by Jaswant Singh

As Gurinder, the main character in “United We Must Stand” struggles to assimilate without losing his religious Sikh identity, he discovers his passion – basketball. Through years of hard work and perseverance, Gurinder excels in his passion and obtains admission to a Division 1 Basketball University.

However, success came through sacrifice, his selfishness. He gradually realizes how basketball is a selfless art that takes teamwork and sharing. With this realization achieved, he discovers how it correlates directly with day-to-day life. With a confidence gleaming towards the end of his high school basketball years, college arrives.

Just before college begins, September 11th temporarily interrupts his tranquil life. Gurinder directly witnesses the horror and destruction of the World Trade Centre attack. For weeks, he struggles to come to terms with the loss, finding solace only in self-guilt and self blame for not doing enough for his sister. Life challenges him with new experiences that could either hamper his future, or he could choose to endure.

In a novel filled with emotional upheaval, there is always a keen reminder. Never take life for granted, embrace it with a certainty to be the difference. This epitomizes the character of Gurinder Singh. I welcome you to envelope your heart, mind, and soul in reading “United We Must Stand.”

The elevator rang and before I stepped in, I saw her enter her office and disappear. I was happy for her and also glad to be leaving. I was getting late for school. I didn't expect to come all the way up to her floor.

I reached the 45th floor and then I heard a huge noise and then the building shook. Just as the elevator opened, I ran out and abruptly fell to the floor. I lost my balance, as the building seemed to be moving back and forth. This was scary and I didn’t understand what was going on.What was that huge noise?

Somebody next to me was just as perplexed and worried.

"What the hell is going on?"

A lady responded behind me, "I don’t know. Is it an earthquake?"

The same gentleman replied, "I doubt it, there was a huge noise and than the building shook."

Another gentleman’s phone started to ring and he quickly answered. Everyone stared at him as if he had an answer. He nodded with a serious look and stared back at us with a look of terror and shock. Something was terribly wrong and I felt a huge knot in my stomach forming.

This man, dressed in a blue business suit along with a red tie spoke, "A plane rammed into this building. We have to get the hell out of here. My boss is on the 90th floor. He says the plane hit below them. He told me to leave."

I was in shock, "oh my God, my sister is up on th 85th floor, oh my god. I have to go back. I can’t leave without her!"

"No, you can’t go back, son. She is probably coming down herself. Come with us, don’t worry about her."

"No, I can’t just leave her."

"Let him stay, if he wants to die, let him," somebody responded with indifference. "Son, don’t listen to him. She is safe, come with me. Please, come with me. We have to exit this building," an older lady with a soft tone of calm spoke. I was surprised to see she was so calm and in control. Everyone else exited the emergency stairs downstairs.

I stood there dazed and she took my hand and begged for me to come with her. I didn’t know what to do, I was afraid for Sanjot. I kept quiet and from the heart of hearts, I believed that Sanjot was coming downstairs safe and sound.

Just as we reached the lobby floor, I froze for a second.

Then I quickly remembered I had her cell phone number written on my hand. I had to call her and make sure she was leaving. "I have her cell phone number, ma'am, do you have a cell phone I can use to call her?"

"Yes, here, call her and see if she is okay."

I quickly dialed her number and she immediately picked up on the first ring. "Hello," she responded. I could tell she was crying and afraid from the tone of her voice.

"Gurinder, just listen, please, just listen. A plane hit into us below. It hit us somewhere below the 80th floor….and," she stopped coughing and crying simultaneously. The knot in my stomach was getting bigger. "Sanjot, head to the elevator, get out. No wait! Stay there. Don't go anywhere, I'm coming," I added.

"Gurinder, I'm not going to make it. Please tell Mom and Dad I love them. I love you. Please, get to safety. There is smoke all around me, and I can't breathe."

Just as she was speaking, another man yelled out that another plane hit the second World Trade Center building! This had to be a terrorist attack. Who could do such a thing!

Excerpted from United We Must Stand.

Book: United We Must Stand
By Jaswant Singh
ISBN: 1930916701

Dr. Mark Bartel, Executive Director at World Religions Press, has informed us that copies of United We Must Stand bought from the publishing house will be sent free-of-charge anywhere in the world.

The cost of the book is $US15.95. You are requested to send him a check made out to New Age World Publishing . Please let him know that you request free shipping as stated in the December issue of SikhSpectrum.com.

Mark Bartel, Ph.D
Executive Director
New Age World Publishing,
2817 Stanton Street,
Berkeley, California USA 94702-2522