ISS-Magazine_v7

The Stalwarts of ISS
Mdm Sermit Kaur w/o Jeswant Singh Bandal
Member, Vice President and President (1983 to 2007)
Mdm Sermit Kaur was a committed member of ISS. An honest and straightforward person, she fought for her rights to
comment on policies when necessary with the end outcome of doing her best for ISS.
Mdm Sermit had no qualms about not holding important posts in ISS. She worked humbly as an ordinary member for a
number of years. Following years of experience and service, Mdm Sermit took on the post of Vice President in 2003 and
she was elected as President from 2005 to 2007.
Mdm Sermit was not one who favoured the sectional division of the Sikh community. She disallowed the mention of
different sections, that is, Majha, Malwa, Doaba, etc., at meetings of ISS. She regarded all as one Sikh community.
Being a person who had a soft spot for welfare and education, Mdm Sermit represented ISS on the Sikh Welfare Council
and Singapore Sikh Education Fund committees. A strong believer in Punjabi education, she led the fundraising of
S$1,100 for the Punjabi Education Fund, Malaysia. She held the view that Punjabi education, be it local or abroad, should
be supported so as to enable young Sikh students master their own mother tongue.
Mdm Sermit started as an ordinary member but eventually took on key leadership positions and contributed significantly
to the development of ISS.
“Mdm Sermit mixed well with the rest of the members.
She stood steadfast to her principles and performed sewa
diligently during gurpurabs. She also participated in the spring
cleaning of the gurdwara. She was an important member of ISS
and contributed much to its growth.
”
Mdm Jagir Kaur w/o Naranjan Singh
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