The students were invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Amritsar Cup Gatka Games. Initially, we thought we were participating in a Nagar Kirtan, but it turned out it was a competition!
We arrived around 3pm in the hot sun and were served an almond–based drink, some rice and coffee. Around 4:30pm the event started. After an Ardas and the blowing of various horns, we were the first to demonstrate our skill. The students formed a circle, recited their invocation over the blaring music and began. Mukhia Jethadar Gurprakash Singh facilitated the sparring and even got in the circle himself. Gurprakash Singh, who organizes these events for the students, always stresses the importance of giving the students these opportunities to participate with the local culture and improve their skills.
White House was the latest house to compete in the dinner competition. They did an excellent job with their Malaysian theme. Everything seemed to run quite smoothly for White House. They were really organized, kept the kitchen clean as they went, finished up early, and submitted their receipts on time.
For the feast they served curry puffs and watermelon for appetizer, the main included white rice, tofu curry, greens, roasted peanuts and cucumber slices. Finally, dinner was homemade Oreo ice cream and banana. For entertainment Lady Nisaka (Lila), Taran Adi, Linda and Joti danced for the guests; the lady’s aide, Delfina, had each table solve a riddle; Delfina also went around the room serenading the guests; they invited guests to dance and at the very end, lit lanterns that they released into the sky.
While Mandeep Singh was in charge of the food for the evening, squad leaders, Luna and Dharam Singh facilitated the evening with everyone working hard to make it a success. Here’s what Luna had to say:
“The past three years, White House has picked an Asian theme and we’ve done well every time. For me, it wasn’t important which theme we chose but it was important to Dharam Singh that we pick an Asian theme. Originally we chose Israel, but when Gold House chose Greek, we thought that Greek food and Israeli food were too similar so we switched our theme to Indonesia. Indonesian food is very similar to Malaysian food and with Mandeep from Malaysia leading the kitchen, we thought it was a good fit.
Overall, the evening went well. There were a couple of mishaps. We had trouble with our music. There was an awkward break in between the two songs. We also prepared to have some drums at the beginning of the evening but we forgot about that.
There were a few things that weren’t planned that worked out really well. Delfina went around to the tables doing spontaneous entertainment. We also had this dance competition at the end that we didn’t plan. Then, everyone went out of the tent for the lighting of the lanterns and that worked out well. It was a good finish and got everyone out of the tent so we could clean up.
This event brought the whole squad closer together. When we were finished, we sat together and ate ice cream all together. It was really nice.”
Yesterday was a very exciting day for Sikhs in Amritsar and around the world. The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his family visited Amritsar and the Harimandir Sahib. Our students from grades 9 to 12 were on the parkarma to greet the Prime Minister as he walked by with his family and the Canadian delegation.
We stood in two long lines as we waited for the PM with the girls in the front and the boys in behind. When Mr. Trudeau first approached the students he stopped, looked down at the line of students and folded his hands in prayer, taking time to acknowledge the students. He then continued to walk along the parkarma acknowledging the students as he went. He stopped again half way through our cohort to greet Dr. Harjot Kaur who was with us. Dr. Harjot Kaur is a student of the Siri Singh Sahib’s and was one of his doctors. She lives in Calgary and serves as a member of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation board.
After the delegation passed, we exited the Golden Temple looking to make our way to Bharawan da Dhaba for some well deserved lunch. We had been instructed to be in our spot on the parkarma at 9am but arrived at 7:30am thinking that we would run into road blocks, traffic, a long walk and security. As it happens, we arrived in a record 22 minutes (maybe in reference to the Canadian TV show ‘This hour has 22 minutes’!) By the time the delegation passed by us on the parkarma, it was about 12:45pm. The students did exceptionally well being patient with the process. Many brought Nitnems and read their banis, practiced a quiet meditation or successfully slept sitting up. MJ Gurprakash Singh said he loved it and read ‘all the banis’ while waiting. ‘Not just the five main ones!’
On our way to Bharawan we were stopped by Canadian reporters. Since I am Canadian, they interviewed me about the significance of the PM’s visit for Sikhs back home. All of our Canadian students stood beside and behind me for that interview, looking very calm and distinguished.
At Bharawan we ate some delicious food. Daal, paneer, chana, yogurt, roti and kir. It definitely hit the spot. Unfortunately our grade 11 students, who are experimenting with yogic diets this week, were challenged at this juncture to resist this delicious food and opt instead for a salad or juice, depending on their particular diet. After arriving back at the school, the students had about an hour rest before continuing with their afternoon and evening activities.
This was a great experience for the students and the school. As Amrit Singh and Gurprakash Singh explained to the students, this is exactly the kind of thing that the Siri Singh Sahib valued. It was a long day; a test of endurance and they came through.
Our thanks to Dr. Harjot Kaur for securing our spot on the parkarma. We were fortunate in that the organizers didn’t put any security in front of us, allowing us to serve as security for our section and have an unimpeded view of the Prime Minister. Our regular presence at the Golden Temple and our reputation certainly helped in this regard.
The students are shown at minutes 105, 109, 120, with Justin Trudeau walking by us at minute 130.
After greeting the Prime Minister at the Harimandir Sahib, we returned back to campus where Canadian Member of Parliament, Randeep Singh Sarai, visited us with his entourage. Randeep Singh has a long relationship with Miri Piri Academy and the Siri Singh Sahib. His parents first encountered the Siri Singh Sahib in 1970; they happened to be at the Golden Temple when the first group of Western Sikhs took Amrit. Later, the Siri Singh Sahib would visit Randeep and his family when he was visiting Vancouver. As a boy, Randeep Singh went to Sunday school lead by Guru Raj Kaur, one of the Siri Singh Sahib’s students. Also attending those Sunday school classes, were Canadian Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjin, and RCMP officer, Baltej Singh Dhillon. The year before Miri Piri Academy came into existence, Randeep was sent by the Siri Singh Sahib to India to serve the junior boys in the year the students were living on Ranjit Avenue. Randeep was also involved in the designing of the MPA campus at that time.
Randeep’s visit to MPA was a positive one. The school has evolved a lot in the past twenty years. We greeted Randeep and his guests at the gate and took them on a tour of the school. Along the way, he met the boys basketball team, he addressed the intermediate students, had some chai and snacks, then shot a couple of hoops with the boys basketball team. Coincidentally, his old friend, Siri Nirongkar Singh (the father of Siri Atma Kaur and Sarib Jot Kaur) was on campus at this time and they enjoyed seeing each other.
Canadian member of parliament, randeep singh, arriving at Miri Piri Academy
The girls Kabaddi team has played two big matches in the past couple of weeks. The first was in Rajasthan; the second was closer to home in Jalandhar. The girls performed really well in the Rajasthan match, winning 40-33, with Luna being honoured as best defender. In the Jalandhar match, the final score was 24.5-20 for the other team, but since it was a show match they adjusted the score and we ended up with the trophy!
It was at the Jalandhar match that Guru Amrit Hari Kaur was also awarded with a long overdue scooter for her performance in the 2016 and 2017 Kabaddi World Cup. In both cups she was named best female raider.
Rajasthan
Jalandhar
MPA’s match starts at 3:59:48 with warm-ups and pictures starting at 3:49:00.
Pre-Match
After a long drive and a nice lunch at Havali, we arrived in time to watch one men’s match. Before beginning the presiding dignitaries welcomed the players, took pictures and released balloons into the air! We also brought along five of the senior boys to serve as security. They enjoyed playing the part!
Match
MPA versus a local Jalandhar team. They played well!
Post-Match
Receiving awards and Guru Amrit Hari’s new scooter! It rode with us on the bus home ?
