The Valiant at the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi

Dear Supporter

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki Fateh.

A little over a month ago in December, a just-turned-eighteen-year-old girl from West Bengal, India who read the Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra, felt unsettled after finishing it. It was a gift from her father who had read the book a few times and had decided that she must read it on his watch before she took off to her university and while he was there to answer any questions.

She was horrified at first that she didn't know about the most crucial part of her recent history but as she finished the book she was inspired and felt like her life had changed. She processed her feelings, discussed them with her family, and decided that she was going to educate at least a hundred more people about what she had learned before she got busier with her higher studies. 

Her father approached us with an idea. We wrote a letter to the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee and secured a stall at the book exhibit for a month around the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Sahib. We arranged for the books to be transported there. The girl traveled alone to Delhi and manned the stall with our books for two full weeks. She would take the local transit from her relative's place daily, sit at the stall, and tell the passerby of Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra. For those who wanted to know more, the book was available at a subsidized price. She even placed chairs for those who wanted to read the book there. Some students came in and sat for hours every day. She gave away many books to those who couldn't afford them but showed a keen interest in reading. She answered all sorts of questions and even faced intimidation for the book talked about the dark chapters of 1984 and the Khalistan movement. 

When I spoke to her on the last day of the book fair as she was winding up and asked if she was tired she told me that this experience has changed her forever. It is something she couldn't have done if she was not inspired by Jaswant Singh Khalra himself. He did not let her tire. She was sure that everyone who came in contact with and read this book would have the same experience and energy as her. Seva Kaur has set an example of a little contribution we all can make to re-energize the Panth. By the time she was done, it was over a couple of hundred people who either read the books there or purchased the book to read with their families - well above her goal. 

I want you to thank you for doing your part as well. If this story inspired you, please share it with all parents you know. Maybe we will meet another Seva Kaur or Seva Singh soon. 

Guru Ang Sang
Gurmeet Kaur 

info@pippal.org