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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra's son attends Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day event in Canada city
Bathinda: Slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra's son Janmeet Singh participated in the proclamation by Surrey city council in British Columbia, Canada, declaring July 23 as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. Janmeet Singh's great-grandfather (Jaswant Singh Khalra's grandfather), Harnam Singh, was one of the 376 passengers aboard the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru (Guru Nanak Jahaz) when it reached Vancouver on May 23, 1914. He was arrested when the vessel reached India on Sept 27, 1914. The declaration at Surrey City Hall was attended by a host of dignitaries, including members of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal and Gurbax Singh Saini, along with British Columbia legislative assembly members Amina Shah, Garry Begg, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harman Bhangu, and Jody Toor. Surrey councillor Harry Bains formally presented a copy of the proclamation to Janmeet Singh. Notable attendees also included researcher and Ragi Bhai Baldeep Singh, and former Pakistani MP Rai Aziz Ullah Khan, whose family are custodians of the 17th-century Ganga Sagar, a copper urn belonging to tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh. Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal from the Guru Nanak Jahaz Heritage Society, the driving force behind the proclamation, spoke about the historical significance of the steamship. Wearing a "Guru Nanak Jahaz" imprinted tee, Dhaliwal recounted how the passengers were denied entry and kept near Vancouver for two months before their forced return. It was further emphasised the importance of rectifying past wrongs and re-naming the vessel Guru Nanak Jahaz, as it was renamed by the passengers, led by Baba Gurdit Singh, after religious ceremonies.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Declare July 23 as ‘Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day': Akal Takht jathedar
1 2 3 Bathinda/Amritsar: Officiating jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, has called upon Sikh institutions and the central and Punjab govt to officially declare July 23 as 'Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day'. This date coincides with the forced return of passengers on the Guru Nanak Jahaz (Komagata Maru) from Vancouver in Canada on July 23, 1914. The Canadian city of Surrey has proclaimed July 23 as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. Earlier, the city of Vancouver declared Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day on May 23, when 376 passengers aboard the vessel arrived in Vancouver. Jathedar Gargaj said that on this day in 1914, under the leadership of Ghadar revolutionary Baba Gurdit Singh, a large group of Punjabis — mostly Sikhs — seeking a better future arrived in Canada. However, they were forcibly turned away, which was a grave violation of human rights. He stated that this episode is now officially recognised in Canadian cities such as Surrey and Vancouver as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day, which he hailed as a significant step towards acknowledging historical truth. This day commemorates a major struggle against racism and in defence of human rights, led by Baba Gurdit Singh, who in 1914 founded the Guru Nanak Steamship Company. He chartered a Japanese vessel from Komagata Maru Company, renamed it Guru Nanak Jahaz, and challenged Canada's then-racist immigration laws. Jathedar Gargaj emphasised that historical sources clearly show that the journey from Hong Kong to Canada was deeply spiritual, marked by the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, Akand Panth Sahib, and the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) on board, embodying the values of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. He expressed regret that in India, history books still refer to the ship as Komagata Maru, despite Baba Gurdit Singh naming it Guru Nanak Jahaz, a fact verified in his autobiographical book, Guru Nanak Jahaz. He appealed to universities, academic institutions, and gurdwara management bodies across India to do justice to this history by adopting the correct name — Guru Nanak Jahaz — in textbooks and curricula. Teaching this name instead of Komagata Maru would be both historically accurate and morally just, he said. Such efforts, he added, would present true history and serve as a source of spiritual inspiration for future generations. Jathedar Gargaj said this event played a crucial role in the early 20th-century freedom movement and helped awaken the spirit of independence in the country. Baba Gurdit Singh, he added, must always be remembered among the great heroes of India's freedom struggle. He expressed gratitude to the city councils of Vancouver and Surrey for recognising July 23 not as Komagata Maru Day, but as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Canada city to honour Komagata Maru Indians with ‘Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day'
BATHINDA: The Surrey city council in British Columbia, Canada, has declared July 23 as 'Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day' to honour the 352 Indian passengers aboard the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru, who were turned away from Vancouver port on the same day in 1914. The council's proclamation notes that the day had been named after Guru Nanak Jahaz, as the vessel had been rechristened so before the journey by Baba Gurdit Singh, giving the sojourn political, cultural, and spiritual significance. While the authorities at the time had said the Indians were asked to return as they suspected they were revolutionaries, many had called the decision to be the fallout of strained race relations in the Canadian city. The remembrance day is being observed to mark the 111th anniversary of the the ship being made to return. Earlier, the city council of Vancouver had proclaimed May 23 as Guru Nanak Jahaz (Komagata Maru) Day of Remembrance, as it was on May 23, 1914, that the ship had reached reached Burrard Inlet near Vancouver with 376 Indians, including 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims, and 12 Hindus. Of them, only 24 could prove prior residency and were allowed entry into Canada. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo "Mayor of the city of Surrey, Brenda Locke, will declare the proclamation on July 23, while Vancouver mayor Ken Sim made the proclamation on May 23. The commemoration will include reflections and a shared act of remembrance honouring the passengers' moral courage and the enduring contributions of those who carried this memory forward to the heart of Canadian public life," said Abbotsford resident Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal, who, along with Raj Singh Bhandal, runs the Guru Nanak Jahaz Heritage Society and is the force behind the proclamations. The proclamation also mentions the Guru Nanak Jahaz as a name of "deep spiritual and cultural meaning", overshadowed by the commonly used name Komagata Maru, which carried 376 persons who were denied disembarkation under exclusionary immigration laws and ultimately forced to depart from Vancouver's Burrard Inlet on July 23, 1914. "Today, descendants and communities across Canada remember this journey as a courageous stand against colonialism at home, only to be met with discrimination and injustice upon arrival," said the proclamation. Surrey is today home to one of the largest Sikh and Punjabi populations in Canada. "The city recognises the Guru Nanak Jahaz passengers' pursuit of dignity, equal opportunity, and justice, which faced discrimination under the Continuous Journey law. Their legacy stands as a continuous inspiration to fight against injustice," said the proclamation.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Unplanned solo trips can be food for soul
With 10% of battery charge left in my phone, I sat sulking at the Jalandhar bus stand. Bus operations to Chandigarh were to resume 10 hours later at 5pm. I wondered what to do with the time on hand. Last December, I had chosen to set myself free from the routine and went to visit a friend in Kapurthala. It was a one-day trip and I was supposed to return the next morning. We were having fun until the news of a Punjab bandh called by farmers from 9am to 6pm the next day flashed on TV. Hoping to dodge the protest, I decided to take the bus back to Chandigarh at 7am. My friend dropped me at the Jalandhar bus stand before heading to work in the misty morning. To my surprise, not a single bus was running. I waited an hour only to be told that there would be no bus service till the evening. Going back to Kapurthala didn't seem practical with my friend off to work. In the hurry to catch the morning bus, I had even forgotten the phone charger. Sitting at the bus stand was the last thing I wanted to do that winter morning. So, I made a call to another friend and asked him about the places I could visit in the city. Of all the places he mentioned, I chose to go to the Ghadar Movement Museum simply because it was a kilometre away from the bus stand. The museum building, painted in red and white, looked serene with hardly any visitors. On the left stood a bookshop and on entering the premises, I found a library with a few students studying in scattered corners. In the museum, I met Ravinder Kumari Kochhar, a lady in her late eighties, wearing a green scarf on her white hair. She gave me a guided tour of the museum, telling me about Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Har Dayal, and all prominent figures of the Ghadar Party, who had envisioned an independent country for their people, free of any discrimination and had sacrificed their life for the cause. Seeing the pictures of sacrifices, hardships and the Komagata Maru ship, there was a subtle realisation of what freedom had cost our forefathers. With much zeal, my elderly guide narrated the story behind each picture. Her voice was as vibrant as the red colour in a 'Ghadar di Gunj' poster. As she held my hand during the tour, she reminded me of my grandmother who would often take our support to climb stairs. The lady was compassionate enough to help me with the charger. As I put my phone to charge, she took me to her room on the first floor which was full of pictures of her family. On top of the wall stood a flag of the Communist party and a photo of Stalin. She told me how she had devoted her life to the nation and chosen not to marry. Having shown all the pictures, she took me to the cafeteria. The food was kept on the table, each person serving themselves and washing their plate afterwards. It was a simple meal that felt like home. The lady bid me adieu with a warm hug, and I left for my next destination, the Tripurmalini Shakti Peeth Temple. Like Harmandar Sahib, the temple is surrounded by water. I sat beside it, letting the still water seep calmness in me. Having watched the sunset, I made my way back to the bus stand. Gladly, buses had started plying and soon I was on my way home, wiser and more grateful. The writer is a correspondent with Hindustan Times, Chandigarh.
Hamilton Spectator
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Guru Nanak's Jahaz Film Brings Historical Depth to Halton, Highlighting the 1914 Komagata Maru Incident
As Asian Heritage Month wrapped up in Halton Region, one cinematic release stood out for its historical resonance and emotional impact. The Punjabi-language film Guru Nanak's Jahaz, directed by Sharan Art, premiered in cinemas across the region and the Greater Toronto Area following its worldwide release on May 1. The historical drama, funded in part by the Canadian government, explores the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, a key moment in Canada's immigration history, through the lens of Sikh faith, resilience, and the struggle for justice. The film struck a chord with South Asian communities in Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and surrounding areas. Local screenings drew large audiences and sparked conversations about identity, inclusion, and Canada's complex past. 'I had read about the Komagata Maru in school, but seeing it portrayed on screen with such depth and emotion gave me chills,' said Rajdeep Sandhu, a third-generation Canadian whose great-grandparents immigrated from Punjab. 'This movie reminded me of the courage it took for our elders to fight for the right to simply be treated as human beings.' On May 23, 1914, the Guru Nanak Jahaz steamship arrived in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, carrying 376 passengers—340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims, and 12 Hindus, primarily from the Punjab region of India. Seeking better opportunities in Canada, they were instead met with exclusion. Despite being British subjects, they were denied entry due to discriminatory immigration laws. Confined to the ship without adequate food, water, or medical care, the passengers endured harsh conditions for two months. On July 23, 1914, the ship was ordered to turn back, forcing the passengers to return to India. Tragically, upon arrival, 19 were killed by gunfire, and many others were injured or imprisoned, branded as political agitators. The film uses historical records, personal accounts, and cultural insight to depict the voyage and its aftermath, bringing a little-known story to wider audiences. Ayesha Malik, a Milton resident originally from Pakistan, brought her two teenage children to one of the screenings. 'As a South Asian Muslim woman, I found this film incredibly unifying,' she said. 'The story transcends religious boundaries—it's about a shared struggle for dignity. Watching it with my children during Asian Heritage Month felt like an important way to honour our collective history in Canada.' The screenings were part of a broader month-long celebration across Halton, which included cultural exhibits, storytelling initiatives, and panel discussions. One such event, held in Oakville following a screening of Guru Nanak's Jahaz, featured educators and historians reflecting on the impact of historical immigration policies and their lasting legacy. 'This movie helped me see my grandparents' journey in a new light,' said Sanjay Krishnan, a young professional from Oakville. 'They arrived in the '70s, decades after the Komagata Maru, but the themes of exclusion, hope, and resilience are the same.' For many, the film was not only a tribute to the past but also a reminder of the work still required to build inclusive communities. 'We need more projects like this—especially ones that are accessible to young people,' said Shama Bano, one of the founding members of the Desi Moms group in Milton. 'It brings context and meaning to why we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, and why representation matters in our cultural storytelling.' The Canadian government's involvement in funding the film highlights the country's commitment to preserving and sharing stories of South Asian heritage. This support allowed the filmmakers to create a project that reaches both local and international audiences, shedding light on an important chapter of Canada's history. As Guru Nanak's Jahaz continues its theatrical run, including strong box office numbers in India, it has emerged as one of the most successful Punjabi-language films of 2025. For audiences in Halton Region, its impact extended beyond entertainment, offering a powerful lens through which to reflect on shared histories and future aspirations. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
