Sawan is a fifth month in the Nanakshahi calendar. It is the month of rain and, like all other months in the Indian calendar, we have festivities attached to the month. In Punjab, we celebrate Teeyan da Mela (Fair of Daughters). Commonly called Teeyan (Daughters), it is a celebration in…
Under her leadership, the Executive Council met regularly at Central Sikh Temple (CST) to work towards achieving the objectives of ISS. When Mdm Dyal was President, ISS had 33 members who paid S$3 annually. Some of the key milestones under her leadership included the following:
• Donations of S$100 to Singapore Khalsa Association and Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sang Sabha.
• Raising of money for Malacca Wadiala in 1975.
• Payment for the building of a new room in Patna Sahib Gurdwara in Punjab, India.
• Provision of rations by the members to needy families.
• Provision of sewing machines to families that needed to supplement their family income.
Some members of ISS were involved in the teaching of Gurumukhi for classes conducted by the Sikh Missionary Society. At the same time, the members actively participated and selflessly contributed to gurpurabs (celebration of an anniversary related to the Sikh Gurus’ lives) both financially and in the preparations of langar (communal meal) and washing of utensils.
In 1979, the members of ISS commenced kirtan (devotional singing) by themselves instead of calling ragi jathas (group of singers of sacred hymns).
During Mdm Dyal’s presidency, ISS’ membership unanimously adopted the position at its Annual General Meeting in 1979 that it would always remain with CST and this has been the case till the present day.
Mdm Dyal was a cool-tempered and compassionate individual who generously and selflessly contributed to the early beginnings of ISS. She also laid the foundation for the next leadership to bring ISS to greater heights in the spirit of Sikhism in a profound, dignified and humble manner.
Mdm Sarjit Kaur w/o Madanjit Singh
Mdm Jaswant Kaur epitomised all these qualities. She took over the presidency of ISS in 1980 and conscientiously carried out her role till 1983. After passing the baton to Mdm Basant Kaur in 1983, Mdm Jaswant continued to serve as Vice President till May 1984 when she was succeeded by Mdm Bhajan Kaur w/o Ujagar Singh. Even after she stepped down as Vice President, she continued to serve as an Executive Council member till May 1990. This was a reflection of a woman who was committed to service, regardless of the position she occupied in the Executive Council or institution.
Mdm Jaswant was a pleasant, amicable and humble person who worked very closely with all the members of the Executive Council. This spirit of togetherness helped the team achieve significant success for ISS.
During her term as President, Mdm Jaswant increased the number of Executive Council members from five to nine, believing that a larger team could do much more for the Sikh women in Singapore. She also introduced a life membership fee of S$50. Under her term, ISS continued supplying rations to needy families and allowed ISS’ kirtan group to perform prayers at the homes of families requiring such assistance.
Under Mdm Jaswant’s leadership, ISS also focussed on humanitarian support. In 1982, a donation of S$250 was made to the Spastic Children’s Home. In March 1983, a sum of S$42,910 was contributed to the Central Sikh Temple Building Fund.
Mdm Jaswant’s compassionate nature, good team leadership and capability of maintaining a high spirit of morale was the key to the further success of ISS.
ISS Executive Council
Her compassion and devotion was epitomised by her being the first to arrive at functions and the last to leave, ensuring that everything was taken care of. Her social interactions with the team as well as other members of the gurdwaras were cordial. Juniors and seniors enjoyed working under her unbiased leadership.
Indeed, Mdm Basant was an inspiring role model. She was pivotal in enlarging ISS’ membership to well over 100 members during her tenure.
Her humanitarian spirit was portrayed in 1983 when she led her Executive Council to pay for the expenses for the langar for the wedding of a poor widow’s daughter.
At the same time, she continued diligently with the key activities of her predecessors. These included visit to homes for the underprivileged, taking over the langar for one day during gurpurab and consistently and cohesively raising funds, including for the new CST building. During her tenure, a sum of S$25,000 was donated to the Silat Road Temple and S$500 for a children’s seminar/workshop conducted at CST.
In 2003, Mdm Basant relinquished her post to Mdm Bimaljeet Kaur. With her admiral teamwork, she placed herself and ISS proudly in the annals of Singapore Sikh women.
Mdm Basant was an inspiring and humble leader, dedicated to serve with unwavering spirit and commitment. She was charming in her ways of managing the team and keeping the members united. She was a lady of wisdom and unrelenting energy and she created a legacy that has endured till the present time.
Mdm Gurmail Kaur w/o Harbhajan Singh
Mdm Sermit had no qualms about not holding important posts in ISS. She worked humbly as an ordinary member for a number of years. Following years of experience and service, Mdm Sermit took on the post of Vice President in 2003 and she was elected as President from 2005 to 2007.
Mdm Sermit was not one who favoured the sectional division of the Sikh community. She disallowed the mention of different sections, that is, Majha, Malwa, Doaba, etc., at meetings of ISS. She regarded all as one Sikh community.
Being a person who had a soft spot for welfare and education, Mdm Sermit represented ISS on the Sikh Welfare Council and Singapore Sikh Education Fund committees. A strong believer in Punjabi education, she led the fundraising of S$1,100 for the Punjabi Education Fund, Malaysia. She held the view that Punjabi education, be it local or abroad, should be supported so as to enable young Sikh students master their own mother tongue.
Mdm Sermit started as an ordinary member but eventually took on key leadership positions and contributed significantly to the development of ISS.
Mdm Sermit mixed well with the rest of the members. She stood steadfast to her principles and performed sewa diligently during gurpurabs. She also participated in the spring cleaning of the gurdwara. She was an important member of ISS and contributed much to its growth.
Mdm Jagir Kaur w/o Naranjan Singh
Mdm Kartar was endearingly called “Mami” by her team and was well respected for her dedication and devotion, and in the execution of her responsibilities. She was a strict disciplinarian who was steadfast in ensuring that the team continuously worked towards the objectives of ISS.
She did not hesitate to correct and counsel when things were not going as planned. Through her work, she inspired others to put their heart and soul into sewa. She would roll up her sleeves and work side by side with the team in spring cleaning exercises and participation during gurpurabs.
Mdm Kartar’s selfless service to humanitarian needs was also highly commendable. She set the path and overcame obstacles with patience, tact and skill so that the programmes and activities of ISS were successful. It is due to pioneers such as Mdm Kartar that there is a vibrant ISS which contributes actively to the community at large.
Mdm Kartar organised religious programmes, Sukhmani sat sang, masia (moonless night) and other jormelehs (religious fairs). She played a key role as a founding member of ISS which is the only registered Sikh-women society in Singapore. Her setting the examples of moral dignity, service and self-sacrifice will remain a source of inspiration to the new generations of Sikh women.
ISS Executive Council
ISS organised a highly memorable event to mark Singapore’s 25th birthday celebrations in 1990. It arranged a visit to the ‘Wish Well’ in Orchard Road. The response was overwhelming with three buses being chartered for the visit.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis hit Singapore in 2003 and almost paralysed the whole nation. While the entire nation sprang into action in the fight against SARS, the women of ISS also showed national spirit and determination … the deadly outbreak.
While it is celebrated for different reasons by different Indian groups, what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, and its enjoyment and goodness.