A SALUTE TO SIKH PIONEERS IN FIJI FOR THEIR VISION OF SEWA - SERVICE

 Guest Writer - Harnam Singh Golian

[Speech during Diamond Jubilee of Khalsa 

 College, Ba Fiji on 15 June, 2019, as Chief Guest]

I am greatly humbled and honoured to be a special invitee by virtue of being a co-founder of the Khalsa institution on the auspicious occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the reputed Khalsa Primary and Khalsa College founded in the early 1959. 

Khalsa College may be one of the earliest educational institution established by the Sikhs of Fiji outside India.

Our salute to JOGINDAR SINGH KANWAL (1927 -2017), pioneer principal of Khalsa College, Ba, Fiji (1960 -1987). A poet, a writer, a historian and an accomplished school administrator and teacher. Khalsa College without mention of Kanwal is incomplete. We salute you, Sardarji, for extremely rich heritage at Khalsa College, Ba. You were especially remembered and honoured during Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

The concept of education (Viddia) in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a very important subject because the educational tradition is deep rooted in Sikh beliefs and shapes the Sikh way of life. The very word Sikh means a learner – a disciple and a student who discovers the truth from the hymns of Gurbani. 

The Fiji Sikhs known as Punjabi’s particularly of the western districts of Lautoka, Ba and Tavua in the mid-1950s of British Era, although small in number, was a vibrant community. Because of the scarcity of schools many school-age children could not get admission hence deprived of formal education. Realising the importance of formal education, the Punjabi community seriously decided to do something as a service to the Indian community.

It was also a challenge for our martial community as well as their Girmitiya brethren who had experienced deprivation together were kept behind socially, economically and politically.

The Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) plaque that Harnam Singh Golian unveiled on 15 June, 2019

In the post Girmit Era the majority of Fiji Indians merely lived on hand to mouth existence. There was no sustainable income of the Cane farmers, the labourers generally were dependent on Cane farms. Under these constraining circumstances there was a greater need of the community to educate their children in order to seek employment or advance themselves out of the sugar industry for their sustenance. 

The Sikhs all over the world are known for their hospitality, kindness and charity a practice that derives from the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji – The Gurmat- a Sikh is inspired with courage to uphold the traditional values in the service of the humanity. 

The Chief Guest and Khalsa Fiji stalwart, Sardar Harnam Singh Golian

Having all that in mind the elders congregated from time to time at the Tagi Tagi Gurdwara (temple) and resolved that children should get a balanced education to lead a meaningful life without any prejudices of colour, caste or religion or any other form of discrimination. 
Hence, they formed the Sikh education society of Fiji and established the Khalsa Primary and Khalsa College. 

At the plaque unveiling ceremony: From left, Chief Guest Harnam Singh Golian, School Manager, Dalabar Singh, School President, Prem Singh and Ranjit Singh Raagi (back)

It would be remiss if I do not mention: Late Mr. I.S. Walia, The Chief Education Officer secondary, who chaired and prudently advised the members of the steering committee on educational matters. 

I would also like to mention the names of my colleagues Late Mr. J. K. Singh, along with other members of the institution, Mr. Gurmej Singh Virk, who now lives in USA, Late Mr. Balwant Singh Chahal also lived in the USA –for their wisdom, hard work and togetherness with resolute commitments. 

I had the honour and privilege to serve as a secretory of the founders of the institution under the presidentship of: 

Late Bakshi Singh, known as Bassu 

Late Sardara Singh both at the Khalsa institution and Tagi Tagi Gurdwara.

And Late Bhagat Singh Dhadda 

Sardar Harnam Singh Golian (left) unveiling the Diamond Jubilee Plaque, while Khalsa College Manager, Dalabar Singh looks on.

Culture and religion play very important roles in our daily lives teaching morality, humanity and dignity of mankind. Fiji is very fortunate that all Fijians are God fearing and uphold religious values taught by various denominations are deeply entrenched in their outlook and respective cultures. 

It is true that these values and principles have played a fundamental role in enhancing Fiji’s progress and continued peace and prosperity in our beautiful Islands, maintaining harmonious relationship. In this respect the Punjabi community has played an integral part in building bridges among the races spreading the message of oneness that one light is the light of all. 

A quote from Gurbani 

Ek Purab Mai Tera Dekha
Thoo Sabhna Meh Rabanta
I Have Seen One Glory of Yours
That You Are Pervading and 
Permeating in All 

Sggs 596 
THE VALUE OF EDUCATION: Quotes and great thoughts

 Mahatma Gandhi: 
Education means all round drawing out the best in child and man body and spirit as such education becomes the basis of personality developments on all dimensions, moral, mental and emotional. Therefore, we can say that long run education forms foundation on which castles of peace and prosperity are built since ancient times. 

It is said: “Sa Vidyya Yavimukatye” which means that with education we finally attain liberation

Gurbani
Viddia – Vichari Tan Par Upkari
Contemplate and reflect upon knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to others. 

Swami Vivekananda
A nation is advanced in proportion to education and intelligence spread among messes”. 

Nelson Mandela
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The power of education extends development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to Nation Building and Reconciliation. 

Achievements of College under Principal of Jogindar Singh Kanwal

Khalsa College under the principal-ship of Late Mr. J.S. Kanwal has produced many Accountants, Teachers, Doctors, Scientists, Journalists, Bureaucrats, Lawyers, a Magistrate, a Judge, numerous Community Leaders and members of parliament (MPs) 

In an old historical photo (supplied by Kanwal family), during visit of Bollywood star of his days and wrestler, Dara Singh to the school. On the left is a young Principal Kanwal and on the right is a young dashing and handsome Dara Singh. Both are deceased now and a hearty salutation to them.

Many of them are in Government services in Fiji as well as abroad, both in Government and in the private sector. 

Thanks to vision of our forefathers whose inclination towards education made their children and grandchildren successful, not only in Fiji but outside wider world in many corners of the World where they settled. This Fiji Indian Diaspora, wherever settled, they have retained and maintained their culture, tradition of hard work, and friendliness inculcated by their ancestors.   

The Khalsa Schools also taught Indian traditional Art, as well as exhilarating heart throbbing Punjabi Folk dance Bhangra which is a form of entertainment all over the world. 

Guests after unveiling of the plaque. Back, from left: Principal Khalsa College, Sanjesh Chandra, Harjeet Golian, Sunil Prakash, Girdhar Lal Raniga, Autar Singh Giarn, Nirmal Singh Bhati and Pyara Singh

Front (L -R),  President Khalsa College Institution, Prem Singh, Manager Dalabar Singh,  Chief Guest Harnam Singh Golian and Ranjit Singh Raagi

International Khalsa Reunion in Auckland in November, 2019

I bring greetings from a group of former Khalsa students who met in Auckland on 28 November 2018 and decided to form a Khalsa Ex-Students Association with the following office bearers. 

Chairman: Madhavan Raman
Vice-Chairman: Dinesh Chand 
Secretary: Satish Chand 
Assistance Secretary: Asha Singh 
Communications and Media Officer: Thakur Ranjit Singh 

The committee has decided to hold Khalsa Re-Union in Auckland on 23 November 2019 at the Mangere Centre Park Sports Stadium, 161 Robertson Road, Mangere, Auckland. 

All former students, former teachers and their respective spouses from around the world are invited and welcome to attend.

For inquiries please email: khaisabafijinz@gmail.com or call Thakur on +6421 235 4559  

This will also coincide with the Gurpurab the 550th celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 

On this auspicious occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration, let us remember all those pioneers who contributed in one way or another in the establishment of these institutions. 

Let us pay our respect and pray for all those great souls who are no longer with us but have left the legacy behind for the current and future custodians to maintain the tempo and undertake future developments of our prestigious institution. We salute them for their vision.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, May Waheguru’s Blessings always prevail upon you. 

[About the Author: Harnam Singh Golian is a very well-known community leader and philanthropist, a Former Member of Parliament in Fiji (MP) and a successful businessman in Fiji (formerly Sardar Trading in Raiwaqa, Suva) and now Golian Consultants in Royal Oak, Auckland. He is also author of various publications. He was the Chief Guest at Khalsa College in Ba, Fiji for unveiling Golden Jubilee (60th Anniversary) Plaque. This is a slightly abridged version of his speech, edited by Thakur Ranjit Singh]

KHALSA COLLEGE, BA, FIJI REUNION ALL SET TO GO IN AUCKLAND

Thakur Ranjit Singh

There appears to be a common belief in Fiji that there is something in the dusts, the waters, the soils and environment of Ba that those coming from that district tend to excel in whatever they venture into.

The town has given most businessmen millionaires, number of writers and authors, scholars, politicians, and its biggest feat lies in its craze for soccer, and holding the unbeaten soccer records in Fiji. (We also have our large share of Ojhas!)

Lately secondary schools in Ba have been known to have held international school reunions. Xavier College, DAV College and Khalsa College have been in the news for its reunions.

Our salute to JOGINDAR SINGH KANWAL (1927 -2017), pioneer principal of Khalsa College, Ba, Fiji (1960 -1987). A poet, a writer, a historian and an accomplished school administrator and teacher. Khalsa College without mention of Kanwal is incomplete. We salute you, Sardarji, for an extremely rich heritage at Khalsa College, Ba. You were especially honored during school's diamond jubilee.

High decile non-Indian high schools in Fiji have been known to hold reunions like Suva Grammar, Natabua College, Jasper Williams and Xavier College, among others. However, Indian and Girmitiya-origin schools have almost been unheard of doing this. However, DAV College in Ba broke this drought with its three respective biennial reunions in Vancouver Canada in April 2015, Auckland New Zealand in 2017 and the latest one in Fiji in July, 2019. Khalsa College is also known to have held one locally-based reunion in Sacramento, USA in 2018.

Where did Khalsa Reunion in Auckland begin? Historically, DAV College and Khalsa College in Ba shared close bonds. In 1973 DAV College Ba had outstanding results in NZ School Certificated (Form 5) but had no facility for form six (University Entrance-UE). Khalsa College had form 6. Hence, a large group of students from DAV joined Khalsa College in 1974 to complete UE.  And in this group were two veterans behind the DAV Reunions - Sadasivan Naicker and (Thakur) Ranjit Singh. In late 2018, they mooted the idea of a Khalsa reunion to our current Secretary, Satish Chand and so rolled the initiation move for Khalsa reunion.

The venue, Mangere United Sports Club, VIP Lounge at Centre Park, Mangere, Auckland. This is where we will have our function, in a very attractive and different setting.

There was a desire to create an opportunity for Khalsa College ex-students to meet their old classmates, walk down memory lane, share life experiences and laugh and cry together, and have a great party before we pass on, as many of us are becoming sexagenarians (over 60)!

There was also a wish to salute the visionary leaders of the community who strived to provide this educational facility for us. Khalsa College, Ba, Fiji was established in 1959 by an enterprising group of Sikhs who saw education as a means to bringing success to their children and future generations. We honour those stalwarts and teachers particularly Mr Jogindar Singh Kanwal, the first substantive Principal whose dedication and hard work brought such lasting success to this erstwhile institution. We look forward to meeting our fellow mates we have not met for decades, spread around the globe. We wish to meet to walk down the memory lane, celebrate the legacy of Khalsa College, and salute those visionary leaders.

Mangere Centre Park Sports Stadium, the outside area outside the VIP Lounge where people can mingle, network and relax during long daylight hours, and see the sun set in the west, while enjoying their drinks - or yagona. Sun is scheduled to set at 8.16 pm on 23 November, 2019.

Therefore, with all this in mind, the organising committee has been in full gear. Initial meeting was held on 18 November 2018 in Te Atatu South, Auckland, and the organising Committee was finalised. We were fortunate to have the student of the formative year of 1959, and a former Senior Civil Servant to lead us. Madhavan Raman, the bright scholar from class of 1959 is our President, ably supported by an Auckland soccer personality Dinesh Chand as vice president. Satish Chand was elected Secretary while Asha Singh is supporting him as his assistant. Yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh was appointed Media and Communications Spokesperson, with a two team committee members of Samila Chand and Shashi Kala Singh. And this small team of committee and dedicated members have taken this mammoth task of bringing together scattered children of Khalsa College, Ba. 

The harworking Khalsa Reunion organizing Committee at VIP Lounge at Centre Park where reunion will take place. A very diverse group, with ladies equally represented:
Sitting from left: Dinesh Chand (Vice President), the big boss, President  Madhavan Raman and Secretary, Satish Chand.
Standing at the back, (L-R) Shashi Kala Singh (Committee), Asha Singh (Asst Secretary) and Samila Chand (Committee).
Missing is the photographer, your truly Thakur Ranjit Singh, the Media representative.

As has already been notified via Facebook, the Khalsa Reunion event will be held at Mangere United Football Club, (Mangere Centre Park), 101 Robertson Road, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand on 23 November, 2019 from 6.30pm.

The venue is a good one, in the picturesque Mangere with open sprawling sports fields and very presentable hall, with opportunity for people to mix and mingle outside on the stadium for sharing and reliving on school secrets, those jokes and hilarious and serious events.

The entrance to the venue at 101 Robertson Road, Mangere with sun setting in the background. This will be the environment on 23 November 2019 when the sun will set at 8.16pm. 

The programme would include time for us to share our experience, it will be a night for the students, to have drinks, nice food and dance the night away. As for food, special attention is given to make sure overseas visitors and local have the best available in Auckland.

Tickets are already on sale online and details are already posted on Facebook. Those with any difficulties are to e-mail to our official e-mail or call Thakur on +6421 235 4559, if really stuck. 

[Here is the link for ticket purchase (PLEASE COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR BROWSER): 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/khalsa-college-ba-fiji-2019-reunion-new-zealand-tickets-67839583019

The venue at Centre Park from outside, with Sahil Shah Grand Stand in the background, where former Khalsa students will be able mix and mingle.

We are looking forward to meeting you all in Auckland on 23 November, 2019. Please buy your tickets online.

See you all on 23 November, 2019 in Auckland.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist and media commentator, and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. He, with his wife, attended Khalsa College in 1974. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

BOOK REVIEW: “TEARS OF A FATHER” EXPOSES TEARS OF A COMMUNITY

Thakur Ranjit Singh, Auckland, New Zealand

Former Member of Parliament from Ba, Satendra Singh has many achievements, but basically he is a very private family person. So much that when he wrote his first fiction ‘Tears of a Father’ he wrote it under a quasi, literary or as he calls it, poetic name of STAN.

The Book - TEARS OF A FATHER - a very readable short book with very enthralling fiction very much close to the heart of those from Fiji and looks like reality. A very pertinent book that relates to all Fiji Indian migrants all around the globe. A must reading for all as it is more about tears of a community that needs to put its house in order.

I always had a feeling, this Rarawai Wala Chora (the kid from Rarawai, Golflinks, Ba Fiji), Satendra would do something greater. One thing he never told me was that he was writing a fiction and what I never told him is that I would do a review of that book. So we both are even now.

His life has been full of experience and adventures. He has been a childhood singer- I sang ‘Goa’s duet...”do diwaane dil ke…” in Radio Fiji’s Mehfil programme in 1965 with him. He was a school orator and debater, an accomplished MC, an event organiser, a radio announcer, Ramayan parcharak, film Actor (heard of ‘Love in Ba?”), a bank officer with Westpac and had audacity to tell his boss to “stick his job” upon the Bank’s show of insensitivity towards his culture. He has also been a secondary school teacher, a Farm Advisor with FSC, a community leader, a Member of Parliament in Chaudhry’s Labour Party, a business proprietor and many more.

The Satendra Singh Royal Family photo of yesteryear, with wife, Shanti Devi Singh, three daughters and only son. With support of a loving family he has been able to achieve much, and will continue writing more books. 

Satendra Singh have had an illustrious career in his life. Indeed, somebody with these skills was expected to irrigate the community with his fountain of wisdom. He was expected to do what nobody else in Bansi clan dared do or has done - to secretly become an author of fiction, ek kalpit lekhak.

He is my “langotiya yaar’, a childhood friend, and hence readers may assume I will just paint a shiny picture of him and his book. Right? Wrong. If I ever again go to Calgary or meet him, I have quite a few confusing questions.

Firstly, why a nickname, or poetic name of author? Satendra is such a beautiful name. Okay agreed, but why an English name?  Why Stan? Stan? Why obsession of our people in Canada with Anglicised or English names? Why not Bansi, Bhlolai, Beni, Bhondu (even Bode) or some Girmitiya name? Why not some religious name? Vidur, Sanjay, Sudama, Vishwamitra or even my nickname, Shukni? And from which angle the cover photo looks like a rustic villager father Mahesh from Benai, Ba? It looks like a munda Sahib. 

Saten and Shanti Devi Singh - the school-days lovers who became partners in marriage. Shanti (left) has been the pillar of support for the family and an inspiration for the author. Here they are seen together at Radio launch and promotion of the book in Fiji.

And if the names in Ba are real, why the fictional name of Czekeland? Where is it? Why not Calgary, Edmonton, Christchurch, Melbourne, Manukau, Brisbane or any other city our people have gone to? This is because the plot covers events which is universal to virtually all cities Fiji Indian have migrated to, because they have gone with their excess luggage from Fiji.

Now to the real review. The plot is remarkable, and very relevant to Fiji Indian migrants in any city. The mind of the author has taken dive into ocean of thoughts and came up with pearls that comprise the plot and story line.

I think the title of the book should have been “Tears of a Community” This is because Satendra very ably weaves out the trip of Mahesh from dusty, rustic rural Benai, Ba to this fictional place which could well be my Auckland, Melbourne or even Calgary. While telling tales of the village, he also touches on many forms of dysfunction in our community, despite us being so religious - both in Fiji and in our adopted country overseas. 

It tells of trials and tribulations of this father in his this overseas country and his efforts to adjust to the new environment and the following adventure in a new environment. It touches on very deep hypocrisy - pakahand in our people. We appear to be very religious or have high positions in community, but basically remain chandaal - the villain, a Ravan, who portrays to be Ram. This book is also about some two-faced people.

It very ably exposes the sores that our involvement and politics of religion, Mandali and Mandir entail. We Fiji Indians have a habit of migrating with our poking stick, koche waala danda, and create kachkach or controversies in all religious places. The author very ably weaves the religious politics, our another vice of Ojhai, or witchcraft and to drug problems, westernised culture and elder abuse, the old dhong of caste system and even touches on remarriage of widow, vidhwa vivah. 

Most remarkable, he has guts to touch on the taboo subject on inter racial and inter-religious marriage. The story line very ably weaves all these into an ending plot where all come together up happily in the end, like some black and white Hindi movies of 1960s. In places, it explodes in emotions and you could feel tears oozing up in your eyes. Indeed this plots ends happily, after some violent encounters, but teaching us a great deal about how we need to improve our families –and community.

One problem with Fiji Indian community is that we are extremely poor readers. Many have not read any books in years. (My friend Jimmy Khan tells me he has bought the book but has not read it!) Thankfully, this is a small and relatively thin book of just some 133 pages, is not very frightening, and can be easily completed within a day. This is a huge contribution by Satendra (or Stan?) to encourage a non-reading Fiji Indian community to start reading.

Satendra Singh (right) with Mohinesh Sharma of Radio Fiji during official launch of the book. Nur Jahan was also involved in the official launch with Radio Fiji team. The event was coordinated by a long-term friend and well-wisher and Fiji coordinator, Pundit Manoj Sharma.

While in Fiji in July 2019, I bought this book from R. C Bali shop and started reading it on my flight to Auckland from Nadi. Hence, it is a history that reading for this review commenced some five miles above earth, while flying in Fiji Airways Airbus 330 that also flies to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The read is so easy and interesting that I completed half the book in the air.

 “Tears of a Father” exposes us Fiji Indians to our past and we would be able to relate to and relive in our similar experience while back in Fiji, or in your adopted country. Reading this book gives you a feeling of nostalgia – homesickness, old memories, purani yaadein and takes you back to those dusty villages in Ba.

I congratulate Satendra for his exemplary achievement that I cannot match - in his skills of story-telling, and pouring his very vast knowledge and his own experience of life into this book. His work is not only interesting, easy-reading and entertaining, but is an excellent beacon – patth pradarshak , a guide, direction and lesson for our people in how to improve and live a better life, in unity and harmony, adjusting in a newly-adopted country. 

I wish Satendra all the best and hope the next venture will surpass the excellence seen in this book. I may also wish to encourage him to write some old memories of short stories, non-fiction of our childhood in Rarawai like an encounter with Bacchu Lal, playing soccer in Golflinks while grazing cattle, Lacchi dari on pakar tree, fagua with Rarawai Bhaujis, Ram Naumi and other short stories that may rekindle memories of our childhood.

Is this Stan? Satendra Singh, author of Tears of a Father.

Tears of a Father is a must reading for those wishing to go back in time to Fiji, get to read a not-too intimidating short book with easy , interesting and entertaining reading on a subject they all can relate to. 

A highly recommended reading of tears which to the end dries out with eruption of smiles - with many lessons.

Happy reading.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator, a community-worker and journalist. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. Among many things, they also have a common grandfather – Girmitiya Aaja Bansi. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]