Interview with Satnam Singh

Tell us about yourself?

I run a transportation company. Some of you know I am originally form Hong Kong, which is one of largest world city in Asia and free entry business port. I was raised there. I completed my 2 year college. HK's best known sport is soccer and i am pretty good at it with history of 6yr class team captain and 2 yr interschool team captain. Here in stockton with the blessings of Guru Ji, I founded U-10 Sikh youth soccer team.

How did you first get into Sikhi? Book? Katha? Keertan?

In 1996 Baba Daya Singh Ji Sursingh Wale, the 12th fellowship of Baba Bidhi Chand Ji in times of Guru Hargobind Sahib JI, first came to HK and linked about 200 Sikhs with Amrit to Guru's feet including myself. I believe that first we should submit ourselves into Guru's Kingdom then the blessings will flourish. Since then I started attending gurbani keertan classes and practice Nitnem.

You are known as HongKong Singh. Can you let us that how Sikhi in Hong Kong is different than Sikhi in western countries or even in India? Is there a big difference? Do you know any foreign languages? How do people react when they see you talking their language?

There are a very few gursikhs in Hong Kong because of less parchar. I know 60% Cantonese and the people react very weird when they see me speaking their language. Native Chinese people dislike Sikhs and other nationalities for some reason.

There are many problems Sikh youth face Sikh youth face in the west, however which would you recognize as the most important ones that we need to adrress immediately?

Faith. Sikh Youth has lost faith in Sikh history. Parchar is everywhere books, internet, TV, parchariks, a/v cassettes, CDs etc, etc but parchariks need to have sikh jeevan first."Avar updessey aap na karay" if parcharaks don't have faith in sikhi then how can they instill faith in our future generations? we all should be loyal to each other and seek guidance from guruji

One can be tackling current social problems all day and never actually get to the core of the problem. Isn't it better to solve these problems at grass-root level rather than try to help people who may be a lost cause?

True! "Prevention is better than cure". Life is a mixture of social and economic problems.. To some SGGS ji was written 400 yrs ago so SGGS ji have no solution to current problems but let me assure you Gurbani is the answer to every social and economic problem forever and ever untill the world lasts. So please do ardaas to Guru Sahib to help you get through daily problems. I myself take hukamnama daily to see whaat Guguji has to advise and then seek family help.

The way things are going in Sikhi, what to you think our future is like?

Very bright. A Qaum whose father is Guru Gobind Singh ji will never cease to exist. I have seen lots of improvements in Sikhi. The youth is getting in Sikhi more and more but they need proper guidance. Guru Sahib will bles us our own homeland soon.

Do you think internet helps our youth?

Today internet is the one of the best means of communication and easy to use learning tool but i advise to be fair in spending time online. I believe a lot of sikh youth around the world learned sikhism online.

Who is your role model?

My beloved dad Baba Charan Singh Ji Hong Kong wale and Bhai SAhib Balwant Singh ji San Jose Wale. My father is great inspiration to me because since 1984 he has been doing selfless sewa for the great panth with "Tann"(body),"Mann" (mind/heart) and "dhann" (wealth). Secondly Bhai Sahib Balwant Singh Ji San jose Wale, this Gursikh is always in chardikala, in bana and a sarablohi singh which i love the most. I wish to be like my dad Baba Charan Singh Ji and Bhai Balwant Singh Ji.

What do you think are some of the issues we should be concerned with when dealing with the youth?

To most of us we are in the virtual world where 3D theory applies and very different world and our youth don't really capture the Sikh Guru's history and their sacrifices. In other words, lack of chardikala is to be fulfilled by naam simran, and other issues follow as drug addictions.

Whose responsibility is to tackle the problems of young Sikhs on a broader level?

"Apan Hathee Aapna Aapay hee kaaj Swariye". It is our responsibility to solve our problems. Youth should unite together and work for the betterment of our future. We have no leaders but by seeking guidance from Guruji. anything can be accomplished. We do not need to look up to someone else. Our problems are our issues. Today or tomorrow, it will be us who will have to find solutions.

What do you think of gurdwara sahib managements around the world? Do you think that they are doing all the best they can do for the sikh community and for the youth?

Well, most of us are pretty aware of the conflicts of the gurdwara sahib management around the world and in the states. Let me assure you that HongKong's GSMis one of the best management around the world. I believe all GSMs should be linked to akal takhat sahib and pay more attention to Blue Star victims. The youth is Sikhs' future generation. If tey want better future then i think they should take charge of gurdwaras and do everything according to Gurmat Maryada.

What is your message to the readers?

"We have enough time to rewrite our destiny"!

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