Denmark Trip (Part 1)

Daas has been away for the past week for a Gurmat Camp that was held for Sikh youngsters in Copenhagen, Denmark. The camp was held from Monday 16th October to Sunday 22nd October. Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh jee came to Denmark on Thursday because they had to attend another camp in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Camp was attended by over 20 youngsters, which involved a series of workshops and classes on Gurbaani Vichaar, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh History, Keertan, and discussions. Also there everyone got in groups and put toghether some short drama plays based on Gurmat themes, which everyone enjoyed. The highlight of the week was the Keertan, especially Keertan done by the local Granthi Singh - Bhai Harkeerat Singh jee whom all the children and sangat loved and has done a great amount of parchaar in Denmark, and also keertan by Sukhwinder Singh bhaji (from Midlands). The youngsters of Denmark are a credit to the Panth (nation) and are showing great progress in Sikhi. May Vaheguru keep them in Chardikala and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters.

Here are some photos:

Groups discussing why are they are proud to be Sikhs and proud to be born in Sikh families. Afterwards the groups presented their thoughts to the others.

Campers cooking Langar and brushing up on their cooking skills.


Youngsters playing football. Poor Giani jee got tackled and hurt his foot. Vaheguru!

Children learning how to tie a Keski (short under-turban) and Dumalla (large turban). It was so inspiring to find out that many of the youngsters have recently kept Kesh and some of them took Amrit recently.

The youngsters introduced Daas to the game of "ChiRee maaR". My reflexes are slow so I didn't do very well. Vaheguru!

To be continued...

19-10-2006 Keertan - Denmark Gurmat Camp

If you look carefully you will notice that sitting in the corner near Bhaji doing Keertan is a Danish Gora. He came to visit the Gora because a young Sikh who he helps with schoolwork etc. invited him to the camp. The Gora was a very nice chap and enjoyed the Gurdwara Sahib. I was surprised that he agreed to sit and listen to the Keertan despite he felt uncomfortable sitting down cross-legged and also he had been at the Gurdwara since morning.

You can watch more videos from the Denmark Gurmat camp, which Daas has uploaded on Goodle Video if you search "Denmark Gurmat Camp" or "Denmark Keertan".

Denmark Sikhi Camp

Last weekend a two-day Gurmat camp was held in Copenhagen in Denmark, organised by the local youngsters with the help of the local elders. Particularly, Bhaji Jarnail Singh and his family put a lot of effort into organising and doing seva throughout the camp. The Camp was attended by over 20 youngsters, which involved a series of workshops and classes on Gurbaani Vichaar, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh History, Keertan, and discussions. The youngsters of Denmark are a credit to the Panth and are showing great progress in their Sikhi. May Waheguru keep them alll in Chardikala and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit, and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters.

Some photos from the camp:


SATURDAY


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee


Group Activities:




Langar:

Sangat made lovely Pizzas! (Very tasty!)


Lovely presented (and tasty) ice-cream for Langar!


Group Discussions:






Evening Diwaan:




Late-Night Keertan:



SUNDAY

Amrit-Vela:




Langar:




Class:




Evening Diwaan:




Evening Langar:




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Episode 5: Meeting Gursikhs in Jalandhar...

During my trip I visited Bhai Harkirat Singh jee who lives in Jalandhar. I first met him in Denmark. Bhai Sahib served as a Granthi Singh in Denmark. In the short time he was there he inspired the local youth who were disconnected and broken from Sikhi to keep their Kesh and take Amrit. Bhai Sahib does Keertan as well as Gurmat Veechar.

When I visited Denmark Gurdwara I was pleasantly surprised that the Gurdwara had a routine that every Sunday Bhai Sahib would lead the Sangat to do Naam Simran for 15 minutes (without instruments). Bhai Sahib would play football with the young and teach the youth Gatka and Keertan. He was an ideal Granthi Singh who could relate to young and old, men and women, Sikhs and non-Sikhs. If all Gurdwaras had a Granthi Singh with such qualities, the Panth would be in Chardi Kalaa.

Bhai Sahib knew of a good tailor in Jalandhar who makes clothes for Singhs. The clothes I got made were tailored well and actually fitted me properly (usually the tailor would make each Kurta a different size!). Unfortunately I cannot remember the address of the tailors.

Bhai Sahib and his brother, Bhai Tarlochan Singh jee, are involved in arranging Keertan programmes in Jalandhar and take Sangat to Rainsbaaee Keertans in Panjab. It was humbling meeting such friendly and down to earth Singhs.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Sweden Summer Gurmat Camp 2013...

 

From Monday 22nd July to Sunday 28th July, a family Gurmat Camp took place in Sweden. The camp was attended by around one-hundred and fifty or so Sangat, aged from three to adults. Over the week camp there were classes on Gursikhi Jeevan, Gurbani, Keertan, Youth and Social, and Sikh History. I have been too many camps but the children of this camp were so well behave and so well composed. The children were so eager to learn about Sikhi. The atmosphere of the camp was great. The great weather, scenic Gurdwara surroundings and being in the Sangat of Chardikala Naam-Abhiaasi Gursikhs helped to make the camp great.

Some photos:

 Satgru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee

Children during the morning assembly reading Paath

11-14 year old group preparing answers to questions that non-Sikhs might ask them about Sikhi

Sangat recapping on pronunciation of Panjabi alphabet

Learning Keertan

 

The front of the Gurdwara. The Gurdwara is so beautiful with a scenic garden.

Bhai Parmjeet Singh jee, a tireless sevadaar who is an inspiration.

3-4 year old children learning Panjabi

Exercise session

Ladies exercise

Football

Children and sevadaars playing Kokla-Chhapakki

Break time

Children enjoying ice-cream

Children playing Gatka in their free time

Children leading Paath recitation.

Afternoon lecture for elder group

Youth and family issues workshop

Youth and family issues workshop

Middle group's class in the Gurdwara garden during the wonderful weather

Children and sevadaars playing Kokla-Chhapakki

 Saturday night Rainsbaaee Keertan

Bhai Ranjit Singh Denmark doing Keertan

Bhai Prabhdeep Singh Denmark doing Keertan

Bhai Nachhatar Singh Sweden doing Keertan

 Rainsbaaee Keertan

 

Sunday morning. The children were so eager to practice Keertan that they got the Vaaja Tablaa out in the Gurdwara garden. Vaheguru!

 

Sunday diwaan. All the campers presented something that they had learnt at the camp. Bhai Sajjan Singh jee asked them questions and they gave the answers to the Sangat. Very nice programme.

Sunday diwaan. Bhenji Raminder Kaur Denmark doing Keertan.

 

 A young child, probably three years old, reciting Mool Mantar to the Sangat.

The middle group presenting to the Sangat.

Bhai Sajjan Singh jee, a Chardikala local Gursikh who organised the camp.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!