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All women society to run Halifax
gurdwara
WSN Network
 HALIFAX:
At its annual General Body meeting held on December 20, 2009
Maritime Sikh Society, Halifax, Canada elected all women office
bearers to run the Gurdwara for the year 2010.
This is not the
first time that a woman has been elected President of this Gurdwara.
In 1993, when Mrs. Gurdip Kaur Toor was elected President for the
first time, all other office bearers were women. In 1994 Mrs.
Surjit Kaur Sidhu and in 1998, Mrs. Gurinder Kaur Dhillon were the
Presidents.
In fact the year
2009 was all devoted to recognize and promote women's seva to Guru
Ghar. When the 2009 executive was elected, it was proud Sikh Nation
that watched a woman administering oath.
Only women were
honored at the end of this year. Mrs. Kuldip Kaur Chehil, Mrs.
Satpal Kaur Sodhi and late Mrs. Gurdip Kaur Toor (represented by
her husband) were presented Siropas - robes of honor - by a senior
and well respected lady, Mrs. Pritam Kaur. It was in recognition of
their meritorious service to the Maritime Sikh Society since the
society was founded forty years back.
Also, awards
were given to young girls for rendering valuable service to the
society. Miss Sonia Singh got the 'Bhai Ghanayya', ie, ‘Sevadar of
the year’ award while the 'Best Speech in Punjabi' award went to
miss Sargam Paul.
Besides
preparing Guru Ka Langar, women mostly lead the Sangat in reciting
Ardas. The mini ardas before putting Babaji to rest is always done
by a woman. On Akhand paths, mostly women take turns in reading the
whole of Guru Granth Sahib, especially Nauven Mohulle de Salok.
Majority of the devotees who sing shabad are women and young girls.
This year on Baisakhi day in April, Mrs. Amandeep Kaur was the only
guest speaker and she did an excellent job in covering the
significance of the birth of Khasla in 1699. She read her scholarly
paper in chaste Punjabi. Only girls are taking music lessons from
renowned musician Pandit Vijay.
From its very
beginning there has never been a contest in the election to the new
executive; it is always chosen unanimously. The Gurdwara library is
pretty up-to-date containing works of both the Sikh and Western
authors. Jagpal S Tiwana, President of Maritime Sikh Society,
Halifax,
Canada,
said, "We don't have a paid Granthi; all work is done by
volunteers."
30
December 2009
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