Interview with Phaldip Singh

Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month for August 2005. please tell us something about yourself, your schooling, your interests and your hobbies.

This month, we meet Phaldip Singh – the bright young 21 year old Sikh sevadar from Birmingham, UK who has already reached great heights in the multi-faith political world. From organising unique united keertan smagams to attending recent UN summits, Phaldip Singh is SikhSangat's Youth Of The Month. Lets find out more…

Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month for December 2005. Please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with including your hobbies, interests, your school and memberships?

I am currently an undergraduate student in my final year reading for a degree in Accounting & Management hoping to go onto doing my MBA in Birmingham. My hobbies/interests include kirtan, voluntary work, playing tennis, and going to the gym in order to keep fit. I am a member of the Birmingham Youth Planning Team, The URI Leadership Council, The United Nations Association, The World Youth Peace Summit and Former member of the Midlands BBC Advsiory Board. I have been a presenter on Radio Vaisakhi for 2 years

How did you first come into Sikhi?

Well I was brought up in an environment where the Sikhi way of life was taught and widely practised. From a very young age, my mother used to take us to the Gurdwara every weekend to pay our respects to Guru Maharaj Ji. I was also very fortunate to have been blessed with the darshan of many Mahapursh including Bhai Sahib Bhai Norang Singh Jii, who during my school days visited my local school to distribute sweets to all members of staff and all the children in celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Parkas Utsav. It was through these Mahapursh that I learnt more about my faith and the message Guru Ji had for me and the whole of humanity written in the divine scriptures Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

In June 1998, I was blessed with the gift of Amrit bestowed upon me by the Panj Piare. This day will never be forgotten for the rest of my life, as it's the day, the Guru accepted me into the Khalsa Panth.

How do you feel Sikhi is progressing or not progressing in the UK? Why do you think that is?

With Maharaj Ji's Kirpa, I feel that Sikhi is definitely progressing, however there is still a lot more that needs to be done. I think the reason Sikhi may not be progressing as much as it should is because of this ‘pop culture', which seems to have more influence on young Punjabis born into Sikh families, than Gurbani.

Many people have different experiences of how they came into Sikhi. Which way do you think is the best way to influence and encourage youth to learn more about their faith?

I personally feel that there are a number of ways in which youth can be influenced or encouraged to learn more about their faith. One thing I cannot do, is sit here and lecture you on how I think it should be done or how you should all do it.

You recently were one of the main sevadars who helped organise the hugely successful Sanjha Smagam back in August 2005. What was the idea and aim behind such an event and do you think it was achieved?

The idea behind the smagam is put together beautifully by Guru Ram Das Ji,

aye mil gursikh aye mil
thoo mereh guru ki pyareh

In April 2005, I heard a voice within me saying ‘Phaldip Singh, you are to organise an event (smagam) bringing together all the organisations (Jathebandia) who have served the Panth through Kar Sewa, Keertan, and Simran. After hearing this voice, I immediately spoke to two close friends, Bhai Janam Singh Ji & Bhai Sukhvinder Singh Ji about the voice and the idea of organising this smagam. From this day onwards, the organising began. My first visit was to Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha to meet Mukh Sewadar of GNNSJ - Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji. I explained the idea of the smagam and the voice I heard the previous day. They gave me their blessings and said to do an Ardas in front of Maharaj Ji before the next step. It was on this day that five Singhs, did an ardas in front of Maharaj Ji for their guidance in organising this large scale event. So the preparations began, a large Gurdwara was to be chosen for the expected number of sangat. We all agreed on holding the first smagam at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wolverhampton, due to the size of the main darbar hall.

In Mid May 2005, I decided to pay a visit to India to seek the blessings of Bhai Sahib Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji (Akhand Kirtani Jatha) – Puratan Gursikh from the time of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji and the Acting Jathedar of Damdami Taksal Baba Harnam Singh Ji. Although there was controversy over whether or not Baba Harnam Singh Ji was the chosen Jathedar to head the Taksal, I felt it was the most appropriate person to meet with, as they were now Heading Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkas ‘Mehta', where Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, Sant Baba Kartar Singh Ji and Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji served the Panth.

Both Gurmukh Gursikhs gave me their blessings to organise this smagam. An invitation was sent to both Baba Harnam Singh Ji and Bhai Sahib Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji to attend the smagam, however due to ill healh, both were unable to attend. On my return, I held meetings with Akhand Kirtani Jatha Sewadars, Damdami Taksal Sewadars, Nanaksar Sewadars and Bibi Ji from Bebe Nanaki. All sewadars from the above named organisations accepted the invitation to come together for the first time in August for the first week long Sanjha Keertan Smagam. Blessing the sangat with their Darshan was Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji (Mukh Sewadar - Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha), Baba Jarnail Singh Ji ( Jathedar - Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK), Giani Pritam Singh Ji (Representative - Damdami Taksal), Bibi Balwant Kaur Ji (Mukh Sewadar - Bebe Nanaki Charitable Trust) and Bhai Amarjeet Singh Ji (Kirtania Nanaksar Thath). This smagam was organised to lay the foundations of ‘EKTA'. From the response over the last few months, I feel that the aims and objectives were most certainly achieved.

Last month, you attended the UN summit in New York. How did you get selected for this?

In May 2005, I was selected by UN officials working at the UN Headquters in New York to attend and participate in the 10-year review of the World Programme on Action for Youth as part of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly. I was the only Amrit Dhari Gursikh attending this high level plenary meeting along with sixty other delegates from other parts of the world. The General Assembly held two plenary meetings on 6 October, devoted to the evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth. During these meetings, Members States, many of which were represented by national youth delegates, presented their views while delegates from UN Agencies attended as observers. My entire experience at the UN was mind blowing. Being selected during the 60th anniversary of the UN was truly an honour.

What is the WLYN and how are you involved in this project?

The World Youth Leadership Network is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Dr. Sasha Toperich (The Presidential Envoy of Bosnia to the United States). The organisation was officially launched at the UN Headquarters in New York in April 2004. I was chosen by Dr. Sasha Toperich to be the President of WYLN in Europe, looking after European affairs and projects. Since the launch in 2004, the WYLN has contributed and donated computers to schools and universities in Liberia, organised a fundraising concert in Monrovia for the Louis Arther Grimes School of Law, raising over 25,000 dollars and set up an IT centre in Benin in cooperation with the Benin Education Fund and the World Bank to allow students to learn and gain new skills.

Earlier this year, the organisation organised a peace concert in Dharmsala India under the High Patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For the first time, Chinese and Tibetan artists shared one stage at the Tibetan Centre for performing arts. The Peace concert was organised to promote brotherhood between the Chinese and Tibetan community. This was the World Youth Leadership Networks endeavour towards the International Decade for a Culture of Peace. In 2006, the first global summit will be held in Tokyo, with over 1000 youth delegates invited from across the world including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Celebrities and Religious Leaders.

You have also received numerous awards already in recognition of your work. Whats been the highlight?

The highlight has been having lunch with HM The Queen during her Golden Jubilee Year in 2002. This was truly an honour conferred on me by the Birmingham Authorities. Other highlights have been receiving an award from the BBC and Birmingham City Council, and recently an award by June Sarpong MTV/E4 Presenter on Behalf of Whitbread.

What are the plans for the future regarding your projects such as the Sanjha Smagam? Will there be another one, and when?

Yes smagam preparations are under way already. The dates will be announced in Mid- May 2006. The smagam is likely to be held in August/September 2006 to commemorate and celebrate Sampooranta Divas of Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj.

We hear you have also begun planning for a series of events planned for 2008. Why are you focusing your plans around 2008 and what do you have planned?

In 2008, Sikhs all over the world will be celebrating the 300th Anniversary since the Gureai (Enthronment) of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs in 1708. This anniversary will be celebrated on a similar scale as the 300th Anniversary of the Khalsa celebrated back in 1999.A number of events have been planned to celebrate this anniversary on a national and international level. Recently, I was given the honour of chairing the celebrations committee organising the events. If any member of the sangat would like to help in the running up to the events, then please email 2008@ektaone.com. A meeting will be held in January 2006 for all interested youth.

Who has been your main source of inspiration, past and present?

As Gurjit from the Midlands has put it, inspiration comes from everyone around me, however my main source of inspiration from the past has been Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji and Bhai Sahib Bhai Norang Singh Ji. Two Maharpursh who have truly amazed me with their love and compassion. Currently Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji has been my source of inspiration. A Mahapursh with utmost humility.

Phaldip Singh, thank you very much for agreeing to participate in this. Is there anything else you would like to add?

As some of my predecessors have said, I'm not worthy of being Youth of the Month. What I have achieved to date is with Guru Ji's Kirpa and Mahapursh's blessings. Without the guidance and support given to me by Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji, I do not think I would reached the levels I have to date. I would like to extend my hand to my fellow brother and sisters, and say come together. Let's all unite. We are all initiated into the same Khalsa Panth, so regardless of our small differences; let's all learn to love one another. Remember all your fingers are not the same size, just like a father's four son's are not the same when it comes to opinions. Finally forgive me if I've said something or done something to hurt your feelings while giving this interview. I am simply a fool who strives for your forgiveness. Nanak Dhur Mange Gursikh Ki, Jo Ap Jape Avra Nam Japave.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team