Hong Kong-At a Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) organized by Gurudwara Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple Hong Kong to mark the Foundation Day of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj today urged the sangat (community) to work for community interests, remain connected to the Panth and Punjab, connect the new generation with Sikhi and the mother tongue Gurmukhi Punjabi, and keep central Sikh institutions strong. He said that today, when Sikhs are settled across the world, it is even more important for them to remain centered around and connected to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
A large community gathering attended the event at the Gurdwara Sahib. Raagi Jatha of Bhai Ranbir Singh, Hazuri Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran, performed Gurbani Kirtan, and the Dhadi Jatha of Bhai Ajitpal Singh Safari connected the sangat with Sikh history through vaars (ballads). This was the first time in history that the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib visited Hong Kong for preaching Sikhi and for discussions with the local community here.
During the event, remembrance was also paid to Giani Nand Singh, a former Granthi of Gurudwara Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong, who attained martyrdom while serving in the Gurdwara during the World War. Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj offered Ardas (Sikh prayer) for the Chardi Kala (rising spirit) and unity of the Sikh community living in India and abroad.
Addressing the sangat, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the roots of Guru Nanak Dev’s Sikhi are very deep, which is why Sikhs today reside in most countries of the world and, despite traversing the toughest paths, are in Chardi Kala. He said Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong had a foundational role in India’s freedom struggle. Sikhs established the Sri Guru Singh Sabha here in 1901. Ghadari Babas like Baba Gurdit Singh of the Guru Nanak Jahaz (Komagata Maru) and Shaheed Bhai Kartar Singh Sarabha were active on this soil, and in 1903, Sikh soldiers of the 33rd Burma Infantry also came here who built a well of water at the site of the Gurdwara, which is still functional and present today. Wherever Sikhs went, they took Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with them, and wherever the Guru is, there is Chardi Kala. He asked the Hong Kong sangat to preserve their Sikh heritage and history.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj urged the sangat to take their children to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib, Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He also shared with the sangat the history of the Ten Guru Sahibs and the significant contributions they made to preach and flourish Sikhi in their respective times.
Jathedar Gargajj said that Sikhs abroad have established themselves and progressed through merit, hard work, honesty, and a laborious nature. He said Sikhs have always prioritized the principle of kirat (earning honestly) given by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Sikhs have never become dependent on free handouts. He said we must always help poor and needy Sikhs, and that is only possible when Sikhs themselves are enterprising and hardworking. He said we need to be wary of conspiracies aimed at making us dependent, because such policies are designed to erase our identity, weaken us mentally, and make us idle. Therefore, Sikhs should not abandon their hardworking nature and should earn their livelihood through honest means. He said Sikhs living abroad should directly help needy Sikhs in their villages. If we pay attention to our villages alone, that will be a great act of service. He also urged the sangat not to sell their ancestral lands in Punjab, saying that the blood of our martyrs has been shed on Punjab’s soil, so we must always remain connected to our roots.
He said Sikhs also need to be alert to conspiracies being hatched to divide and set Sikhs against each other. Some forces are trying to disconnect Sikhs from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and reduce respect for the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee in their minds. The need is to place trust in our central Sikh institutions and strengthen them so that Sikhs remain organized and united. Governments of the time will keep coming and going, but Sri Akal Takht Sahib is eternal — where the governments of the time have always bowed and will continue to do so.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the Hong Kong Gurudwara Management Committee informed him that due to fear of a new law of the Punjab Government, they are facing difficulty in sending biradh (old) Gutka Sahibs and Pothis of Gurbani for cremation at Gurdwara Sri Baoli Sahib, Goindwal Sahib. Earlier they used to send old Gutka Sahibs and Pothis to India for cremation through Raagi Jathas, but now due to the government law, Raagi Jathas are afraid. He said the government made this law without the consent of Sikhs and interfered in religious matters, as a result of which the Sikh sangat is facing such problems. He instructed the Hong Kong Gurudwara Management Committee to prepare a complete record of old Gutka Sahibs and Pothis of Gurbani without any fear, send the information to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee first, and then carry out the task to send them to India.
He urged the sangat to visit the Gurdwara Sahib regularly and to connect their children with the Gurdwara. When children come to the Gurdwara, they get connected with sewa (voluntary service), simran, kirtan, gatka (Sikh martial arts) and other Gurmat activities. He said it is essential abroad that we teach our children Gurmukhi Punjabi so that they can connect with Gurbani and Sikh history.
He said the need today is for Sikh institutions to strengthen their own education system so that our generation acquires good higher education and reaches respectable positions. He also asked Gurudwara Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong to start a special Punjabi school at the Gurdwara for children up to 8th grade.
He asked the sangat to understand the principle of Miri-Piri bestowed by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He said every Sikh should understand the journey from Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s rabab to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s ranjit nagara. The rabab represents Gurbani and the nagara represents bravery. These are symbols of Miri and Piri, devotion and power, saint and soldier.
Jathedar Gargajj urged Sikhs living abroad to be fully alert to grooming gangs, to identify such forces, and to take special care of their daughters. He said a Sikh daughter’s marriage should take place in a Sikh household. It is the responsibility of Sikh parents to create an environment with the "fence of Sikhi" in their homes so that children remain safe.
He said the need today is for Sikhs to sit together with love and keep the path of mutual dialogue open on every issue, rather than slandering or speaking ill of one another. Gurdwaras are also centers for Sikhs to get to know each other and to sit together to resolve problems. He asked Gurdwara management to give youth reasonable opportunities to serve, and advised the youth to learn from the experiences of elders.
During this, the Gurdwara Management Committee also raised with the Jathedar the difficulties faced in bringing sacred Birs (scriptures) abroad. Jathedar Gargajj assured the sangat that in the coming time, after consultation with the Panth, efforts will be made to make the system of sending sacred Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji abroad more convenient and in accordance with maryada.
At the conclusion of the event, the management of Gurdwara Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong, Akal Ki Sewa Group, Dhan Guru Nanak Dhan Teri Sikhi Sewa Society, Guru Nanak Sewa Bhalai Trust, Sikhi Virsa Hong Kong, Miri Piri Sewa Dal youth volunteers, Baba Ghola Singh Ji Kar Sewa Group Hong Kong, and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar’s Bhagwan Singh Ghama honored Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj with a siropas (robes of honour) and mementos.
Jathedar Gargajj thanked the Management Committee and Board representatives of Gurdwara Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong for inviting him here.
During this visit, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj also held separate meetings with Sikh youth of Hong Kong, women’s groups, and the sangat, discussed their issues with them, and took their views and suggestions on problems and other matters.
Jathedar Gargajj visited the children’s Punjabi class running at the Gurdwara, interacted with them, and inspired them toward Sikhi. He also reviewed the library set up at the Gurdwara Sahib and appreciated the initiative.
Present on the occasion were Head Granthi Bhai Jaswant Singh, President Nirmal Singh Patiala, Secretary Gurmanpreet Singh Khara, Vice President Jugraj Singh Dugri, Treasurer Mandeep Singh Hundal, Members Jaimal Singh, Mahinder Singh Patti, Sukhroop Singh, Board Chairman Gurnam Singh, Former President Daljit Singh Zira, Bhagat Singh Phool, Sukhwinder Singh Dadehar Sahib, Former Board Chairman Baljinder Singh, Jujhar Singh Joyeke, Baljit Singh Chohla Sahib, Giani Jeevan Singh, Building Committee Chairman Gurdev Singh Ghalib, EC Chairman Harinderpal Singh Banga, Sikhi Prachar Team’s Sukhchain Singh Mianwind, Gaganpreet Singh, Harjasdeep Singh, Manager Dr Jaswinder Singh, Jaskaran Singh Media Advisor, Navpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Dadehar Sahib, Gurlal Singh Boparai, Former Treasurer Dilbagh Singh Kala Afghana and others.