I recall going to Gobindwal district of Panjab with a few local Sevadars from a local Sikh NGO (Gurmat Gian College, Ludhiana) just over 3 years ago, they showed me around the villages in the area. This organisation was actively providing education and Gurmat Parchar to underprivileged Sikh children. I was shocked by the level of poverty and drugs abuse in the villages and was not at all surprised to hear that a lot of Sikhs were now following Deras, Radaswamis or converting to Christianity.

This work still continues however the problem these highly committed (often unpaid) Sevadars are facing is that they are unable to access resources similar to the non-Sikh elements when providing the children's school fees, uniforms, school bus etc. This made me question whether any "Panthic" western Sikh organisations knew the extent of poverty in Panjab. Bearing this in mind the attraction these so called deras/Radaswamis have on the poor Sikhs of Panjab becomes understandable.

Since my intial visist I have now explored a few more areas in Panjab where the villages are sinking deeper and deeper into poverty. The economic situation in Panjab is creating a perfect breeding ground for anti-sikh elements to flourish. The socioeconomic conditions of these unfortunate people are being exploited to attract them away from Sikhi. I have recently been told that the Gurdaspur area of Panjab has become a focal point for Christian missionaries. I really and honestly don't blame the poor Sikhs for converting from their faith as living in dire poverty is probably close to being in hell. The poor and the underprivileged will follow anybody who fills their children's bellies and offers financial assistance. We have failed our poor and unfortunate brethren in the villages, these are the same people who lived side by side with our forefathers and who were always there in their hour of need. I am sure that if our forefathers could see how we have left our villages to rot they would be full of sorrow!!

I would urge all Sikhs to take action to prevent a great tragedy befalling our future generations. I strongly suggest that the Sangat save a few Pounds/Dollars a month and after a year take the saved money to their villages and do something useful for the poor around them or support existing groups who are carrying out fantastic Seva in Panjab.

As part of the PURE project Khalsa Aid has initially sponsored 60 sikh children in the Goindwal District. We are in the process of sponsoring more in other parts of Panjab. The criteria for these families are

• That the whole family stays away from drugs and alcohol.
• The family follow the Sikh Rehat Marayda.
• The children attend Gurbani classes twice a week.

In times of conflict or social upheavals the religious faith of the person is key to remaining in Chardi Kalan so it's vital that along with providing education we must also provide spiritual guidance.

Khalsa Aid is also sponsoring sporting activities for these children. This will promote healthy living and will reinforce the anti drugs message.

The best way to take on the menace of drugs and deras etc is to counter their drive with a humanitarian mission aimed to reinstate the Sikh faith and prosperity in Panjab.

Ravinder Singh
Khalsa Aid

I had arranged a meeting with Abdullah Khan, manager at Nestle in Islamabad at 10am to see if Nestle could donate milk and milk powder for the Refugees at Panja Sahib. Mr Khan was very welcoming and was proud to mention that his father was from Patiala and mother from Ludhiana.The meeting went well and Mr Khan agreed to donate milk for the children and milk powder for upto 2 weeks and then heavily discounted rates thereafter, i was very greatful and deeply touched by Mr Khans praises of Sikhism.

I ordered a taxi to deliver the wheelchair to Panja Sahib and arranged to pick up Bhai Manjeet Singh and our local contact Tahir Mahmood on way.We got to Panja Sahib at about 3pm and met Amritpal and his parents, Amritpal was very eager and excited to get into the wheelchair, so without keeping this lovely young boy waiting any longer we handed the wheelchair over to his father.I dont think we saw Amritpal around much , he was being taken all around the Gurdwara grounds by the other children.We sat down with his father and asked him about Amritpals disability and if anything could be done medically. I was told that his disability was caused at birth while being delivered, so there was a very slight chance he maybe able to use his legs.

I instructed our wonderful contact Tahir to arrange a specialist doctor/surgeon in Islamabad to thoroughly examine Amritpal and i really hope there is something that can be done.The appointment will be arranged within the next few days.

I met with the milk distributors who have been delivering milk to the children and paid him for the 2 days delivery.I hope to hear from Nestle very soon or we will continue using our existing distributor.

The last 2 days have been hectic, i have spent everyday at Panja Sahib with the refugees Its just so amazing to see the people there making Langar (community kitchen ) for 3000 fellow refugees a day !! I have decided that Khalsa Aid will provide Milk for the children in the camp. I was previously told that there were 150 children at Panja Sahib but the new figure is 500 so the distributor had to be told to increase the order.The new order is for 600 cartons ( each carton 285ml ) and the delivery was to commence on Tue 2nd June.

I am very grateful for Bhai Manjit Singh from Kartarpur Sahib whom i first met carrying out great Seva of serving Langar to the victims of the earthquake (2005 ) in the devastated town of Musaffrabad, Pakistan.Bhai Manjit Singh travelled from Kartarpur Sahib ( Pakistan ) last night to offer his assistance to Khalsa Aid, he has been instrumental in setting up lines of communications between myself and the Panja Sahib refugees committee .I just totally frustrated and was about to give up on the committee but Bhai Sahib sorted the issues diplomatically.

 
 

Bhai Manjit Singh is a true Sevadar and an individual of the highest integraty but unfortunately he was let down by a couple of north American organisations and individuals during the earthquake relief.These Sikhs pledged financial support for the Langar and Bhai Sahib kept the Langar going on these pledges but i am sad and angry to say the Sikhs who made the pledges didnt deliver on their promises and Bhai Sahib was left financially ruined and suffered terrible through stress related health.
 

Khalsa Aid has also been requested by by Bhai Manjit Singh and Bhai Sham Singh to offer assistance towards the daily costs of Langar.The Langar at Panja Sahib is a beacon of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message of equlity for mankind and we should all make sure the needy refugees continue to get fed.

Khalsa Aid has also been requested by by Bhai Manjit Singh and Bhai Sham Singh to offer assistance towards the daily costs of Langar.The Langar at Panja Sahib is a beacon of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message of equlity for mankind and we should all make sure the needy refugees continue to get fed.

I had also promised Amritpal Singh (9 yr old disabled boy ) a wheelchair the previous day, so after meeting various individuals and finalising the milk order i left for Rawalpindi, affectionately known as "Pindi ". The last time i was in Pindi was in 2005 when Khalsa Aid was carrying out relief work after the earthquake, i had forgotten how polluted it was ! The traffic was awful and our local taxi driver had a temperament of a Pit Bull, i learnt many more Panjabi swear words from him after listening to him spitting poison at other drivers and pedastrians.We managed to locate an area of Pindi which specialised in medical supplies and after viewing a few models we bought a Japanese imported wheelchair.As we were driving back to Islamabad i kept thinking how Amritpals life will change completely by a wheelchair. It was too late to deliver the wheelchair so i went to get something to eat.

Sunday, 30th May 2009

I have been having trouble sleeping since my arrival in Pakistan, so i felt absolutely shattered and had a thumping headache.I had to force myself to do anything, I eventually reached Panja Sahib about 1pm, it was another extremely hot day.The kids were happily playing in the pool and the adults were sitting in the shaded areas.I walked carefully around the people sleeping on the floor to pay my respects to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Today i had come to Panja Sahib to see what we can offer to the refugees from Khalsa Aid. The meeting started well with Sardar Sarung Singh and 5 others in the room and as usual tea was served.I started the meeting by asking Sardar Sarung Singh to state exactly what they wanted from Khalsa Aid and from other NGOs,his answer was simple and quick, CASH ! I looked up at him and asked him who was to receive the cash and where will it be spent, i also wanted to know who was running the camp due to so much confusion .I was told that there was a 18 man committee set up to run the camp and 2 of the committee members ( a professor and a businessman ) had opened a bank account on their names.This bank account already has RS4Lakh deposited in it and this was set up for any major emergencies within the refugee camp. I made it clear to all the men sitting in that room that Khalsa Aid does not give cash but will purchase any items that are needed.

As soon as i stepped out of the room i was met by a local MNA ( Member of National Assembly ) , Haresh Kumar , his the representative for the minorities in Swat.He was dressed in brilliant white, sunglasses and had a big gold Kara on his wrist.I asked him about his role in the relief of the refugees in Panja Sahib.He informed me ( very steadfastly ) that he was " here to serve his people " and invited me to have dinner with him at his lodge at the Parliament. I thanked him and said i was too busy.I asked him about the running of the camp and who really was in charge, he stated that the Pakistani government was paying for the daily food for the refugees. I told Mr Kumar that i have been told Sardar Sarung Singh is in charge and that the Pakistani Gurdwara Prabandak Committee (PGPC ) was feeding the refugees.Mr Kumar was adamant that the PGPC didnt exist and that he had personally got it dissolved.

I had been here 3 days establishing who i was going to deal with and how Khalsa Aid was going get involved in providing relief.I just sat down on the steps and wondered if the Panjabi community will ever sort itself out and walked out of the Gurdwara Sahib.This whole episode has been extremely disappointing and i have decided that i will not work with any of them. HELP !!!!

I got on the phone to my contacts in Kartarpur Sahib and asked Bhai Manjit Singh Ji to send me a Sevadar who Khalsa Aid will pay to conduct its operations at the camp and to follow the progress of families when they go back to their homes.I have decided that Khalsa Aid will offer milk daily to children under 10 and baby milk powder for children under 2.The milk cartons contain nearly 300ml of milk , 2 cartons a day for the kids.I have been told there are about 150 children under 10 in the camp.

On the way back from Panja Sahib we were stopped by the heavily armed special forces just outside Islamabad.I was told to get out from the car by a very serious looking soldier. When i got out the soldiers sitting in the jeep nearby shouted " Let Sardar Ji go ,let him go !! " The soldier gave my passport back and we drove off. There is armed police and special forces everywhere, the atmosphere is very tense.

Saturday, 29th May 2009.

After spending the morning arranging a local sim card for my mobile phone and purchasing a pair of sandals ( another very hot day ! ) i tried to leave for Panja Sahib but was stopped by an elderly Pakistani gentleman who was visiting Islamabad from Jammu. This kind and elderly man had seen me sitting in the reception area of my hotel and wanted to have a chat with me. Apparently he had written a poem about Guru Nanak Dev Ji and wanted me to hear it.It was wonderful and very touching to hear the verses, we parted company with a warm embrace.

We reached Panja Sahib and after the routine search by the Pakistani security services we entered the Gurdwara Sahib.As i entered the Darbar Sahib to pay my respects to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji i noticed even more men,women and children than yesterday sleeping on the floor , there were also a dozen or so women reading from the Gutkas.I had to be careful as not to step on anyone.

I was told that i had just missed the Prince of Swat who was on his 3rd visit to reassure the refugees and had donated RS 1Lakh .The Prince was accompanied by members of Imran Khans political party who had also donated RS 1LAKH too.I sat with some of the men on the steps and asked them about any updates from their towns.Most of the refugees are from Bunair and the Pakistani government had announced in the afternoon that Bunair has been cleared and people can return home.I asked Sardar Sarung Singh about this and he informed me that 4 men had their throats cut in Bunair only hours after the town was given the all clear by the government and they will not be returning yet.

I noticed a little boy being carried by his father, he was called Amritpal Singh ( 9 yrs old ), due to his disability he was unable to walk.They needed a wheelchair so i said Khalsa Aid will provide him one within the next couple of days.Its still unclear who is running the refugee "camp", Sardar Sarung Singh is from the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandak Committee and is also a refugee,but there are others who who think they are running the "camp".