Sikhs Who Follow in the Footsteps of Late Baba Fauja Singh, Raise Global Sikh Profile

At some point in life, God-gifted individuals like late Baba Fauja Singh discover and develop own hidden talents. There is an inner urge towards a change in life to enable them to discover self. The Sikhi concept of Mar-Jeevra, one reborn, is similar.

By own example, those in this category, inspire many others to do the same: to live own lives to the full while extending the limits of human endurance and achievement. These Sikhs touch our lives even from a distance. They do not depend on fame acquired through pursuit of self-centred ambitions, high professions, senior public positions, scholarly credentials or wealth.

Like Bhagat Puran Singh, who decided to dedicate his life to humanitarian and environmental work and established the world-renowned Pingalwara, a home for the sick and disabled, they follow own mission in life.

They follow in the footsteps of Guru Amardas Ji, that age is an attitude of mind. Age, young or old, should not stop one from pursuing own natural talents which would then inspire millions more. We are also reminded of the Gurbani Pankti: ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਢੇ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ The God-centred never grow old within them is intuitive understanding and spiritual wisdom. (SGGS Ang. 1418). We learn the lesson that there is no age bar for Gursikhs.

Baba Fauja Singh, proved that to the world. In doing so he also raised the global understanding of Sikh ideology of simple living principles and promoted global Sikh image. Such rare individuals have a sense of calling, an urge to re-discover self and follow what to them is their natural path in life, their destiny. Their whole being and energy is channelled into their chosen mission.

In due course, they lose self in nishkam (selfless) community sewa in humility. They also reflect the values and characteristics of own community. Baba Fauja Singh and others dedicated to own chosen paths excel in their own fields while also showing the simple path of Sikhi living.

It can be argued that those who undergo a complete change in life to pursue a path of community service through own creative dedication and natural talent, produce lasting results which affect many lives. Baba Fauja Singh belonged to this category as do many other Sikhs in our lives.

To name a few will mean missing out dozens more. I shall take that risk by naming some in Baba Fauja Singh category: Harmander Singh of East London, an athlete and community activist himself, spotted the natural potential of Baba ji and trained him.

In the UK, Ravinder Singh (Ravi) of Khalsa Aid is an outstanding example of a man with a mission as is Mohan Singh of Sikh Awareness Society. Bibi Mejinderpal Kaur of United Sikhs, has dedicated her life to community sewa. Often we forget those closest to us. Late Gurbachan Singh Sidhu led the foundation of the Sikh Missionary Society UK as the first nationwide Sikh organisation. Locally, the dedication of late Kesar Singh Mand is remembered in Southall. Nearer home, we have Dya Singh of Australia who underwent a complete life change to take the universal Message of Gurbani to mixed global audiences.

Above examples show that, as a Miri-Piri community, the global Sikh nation is blessed by hundreds of selfless sewadars at local, national and global levels in a spirit of Sarbat da Bhalaa.

Gurmukh Singh OBE

E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk

Gurmukh Singh OBE - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia.