France Gurmat Camp 2009 (Photos)

From Friday 3rd July to Sunday 12th July, the annual France Gurmat Camp took place that is organised by Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Bobigny and the Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK). The camp was attended by one-hundred and fifty or so youngsters over the ten days, aged from 3 years old to 18 years old. This year's camp was dedicated to the 25 years anniversary of the 1984 Ghallughara (Holocaust). Over the ten day camp there were classes on mudhlee vidiya (basic knowledge), Panjabi, Gurbani, Keertan and history. Near the end of the week all the campers sit tests and are tested basic knowledge, history, keertan, Gurbani pronunciation, memorising Banian (prayers) and Bana (Khalsa uniform). On the final day of the camp all the campers are given prizes and rewards.

The Gurmat camps across Europe were founded by the Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK) that was started by the late Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh jee from Dudley in UK. Bhai Sahib and the Jatha toured across all of Europe and other parts of the world where no Parchaariks (preachers) had gone before and did sevaa of Keertan, Kathaa, Amrit Sanchaars, and educating the local children about Gurmat through camps. Countless families and children have been inspired into Sikhi through Bhai Sahib's efforts. Currently the sevaa of Chalda Vaheer Jatha (UK) is being headed by Mata Balbir Kaur jee who has dedicated her life in nourishing young children into living the Gursikh way of life and being filled with Sikh spirit. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.

It is very uplifting to see the spirit and dedication of the French Sikhs. Despite the dastaar (turban) being banned from schools and some universities all the elder bhenjees (who are not yet Amritdhari) wear Dastaars outside of school time. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa the Singhs who refused to remove their Dastaars or cut their Kesh and instead accepted to be removed from school and had to study from home are doing well and gone on to study at university. It makes one wonder how we take our Sikhee for granted and have it easy compared to our brothers and sisters in France. May Guru Sahib to continue to bless the Sangat of France and may the youth become Gursikh role models for the whole of Europe.


Photos from the camp:

New Gurdwara Sahib being constructed. It will be the first Gurdwara to be built in traditional design and purpose built.


Temporary Gurdwara Sahib across the road.


Morning


Bhenji Navjot Kaur (UK) taking morning registration.


6-8 years old Keertan class.


Bhai Jasvir Singh tying Dastaar on a young Singh.


Veer Dharmvir Singh and Bhenji Navjot Kaur (UK) taking 3 to 5 years old class. The children shared their thoughts on the posters on the wall.


Young children lining up to recite Mool Mantar da Paatth to everyone.


9-11 and elders group


Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh (UK) taking elder children's class.


Youngsters doing vichaar.


9-11 years old group being tested by a Sevadaar.


Evening Diwaan. Children getting ready to recite Rehraas Sahib.


Aunty jees and Bhenjees playing Volleyball.


Younger children having a race. Waheguru :)


"Cherry and spoon race" :)


Singhs playing Volleyball.


Veer Luvpreet Singh (Belgium) and Veer Gurinder Singh (Germany)


Bhaji Manprit Singh playing football with the younger boys. Looks like they've lost the ball!


Group photo in park.


Park's lake.


Aunty jee having a bit of fun and splashing the children with water :)


On Saturday there was a presentation for all the Sangat.


Saturday evening diwaan.


The local Granthi Singh jee - Bhai Rashpal Singh jee. Very Chardikala and pyaar wale Gursikh.


Elder Bhenjees doing Keertan.


Elder boys doing Keertan.


Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh (UK) doing Keertan.


Sunday morning diwaan.


3 to 5 years old doing Keertan in Sunday main diwaan. They sang the Shabad so loudly it was unbelievable! :)


6-8 years old class doing Keertan. This group also sang really loudly and got in the full spirit of the Shabad :)


Bhai Chain Singh jee and other Gurdwara committee members giving prizes and certificate to the children with Mata Balbir Kaur jee.


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.