Amritdhari Residents of the Chabrewal Village
Rupnagar, Nurpur Bedi (KP) - Recently, a local Punjabi newspaper published an inspiring article about a particular Punjab village in the foothills of the Shivaliks that has rapidly accepting the Sikhi way of live, en masse - a trend that is opposite of what is happening in rest of Punjab. Perhaps this unique village can inspire others accross Punjab to return to their Sikhi roots.
Village Chabrewal is a small village in Nurper Bedi situated in the hills of Shivalik. Because of its small size, this village goes unnoticed by the rest of the world and it enjoys a simple lifestyle--remaining aloof from worldly facilities and luxuries. During one time, this village, which is mostly populated with the people of the Gujjar clan, was known for its people’s smoking and drinking habits--but now, it has been completely transformed by conversions of people who have chosen to adopt the Sikh faith. Amritdhari men and women can be spotted easily upon entering the village.
The population of this village remains scarce, at about 250, but Mela Ram has now become Mela Singh, Jog Raj has now become Jog Raj Singh and Dolat Ram has now become Dolat Singh. At least one member of every family has taken up the Sikh way of life by adopting the path shown by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
According to Jog Raj Singh, the Chief of this Village, Sikh influence was brought here by a person named Mela Ram. Mela Ram, Son of Babu Ram, was the first person to be baptized into the Khalsa Panth. Afterwards, he inspired many others as well. Not only have the ordinary villagers taken up the Sikh way of life, many of the village’s amritdharis are eminent public figures.
Prof. Jaswinder Singh who teaches religious studies at the Kalgidhar Kanea School Kahnpur Khuhi said that Baba Dalip Singh Samirowal and Baba Gurcharan Singh, who performed seva of a historical shrine relating to the life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, played a big role in nurturing Sikhi in this village. In addition, Sikh Missionary College (Anandpur Sahib), Baba Channan Singh Suara and Principal Prem Singh Heerpur have continued to hold Gurmat related classes for the people which have helped many people. Jaswinder Singh said that 1999 was a crucial year for the village as during this year, a large number of people became attached to bani and bana.
This area of the Shivalik Hills has been blessed with ‘charan-choh’ (presence and touch of the Holy Lotus feet) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. At Gurdwara Kataar Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji blessed the father of Baba Sangat Singh Ji with a kataar. Seva of this Gurdwara Sahib was organized by Baba Labh Singh Ji who handed the control of this shrine to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Sikh Sangat visits this historical shrine in big numbers during the annual nangar kirtan and on special monthly programs.
(Original story appeared in the Punjabi version of Ajit)
