Bhupinder Singh Holland

Exactly four years ago on April 28, 1999 Sardar Kamaljit Singh- a Saint Soldier of Khalsa Panth and editor of Sant Sipahi, came to Holland and stayed with us for five days. He had come from England after participating in many high level celebrations of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations organized by the U.K Sikh Community. Sardar Sahib did not have a visa for Holland but it was arranged soon and S. Major Singh of Amsterdam received him at Schiphol Airport. Within half an hour Sardar Sahib was among us in Almere. We were excited, honored and pleased to have an important family member of Master Tara Singh and Dr. Rajinder Kaur among us.

This was the first meeting though we were constantly in touch through phone and Sardar Sahib had published many of my articles in the paper he ran.

During his stay Sardar Sahib addressed the Sangat of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Amsterdan on Sunday and also visited Guru Ram Dass Ashram, Amsterdam, the boat tour of the city, the city of Den Haag, the Dutch Parliament, Madurodam and above all the Queen's birth day celebrations at the famous Dam Square where the Palace of the Queen and National Monument of 2nd World War memorial is situated. Sardar Sahib was delighted to know the sacrifices of Sikh Soldiers has been recognized by Western Governments and a monument, in their memory, was built at Ieper.

He had discussions with many of us and is mostly remembered as a soft-spoken, candid person with a logical mind – a realist with no penchant for fiction. He will be remembered as a man who was determined and dedicated in serving the community. It appears that this trait was inherited from his illustrious family. Despite his personal losses he remained upbeat.

While looking at the pictures of Sikh martys of the present struggle that adorn the walls of the Amsterdam Gurdwara, Sardar Sahib recognized the picture that had appeared on the front page Sant Sipahi. Sant Sipahi wrote openly about the movement and innocent young Sikhs who were killed in fake police encounters. For its reporting Sant Sipahi had to suffer. Advertisement from the government were not forthcoming besides harassment and false court cases. However, Sant Siphai made no compromise with principles and stood like a rock and fought for truth.

Dr. Rajinder Kaur died a true Sikh fighting for truth and justice. On remembering her Sardar Sahib became emotional but thanked Waheguru many times for blessing the community with such a noble soul.

Sardar Beant Singh Sandhawalia (family of Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Maharaja of Punjab) was in Amsterdam with his son S. Jaswinder Singh Sandhawalia. Sardar Sahib recorded an exclusive interview with the Sandhawalias and later published it in Sant Sipahi and other papers. Being knowledgable of history and religion, Sardar Sahib was always cautious about the legitimacy of the source of information.

Sardar Sahib went back to London and from there to Amritsar. At that time we did not realize that this would be our last meeting. His memory, teachings, experiences, determination and high-spirits will always inspire many of us. His daughter Dr. Kiranjot Kaur (former general secretary SGPC) is on the foot steps of her father.

Sardar Sahib Kamaljit Singh passed away last year. His death anniversary falls on May 28.

Copyright ©2002 Bhupinder Singh. About the author