(Samajweekly) On Wednesday October 26th a very special programme on Sikh Raj and National Sikh Museum took place on the Nankana Sahib Radio 87.7 FM from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm which was presented by Kashmir Singh Khalsa who is also the General Secretary of the Leicester Sikh Troops War Memorial Committee and an experienced presenter of historical programmes on community radio stations.
The Co-ordinator of Punjabi Listeners Club, Tarlochan Singh Virk pointed out that it has been my dream to organise this and I am delighted that the trip to the National Sikh Museum in Derby is taking place on Saturday 5th November from Gurdwara Shri Guru HarKrishan Sahib, 48 Kenilworth Drive, Leicester LE2 5LG at 10.30 am. Since it was formed on the 3rd anniversary of the BBC Radio Leicester’s Punjabi Programme , the Punjabi Listeners Club have raised thousands of pounds for charity, organised Dastar tying competition, Kavi Darbars, Punjabi Writing competition, Punjabi Language Conference and International Mother Language Day Celebrations and many other events.
Bhai Jasvir Singh Makh who has been doing the seva of Panj Pyare { five beloved } for decades in Leicester and who attended the opening ceremony of the Raj-E-Khalsa Art Gallery said “ The management committee of Singh Sabha Derby over the years have made a tremendous effort in collecting historical items and artefacts that belonged to Sikhs from Guru Sahibs time, right the way to Sikh Raj and present time. The history illustrated through writing, paintings, depict the true rich history of Sikh heritage and religion.
Those religions that don’t have history automatically fade away, however if you have history, you have to promote it. That is why it is important to teach all generations about the rich history of Sikhs. This is not just a day trip , its more of rich Sikh cultural event. We should all appreciate this trip that has been arranged. We will all learn and take something away from this. It’s not the responsibility of one individual, but all members of Sikh communities. The trip to the National Sikh Museum is a must, especially for the Sikh youngsters. It must be attended by all and not only Sikhs. The parents have a moral duty to take their children to this museum.”
Bhai Sulakhan Singh Dard who was awarded the British Empire Medal BEM in this year’s New Year’s Honours list said that Sardar Tarlochan Singh has mentioned many times to me personally that he would dearly like to organise a trip to this excellent museum. It is my belief that he should be supported by the Gurdwaras however they can so that this trip is a great success. Balinder Singh Samra who has been organising Kirtan Smagams in Gurdwaras for Sikh boys and girls for many years and whose youngest son Gurjan Singh Samra passed his A-levels with 4 A* this summer commented “ Sikh youngsters are very excited about going on this trip and have confirmed to me that that they will definitely be going to Derby on November 5th.” Maa Boli Punjabi Poet Tarlochan Singh Chan Jindalvi phoned into the station and read a poem titled Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Head of the Natioanl Sikh Museum Gurpal Singh sent a message which was read out and in it he pointed out that the Museum is in dedication to the Sikh Kingdom1800-1849. It holds the largest collection as per V $A along with art /treaties/treasons and alliance of warfare. It also highlights the Anglo/Sikh relations and how both became to be allies to see through both World Wars. A total of 83,005 turban wearing Sikhs died in the two World Wars and 109,045 were wounded.
