Story
of a shrine – Seremban Gurudwara Malaysia
I
now have a brick and I will make my palace soon. I now have a piece of land and
I will make my kingdom soon. This anonymous saying is a tribute to spirits of
Sikhs based in Malaysia. Sikh history in Malaysia is traced back to 19th
century when they have been bought here by British Army and got stationed in
places like Penang, Manting and Seremban. The Sikh regiment’s main purpose was
to safeguard business interest of British empire especially tin mines in
Malaysia. Because of their onerous duty and generous attitude they earned
respect among British officers. As mark of respect towards their faith they
donated piece of land near to present railway station to build a Gurdwara. In
1905 they moved Gurdwara to its present location on Jalan Templer which now is
erected on area almost half acres. Seremban gurdwara foundation was laid down
by a British officer and its management comprise of sikh police officers. They
slog day in and out to raise it as shrine and adobe of social activities. After
independence there was a resurgent of thick set Sikh comprising 600 police
officers residing there.
During
1942 Japanese attacked and occupied Seremban. A Japanese soldier hurt a sikh
woman because she refused to bow her head. Then all sikh came forward to
negotiate and occupied middle grounds with Japanese. As cumulative effect
comprising mixed feelings of fear and respect Japanese army funded ration of
Gurdwara. Prasad that Sikhs cooked with rice, corn flour, ragi-flour and palm
oil was give a nick name of “karate Prasad”. Till 1945 they maintained a
cordial relationship with Japanese army and act upon as bridge to connect them
to soldiers of Netaji’s Azad hind fauj.
“In
proximity of Gurdwara there is a church and hindu temple. We have people from all
walks of life taking darshan of Granth sahib”, explains Sardar Payara Singh, an
eighty year old strong built sikh who landed in Malaysia in 1949. He is royal
descendant of king Johar Singh wala family of Punjab located near Mogha
district. “From 1969 onwards I got actively involved in activities of Gurdwara
and was president of committee till 2005. After independence of Malaysia this
place was renovated and the then second Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdul Tun
Razak laid foundation stone. Today we have more than 500 families associated to
this shrine. We build it brick by brick and today this two storey has an air
conditioned prayer hall, fully operational and well equipped kitchen and store
room, a langar and multipurpose hall, a library and several rooms. We have well
furnished rooms where people from all over the globe come and stay to devote
their time in well being of community.” Said Pyara Singh. Latest trends like
Information technology aren’t neglected. With an estimate investment of $
40,000 committee set up computer labs and automated various day to day
activities of shrine.
Under
his and Dr. Parim Singh stewardship there was again major renovation costing
nearly $ 600,000 out of which nearly $ 250,000 were donated by locals.
“We
give kitchen and hall to people outside our community too hold marriage parties
at free of cost. We are among the pioneer gurdwara to initiate and establish an
English medium school. We provide educational aids to poor and deserving
students. We provide scholarships to students who have vested interest in
further studies”. Continues Sardar Pyara Singh, “through this place of worship
we have successfully connected our generations to spirits and values of
Sikhism. We teach them that being a sikh doesn’t mean only to bear 5 K’s but it
is about living a devoted life and embracing values that sikh gurus have
advocated for. To profess this idea we regularly hold lectures, kirtans, music
classes, sporting activities and invite knowledgeable preachers and saint to
convey ideas of spiritual up-liftment.”
Very
recently Government of Singapore appointed a sikh as chief of their army. This
is an epitome of valor and wisdom a sikh inherits in their blood. To spread
hands and beg is not they have in their veins. As a result of this quality they
have emerged as powerful business community as well in South East Asia and they
have played a pivotal role in raising Malaysian economy. During 1927 when
economy went under depression the worshippers went out of the way selling their
own belongings like jewelry and even livestock enabling committee to continue
their services and services never lost momentum till 1929 when balance left was
only $ 130. Majestic and grandeur
Seremban gurdwara is symbol of their straightforward equivalence between
economic progress and social well being.
