This came by Email...........a slightly longer write up on Bhai Joe Mahinder Singh..
Article for publication.
Gurufateh Ji
Daljit Singh
Award from PM of Malaysia for a Sikh.
Bhai Sahib Joe Mahinder Singh Ji, Malaysia's premier Video-man and Community Policeman and SEWAK in the spirit of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji's tradition was awarded the Prime Ministers Award for COMMUNITY POLICING by the State of Selangor, Malaysia. This is a FIRST for a SIKH....BUT Mr. Singh is no stranger to this sort of Samaaj Sewa. He has been policing his neighbourhood day and night to protect against housebreakings, snatch thieves and related crime that is perpetrated on innocent walkers by pedestrians, residents walking their dogs, or exercising in the neighborhood.
Joe Mahinder Singh has stopped and arrested so many such petty criminals, sometimes putting his own life and family in danger. He has a string of appreciation letters from local Police Officers, and neighbourhood watches and Residents Associations for Communal Duty and Responsibility beyond normal call. “Selangor is the bench mark for others to follow” Sunday Star carried this... Readers would have seen the PM launching the official logo of the Community Policing. Joe Mahinder Singh was the only recipient for this unique award nominated by the State CPO, Datuk Tun Hisan.
Joe Mahinder was born in Malaysia and he successfully furthered his studies in Australia. He is also knowledgeable about Sikhi and he spends considerable part of his life in India doing sewa and visiting sanctified places in the Panjab. He lives in Kuala Lumpur and this guy has so much energy and is committed to the local community to ensure people live safely. He recognizes all human kind as one and living in a multi-racial society it is clearly reflected in his humble and humane approach of others.
It is worth saying a few words of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, the disciple of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Ji was an epitome of humility, devotion and loyalty to his Guru and Service to mankind without any discrimination of religion, caste or region. He was born at village Sodhra near Wazirabad on the banks of river Chenab (now is Pakistan) in 1648. Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was devoted to the cause of the needy and downtrodden. His father was a wealthy trader, but he himself being of a religious bent had little interest in family trade and when his father expired, he waited for his brothers to take over the responsibility and set out to find his Guru who could guide him on the path of service. He came to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and got the opportunity to serve him for three months. He then went on to establish a 'Dharamshal' at Kavha near Attock to serve the people, and he spread the message of 'Universal Brotherhood' as taught by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
In 1705, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji was engaged in battle, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji moved to Anandpur Sahib and took over the responsibility of serving drinking water to soldiers wounded in the battlefield; attired in white clothes with a white flag fixed in the left side of his belt, he carried the water carrier leather bag (Mashk) on his shoulders and served water to the wounded without discrimination, to friends and foe. When a few Sikhs complained to Guru Gobind Singh Ji that Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was serving water to the enemy, Guru Ji called him and sought his version. Bhai Kanhaiya Ji submitted: 'With Thy Grace My Lord! My Eyes Are So Enlightened That I See Nothing Else But Your Divine Spirit Pervading Everywhere And In All, Since I Served None Else But Only Thyself My Lord?'
Guru Gobind Singh Ji then blessed Bhai Kanhaiya Ji as a holy man and gave him a box ointment for healing wounds. This inspired a group of volunteers who worked under the guidance of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, who thus became a forerunner of the Red Cross movement which Sir Henry Durant founded about 160 years later. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji left Anandpur Sahib. He continued to serve the people and devoted his remaining life to preach and practice teaching of the Sikh Gurus till he left the world at the age of 71 years whilst listening to the sacred hymns of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He left behind a unique movement of 'Sewa Panthi'. Which literally means people devoted to service of humanity.
The message of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji's mission, enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib Ji: 'Na Ko Bairi Nahin Bigana, Sagal Sand Ham Ko Ban Aiyee'' continues to be as relevant, today. This short story exemplifies well GURU’s teachings: HE resides in us all! We all are his JOT! Selfless Service must be our priority!
"Na Ko Bairi Nahin Bigana,
Sagal Sand Ham Ko Ban Aiyee'' (Ang:1299, 14 line)
It is the legacy of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji that is exemplified by Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ji from Malaysia.
It’s great that the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak finally recognizes Mr Singh's years of community selfless service (sewa).
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOE MAHINDER SINGH JI and Guru Ji's Blessings forever…………..
Daljit Singh
Boodar269@aol.com
