Gurpurab 2011: Celebrating the Birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Sikh tradition celebrates the coming of Guru Nanak on this day, 542 years ago, as the descending of Divine Light on Earth to dispel the mist and fog of spiritual ignorance in an age of darkness (Kali Yug). Nanak's appearance was to be the beginning of a new way (Panth) that was to crystalize into what we know as Sikhi or the Sikh religion.

Sikhs will celebrate Nanak's birth, as they have always done, with much fanfare. As a symbolic gesture, their homes will be lit. Taking a cue from traditions that Nanak started, they will gather in congregations across the world and sing hymns of praise to God and share with others the fruit of their labors by organizing community kitchens.

Much of what we know about Nanak, the person, comes from traditional sources called Janam Sakhis (literally, birth stories), folklore and oral traditions. The picture of Nanak in the popular conscious is best captured in a ditty, sung even today and describes him thus, "Nanak is the King of Saints! A Guru to the Hindu and Pir to the Mussalman." The image of a spiritual guide and teacher, universally revered by members of faiths that were otherwise antagonistic, is reinforced by accounts of the quarrel that broke out between Hindus and Muslims over his last rites, with each side claiming him to be one of their own. Two monuments honor his memory in Kartarpur (Pakistan) -- one built by Hindus and the other erected by Muslims.

Nanak was born in 1469, in Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in present day Pakistan, and died in 1539. The turning point in Nanak's life came when he was around 30 and employed as a book keeper at the royal granary in Sultanpur. By his own account, recorded in Sikh scripture, he received the divine call, and was ushered into the holy presence, "The Lord called me, an unemployed minstrel, to His service. The Master called his minstrel and placed the Robe of Honor to sing true praises."

Nanak's experience of the Divine is captured in the creedal statement of the Sikh Scripture. It begins with the use of an alpha numeric, Ik Oankar to symbolize the One Ultimate Reality, which is both immanent and transcendent.

The use of an alpha numeric illustrates Nanak's extensive use of conventional form -- language, concepts, terms and poetic forms -- from the tradition of his birth. But by investing them with new meaning and providing a new context, he transcends his inheritance.

By affixing a numeral "1," to the traditional representation of the Hindu trinity, "Oankar," he swept aside, in one stroke, the traditional conglomeration of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Instead, Nanak pointed to the One, "Ik", as alone being worthy of worship.

This One is both immanent and transcendent and is accessible -- although ultimately unknowable -- to one and all through Naam (literally, Name). Naam is the central doctrine in Nanak's teachings, being "the only fixture in Guru Nanak's house." It comes wrapped in manifold layers of meaning, usage and nuance that cuts across linguistics, philosophy and mystical symbolism.

For our purposes, suffice to say that Naam represents both the creative essence of God as existence as well as the means and methodology for individual salvation.

"The medium is the message," is a phrase Marshal McLuhan coined to express the idea that the medium embeds itself in the message. Nanak's use of music and poetry as a medium to teach and share is a classic example: his commission was to sing true praises to an unknowable God, which suggests the use of a more redolent and rapturous medium than the usual didactic or moralizing discourse -- precisely because Nanak's experience of the Divine was as one that is beyond ordinary religious definition, Hindu or Muslim.

Not surprisingly, the Sikh Scripture that emerged in Sikh tradition -- compiled by the fifth Nanak, Arjan and invested with the status of Guru by the 10th Nanak, Gobind -- is a collection of sublime poetry arranged to music. It is 1430 pages long and a scripture of song and praise, because it the ecstasy and devotion of music that is the most appropriate vehicle to approach a God who is ultimately unknowable, a God who cannot be confined by religious boundaries but can be celebrated by hymns of praise.

For almost 30 years, Nanak travelled incessantly across India, to Tibet, and to Baghdad and Mecca. He met people of all religions in stations, in the village square, the street corner, the bazaar or somebody's home, speaking to them in their language.

Whether it was at Hardwar, showing the pilgrims the futility of offering water to ancestors or at Mecca, asking the Qazi to point his legs where God was not, Nanak's logic was irrefutable and his sincerity and unbounded love enough to melt any opposition.

These learning and transforming moments were brought about, not through dogma or debate or the angry waiving of Scripture, or in a formalized teacher-pupil setting.

Nanak changed the protagonists by interacting with them in informal daily settings, in the very ordinariness of life. He did not question their sincerity but simply caused them to question their own beliefs.

That was the genius of Nanak.

The fundamental truth of Nanak is conveyed in the opening verse of Sikh Scripture where he questions the prevailing modes of religious formalism and ritual, warning us that no ritual, undertaken for its own sake will bring fulfillment. All religious paraphernalia, is unavailing if not accompanied by an inner sense of submission and surrender to the Divine Will (Hukam).

We require, then, not so much an alternative set of praxis (practice), or exclusive focus on religious ritual, but a different paradigm or way of looking at life -- one that requires an expansion of our consciousness that is guided by a sense of Holy in all human activity.

Our lives, then, must reflect the qualities of this timeless, eternal Being in whom we are anchored: we must be creative, fearless and without malice as we go about the business of our life.

Lets sing songs of praise with Nanak.

Courtesy: www.huffingtonpost.com

GERAKSIKH Message on 54 Years of Malaysia's Independance

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GERAKSIKH) President, Tan Sri Dato' Seri G. Darshan Singh today said: “In Malaysia, there are ample opportunities for everyone, so long as one is prepared to work hard.”

Malaysia has achieved tremendous progress and development during the past 54 years. Malaysia with its unique composition being a multiracial, multicultural and multillingualsociety makes it truly great.

With peace, prosperity and harmony among all races has made Malaysia what it is today. There is enough for everyone in this country.

We Malaysian Sikhs together with other communities have been well received in this country. Malaysian Sikhs will support the government in its efforts for country to reach greater heights.

GERAKSIKH would like to congratulate Malaysia and all Malaysians on 54 years of Independance

KMN Award for GERAKSIKH Secretary General

Dato' Amarjit Singh Gill was awarded the Darjah Kesatria Mangku Negara (KMN) by His Majesty, Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in Conjunction with His Majesty's Official Birthday Celebration on 4th June, 2011.

Dato' Amarjit Singh, a Ipoh Lawyer is also the Secretary of Malaysian Consumers Association and an UCI Anti Doping Inspector. He also served as Secretary of the UNESCO Youth Forum Advisory Committee from 2007.

Congratulations and Syabas.

NOTIFICATION ON OUTSOURCING OF PASSPORT AND OTHER CONSULAR SERVICES WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JUNE 2011

High Commission of India
Kuala Lumpur

The High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur has authorized M/s VFS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to undertake outsourcing of passport and other consular services in Malaysia with effect from 1 June 2011. Accordingly, the Passport and Other Consular Services Application Centre (PCSAC) operated by M/s VFS will commence its operations on 1st June, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur.

2. Following services will be offered by PCSAC operated by M/s VFS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur:

(a) Passport Services
i) Issue of a new passport
ii) Re-issue of passports
iii) New passports in lieu of lost of Passport and damaged passport cases
iv) Change of personal particulars on the passport
v) Change of appearance (applicant to visit the High Commission for physical verification).
vi) Cancellation of passports
vii) Endorsement of ECNR

(b) Other Consular Services
i) Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
ii) Marriage Certificate
iii) Birth Certificate
iv) NRO certificate
v) Attestation of Driving License
vi) Attestation of Affidavit for obtaining child passport in India
vii) Endorsement of ECNR
viii) Attestation of Power of Attorney/ legal documents

3. The applications for above listed Passport and Other Consular Service will received at Passport and Other Consular Services Application Centre (PCSAC) at the following address on all working days (Monday to Friday) except public holidays from 0830 hrs to 1430 hrs

M/s VFS Sdn Bhd, Suite 19-03, Floor 9,
Wisma MCA, 163 Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: +6032164159
Email: info.inmy@vfshelpline.com
Website: www.vfsglobal.com/india/malaysia

4. Processing time and collection
· Passports – Collection between 1500 hrs and 1700 hrs on the 4th working day from date of submission of application at PCSAC. However, after seven working days, if passport is not collected by the applicant from PCSAC, then he/she has to collect the same from the High Commission of India, No. 2 Jalan Taman Duta, off Jalan Duta, 50480, Kuala Lumpur.

Lost Passports/Damaged passports in normal cases will be delivered between 1630 hrs and 1730 hrs on all working days at the High Commission only after 30 days of receipt of applications.

· Other Consular Services- Collection between 1500 hrs and 1700 hrs on 3rd working day from date of submission at the PCSAC. However in case the passport was not issued in Kuala Lumpur, issue of the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) may take up to four weeks.

5. All agents and company’s authorized representatives will submit their respective applications at PCSAC operated by M/s VFS ONLY.

6. Diplomatic and Official passports applications will continue to be received at the High Commission as per the established procedure between 0930 hrs and 1200 hrs on all working days.

Note: Applications for Visa Services in Kuala Lumpur will continue to be received ONLY at India Visa Centre located at G-01, Straits Trading Building
No.2, Lebuh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
Website: www.indiavisa.com.my.

Congratulations to Member who received award from DYMM Sultan of Perak

GERAKSIKH Congratulates its GERAKSIKH Central Committee Member who were awarded the following awards in conjunction with the DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah 83rd Birthday Celebration on 19th April, 2011. They are:

1) Manjit Singh Gill - Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (PMP)
2) T. Jaswinder Singh - Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK)

We wish them all the best and success in all their undertakings. We also wish them to work even harder for the community.