Sabha’s KKB project in full swing

Dear members & friends of the Sabha,

Here’s an update on the International Sikh Centre (ISC), a project many simply call the KKB project. The report below is from the latest issue of The Sikh, the publication of the Sabha. You can view the latest issue of the magazine online here. [The Sikh, April/May 2012 issue]. The photos are by Harnarinder Singh aka Harry, who is also a member of the Sabha land committee team. 

The Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) land project is in high gear. By mid-2012, campers may be able to start using the 20-acres land located about 65km from Kuala Lumpur.

By June, the team entrusted to develop the project undertaken by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia hope to see some major progress.

They target to complete bathroom and toilets. Also under constrcution are six portable cabins (20x10 ft) for accomodation and langgar. These will be placed in a U-shaped arrangement under a marquee that was completed in March 2012. The marquee, a hangar like building with a three-storey high metal roof, is 100x100 feet (10,000 sq ft).

Electricity and water connections were applied in April. It will take a few months.

In mid-2011, the local council approved the earthworks, including turf and fencing. Tenders were then called for. Not long later, the groundbreaking ceremony was held on site, with the presence of panj pyarey and the Sikh Sanggat.

Earthwork commenced in October 2011 and was completed in February 2012, with a three-month maintenance period to May. Between February and March, drainage and internal roads were contructed.

The project is a long-term vision of SNSM, spurred by Baba Niranjan Singh (Patiala), one of the organisation’s two patrons. The other is Baba Sohan Singh Malacca.

SNSM purchased the land in 2002 for RM1.7 million with the support of Sikhs from Malaysia and Singapore. Donors also came forward from Thailand, the Phillipines, Indonesia, and Australia. Plans to convert the land from agriculture to institution use were submitted in 2004, and approved in December 2010.
In June 2011, the Sabha AGM approved a budget of RM150,000 to build camp sites with cabins to kickstart usage of the land.

The overall approved plan includes sport facilities like football field and netball courts. It also has a training centre, hostels, Darbar Sahib, Langgar Hall, welfare facilities for senior citizens, a multi-purpose hall, staff quarters, administration office, auditorium and meeting rooms.

-- The Sikh, April/May 2012

The Sikh: Read it Online

The latest issue of The Sikh is now available online. This is the first time we are releasing the online version before you get your hands on the hard copy. You can view the April/May 2012 issue of the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia's (SNSM) publication here.

As I write this message, the 60-page issue has yet to reach the Sabha House, our HQ situated close to the Lake Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur.

Technology has certainly changed the way we live. It is also changing the face of Sikhi parchaar. Releasing the magazine online is just one small step in the many changes that we have undertaken, and will have to embrace, as we journey along in Sikhi parchaar.

Be the first to catch the magazine online. Members should receive their copies in the mail soon. For those who are not yet members, do sign up as a Sabha member. As always, we welcome feedback. Gurfateh.

ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE:

The Sikh, Oct 2011

The Sikh, Jan 2012

Vaisakhi Grand Event -- Thanks

The Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia wishes to thank all members of the Sabha and the Sikh Sanggat who made the event happen. Turnout was huge all through the programme from April 5-8, 2012.

In the first photo below, you can see the beautiful decorated Darbar Sahib. In the next photo, you can see SNSM executive committee member Ravinder Kaur in the thick of action at a children party, one of the many breakout sessions at the four-day event.

The third photo: We have members of the Chardi Kala Jatha, who are linked to the Miri Piri Academy in Amritsar, Punjab.

We look forward to serving the Sikh Sanggat again next year. We now move into high gear in anticiption of Vaisakhi. Lookout for the various programmes that will come you way from the Sabha and other Sikh organisations.

The Sabha first began this event in 1999 to mark the 300th aniversary of the Khalsa. And it has been running ever since. Again, thanwaad.

SNSM book on Sikhi

After a long spell, we have finally produced our very own book on Sikhi. Q&A ON SIKHI: Gurmat Discussions on the Internet is an important addition to existing material on Sikhi. What makes this book all the more relevant to us in Malaysia is that it is written by a brother in our midst - Bhai Autar Singh.
He is no stranger to us all. Autar is a former Jathedar of SNSM and instrumental behind the idea of Akaal Purkh ki Fauj. He is also the founding member of Gurmat Learning Zone, one of the largest Internet-based Sikh discussion groups. To his credit, he has served on the Religious Advisory Committee of Akaal Takhat Sahib between 1994-1997, a rare feat for Sikhs from this part of the world.

The book is a compilation of his tireless efforts to discuss Sikhi on the various channels on the Internet.
The book will be launched at the Grand Vaisakhi Event in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, tomorrow (April 6). Get your copy. I would suggest that you get extra copies, pass them on as gifts to your nephews and nieces.

To Autar Singh, thanks for sharing the material.

The big Vaisakhi event starts today

This is one of the signature events of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia. It starts today at the International Youth Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Many events have been lined up for the next four days (April 5-8), beginning with the arrival of Guru Granth Sahib swaari today at 5.30pm.

Hope to see you all at the event.

In addition to the great Kirtan and Katha, here are some of events that may interest you and your family:

-- MOVIE SCREENING : Bilik Sakura : Fri, Sat, Sun : daily 3 shows : MOVIE – Bhai Subeg Singh Shahbaz Singh

-- BLOOD DONATION : Langgar Hall : Saturday 7th April : 11am – 5pm

-- HEALTH TALKS : Bilik Sakura : Saturday 7th April : 10am – 1pm : TOPIC – Boimechanics Doing Sewa

-- CHILDREN TEA PARTY : Garden Beside Cooking Area : Saturday 7th April: 4pm – 6 pm : Khalsa Fashion Show event for kids 5 years and below. Parents : dress up their lil ones!!

-- GATKA DISPLAY : Entrance / Car Park : 6th April and 7th April

-- HONOURING EXCELLENT STUDENTS : Main darbar : Sunday 8th April : UPSR, PMR, SPM, STPM

-- CAREER AND EDUCATION WORKSHOP : Bilik Sakura : Sunday 8th April : Vetri Padrigal 4 (2012) booklets to be distributed

 -- VOTER REGISTRATION : Lobby : Saturday 7th April : 2pm – 8pm

 -- EXHIBITION ON SIKH HERITAGE : Sakura Room : Fri, Sat and Sun

Gurfateh.