OZsinghni

WJKK WJKF In Australia, we have 4 AKJ smagams in a year: The annual SKJ sydney smagam will commence on 26 Sept - 3 October There will be smagam in Shepparton (Victoria) during xmas break 23-26 December, you will need to fly into Melbourne, then a 3 hour drive inland. There are New years rehnsbahi's in most cities across Australia (inlcuding Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne) Over the Easter break, there is smagam held in Melbourne There is 2 day smagam held in Adelaide in mid July. usually most Australia AKJ dates are posted onto http://www.akj.org.au/ I hope this assists, however Australia is beaudtiful country and you can come & visit anytime, regardless of when AKJ smagams are held:) regards Jatinder

Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ke fateh This year marks the Tenth anniversary (Barsi) of Bhai Shaib Rajinder Singh, Jathedar of Chalda Vaheer Jatha International leaving for Sach Khand. Bhai Sahib was a pooran gursikh who spent most of his life doing Sikhi parchaar across the World. His seva included establishing the first gurdwara's in Europe, first Amrit Sanchar's in various countries, Sikh Youth Gurmat camps, kirtain and katha programs across Europe, South East Asia, America and Australia. On behalf of Chalda Vaheer Jatha, we would like to invite the sikh sangat from across UK, Europe, Asia, US/Canada and Australia/New Zealand to attend the Tenth Barsi program which will be held on Thursday 28 to Sunday 31st of October in Paris, France. The poster for the program is included with this invitation. As part of marking the Tenth anniversary, we have commenced a project to document Bhai Sahib's seva to the Sikh Panth through writing his biography. We will be interviewing gursikhs from across the world and invite gursikhs who knew Bhai Sahib to also participate in this project. We are requesting feedback from experience and memories of Bhai Sahib through either: · An Interview (face-to-face or by phone or web conference) · Any kirtain recordings of Bhai Sahib · Any photo's and videos of Bhai Sahib's · Any media articles or interviews (Punjabi/English newspaper or radio) · Any letters or correspondence with Bhai Sahib We are also developing a documentary and would like to also invite you to participate in that through video recording of your views and memories of Bhai Sahib's travels to your city or country. We humbly seek your presence and attendance at the Tenth Barsi Program in Paris on the 28 – 31st October 2010. Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ke fateh Jatinder Kaur Bibi Jatinder Kaur (Sevadaar) On behalf of Chalda Vaheer Jatha International Chalda Vaheer Jatha International (Head Office) Bibi Balbir Kaur (w/o Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh) 7 Buckingham Rise, Dudley, West Midlands (U.K.) DYI 2TS Ph: +44 (0) 1384 237341 Web: www.chaldavaheer.com E: info@chaldavaheer.com

Gurfateh other options with J is: Jatinder Jatan Jughaar and Jay good luck:)

Gurfateh I would also agree with the above definitions, but most importantly a saintly person (whether they belong to the sikh religion) have key characteristics such as as: - humilty (never seeking the limelight or attention) - service to other/community (whether this is by their hand or through maya, missionary work, this can be done in many forms - standing on principles of truth and justice (this is essential, many saintly persons have been those willing to stand against various forms of tyranny and oppression- not just speak but also show in thei actions like Sant Jarnail SIngh Bhindranwalay - their every action/thought/deed is around Gurmat/Seva/Simran (this can also occur with other faiths- eg Mother Teresa) this is an interesting topic Jatinder

Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ke fateh This is my first post on this web forum, however I have been reading many of the posts for some time. Many of the Sikh youth across countries may not be aware of an inspirational Gursikh - Bhai Rajinder Singh (Chaldha Vaheer Jatha). There are many who maybe unaware of Bhai Sahib's seva and contribution to the Sikh Panth. This article aims to raise awareness and inform the next generation. Currently, sevadaars across the world are working on gathering stories, video and audio footage from Bhai Sahib's missionary work across the world covering 40 countries over 20 years. This project aims to compile Bhai Sahib's biography (in both English and Punjabi) and DVD documentary for the 10th anniversary on 10 November 2010. Summary of Bhai Rajinder Singh life 1952 – 2000 Childhood Bhai Sahib was a pioneer Sikh Missionary who travelled across the world spreading the word of Sikhism. He was born in 1952, the village Poonia (Nava Sher district), Punjab. His father Sardar Gulzar Singh and mother Bibi Surjeet Kaur were both Amrithdhari gursikhs. Bibi Surjeet Kaur's father Sardar Makand Singh had fought in Free India movement and played an integral part in the 'Babbar Akali Dal' movement before Independence. As a condition of his daughter's marriage he insisted that the boy must be Amritdhari and that is how Sikhi came into the family. From an early age Bhai Sahib was engrossed and attracted to the spiritual life and enjoyed doing seva (sweeping shoes) at the local gurdwara and being amongst nature and animals. Migrating to the United Kingdom (UK) Bhai Sahib was 15 years old when he migrated to United Kingdom, his father and brothers lived in Dudley (West Midlands, UK). He studied science at the Dudley College of Technology, later he went on to complete Bachelor degree in Metallurgical Science from Sheffield University. He would regularly join with his father and visit the Smethwick High Street Gurdwara. In the early 1970's there were very few gursikhs in Birmingham area and they would travel by bus to reach the gurdwara as many families did not own cars during those early days. Taking Amrit During that time when Bhai Sahib was approximately 19-20 years he approached one of the (Naam rasiya) Gursikh "when should a sikh take Amrit?, for which that gursikh replied: "Pavan Aramb Satgur Mat Vela" – meaning that as soon as the body has breath, you should think about the guru. Bhai Sahib was so moved by this gursikh's bachan that during the Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) Rehnsbahi at Smethwick High Street Gurdwara he took amrit, along with his younger brother Bhai Ajaib Singh, Bhai Kuldeep Singh and his sister Bibi Kirpal Kaur and brother in-law Bhai Surjeet Singh. Jathedar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha (1978 to 1984) Bhai Sahib became blessed with the naam ras and kirtain from that time onwards. In 1978 he was appointed the Jathedaar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha (U.K.) and served in this role until 1984. During this time Bhai Sahib played an active role in kirtain parchaar in the UK and Europe. He was self taught kirtani and had a sweet and melodious voice, he was softly spoken and touched many lives. As there were very few gurdwara's at that time Bhai Shib would organise regular rehnsbahi kirtain and amrit sanchaar's at his home residence. His family Bhai Sahib was married to Bibi Balbir Kaur in 1973, at Barking Gurdwara, London. He has three children, his eldest daughter Bibi Jatinder Kaur, who is married to Bhai Ranjit Singh (Brisbane, Australia), his second daughter Bibi Daljit Kaur, who is married to Bhai Jaspal Singh (son of Bhai Onkar Singh, Leicester) and his son Bhai Kulwant Singh who is married to Bibi Gursunder Kaur (from Italy). Chaldha Vaheer Jatha Seeing the footage and carnage from the 1984 attack on the Akaal Takht, Bhai Sahib made a conscious decision which compelled him towards undertaking Sikhi parchaar (tatt gurmat parchaar). Particularly, he was conscious that the Indian government would do whatever it could to exterminate Sikhs, the only option to counter that attack was to create more Sikhs who lived in the western countries (outside of Punjab). At this point he established 'Chaldha Vaheer Jatha' with its key mission to undertake International Sikh missionary work. At this Bhai Sahib resigned from his employment and self funded all of the travels and expenses with parchaar. He spread the word of Sikhism through Kirtain, parchaar, countless amrit sanchar's and youth gurmat camps. During the 20 years of seva Bhai Sahib was a Pioneer Sikh Parcharaks (Missionary) who travelled to many countries including: Europe (Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Ireland, Italy, Spain). Bhai Sahib resided in Amsterdam, Holland from 1980 to 1982 and assisted the sikhs there to establish the first gurdwara in Holland. In 1986, Bhai Sahib undertook his first world tour with a small jatha including the late Bhai Rama Singh (who was very close to Bhai Sahib), Bhai Prithipal Singh, Bhai Hardiyal Singh and Bhai Shabeg Singh (Sydney). The world tour included: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia and Singapore. Bhai Sahib was the first parcharak to have ever travelled to these countries, as a consequence many sikhs took amrit during that time. From 1986 to his last days in 2000, Bhai Sahib travelled around the world including the following countries as well: USA, Canada, Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangkok, Thailand, Pakistan and Bangladesh. His parchaar included gurmat camps for children and youth as he believed it was critical to ensure that the next generation remained in Sikhi saroop and hold strong Sikh identity. In November 1994, Bhai Sahib travelled to Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) for the first time and so moved at being at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, that he continued to visit each year until 2000. Bhai Sahib from his daswand would take gurmat parchaar material for the Sikhs living in Nankana Sahib, who lived in harsh poverty (e.g. clothes, gutka (in Urdu), keratin audio, books). They loved Bhai Sahib dearly as he would converse with them and explain to them about Guru Nanak Dev ji's and how to be a sikh. Bhai Sahib established the 'Guru Nanak Model School' for the Sikh children of Nankana Sahib, this school provides Sikh children (approximately 100 Sikh families reside at Nankana Sahib) to learn about Gurbani, Gurmat, Kirtain, Tabla and Sikh History. He enjoyed listening to the children recite gurbani when he visited each year. Bhai Sahib's final Journey 10 November 2000 Bhai Sahib always remained humble and never eluded that he had attained certain spiritual levels. He was very close to many gursikhs (Bhai Jeevan Singh, Bhai Rama Singh, Baba Takur Singh (Damdami Taksal), Bhai Harbajan Singh Yogi. He did not engage in petty politics of jatha-banday, he maintained that respect and love for gursikhs regardless of which maryada they followed. During the days leading up to him leaving the UK for his annual yatra to Pakistan, Bhai Sahib requested for his family to meet him. He had also phoned gursikhs indicating that this was his "akree fateh". His health deteriorated while he was on the yatra at Nanakana Sahib and Bhai Sahib insisted that he wanted to return to his home village (Poonia). However, his health became worse, Bibi Balbir Kaur took him to Jallandhar Hospital, and he suffered a heart attack at the Jalandhar hospital. Bhai Sahib had always desired to be cremated the 'proper' way and this was maintained by many gursikhs (Bhai Talwara Singh, Bhai Mehar Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode) arriving for the antam sanskar. The former Akaal Takt Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti performed the Antam Ardaas. Bhai Sahib's contribution to the Sikh Panth was given the highest honour in April 2004, whereby he was the first non-resident of India (foreigner) to have their portrait installed at the Ajayab Ghar Sikh National Museum in Amritsar. The former Akaal Takt Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and the former head granthi and now current Akaal Takh Jathedaar Bhai Gurbachan Singh performed the ardaas and unveiling of Bhai Sahib's portrait. If you would like to contribute to this project or have any stories, footage (audio and video), please contribute to the following blog: http://bhairajinders...r.blogspot.com/ or alternatively email Bibi Jatinder Kaur on jatk21@hotmail.com The following footage has been uploaded to the web: In Bhai Sahib's Memory: Bhai Sahib doing kirtain during the first world tour in Australia (1986) His Antam Sanskar footage: Bhai Sahib's kirtain can also be accessed through the following link: http://www.sikhroots...ingh%20(Dudley) It is hoped that through reading and learning about Gursikh's life (Gursikha da jeevan), we can gain inspiration and motivation to become better Sikhs Bhul Chuk Maaf Jatinder Kaur