Shining Sikhs

Suggestions?

2007-12-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

We are also looking for more GurSikhs who have been an inspiration to the religion so we can inspire others on how to be good role models. We have also been contacted by television stations asking us to provide them with good Sikhs to help in discussion shows and more. So if you know of somebody, then please let us know so we can feature them here and spread a positive vibe amongst the youth. It doesnt matter whether you are from Wolverhampton or Washington, we want to know :)

E-mail us : shiningsikhs@hotmail.co.uk

Three Gursikhs - Harvinder Singh, Tajinder Singh and Satvir Singh

2007-12-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

I know its over a year late, but something has been missing from our blog for a while and i finally realised what ... or who, it was. The three Singhs above, Harvinder Singh, Tajinder Singh and Satvir Singh were from Wolverhampton and tragically drowned in Ullswater in September last year.

To be honest, we didnt know any of them personally, despite bumping into Harvinder Singh (the youngest) when we had a bike ride. He was a really happy-type Singh who was very popular amongst the other youth around. He was also the youngest nephew of Jago Wale jatha who sing in the Shaheedi Immortal albums. He was also the cousin of Bhai Amanpreet Singh from Wolverhampton, as featured previously, and we know that Harvinder used to occasionally design some things for EktaOne (now SikhRoots).

What really does touch me is that my nephew showed me his msn and he has a lot of youth on his list - and i was amazed to see that even over a year on, everyone had "H.S.T." in their screen names, which is the initials of the three boys. They truly have become a legacy and put me in my place. Normally when someone dies, even in a tragedy, they are remembered for about 4-5 months, but here we are in the second year of their death and they are still being remembered for all things good. Truly touching and truly inspiring. May their legends live on.

We found some videos we would like to share with you...

These were created by SikhRoots and other sewadars in Wolverhampton :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OnPzOyX87E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHtqGaR31Z8

And a news clipping from the funeral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH2xJ02GM8c

Most Welcomed Return

2007-07-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Apologies to all as we have been very busy with our new addition to the family recently.

But would like to congratulate Bhai Amanpreet Singh on the launch of SikhRoots.com and the rest of his new team. Its even better than Ektaone!! Heres hoping that the Wolverhampton sangat can continue to grow together and support Amanpreet Singh in this truly beautiful seva.

For anyone who hasnt visited their new website yet, its www.sikhroots.com :)

Bhai Amanpreet Singh Lallie (Wolverhampton, UK)

2007-06-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

Amanpreet Singh Lallie from Wolverhampton is one of the most respected and passionate Singhs in the UK. The love for Sikhi and seva that he possesses is something quite unique. So what makes him so special? Sikhi fm and Ektaone were absolutely amazing website projects and now he is running Sikhroots Sikh website. One Gursikh created such a fantastic archive of keertan ... thousands of mp3's free for all and of the highest quality which is unseen anywhere else today. Out of his own pocket he has spent thousands of pounds to keep it running and growing. He was seen at so many programmes around the UK recording kirtan to upload on his website to share with others. There were live video recordings. Live streaming. Even recording all documentaries related to sikhs from the tv to share online.

The seva does not stop there. Radio stations, free designing of posters, organising programmes, creating presentations, helping out at camps, and so much more. The seva he does still continues and for no fame, no money, nothing.

I remember when Ektaone website launched, i drew up a really large list of about 200 shabads or so i wanted from the site and emailed Aman to create me some CD's i could listen to in the car. He agree but i didnt know it would take 30 CD's or something silly like that! I asked my brother in law to pick them up as he works near Wolverhampton and to give him some maayaa but he wouldnt take it even after forcing it in his hand! My brother in law who wasnt into Sikhi was quite amazed that it took him so much time and effort to make the CD's yet he wouldnt accept any cash and from then on my jija ji began speaking to me more about the Sikh youth. He thought Sikhi was dying but he was proved wrong and he started going to divaans. I remember him telling me he saw Amanpreet Singh at a Sant Baba Ranjit Singh divaan and was really delighted to see him again and from then on, with thanks to Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Jee as well, hes begun to come into Sikhi and learn more about the religion. I never thought he would be the type to get into Sikhi as he was always so into his bhangra, eating meat, drinking and the rest but I'm so glad hes changed in the last year or so.

Anyway, Amanpreet Singh, a humble request to you never to stop and carry on on the righteous path. You have given moorakhs like me a fresh of breath air in life and helped put me on the path to Guru Jee through your most amazing sewa. I can never repay you but you are in my ardas every day. i know before you have requested us to remove your name and everything from this website but ShiningSikhs is nothing without your presence.

Bhai Abinash Singh (London)

2007-03-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

When I was coming into Sikhism in the early days of my life, I went to a lot of programmes around London, where Abinash Singh lives. I never heard of him or heard him once. But at one point in my life, when i was really down, i went to a programme with my cousin and sat right at the back because i was feeling so low. Most of the programmes done by AKJ or other groups hardly included any youth doing keertan. It was all the elders. Those that would be in my fathers generation or even my grandfathers. I dont know why, but it was like God hid this gem from my eyes and ears. All my life living down here, going to programmes etc, i never heard him but at this one particular programme i was taken back and moved. When i needed a lift, a buzz, the most, God done His grace and through this GurSikh lifted me up with some absolutely beautiful Gurbani Kirtan. I went from crying in dukh to crying in sukh.

Dass loves listening to his keertan and seeing him around all the time. He speaks with love and doesnt put any one down, which believe me, is a rare thing to find nowadays. He does keertan where and when is asked of him. Where there is a lot of divisions between groups, he does keertan at any programme organised by any group such as AKJ, AKJi, Taksaal and so forth. His beliefs are firm, strict and very pure - but he respects His Guru, and everyone else around him.

Video : http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=3936635364422802071&q=abinash
Kirtan : http://www.ektaone.com/audio/index.php?q=s&sm=fi&s=abinash&x=0&y=0

May God bless us all.

Bhai Tarsem Singh (Warwick, UK)

2006-07-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you dont know Bhai Tarsem Singh ji, then you will most definitely know his website which he created. SikhiToTheMax is a revolutionary Gurbani Searcher website which allows Sikhs all over the world to have access to Gurbani. Theres transliteration and translations available and a brilliant search engine to search it with. Everywhere he goes, he recieves acclaim and siropas in mark of his achievements.

He's warmly welcomed at many AKJ programmes around the UK - whether he is on stage or not. He always helps where we can - online or offline. His contribution to Sikhi is great and his pyaar and shardha for others is immense.

I had always heard about Bhai Sahib ji from other people and had seen and heard is keertan. We met Bhai Sahib ji for the first time whilst attending a programme organised by some youth in the East Midlands. Afterwards, there was an amrit sanchaar organised and the panj pyaareh walked into the darbaar sahib. i looked... then i looked again. And it was Bhai Tarsem Singh ji as one of the panj. I will never forget that moment. I was in total awe of such a pyaaraa Gurmukh.

Heres some keertan from him...
http://www.akj-media.com/imin/BhaiTarsemSinghJiCoventry_UKSmagam2006_ReansbaeeKeertan_10.MP3

Bibi Sukhmani Kaur

2006-07-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

(Written by penji)

Most of us have been brought up in a Sikh family since birth. Many of us have always had a connection somehow with the Sikh faith. Sukhmani Kaur only heard about Sikhi 10 years ago... and since then, shes become one of the finest examples of a Sikh in our midst today.

I met her in Hayes a few months ago... well, if you can call seeing and admiring her a "meeting" then its all good. There arent many female role models in Sikhism, especially in the UK. But in 10 years, penji has really come into the spotlight. Not only can sangat in London do her darshan, but thanks to her amazing blog, the whole of sangat online can meet her and share in her life experiences.

Just like you, many people from different backgrounds come into Sikhi. According to you, which is the best for them to get more knowledge about Sikhi?

"I would say that background doesn't matter, what matters is open-mindness. If person has previous baggage of whole load of stuff about casts, gender discrimination, etc; that will take a while to get rid of. But probably it still doesn't matter, because if there's a quest for Truth within ones soul, background is no more then outer shell that would be dropped, when the true identity of a Sikh (learner) will be accepted."

Shes brilliant and a role model for me as a Sikh woman and i know my partner is adoration of her talent and her role in the community.

She was also voted Sikh Youth Of The Month by UnitedSikhs.com - Click on the link below to read the full interview!

http://www.unitedsikhs.com/sukhmanikaur/index.htm

Bhai Sukhwinder Singh (Birmingham, UK)

2006-07-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

You may have seen Bhai Sukhwinder Singh around the UK... no sorry, let me change that, around the WORLD in the past few years particularily and we have officially named him as a Shining Sikh.

Bhai Sukhwinder Singh is from Birmingham, 28 years old, and one of the most amazing GurSikhs i have ever come accross. He has ALWAYS worn full bana when i have met him, even out and about, and always has the ability to make one smile.

He is mainly known for his superb world-class style of doing kirtan in sangat. His voice, his bani, his santhiya is very shudh. He reads GurBani how it should be read. He sings GurBani how it should be sung.

He is highly regarded and highly respected by all i have ever come accross. No one has ever faulted him at all. Apparently, he spent a good few years at university because he wanted to make sure the Sikh Society there kicked off nicely and he still goes back at every chance. It appears he is devoting his entire life towards the sewa of Guru Jee which i find amazing. He's single and doesn't really work in a job like us paapis do. Instead he goes far and wide to spread the Word of the Guru. He teaches on a regular basis keertan to anyone wishing to learn in Birmingham and if theres any smagam on in the UK, hes bound to be there. He travels to places like Ireland, Denmark, Italy on regular occasions to do keertan when anyone calls him up and he rarely says no.

His personality is crazy! The first time i met him, i thought to myself that he must be a really "kharkoo" type Singh. I remember sitting in sangat at an AKJ rensbhaee and in total awe of the amazing vibes he was giving all around the room. Everyone had their eyes closed and was chanting Waheguru along with him. It was just amazing. Afterwards, i got the bottle to go up and greet him and we started talking... and he started talking to me like he'd known me for years... and it felt like i had known him for years. He was talking seriously but also making wise cracks in between to make me laugh and to be honest, i didnt know if i should laugh or not. All i know is i wanted to kiss his feet. His presence is just electric wherever he is. His words are wise. He is a true Shining Sikh.

This is the latest recording i could find : http://www.akj-media.com/imin/BhaiSukhwinderSinghJi_UKSmagam2006_ReansbaeeKeertan_4.mp3

If you would ever like to contact him, his e-mail address is proper_panjabi@hotmail.com. He rarely replies to us, but you are all so much more chardi kala than me and am sure he will respond :)

Bhai Sukha Singh (London)

2006-07-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

"My impression of Sukha Singh is a dedicated, heart centered man with the Guru running through his veins. His work is full of light..."
Guru Surya Kaur, USA

Sukha Singh is an 18 year old GurSikh from London, UK. And when it comes to shining examples of what a Sikh should be like, Sukha Singh is definitely first that comes in mind. Seeing him for the first time could be a bit daunting... a well-built, 6 foot 1 inch, Nihang bana bearing naujavaan coming towards you could just make you scream, turn and run! But infact... his amazing aura would just make you stop in your tracks and fall inlove with the jeevan of this true Sikh warrior.

Its hard to keep tracks on exactly what Sukha Singh ji is doing nowadays. He's always somewhere or the other doing seva of sangat and helping out. From local events in London, to national events around the UK... then onto international camps like the recent Summer Solstice Camp in New Mexico, with Gurmustuk Singh and others.

His keertan, his katha is just mind blowing. Especially for someone so young. And if you havent heard any, the only ones i could find at the moment were at http://www.ektaone.com/audio/index.php?q=s&sm=ff&s=pz041&x=0&y=0 so go and have a listen.

The misconceptions regarding him is that people think he's a nihang or part of the UK "nangs", but Sukha Singh is far from that. Ask him which jatha he is from one day and im sure he will tell you. I know with Sukha Singh that it does sadden him when people label him into a particular group. His vichaars tell us to stay away from labelling each other and just to get along as one. His words spread the message of unity and tolerance towards one another. He is purely human and a great role model of how a human should be.

It is his birthday this month so many happy returns of the day. I am sure my veer would gladly help should anyone need some guidance and you can e-mail him at sukhaa@hotmail.com

Comments are enabled on this blog so please feel free to share your experiences of Sukha Singh jee. Forgive our mistakes.

The Beginning

2006-07-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru ji ki Fateh.

Call this first post, a "disclaimer" if you like. But heres some things you should know before it starts...

This is blog is Gupt Sewa by myself. It may be seen wrong as i will be "showcasing" some of the great Sikhs around in our time who are living. We remember the dead so much, we forget the living. And there are many great souls in our lifetime to talk about. My views maybe seen as biased, but the words i write will always be from my heart and as true as possible. So i will say it plainly... in the forthcoming Shining Sikhs blogs, NO SIKH whatsoever has come forth wanting to be talked about here. It is all of mine and my Guru Jee's (Dhan Dhan) doing.

There is myself and my Singhni helping me in this blog and that is all and we are one "jyot". One entity. Should anyone wish to contact us, they can do so freely by e-mailing shiningsikhs@hotmail.co.uk

Maharaj is the chooser of who appears here. Not us. It is with His Hukam that we take, and then post every word. We wish to spread love and the divine knowledge of Sikhi everywhere. This maybe wont make much of a difference... but its our small little helping of inspiring others and also maybe we will give someone somewhere that little bit of faith when they need it... to show, that there is good in this world and there good people amongst us. Lets not always talk about those that do bad in this world... lets now talk about those that do tremendous good.

We apologise in advance for any mistakes we may make along the line.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru ji ki Fateh.

ShiningSikhs.blogspot.com :-)