicester and this place of worship which has done excellent work for the local Leicester community due to which this Gurdwara was chosen to be visited by Her Majesty The Queen during her Golden Jubilee celebrations. This was a massive honour for Guru Nanak Gurdwara for which you should all be very proud.
Sulakhan Singh Dard, British Empire Medal BEM and British Heart Foundation Ambessoder congratulated everyone on the Gurpurb of Sarbansdani Guru Gobind Singh Ji and thanked Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Punjabi Listeners Club for organising this very important celebrations. He also pointed out that Mr Virk has been promoting Punjabi Language and Sikh religion for over 30 years and we should support him so he can continue to organise such high-level events.
Kuldio Singh Bhamrah Quenn’s Ambulance Medal QAM sent letter to Tarlochan Singh in which he stated “As always you have organised a brilliant programme to celebrate the Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurb with various activities. It would have been a pleasure to see other prominent members of our community. May Waheguru Ji bless you with good health and success for continuing your enthusiasm to promote: Punjabi Language within the community and doing sewa of raising funds for UK registered charities. Keep it up.
Stage secretary Suk Steve read a letter dated 15.12.2025 from Pro – Vice Chancellor Guru Kashi University, Bathinda, Punjab, Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman in which he wrote to Mr. Virk “ I am particularly pleased to learn that you are organizing a programme dedicated to the supreme sacrifice of the Tenth Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, whose life and teachings continue to inspire courage, selfless service, equality and moral strength across generations. Such programmes play a vital role in nurturing spiritual awareness and cultural pride among the youth, especially in the diaspora. I convey my heartfelt good wishes for the grand success of this noble event.”
A pillar of Punjabi Media and Journalism for four decades and editor of Punjab Times published daily in Punjabi and English in India and Canada Baljit Singh Brar sent a letter to organisers on 13 December 2025 in which he stated” The life of Sarbansdani Guru Gobind Singh Ji stands as a timeless beacon of sacrifice, bravery, justice and devotion to humanity. His teachings inspire us to uphold truth, equality, self-respect, and service to others, even in the face of adversity. Remembering and reflecting on Guru Ji’s legacy through educational and cultural platforms helps keep these values alive in our daily lives. The Dastar Mukabla instills pride, discipline and confidence in children, reinforcing the significance of identity and tradition, while the Kavi Darbar provides a creative space for minds to express thoughts rooted in Sikh philosophy and Punjabi heritage. I commend the Punjabi Listeners Club, Uk, and Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji Virk for their dedication and vision and I wish the programme every success in strengthening community bonds and passing our rich legacy to future generations.”
Oadby Councillor Santokh Singh Athwal local poet congratulated everyone on Guru Ji Gurpurb, read his poem and Geet for about five minutes and pointed out that despite not in the best of health Virk Sahib must be congratulated for his efforts in organising such top-level event for our community. Another Leicester poet Ram Singh Pharwala regularly participates in Kavi Darbars in different Gurdwara Sahibs such as Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar, Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara and Gurdwara Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib read his poem from the stage which was well appreciated by the congregation.
Before going heavenly abode Guru Gobind Singh Ji bowed and placed five coins and coconut in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji compiled at Dam Dama Sahib and addressing the congregation said “ As ordained by the Lord, a new way of life has evolved. All the Sikhs are asked to accept the Holy Granth as the Guru. Guru Granth Sahib should be accepted as the living Guru. Those who wish to meet God, will find Him in the holy Word.”
GURU NANAK GURDWARA
LEICESTER
President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Ajmer Singh Basra congratulated everyone on the Gurpurb of Sarbansdani Guru Gobind Singh Ji, thanked Rob Nixon DL, poets , special guests, children who took part in the Turban Tying Competition and their parents and relatives, Punjabi Listeners Club and Sadh Sangat Ji for making the event successful.
Tarlochan Singh Virk, Co-Ordinator Punjabi Listeners Club thanked Sukhdev Singh Atwal of Kabin King Derby, Santokh Singh of Knighton Self-Service Welford Road Leicester, Lieutenancy Office of Leicestershire County Council , Amarjit Singh Bahia, Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal and all those who contributed and hope to have similar support in future.
The GURPURB CELEBRATIONS WERE RECORDED AND SHOWN ON AKAAL CHANNEL on SUNDAY 18.01.2026.
