Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America Tercentenary celebrations held at Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib

A function was held on October 26, 2008 in honour of Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa. He was honoured by Singh Sahib Kulwant Singh with the traditional robe and sword ceremony on the stage in presence of highest Sikh dignitaries including Singh Sahib Iqbal Singh Jathedar of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib, Singh Sahib Jyot Inder Singh Meet Jathedar, Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Partap Singh Head Granthi of Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Dr. P.S. Pasricha, Chiarman Takhat Sri Abichal Nagar Hazur Sahib Management Board and its many members, Mayor & Dy. Mayor of Nanded Municipal Corporation, Sh. Ashok Rao Chavan Industries Minister Maharashtra State and other distinguished guests. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International, Sardarni Gur Amrit Kaur Khalsa, were also present during robe ceremony.

Keynote function of the Tercentenary celebrations was to give honour to Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma for his efforts to spread Sikhism in Western Hemisphere and in Asia. Translation of Guru Granth Sahib into Spanish language was also released at that time. This work is the labour of love by Babaji Singh from Mexico City who was assisted by his wife Guru Amrit Kaur who got it completed in the year 2007. One copy each of this unique set of 4 volumes was presented by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur, Sardarni Gur Amrit Kaur and Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa to all the Jathedars of five Takhats of the Panth. Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America has opened many chapters in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and other Latin American countries, where more than a million people speak Spanish in addition to Spain where it is the language of the masses.

A beautiful Kalgi Sahib (PLUME) was presented by Sardarni Gur amrit Kaur Khalsa, Siri Sikdar Sahiba, Sikh Dharma International and Bhai Sahib along-with members of Sikh Dharma International on 28th October 2008 ( Diwali) to Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib. This PLUME has been hand crafted by the famous Beverley Hills Jeweller, Angel Castelo who has done several master pieces for late Yogi Bhajan.

Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa was honoured by Singh Sahib Jyotinder Singh, Meet Jathedar, Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib at Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib with the traditional robe ceremony which included turban tying, robe, sword and mala. This is a very sacred ceremony and one of the highest honours given to a Sikh at the Takhat Sahib.

A function was organised at Aurangabad Gurdwara Sahib on Oct.25, 2008, where Bhai Sahib alongwith Bibiji Inderjit Kaur and Sardarni Gur Amrit Kaur Khalsa attended the evening Kirtan performed by the American Jatha. Sardar Avtar Singh Makkar, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar Singh Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh Jathedar Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib and Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa were the keynote speakers at the event.

Gatka Federation of India organised a competition. A total of 39 teams, including several from aborad took part in it. All the awards and trophies were sponsored by Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa Chairman, Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America and the winning teams were given the " YOGI BHAJAN GATKA AWARD". He furthered announced that Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America will begin a high profile event honouring various individuals; undertake projects for Miri-Piri Academy and hold " Yogi Bhajan Golf Tournament " in various parts of India every year. On behalf of Sikh Dharma International and International Khalsa Council Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa was instrumental in organising the niwas accommodation and food for 60 people from abroad attending ter-centenary function.

Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa participated in all the events including " Takhat Isnan" where water from nearby Godavari river was brought by thousands of people for cleaning each and every inch of Takhat Sahib. He also attended the morning Asa Dee Vaar, Rehraas and Arti in the evening at Takhat Sahib.

Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa met with several Sikh leaders and dignitaries including Jathedar of five Takhats, Head Granthi of Sri Hazur Sahib Dr. P.S. Pasricha, Chairman, Hazur Sahib Management Board, S. Surjeet Singh Barnala, Governor, Tamilnadu, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab, S. Avtar Singh President, SGPC, Amritsar, S. Tarlochan Singh, MP (Rajya Sabha), S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal, Mayor, Dy. Mayor, Commissioner, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Nanded and Peer Sahib Immam of Nizamudin and 14th descendent of Sheikh Farid, Members of Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib Board and other local Sikh Sangat of Nanded.

During his entire visit, he was provided with three security guards and a body guard from Maharshtra Government for his protection.

Bhupinder Singh
Office Incharge,
Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America
India