The saga up to Bukit Saga...

Many people go places just to get the adrenaline flowing and to get away from it all - Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and away from the annoying ring tones of the ever buzzing mobile phones (cannot live with it, cannot live without it). With the convenience of the cell phone, things that can wait till tomorrow suddenly becomes life threatening and need to be done on the double! So, locking the phone and being closer to nature undisturbed (except for chirping birds and chattering monkeys among others) is simply rejuvenating and therapeutic as well.

Taking a breather en route to the summit

Last Sunday, the running kakis (buddies) decided to go the whole nine yard during our trekking. Once in a while, we used to climb the hill just behind our housing estate. It is one of the last remaining green belt still left in the city of Kuala Lumpur. It was actually bigger till the last ruling party decided to re-gazette a part of previously designated forest reserve. It is part of the main range of mountains that form the spine of the peninsular of Malaysia. We normally do a 1 and half to 2-hour route up the hills and back but this time we did a full 3-hours'trip.
The trail took us along a winding ascending track paved by roots of tropical trees which in turn gives a cool shady environment even at 3 pm in the afternoon. In spite of this, we were all perspiring like pigs as the path took us over 5 or 6 hills. The path is quite a hit amongst many local exercise buffs and is a haunt on every weekend. Members of various Hash House Harriers (HHH) groups would roam these terrains like the back of their hands and actually set up markers along the way so that novice climbers would not go astray. Despite all these, you still have jokers and smart alecs getting lost for a day or so before search parties discovered them. These people start their journey later in the evening when visibility is an issue.

Everybody has a different name for the hill - probably so because it is over many hills - Bukit Apek for the earlier hill nearer to our Taman to Bukit Saga to Gunung Nuang right on top. There are many make shift tents along the way to rest the tired  legs. There are 6 levels of climb but it does not depict the difficulty of the climb as a climber can pick and choose the plethora of trails available to be tailor made to his level of endurance and availability of time.

Our walk (climb) past the 6 levels and landed us at Bukit Saga. It was a gruelling 3-hour satisfying exercise. Along the way, besides enjoying the peace and serenity of Mother Nature, we were feasted to the sight of foamy white splashing waterfall with its hypnotising rhythmic beat of water on the hard granite rock. As we approached Bukit Saga, we noticed that the vegetation somehow appeared greenier and fresher than what we usually saw on the flat terrains as the air here was damp and cooler.
About half an hour before our destination, we stopped at a big shed set up by ardent climbers. It is called 'Communist Village'. It does not live up to its name as it is not a village at all - nobody stays there! It is probably named so as it is self-sufficient - cooking utensils, clean stream and underground water, toilet facilities (the traditional type), trappings for fresh water fish as well as the yearned peace and quiet to enjoy their alcoholic poison.

At the Communist Village out in nowhere!

Reaching the summit was not half the fun trying to reach there.

Coming back was an easier task as we took an alternative route which was shorter and less gruelling. A good  evening of satisfying clean, healthy and guilt-free fun.

Bukit Saga - Mission accomplished!

The sad story of a legend...

If you have the time and are swatting flies like me right now, then you would have watched the whole documentary above as it appeared on the History Channel. It is a sad rendition of a piece of Malaysian history, especially towards the end of the documentary.
A few bits of juicy stories were omitted either to sanitize the icon's life or were unconfirmed hearsay. I remember that one of the first songs that he composed for a talent show during his carefree days in Caunter Hall / Kampong Rawa, Azizah, was actually penned to serenade on of his love interest then. Apparently, his love was rejected by the girl's family as he was a loafer and was hanging around the village doing nothing but singing and humming! Legend has it that Azizah later got married later and the offspring of the marriage was my form mate.
A few years ago, I had the privilege and honour of attending my alma mater's old boys' annual dinner. As P. Ramlee also attended his secondary education in Penang Free School, that year, the society decided to honour him by having the theme of the dinner based on the golden era of the Malay movie, i.e. when P. Ramlee was at the height of his career. Some of the older teachers there was describing P. Ramlee (of the cuff, course) as a student who was in his own world, singing and humming to himself all the time. Some of the teachers taught that he was off his knockers and basically 'wrote him off'. Furthermore, he was in always sitting at the back of the class in the last class of the form, disinterested in studies!
I remember reading somewhere that our hero was not really getting along well with his then wife, Junaidah. He was at the height of his career and pretty girls were around and aplenty in the the 60s, flaunting their hour glass assets in their body hugging baju kebayas. When Junaidah was gravidly pregnant with Nasir, they had a big argument. P. Ramlee uttered the dreaded word and left to stay with his then girlfriend, Mariani (Miss Singapore winner).
In the early 1970s, P. Ramlee made some social dramas for TV Malaysia. Most of them bring out the bad traits of the Malays with the hope of changing their mindset. I remember one where P Ramlee, an illiterate farmer, won the 1st prize in the now defunct National Lottery of RM 1 million. Listening to his friends and self appointed managers his whole simpleton life changed. His antics of opening a current account was so funny - He used to poke a hole in the paper as his signature! He left his village to town to start a business (what business? Import-Export! He did not know what it was but his friends told him he could make lots of money!) Then he build a house, treated all his friends, changed his wardrobe, bought a Mercedes and married a new young wife. When the time came to start his business, all his prize money had finished. At the end of the drama, he had to wind up and return to his village to continue working as a farmer.
P. Ramlee, one of my favourite performers, did what generations are trying to do in many lifetimes single-handedly in a span of 25 years till his untimely demise at the age of 44. Many of us, the 70s and 80s children, have many fond memories of watching his black and white movies shown regularly on Friday nights over RTM 1.
As always there are always a few cues to be learnt from the rise and fall of this legend. The window of opportunity is only available for a short while, the window is ajar for a short duration for us to seize and opportunity will not wait forever for us to reap. People love you when you are famous, you are infallible but the moment the fame dwindles, nobody would give you another look. Opportunists will be pouncing to bring you down, hoping to make a killing your misfortune.
Beauty and talent has a shelf life. Just like David Bowie and Madonna, stars should always re-brand themselves to move with the flow. Like many present day stars (J. Lo and Britney Spears), we should make hay when the sun is out- they diversified into fashion and perfumes. Nobody knows what is in store in our future.
Friends who laugh with you will be many but they may also laugh at you, louder, when the tide is high. Friends who cry with you are far in between but you can probably rely on your dear family when it rains on you. In the documentary above, I wonder, where these people who are shedding crocodile tears now, were when P. Ramlee was done and out.
There is no such thing as a free lunch, everything has a price. Businessmen will be businessmen. Their every action is skilfully calculated with only only one thing on their minds - profit! This commodity overpowers other virtuous virtue of humanity like compassion and unbiased sincere advice. What appears as genuine aid is actually shrouded with background ulterior motives like tax-relief! Now all of P. Ramlee intellectual property is in the hands of business tycoons.
Nasir (P Ramlee's biological son) should have been more pro-active. Having a father who succumbed to coronary events at an early age (44), he should have taken adequate precautions. But, no! He died at a reasonably young age of 56 in 2008 due to diabetes and heart disease.
Treasure your family, save for your later age when you are at the pinnacle of your career and are the prime of youth. Time and tide waits for no man.

          

The Battle of Malaya

by HARCHAND SINGH BEDI

Sikh troops disembarking from ships into Malaya

When the history of this titanic struggle comes to be written in mature perspective, none of its many sides will, we believe, excite more wonderment and more ungrudging admiration than the part the Sikhs soldiers have played in it.

As of December 7, 1941, the summary of the strength of the Allied army in Malaya was 86,895 troops. Two third o f the total force were Indian soldiers. Sikhs represented more than 60 percent of the total Indian force.

December 8, 1941 at 12.15 am local time, Japanese 18th Divisions troops hit the beaches of Sabak-Badang, Kota Bahru and at 4 am (Tokyo Time) Japanese 5th Divisions forces splashed ashore unopposed at Singora (now Songkhla) and Patani.

As the first disgorging invaders hit the junction of the Badang and Sabak beaches, they came under withering machine gun fire from pillboxes manned by the Indians. The invaders lost one third of their initial assault forces of 5300 men in fearful beach fighting before annihilating the Indian defenders who died in their pillbox positions, refusing either to withdraw nor to surrender.

An armoured train, with 30 men from the 2/16th Punjab Regiment and some engineers, advancing into Thailand from Padang Besar in Perlis reached Khlong Ngae, in southern Thailand, and successfully destroyed a 200 foot bridge before withdrawing back to Padang Besar.

Sikh gunners in a rubber plantation in Sahum, Kampar Perak

On December 22, the 3/2nd Punjab Regiment engineered an ambush on the Japanese at Grik Road, Perak which resulted heavy casualties on the invaders. The regiment fought fierce delaying actions against the Imperial Guards.

From December 30, 1941 to January 2, 1942, a battle between 3000 British personnel and over 6000 Japanese soldiers erupted. The 11th Indian Division managed to delay the Japanese advance at Kampar for a few days, in which the Japanese suffered severe casualties in terrain that did not allow them to use their tanks or their air superiority to defeat the British.

A Sikh company of the 1/8th Punjab Regiment throw back a furious attack with a classic bayonet charge through massive mortar and machine-gun fire. Only 30 members of the company survive the action but the position held. The Japanese lost more then 500 men here and Japanese commanders, for the first time in the war, consider retreating.

On January 30, 1942, a Sikh Battalion made an ambush on a strong Japanese party north of Kluang, Johor. The Japanese squealed with absolute panic when charged with bayonets. Sikhs captured 250 motor cycles and 150 bicycles when they charged the Japanese positions and machine-gun post. Further details of the attack made by the Sikh Battalion North of Kluang reveals that the enemy casualties numbered at least 400..Two small field guns and many mortars which were tied on their bicycles and tommy-guns were also destroyed.

During the Battle of Muar, members of both the Australian 8th Division and the 45th Indian Infantry Brigade were making a fighting withdrawal when they became surrounded near the bridge of Parit Sulong. The Allies fought the larger Japanese forces for two days until they ran low on ammunition and food. Able-bodied soldiers were ordered to disperse into the jungle, the only way they could return to Allied lines.

This photograph was found among Japanese records when 

British troops re-entered Singapore. It depicts the inhuman

brutality practised by the Japanese on Sikh prisoners of war. 

The wounded prisoners of war were kicked and beaten with rifle butts by the Imperial Guards. At least some were tied up with wire in the middle of the road, machine-gunned, had petrol poured over them, were set alight and, "after their incineration - were systematically run over, back and forwards, by Japanese driven trucks." Anecdotal accounts by local people also reported POWs being tied together with wire and forced to stand on a bridge, before a Japanese soldier shot one, causing the rest to fall into the Simpang Kiri River and drown. 110 Australians and 35 Indians were massacred by the Japanese. In the face of death, the Sikh prisoners sat with dignity.

History speaks for itself on the valour and bravery displayed by the Sikhs. The never-say-die spirit of the Sikhs gave us the impetus and inner strength and resilience to face any challenges that came our way. Sikh soldiers adhered to the faith and never flinched nor surrendered in the face of adversity.

Reference: http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/history-of-sikhism/30494-the-battle-of-malaya.html

Conversation about this article

1: Jarnail Singh (North Carolina, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 5:45 AM.

The British, Australians and Americans have made epic movies about the war in Malaya - but they all depict themselves as heroes ... and not a mention of the Sikh soldiers who bore the brunt of it all! The West is so adept at rewriting history and usurping the glory of others!

2: Surinder (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 11:06 AM.

Am I the only one who sees an irony here? The Sikhs went on to fight for the British, they won Burma, China, SE Asia, Turkey, Iraq, North Africa ... and in Europe. All for the glory of the British and British security and British independence. But when time came in 1947, the same Sikhs could not protect their own land, houses, women, hearth and had to flee from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala. Cities of their ancestors became enemy territory instantly. You talk of conquering the world, but could not protect your own earth and women and children? When a Sikhni became Fatima Bibi, where was this mighty Sikh army, full of unrelenting courage and valour?

3: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 1:39 PM.

I believe Surinder ji is looking from the results point of view for Sikhs. When other parties (all the countries including India for which Sikhs fought) became selfish and not thankful for the sacrifices of Sikhs. No one can stop them. These people are, to use a Punjabi word - akiratghan. A good recent example will be the 1984 Sikh holocaust. These people keep on changing history. Unless and until Sikhs bring the truth out to the world through the media, movies and books and by stopping to fight amongst themselves, no one can help. Sikhs have all the resources but they need to use them in this direction.

4: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 3:31 PM.

I have a similar question as Surinder ji. What has happened to us in the recent past? Where have we lost our spirit and saroop? We are the sons and daughters of Guru Gobind Singh and our ancestors fought for Malaya, Singapore, Britain, France, Scotland and India but we could not protect ourselves in 1947 and 1984? Forget about protecting ourselves, despite this glorious heritage, why did we become so hostile to our co-citizens? Furthermore, today when the whole world is becoming globalised, we are becoming isolated and we cannot even keep our own youth motivated with our own history and preserve our heritage? What has gone wrong with us? Where is our spirit of Chardi Kalaa? How do we re-align ourselves with our Guru?

5: Harjit Singh (Perth, Australia), May 20, 2010, 7:56 AM.

Surinder, Sikhs were not there in 1947? Are you joking, mate? I think you might need to read up on your history because you are just about to learn something! Out of 121 patriots hanged for fighting in India's freedom struggle, 93 were Sikhs. Of the 2626 awarded life-imprisonment 2147 were Sikhs. Of the 1300 martyred in Jallianwala Bagh, 799 were Sikhs. Considering that the Sikhs were hardly 1.5 per cent of the total population of India at the time, their sacrifices amounted to 90 per cent of the total sacrifices made by ALL Indians. Where were they, Surinder? They were fighting openly and dying openly, but when the time came for the Sikhs to be given equal status, the politicians looked the other way and rewrote the history to not include these facts. We were betrayed!

6: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), May 20, 2010, 11:56 AM.

Again, Surinder ji, please watch the movie GANDHI which was released almost three decades ago. That movie shows the scene of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. As Harjit Singh mentioned, out of 1300 killed there, 799 were Sikhs. But the movie dilutes - and at times completely ignores - the Sikh involvement in that incident, and in others depicted throughout the movie. History is being changed in front of our very eyes and our 'leaders' are doing nothing, because all they want is personal power.

7: Surinder (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), May 20, 2010, 1:40 PM.

The comment section of articles is too limiting a place to put forth an argument. (Maybe sikhchic.com can allow me to write an article?) [Editor: We're always open to considering articles by our readers.] Forget about 1984, let us not clutter the issue here. Of course, I know that Sikhs were disproportionately higher in the number of freedom fighters. But also note that a very large number of Sikhs enrolled in the colonial army. Not once, but twice - World War I & II. They essentially fought somebody else's wars. Wars that had little, if any, to do with issues that mattered to them. The result is that hundreds of thousands of Sikhs were soldiers for the British crown, defending Britain and its interests. Within two years of the end of World War II, Partition of India an d Punjab took place. Muslim mobs on the streets cleansed Western Punjab and drove the Sikhs out. They took over our gurdwaras, including the holiest of our holy places like Nankana Sahib. About a million people were killed; 10 million were forced to quit their homes; hundreds of thousands of women were brutalised. Where were these brave soldiers at that time? Those who had shown gallantry in Malaya, Singapore, Italy, Belgium, North Africa, were nowhere to be seen when Rawalpindi and Lahore had Sikhs lying butchered on the streets. I am sorry to have posed a question which has made many uncomfortable. But ask yourself, what good is this bravery? If people like the British have fooled you, who is the fool, really?

8: Dya Singh (Melbourne, Australia), May 21, 2010, 12:50 AM.

I commend Harchand Singh Bedi on the effort he has put into uncovering all this amazing proud history of Sikhs in the old Malaya. I met Harchand a few days ago and was amazed at the wealth of photographs and information he has on Sikh 'military' history. I have also read some of the letters above ... it is up to us (Sikhs) to keep highlighting the 'qurbaani' of Sikhs around the globe, immaterial whether they fought "someone else's" war, etc. The fact is they carried out deeds of valour, of daring, of sheer bravery - to inspire our generation and future generations through greater knowledge of our proud heritage. Harchand also holds impressive exhibitions of Sikh military history. His exhibition is soon (in September) to be held at various venues in the United Kingdom. I am hoping to get him to do similar exhibitions in Australia where we 'know' that Sikhs fought alongside the Australian/ New Zealand forces at places like Gallipoli (Turkey, WW1) which has led to Australia's Anzac Day celebrations and commemoration in April every year. This man has a great exhibition which every Sikh youth, child and elder should see. Shabash, Harchand, for all your efforts.

9: Yashdeep Singh (Ahmedabad, India), May 21, 2010, 9:45 AM.

I think that the main reason for Sikhs being killed in Jallianwala Bagh, and again in '84, is our loyalty to our country. And yes, we should be loyal; doing bad to someone is not in our blood. Sikhs actively took part in WW1 and WW2 because we knew that it was to protect the soldiers' "karmabhoomi". We sometimes couldn't protect ourselves because of lack of unity. I remember that when the shoe-throwing issue of S. Jarnaul Singh was in the news, at that time I saw sum Sikhs sitting behind Jagdish Tytler as his supporters. It is a known fact that the whole Sikh world is against Tytler, so for what reason were those Sikhs doing there? Doesn't the lack of unity seem to be here?

10: Ian Grantham (Sydney, Australia), November 23, 2010, 8:27 AM.

I can understand how frustrated Sikhs may be. One day I would like to make an actual account of what happened day by day in the Second World War, and NOT from a special perspective - the truth would be absorbing and as to yet, I think, remains unpublished! As an Australian, I am proud of our achievements and upset with the preponderance of U.S. material which distorts the facts. Many Pacific battles were fought and won by Aussie personnel but the U.S. got the credit in order to keep them in the war - I feel the Sikhs and other Indians have in the same way been left out of the accolades that are rightfully theirs! P.S. No one believes what you say if you are not from the U.S.A., so we NEED contemporary facts to back up what we say - e-mail me if you would like and let's start to build a machine that gives facts and truth and dispels popular myth!

The Battle of Malaya

by HARCHAND SINGH BEDI

Sikh troops disembarkimg from ships into Malaya

When the history of this titanic struggle comes to be written in mature perspective, none of its many sides will, we believe, excite more wonderment and more ungrudging admiration than the part the Sikhs soldiers have played in it.

As of December 7, 1941, the summary of the strength of the Allied army in Malaya was 86,895 troops. Two third o f the total force were Indian soldiers. Sikhs represented more than 60 percent of the total Indian force.

December 8, 1941 at 12.15 am local time, Japanese 18th Divisions troops hit the beaches of Sabak-Badang, Kota Bahru and at 4 am (Tokyo Time) Japanese 5th Divisions forces splashed ashore unopposed at Singora (now Songkhla) and Patani.

As the first disgorging invaders hit the junction of the Badang and Sabak beaches, they came under withering machine gun fire from pillboxes manned by the Indians. The invaders lost one third of their initial assault forces of 5300 men in fearful beach fighting before annihilating the Indian defenders who died in their pillbox positions, refusing either to withdraw nor to surrender.

An armored train, with 30 men from the 2/16th Punjab Regiment and some engineers, advancing into Thailand from Padang Besar in Perlis reached Khlong Ngae, in southern Thailand, and successfully destroyed a 200 foot bridge before withdrawing back to Padang Besar.

Sikh gunners in a rubber plantation in Sahum, Kampar Perak

On December 22, the 3/2nd Punjab Regiment engineered an ambush on the Japanese at Grik Road, Perak which resulted heavy casualties on the invaders. The regiment fought fierce delaying actions against the Imperial Guards.

From December 30, 1941 to January 2, 1942, a battle between 3000 British personnel and over 6000 Japanese soldiers erupted. The 11th Indian Division managed to delay the Japanese advance at Kampar for a few days, in which the Japanese suffered severe casualties in terrain that did not allow them to use their tanks or their air superiority to defeat the British.

A Sikh company of the 1/8th Punjab Regiment throw back a furious attack with a classic bayonet charge through massive mortar and machine-gun fire. Only 30 members of the company survive the action but the position held. The Japanese lost more then 500 men here and Japanese commanders, for the first time in the war, consider retreating.

On January 30, 1942, a Sikh Battalion made an ambush on a strong Japanese party north of Kluang, Johor. The Japanese squealed with absolute panic when charged with bayonets. Sikhs captured 250 motor cycles and 150 bicycles when they charged the Japanese positions and machine-gun post. Further details of the attack made by the Sikh Battalion North of Kluang reveals that the enemy casualties numbered at least 400..Two small field guns and many mortars which were tied on their bicycles and tommy-guns were also destroyed.

During the Battle of Muar, members of both the Australian 8th Division and the 45th Indian Infantry Brigade were making a fighting withdrawal when they became surrounded near the bridge of Parit Sulong. The Allies fought the larger Japanese forces for two days until they ran low on ammunition and food. Able-bodied soldiers were ordered to disperse into the jungle, the only way they could return to Allied lines.

This photograph was found among Japanese records when 

British troops re-entered Singapore. It depicts the inhuman

brutality practiced by the Japanese on Sikh prisoners of war. 

The wounded prisoners of war were kicked and beaten with rifle butts by the Imperial Guards. At least some were tied up with wire in the middle of the road, machine-gunned, had petrol poured over them, were set alight and, "after their incineration - were systematically run over, back and forwards, by Japanese driven trucks." Anecdotal accounts by local people also reported POWs being tied together with wire and forced to stand on a bridge, before a Japanese soldier shot one, causing the rest to fall into the Simpang Kiri River and drown. 110 Australians and 35 Indians were massacred by the Japanese. In the face of death, the Sikh prisoners sat with dignity.

History speaks for itself on the valour and bravery displayed by the Sikhs. The never-say-die spirit of the Sikhs gave us the impetus and inner strength and resilience to face any challenges that came our way. Sikh soldiers adhered to the faith and never flinched nor surrendered in the face of adversity.

Reference: http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/history-of-sikhism/30494-the-battle-of-malaya.html

Conversation about this article

1: Jarnail Singh (North Carolina, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 5:45 AM.

The British, Australians and Americans have made epic movies about the war in Malaya - but they all depict themselves as heroes ... and not a mention of the Sikh soldiers who bore the brunt of it all! The West is so adept at rewriting history and usurping the glory of others!

2: Surinder (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 11:06 AM.

Am I the only one who sees an irony here? The Sikhs went on to fight for the British, they won Burma, China, SE Asia, Turkey, Iraq, North Africa ... and in Europe. All for the glory of the British and British security and British independence. But when time came in 1947, the same Sikhs could not protect their own land, houses, women, hearth and had to flee from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala. Cities of their ancestors became enemy territory instantly. You talk of conquering the world, but could not protect your own earth and women and children? When a Sikhni became Fatima Bibi, where was this mighty Sikh army, full of unrelenting courage and valour?

3: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 1:39 PM.

I believe Surinder ji is looking from the results point of view for Sikhs. When other parties (all the countries including India for which Sikhs fought) became selfish and not thankful for the sacrifices of Sikhs. No one can stop them. These people are, to use a Punjabi word - akiratghan. A good recent example will be the 1984 Sikh holocaust. These people keep on changing history. Unless and until Sikhs bring the truth out to the world through the media, movies and books and by stopping to fight amongst themselves, no one can help. Sikhs have all the resources but they need to use them in this direction.

4: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, U.S.A.), May 19, 2010, 3:31 PM.

I have a similar question as Surinder ji. What has happened to us in the recent past? Where have we lost our spirit and saroop? We are the sons and daughters of Guru Gobind Singh and our ancestors fought for Malaya, Singapore, Britain, France, Scotland and India but we could not protect ourselves in 1947 and 1984? Forget about protecting ourselves, despite this glorious heritage, why did we become so hostile to our co-citzens? Furthermore, today when the whole world is becoming globalized, we are becoming isolated and we cannot even keep our own youth motivated with our own history and preserve our heritage? What has gone wrong with us? Where is our spirit of Chardi Kalaa? How do we re-align ourselves with our Guru?

5: Harjit Singh (Perth, Australia), May 20, 2010, 7:56 AM.

Surinder, Sikhs were not there in 1947? Are you joking, mate? I think you might need to read up on your history because you are just about to learn something! Out of 121 patriots hanged for fighting in India's freedom struggle, 93 were Sikhs. Of the 2626 awarded life-imprisonment 2147 were Sikhs. Of the 1300 martyred in Jallianwala Bagh, 799 were Sikhs. Considering that the Sikhs were hardly 1.5 per cent of the total population of India at the time, their sacrifices amounted to 90 per cent of the total sacrifices made by ALL Indians. Where were they, Surinder? They were fighting openly and dying openly, but when the time came for the Sikhs to be given equal status, the politicians looked the other way and rewrote the history to not include these facts. We were betrayed!

6: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), May 20, 2010, 11:56 AM.

Again, Surinder ji, please watch the movie GANDHI which was released almost three decades ago. That movie shows the scene of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. As Harjit Singh mentioned, out of 1300 killed there, 799 were Sikhs. But the movie dilutes - and at times completely ignores - the Sikh involvement in that incident, and in others depicted throughout the movie. History is being changed in front of our very eyes and our 'leaders' are doing nothing, because all they want is personal power.

7: Surinder (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), May 20, 2010, 1:40 PM.

The comment section of articles is too limiting a place to put forth an argument. (Maybe sikhchic.com can allow me to write an article?) [Editor: We're always open to considering articles by our readers.] Forget about 1984, let us not clutter the issue here. Of course, I know that Sikhs were disproportionately higher in the number of freedom fighters. But also note that a very large number of Sikhs enrolled in the colonial army. Not once, but twice - World War I & II. They essentially fought somebody else's wars. Wars that had little, if any, to do with issues that mattered to them. The result is that hundreds of thousands of Sikhs were soldiers for the British crown, defending Britain and its interests. Within two years of the end of World War II, Partition of India an d Punjab took place. Muslim mobs on the streets cleansed Western Punjab and drove the Sikhs out. They took over our gurdwaras, including the holiest of our holy places like Nankana Sahib. About a million people were killed; 10 million were forced to quit their homes; hundreds of thousands of women were brutalized. Where were these brave soldiers at that time? Those who had shown gallantry in Malaya, Singapore, Italy, Belgium, North Africa, were nowhere to be seen when Rawalpindi and Lahore had Sikhs lying butchered on the streets. I am sorry to have posed a question which has made many uncomfortable. But ask yourself, what good is this bravery? If people like the British have fooled you, who is the fool, really?

8: Dya Singh (Melbourne, Australia), May 21, 2010, 12:50 AM.

I commend Harchand Singh Bedi on the effort he has put into uncovering all this amazing proud history of Sikhs in the old Malaya. I met Harchand a few days ago and was amazed at the wealth of photographs and information he has on Sikh 'military' history. I have also read some of the letters above ... it is up to us (Sikhs) to keep highlighting the 'qurbaani' of Sikhs around the globe, immaterial whether they fought "someone else's" war, etc. The fact is they carried out deeds of valour, of daring, of sheer bravery - to inspire our generation and future generations through greater knowledge of our proud heritage. Harchand also holds impressive exhibitions of Sikh military history. His exhibition is soon (in September) to be held at various venues in the United Kingdom. I am hoping to get him to do similar exhibitions in Australia where we 'know' that Sikhs fought alongside the Australian/ New Zealand forces at places like Gallipoli (Turkey, WW1) which has led to Australia's Anzac Day celebrations and commemoration in April every year. This man has a great exhibition which every Sikh youth, child and elder should see. Shabash, Harchand, for all your efforts.

9: Yashdeep Singh (Ahmedabad, India), May 21, 2010, 9:45 AM.

I think that the main reason for Sikhs being killed in Jallianwala Bagh, and again in '84, is our loyalty to our country. And yes, we should be loyal; doing bad to someone is not in our blood. Sikhs actively took part in WW1 and WW2 because we knew that it was to protect the soldiers' "karmabhoomi". We sometimes couldn't protect ourselves because of lack of unity. I remember that when the shoe-throwing issue of S. Jarnaul Singh was in the news, at that time I saw sum Sikhs sitting behind Jagdish Tytler as his supporters. It is a known fact that the whole Sikh world is against Tytler, so for what reason were those Sikhs doing there? Doesn't the lack of unity seem to be here?

10: Ian Grantham (Sydney, Australia), November 23, 2010, 8:27 AM.

I can understand how frustrated Sikhs may be. One day I would like to make an actual account of what happened day by day in the Second World War, and NOT from a special perspective - the truth would be absorbing and as to yet, I think, remains unpublished! As an Australian, I am proud of our achievements and upset with the preponderance of U.S. material which distorts the facts. Many Pacific battles were fought and won by Aussie personnel but the U.S. got the credit in order to keep them in the war - I feel the Sikhs and other Indians have in the same way been left out of the accolades that are rightfully theirs! P.S. No one believes what you say if you are not from the U.S.A., so we NEED contemporary facts to back up what we say - e-mail me if you would like and let's start to build a machine that gives facts and truth and dispels popular myth!

Gandhi speaks!

Boom boom paw!

11.2.11 saw many KLites going to work blurry-eyed and blood-shot eyes after tossing and turning sleeplessly in beds the night before. It was not because of something they ate or something that was in the air! It was because their Hockkein fellow citizens decided to display their annual piety by openly fulfilling their religious obligations in the open at an unearthly hour accompanied by a nocturnal barrage of TNT and explosive fireworks, oblivious that their act was a nuisance to the non-Hockkeins and non-Chinese. Yeah, everyone knew by then that it was the 8th day of Chinese New Year and the eve of the birth of the Jade Empress, which was celebrated with much pomp and splendour. In the spirit of tolerance, festivities and religion, nobody said anything.
It is funny how homosapiens rationalise their every action and tradition by their needs and environmental requirements, and availability - try getting coconut in Kashmir or Las Vegas for prayers! So, no need for coconut in Eskimo land or desert land for Hindu religious prayers.

The firecrackers...

They insist that firecrackers were essential for the lunar celebrations and were imperative to rid of evil spirits that were lurking to spoil your whole year. But we were doing quite okay in the post Emergency era and the time when the communist terrorist threat was real. Firecrackers were banned then as they could be mistaken for bullets fire-shots. Suddenly, as we get more affluent and peaceful, all these trivial ancient traditions have become more critical and indispensable.

Loud ear-drum shattering, high decibel vibrations of fire-crackers can disturb the psyche of any organism - babies will wail their heads off, a moribund sick patient may just tip over to the afterlife, make a dog or any fierce beast in submission with their tails between their hind legs. Hence, in old wild China, during the lunar festivities, to make it safe for the people to go out and enjoy the celebrations, away from prying wild animals along the village paths, somebody must have successfully tried letting out some crackers to keep them at bay. Over time, it became a tradition to burn crackers during CNY to keep away 'evil spirits".

On Yee Sang...

Another tradition that seems to have given the prominence of late is Yee Sang's practice, where friends and relatives get together to toast a dish of shredded fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts for good luck on the 6th day of CNY. As we know, this practice started in the early 20th century in the most impoverished part of southern China, where times were terrible, food was scarce, famine was everywhere, and people were leaving their families and motherland for greener pastures. After merrymaking in the name of tradition for a good 5 days, the practical souls decided to put their leftovers - bits of fish, turnips, etceteras - into good use. Again this practice was extrapolated to foster friendship, prosperity and longevity.

Well, about Chap Goh Mei (the 15th and finale of CNY) and the throwing of oranges by maidens, err...., they did not have anything like St. Valentine's Day and heart-shaped chocolate candies to give away then. Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day!

Teohlogy? His words of Tok Kokk...

Patrick Teoh is by all accounts the high priest of 'tokking kok' - a word used quite so often in his maiden book, Teohlogy. It is by no mean the words of God through (or according to) Patrick. Talking about 'tokking kok', when I was in varsity back in 1983, my group of seniors used to use it quite so often that since that was the first time I had heard such a phrase, I actually thought that the word was coined by them. It must have been derived from the saying 'talking cock and bull stories'. Malaysian, being economical in the number of words they like to utter must have shortened it.
An example of Malaysian and his stinginess with words can be seen in any customer service department. In any European, Australian or American shop, if the thing that you are looking for is not available, the shopkeeper/ customer relation officer will go at length to tell you how he will check with his superiors/ other branches and he will get back to you if you could kindly leave for contact, bla, bla... In Malaysia, it would a simple. 'No Stock!!!' Full stop.
For those who grew up in the 80s in Malaysia, Patrick Teoh is no stranger. He was the first radio DJ whose unaccented English and was a regular voice in sponsored radio shows and the only English radio channel 'Breakfast Show'. He used to handle many phone-ins and was razor sharp in his wit and sarcasm. He was fired when his well crafted April Fool joke on how a foreign based company was making a commercial on dancing ducks by placing them on hot-plates worked very well, making everyone (including animal protection societies) up in arms. When the truth was told a few days later, the SPCA was not amused. They lodged a police report for prank.
If Patrick Teoh keeps on writing his brand of book, pretty soon you would see words 'tokking kok' and 'fler'(how Malaysian pronounce the word 'fellow') would make it into the Oxford Dictionary.
If you want an idea of how this book is....
If you think this blog is of a cynical rumbling of a soon to be an old man and is redundantly redundant, then the book can described as something of the same vein but long winded. It is about an senior pretty intelligent (too smart for his pants) Chinaman with the grasp of the language using his level best to take a punch at the government, civil servants and their apathy to the well being of the country. Whenever he can, he also takes a swipe at our southern neighbour, sometimes using crass jokes.
As Teoh points out, we are very good at complaining about  when we are having our beers or teh tarik, forget all about it when we finish it, and complain again when we meet up for another drink, most probably on something new!
I found the book initially a light entertaining read but as the pages progressed, I found it a wee bit tedious as the topics seem repetitive. You can only bash Singaporeans and politicians so much.  Overall it is a good read when you have nothing to do when you are answering nature's call.
P.S. Readers can hit Patrick Teoh's blog which has hit more than 4.5 million visitors. The name of the blog is Niamah!!!, which means 'your mother' in the profane Cantonese dialect - quite how profound!