Khwaish-Newsletter-15

MITA (P) No : 151/02/2008
a s p i r a t i o n s
www.ysas.org
August 2008
Certificate
Presentation for
Project Khwaish VII
Twenty-nine young Singaporeans returned on 24 December 2007 from a
journey of selfless and charitable service in aid of underprivileged and needy
children in Punjab, India. They had left for Bhaloor village in Moga, Punjab,
on 7 December 2007 under as YSA’s Project Khwaish VII banner.
Q uotable uote
“The project certainly left a deep
impression on these young people.
Congratulations on the good work!
Do convey my congratulations and
best wishes to all the participants.
They have done Singapore proud.”
Mr Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister
Singapore
In recognition of their
invaluable service to the
Punjab community, Mr
Zainul Abidin Rasheed,
Senior Minister of State,
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, presented
certificates to the participants
at a ceremony on 13 May 2008
at Singapore Management
University.
During his address, Mr Zainul
Abidin expressed his amazement at
the spirit of brotherhood, tolerance
and respect of other beliefs among
the Sikhs. He also
spoke of the friends
he has within the
community and stated
that the community
has inspired him as to
what a small minority
could do if it gets its fundamentals
right.
He also congratulated YSA and the
participants of Project Khwaish VII
on the successful completion of the
project. He urged the participants
to continue on their journey of
community service.
In This Issue....
• Certificate Presentation for Project Khwaish VII
• Ushering Vesakhi
• Community Engagement Games Day
• A Prayer and Condolence
• Reflections – Nowadays They Call Me “Singh Kor”
• National Orange Ribbon Harmony Walk
• YSA Elects New Executive Committee
Four participants – Ibrahim Musa, Valliammai N. S.,
Ravinder Kaur and Ms Lim Hui Shan – provided a
personal perspective of their experiences in Punjab. This
was followed by the presentation of certificates and a multimedia
show on the project. The ceremony was followed by
a dinner reception.
YSA will lead its eight community service expedition to
Punjab, India, in December 2008.
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Ushering Vesakhi
Close to 30 young Singaporeans of different faiths and backgrounds joined another
25 members of YSA to usher Vesakhi, the Sikh New Year, by doing community
service at the Bukit Batok Home for the Aged on 12 April 2008.
The visit and activities at the Home
were aimed at allowing the Sikh
community to share the joy of its New
Year with other faiths in Singapore
so as to increase understanding and
awareness among the different ethnic
groups. “Sewa” or “service” is an
important tenet of the Sikh faith. The
visit was also an opportunity
for non-Sikhs to join the
Sikhs to lend a helping hand
to the aged and needy in our
society.
During the visit, the
participants performed the
Bhangra as well as organised games
for the residents. Whilst serving meals,
the participants spent time interacting
with the residents. At the same time,
YSA donated wheelchairs, walking
sticks, powder milk, diapers and other
necessities to the home.
The participants took back many
messages - of love and understanding
for their loved ones; of the value of
relationships; of care and compassion;
and of the significance of Vesakhi. They
had a truly enriching and fruitful day at
the Home.
Community
Engagement Games
Day
YSA members joined more than 1,000 Singaporeans from all
races and religions to participate in the inaugural Community
Engagement Games Day at Anglo-Chinese Junior College
on 19 April 2008. The Guest-of-Honour was Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth
and Sports.
During the fun-filled half day, the participants took part in
various activities, including futsal, netball, limbo rock relay,
bowling and mass exercises. YSA’s team participated in the
futsal tournament. It did exceptionally well to finish runnerup
in the event.
Organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore,
and supported by various religious and social groups, including
YSA, the games day was aimed at developing greater awareness
and understanding between the different racial and religious
groups, as well as building bonds.
Judging from the feedback, the participants certainly took
time to forge new friendships and to have great sporting fun
at the same time.
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A Prayer and
Condolence
Myanmar and China were victims of two recent natural
calamities, which claimed thousands of lives and left
millions homeless. Together with people all over the world,
Singaporeans lent support to assist in the relief efforts.
The Inter-Religious Organisation, in partnership with
OnePeople.sg, also organised a prayer and condolence
ceremony for the victims and their families. Representatives
from the 10 major faiths in Singapore joined the
ceremony.
YSA was represented at the ceremony by Mr Lakhveer
Singh. He stated that, “The magnitude of the disasters
left most of us in the audience speechless and drove home
the message that more needs to be done to help those
affected.”
The support by
people from all walks
and background
showed that human
compassion has no
boundaries.

Reflections
Nowadays They Call Me “Singh Kor”
By Satwant Singh
In peace time, we need to do our
homework. Nothing must be taken for
granted.
When I was growing up, people called
me “Mengali” or “Bayi Singh”. It still
happens sometime. I could do two things
in such as a situation. I could confront
the person. But would this solve my
problem? I chose the second route. I told
myself that the person is ignorant and it
is time I tell him about my religion. I told
him, “Come, come, sit down and have a
cup of coffee first”. Now I have one more
friend. Nowadays, he does not call me
“Mengali” or “Babu Singh”; he calls me
“Singh Kor” (elder brother Singh).
I would urge everyone not to get
angry if someone from another
faith says something negative
about your religion. You should
respond by saying, “Come, let
me tell you why you are wrong
and what my religion is all
about.” Eventually what you need to do
is to educate. In peace time, we need
to win friends. You will learn that, at
the end of the day, whatever you and
I have is the same. No religion has
taught anyone to pick up a gun and
shoot someone. We decide how we
want interpret religion. If you believe
that the religion promotes peace and
harmony, our religions will go on. If
we decide that we want to wage a war,
there is nothing else to stop us then.
Singapore will come to an end. I am
very sure that all of us love Singapore;
we would not want anything to happen
to it. So whatever it is, do not get angry.
Have self-control and self-restrain.
National Orange Ribbon
Harmony Walk
OnePeople.sg officially launched the National Orange Ribbon Celebrations on 6 July
2008. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and
Sports was the Guest-of-Honour at the event.
Look at the book, “180° Yearnings for
Peace”, the first word on the cover is self.
I consider this word to be very important.
If the self does not change, nothing is
going to change. I hope that, at the end
of the day, all of us can live as one big
happy family. Yes we have our differences
but I am very sure we can share our
differences and then, eventually, we can
call each other friends. Always take out
your hand and say, “Hello friend”.
This is an excerpt of the speech delivered at
the Singapore SOKA Association’s 1st Youth
for Peace Interfaith Symposium on 16 March
2008. Mr George Yeo, Minister for Foreign
Affairs, was the Guest-of-Honour at the event.
Get Your Tickets Now!
The wait is finally over! Tickets for the
Regional Bhangra Competition 2008 are
now on sale.
To be held at the RELC Auditorium on 6
September 2008, the competition will
see three teams from Singapore, and one
each from Australia, India and Malaysia.
For tickets, contact:
Mr Sukhbir Singh - Tel: 9732 6331
Email: sukhbir@maharajah.com.sg
Mr Malminderjit Singh - Tel: 9436 4676
Email: malminderjit@hotmail.com
As part of the launch programme,
YSA members joined more than 5,000
participants from religious and grassroots
organisations, schools, and community
organisations on a two-kilometre walk
at Riverside Point. This street parade
included a colourful display of the various
ethnic music, dance, costumes and food.
The National Orange Ribbon
Celebrations aims to promote racial
and religious harmony by showcasing
our diverse multi-ethnic, and multinational
communities’ customs and
traditions as well as to create a platform
to showcase the various resources and
programmes available at OnePeople.sg,
the community development council
and partnering organisations.
Visit YSA’s website at www.ysas.org
for details on the competition, the six
finalists and seat availability.
Tickets are priced
at $80, $60 and
$40, and include a
tea reception and
a buffet dinner.
Get your tickets
now and be part
of the Bhangra
extravaganza!
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YSA Elects New
Executive Committee
YSA held its fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the
Central Sikh Temple Conference Room on 17 May 2008.
During the AGM, YSA’s President, Mr Hernaikh Singh, stated
that the Association witnessed a re-appointment of Advisors
last year. He also stated that the Association was able to
organise events under each of its five platforms. Furthermore,
the response to the Association’s activities has been increasing
steadily over the last few years. The President credited the success
of the Association largely to the hardwork and dedication of the
Executive Committee as well as the general public.
The AGM witnessed the election of new officer bearers
for 2008/09. These included five new faces in a team of
17 Executive Committee members. The renewal process is
important as it provides an opportunity for those keen to serve
to come on board. At the same time, they bring with them new
ideas and perspectives which are important for any progressive
organisation. Please visit YSA’s website at www.ysas.org for
details of the Executive Committee.
The new Executive Committee has taken office. It promises
to continue the good work of its predecessor in the relentless
pursuit of YSA’s mandate and objectives.
RECOGNISING OUR
GRADUATING SIKHS
Calling All Graduating Sikhs, Join Us For A
Networking Tea Reception!
We want to...
• Provide a platform for you to network with Sikhs from other
academic institutions and build your contacts
• Provide the opportunity for you to meet with Sikh professionals
and to understand their perspectives of the working world
Guest-of-Honour: Mr Inderjit Singh
Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Date/ Time: Saturday, 4 October 2008, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Venue: The Pod, 16th Floor, National Library
100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
Registration: Participation is free
To register, please contact: Mr Kartaar Singh - Tel: 63272005
Email: kartaar@sikhs.org.sg
Come join us and start your networking now and here!
Project Khwaish VIII
Punjab, India
To be held in December 2008, the project is open to
Singaporeans, Sikhs and non-Sikhs, males and females,
between the ages of 17 – 35 years.
The participants will be involved in refurbishing a school,
painting the classrooms, developing a library and/or
building a playground as well as interacting with the
children and the local community. They will also visit
places of cultural interest in Punjab, including the Golden
Temple in Amritsar.
For further enquiries, please contact Mr Manmohan
Singh (Tel: 96312373 / email: manmohan_singh@moe.
gov.sg) or Mr Sheetal Kaur (Tel: 93362904 / email:
mannkaurmaude@yahoo.com.sg).
Do contact them soonest as there are only 20 places in the
project.
6th “Racial Harmony”
Football Tournament
Come participate in YSA’s 6th “Racial Harmony” 4-A-Side
Football Tournament in January 2009.
For further enquiries, please contact Kulwant at 90265910
or Seng Yong at 96708966.
The Executive
Committee of
Young Sikh Association
(Singapore) wishes
its members a Happy
National Day 2008.
Editorial Information: Khwaish is a newsletter of Young Sikh Association (Singapore). Please feel free to forward your comments and feedback to:
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Mr Kulwant Singh, Editor, Khwaish, Young Sikh Association (Singapore) 8 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169543
Tel: 6327 2007/5 Tel: 90265910 Fax: 6327 2009 Email: nashkul@singnet.com.sg
No part of this newsletter should be published without the consent of the Editor, Khwaish.