A Special Tribute for Yug Purush Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha
On Nov. 22, 2014, A Seminar was sponsored by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation (2012) Inc. at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, 4000, Sturgeon Rd, Winnipeg from 2:00 to 4:00 pm to Honour Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha (1861-1938).
The seminar was opened by Dr. Mohinder Singh Nijjar, President, Gurudwara Singh Sabha. He welcomed the speakers and the audience and congratulated the organizers of the seminar and wished them a successful event and assured support for the future. He called Dr. Mohinder Singh Dhillon, President, of Bhai Kahan SinghNabha Foundation to the podium.
Dr. Dhillon provided information about Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation. A brief history of the Foundation that was after consulting a few university professors and Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg, he registered Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation (2012) Inc. as a non-profit and a Charitable organization. He also gave the report and the achievements of the last two years. Dr. Dhillon said that on the advice of Dr. James Christie three steps were taken to establish the name of the BKSN Foundation at the University of Winnipeg.
- An Award is established for graduate students to be awarded at the June convocation each year.
- To meet this commitment an Endowment account in the name of BKSN FOUNDATION be opened at the University of Winnipeg Foundation in February 2013. Two students have already been given the Awards of 2013 & 2014. In 2015 two awards will be bestowed, one on January 8, 2015, and the second at June 2015 Convocation. Recipient students are selected by the Award Selection Committee of the University of Winnipeg.
- A Punjabi section was established in the library of the University of Winnipeg and not only a Punjabi section was opened, but a portrait of Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha was established permanently in the library. This historical function was held on November 28, 2013, with many university staff, donors, and Indian community members attended at the unveiling ceremony of the portrait of BKS Nabha. Dr. Dhillon mentioned the names of University professors, Dr. Marilou McPhederan, then the Principal, Global College, Dr. James Christie, professor of Theology, and Dr. Dean Peachey, Principal, Global College. He also thanked Mr. Hasmukh Pandya Q.C. the Legal Advisor and for helping set up the Foundation and helping to receive the Charitable number for the Foundation. Dr. Dhillon then introduced the second speaker Harjeet Kaur Kahlon,
Harjeet Kaur Kahlon spoke on the life and works of BKS Nabha that at the age of four he started to learn Punjabi. In his younger years, he learned Brige Bhasha, Sanskrit, Persian, and English. He was a prolific writer and wrote 26 books. He is known as being the lone writer of Mahan Kosh (Encyclopaedia of Punjabi Language and Literature) which took him 15 years to compile. He was a great diplomat and served Nabha and Patiala states in high positions. He was appointed the teacher of the crown prince of Nabha, Ripudaman Singh. He had knowledge of medicine and music. He helped Max Macauliffe (an English historian) to write the History of the Sikhs in six volumes and the translation of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English. For this assistance, Mr. Macauliffe wrote” For literary assistance, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Sardar Kahan Singh of Nabha, one of the greatest scholars and most distinguished authors among the Sikhs, who accompanied me to Europe to assist in the publication of the work and the reading the proof thereof”
Dr. Dhillon thanked Harjeet Ji and called Dr. Mohinder Paul Singh on the podium.
Dr. Singh said that Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha came from a family of Sikh scholars, Religious and Theologians. He belonged to the Bhai tradition of Sikh Savants like Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Nand Lal Goya, Bhai Jodh Singh, and Bhai Arjun Singh Bagrian. Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha was a member of a special committee on “Rehat Maryada (The Sikh Code of Conduct). He was not a person but an institution. A personable person associated with Chief Khalsa Diwan (Premier Sikh Organization). He was a great lover of music especially Gurbani Kirtan. Dr. Singh spoke many poetic stanzas concerning Bhai KS Nabha. Dr. Dhillon Thanked Dr. Singh and called Gurdeep Singh on the podium.
Gurdeep Singh touched on the special courageous and intellectual works of BKS Nabha. Gurdeep said it was Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha who was responsible for removing the stone statues from the area of Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar. He also made changes in the Punjabi Grammar to understand Gurbani in proper meanings as he added some extra signs to make it more effective. Gurdeep made many more worthy remarks for the great scholar. Dr. Dhillon thanked Gurdeep and introduced Joginder S. Dhami to take the podium.
Joginder S. Dhami said that the works of BKS Nabha are like a Mshaal (torch) for the future generations and to carry this Mshaal forward is the mandate of the board of BKSN Foundation has decided to publish a multi-language, quarterly magazine name Mshaal. He requested the Punjabi writers including young persons to send writings, including poems, stories, Punjabi, and Sikh history. The first copy will be dedicated to BKS Nabha, his life, and his works, and distributed free near or on Vaisakhi day 2015. Mshaal is sponsored by BKSN Foundation. The articles are sent to 59, Firbridge Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5X5. Dr. Dhillon thanked Mr. Dhami and called Hasmukh Pandya Q.C. with his introduction on the podium.
Mr. Pandya reflected on his friendship with Mohinder Ji for the past 44 years and spoke about Mohinder Ji’s accomplishments over that period of time which include the founder member of The Sikh Society of Manitoba and other organizations including BKSN Foundation a non-profit and now Charitable Incorporation. He persevered to establish the Punjabi section at the University of Winnipeg and set up scholarships to be awarded every year to outstanding students in various subjects. He has made arrangements to establish a Chair on Punjabi Language and Sikh studies which will need financial help from the community at large. With the Guru’s grace and the help of the community, the dream will come true. Let us pledge to join hands with him to make this a reality. Mr. Pandya assured Mohinder to provide any type of help in the future.
Dr. Dhillon thanked Hasmukh for all his legal help in establishing BKSN Foundation and its Charity status. He also thanked all the attendees, asked them to join for refreshments, and asked if anybody has any questions about the speakers. The seminar ended in time (4.05) and positive feedback was received by Dr. Dhillon.
Respectfully submitted,
Mohinder Singh Dhillon, President, Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation (2012) Inc.
