ISS-Magazine_v7

The Stalwarts of ISS
Mdm Dyal Kaur
President, Vice President and Member (1963 to 1980)
In 1963, Mdm Dyal Kaur became President of ISS. Following its official registration, she was elected its first President.
She stepped down in 1980.
Under her leadership, the Executive Council met regularly at Central Sikh Temple (CST) to work towards achieving
the objectives of ISS. When Mdm Dyal was President, ISS had 33 members who paid S$3 annually. Some of the key
milestones under her leadership included the following:
• Donations of S$100 to Singapore Khalsa Association and Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sang Sabha.
• Raising of money for Malacca Wadiala in 1975.
• Payment for the building of a new room in Patna Sahib Gurdwara in Punjab, India.
• Provision of rations by the members to needy families.
• Provision of sewing machines to families that needed to supplement their family income.
Some members of ISS were involved in the teaching of Gurumukhi for classes conducted by the Sikh Missionary
Society. At the same time, the members actively participated and selflessly contributed to gurpurabs (celebration of
an anniversary related to the Sikh Gurus’ lives) both financially and in the preparations of langar (communal meal) and
washing of utensils.
In 1979, the members of ISS commenced kirtan (devotional singing) by themselves instead of calling ragi jathas (group
of singers of sacred hymns).
During Mdm Dyal’s presidency, ISS’ membership unanimously adopted the position at its Annual General Meeting in
1979 that it would always remain with CST and this has been the case till the present day.
“Mdm Dyal was a cool-tempered and compassionate
individual who generously and selflessly contributed to the
early beginnings of ISS. She also laid the foundation for the
next leadership to bring ISS to greater heights in the spirit of
Sikhism in a profound, dignified and humble manner.
”
Mdm Sarjit Kaur w/o Madanjit Singh
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