Singh Sahib Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji distributing awards at the Gurmat Camp in Germany
Germany (KP) - Last week, a Gurmat Camp for Sikh youngsters was organised and held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Duisburg, Germany. The camp was held from Sunday 23rd September to Sunday 30th September 2007. The camp was organised by Bhai Ranjit Singh, who teaches children Kirtan and holds Gurmat classes & camps across Germany, with the support of the Duisburg Gurdwara Sahib Parbandhak Committee and local Sikh Sangat.
Over 75 young Sikhs, aged from 4 to 18+ years old, attended the week long camp. Sangat from Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Essen and other surrounding areas attended the camp. The week long camp involved Keertan, Sikh History, Gurbani Santhiya, Gatka, Dastaar tying training, and Q & A classes. Bhai Ranjit Singh, Bhai Manvir Singh & Bhai Sukhwinder Singh who were invited from the UK, and members of the local Sangat led the classes throughout the week.
On Saturday 29th September, the first ever Rainsbai Kirtan was held at Duisburg Gurdwara which was attended by Sangat from across Germany, France and UK. Former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh, attended the Rainsbai Kirtan and the last day of the camp. On Sunday 30th September, Jathedar Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh was honoured with a Siropa by the local Granthi Singh, Giani Harbhajan Singh, on behalf of the Singh Sabha Gurdwara Duisburg and local Sikh Sangat. Bhai Sahib awarded certificates and trophies to all the children and sevadaars that participated in the week camp and congratulated the Sangat on its efforts of doing Sikhi Parchaar.
In a lecture to the Sangat, Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, shared knowledge of Sikh history and made an appeal to the young Sikh girls that the Panth’s future laid in their hands. He urged parents and especially girls to refuse to marry clean-shaven and cut-haired boys and only marry boys who maintain Sikhi Saroop. He added that if girls refused to marry cut-haired boys then this would have a large impact on the psyche and actions of boys and would draw them back to keeping their Sikh identity. Bhai Sahib also talked of the current state of the Panth and how the Sikh children of Europe and in the West put the children and even elders of Panjab to shame. He praised and congratulated the children and encouraged the youngsters to remain strong and to travel to India and do Parchaar to the people of Panjab to draw them back into Sikhi.
The children who attended the camp showed great love for Sikhi and are a credit to the Sikh Panth. May Waheguru continue to bless these children and may they become Parcharaks (preachers) of the Sikh faith who can share their inspiration and knowledge of Sikhi with other children and the wider German community. Bhai Nirmal Singh, President of Duisburg Gurdwara Sahib said that the community was proud that children are in love with Keertan and Gurbani and that they are walking on the Guru's Path and in particular thanked Bhai Ranjit Singh for his tireless seva in inspiring the Sikh youth.
