International Sikh Confederation

 

 

Dated: 08 JULY, 06

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OF

THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HELD ON 08 JULY, 06
AT HQ LOCATION

  • 1.      Dr Kharak Singh welcomed the members the following were present::-

    (a)  Dr Kharak Singh

    (b) Bibi Kulwant kaur

    (c)  Giani Harinder Singh

    (d) Bibi Baljeet Kaur

    (e)  S. Gurdev Singh

    (f)   Lt Gen Kartar Singh Gill

    (g) Lt Col  J S Multani

    2.      The minutes of the last meeting held on 03 June, 06 were read out by Gen Kartar Singh Gill. Giani Harinder Singh proposed and S. Gurdev seconded the approval of the minutes and they were passed.

    Progress Report by Gen Kartar Singh

    3.      S. Gurpreet Singh arranged a meeting with about seventeen Presidents of Gurdwara Committees of Chandigarh at Gurdwara Sahib, Sector 21, Chandigarh. Dr Kharak Singh, Gen Kartar Singh, S. Gurpreet Singh, Bhai Ashok Singh and S. Gurcharan Singh Sethi attended the meeting from the ISC. We outlined our aims and objectives and exhorted the audience to join us in our mission. Our assessment is that the audience was very receptive and S. Gurpreet Singh is now being requested to follow up with an enrolment derive in Gurdwaras / Institutions

    4.      Gen Kartar Singh informed members that the English version of the Constitution has been printed. Punjabi version is under print. Members were given copies.

    5.      It was proposed that we now go ahead and form a Governing Council of about 50 members. Interim Executive Committee members were requested to send their views and recommend names in this regard within 15 days. Names of eminent Sikhs who are likely to be our members, when approached, may also be considered.

    6.      Gen Kartar Singh felt that the membership drive needs to be stepped up. Our present members need to be participants in this regard and the Committee members need to take much more interest. In the discussion that followed suggestions were made as under:-

    (a)  Dr Kharak Singh felt that each Governing Council member (to be nominated) be requested to ensure that he/she enrolls at least ten members.

    (b) Dr Kulwant Kaur suggested that we write letters to S. Jagjit Singh Dardi, Charh Di Kala Press, Patiala and Jathedar Harbans Singh, our member from Patiala. Both were eminent personalities who could organize meetings on our behalf. She requested us to then address these gathering wherein she assured a very good response for on the spot membership. This was agreed to by the Convenor and other members.

    (c)  Gen Kartar Singh felt that after our address to the congregation of Presidents of various Chandigarh Gurdwaras on 30 June, 06, we need to visit each Gurdwara for membership. For this he felt that S. Gurpreet Singh head a committee of three selected members to execute this delicate task. Primarily S. Raghbir Singh Dhillon and S. Darshan Singh have already undertaken this responsibility for Mohali. This was agreed to.

    Advisory Councils

    7.      All felt that progress in formulating projects was slow. S. Gurdev Singh suggested that the Heads of AC’s be asked to co-opt members and give us the names. This will enable us to arrange separate meetings of each AC to expedite projects.

    8.      After a discussion with the Head of AC for Religious Affairs, Giani Harinder Singh, it was decided that the need for a standard translation of the Guru Granth Sahib was paramount. This would help remove a lot of confusion in the Sikh Sangat regarding authentic translation and will enable us to place in the world market a standard translation in various languages. Dr Kharak Singh felt that we would not depend on any one agency for finances. We should raise about Rupees ten lakhs and start the project. Some members suggested a direct meeting with S. Harvinder Singh Sarna, President DSGMC Delhi, in this regard.

    9.      Giani Harinder Singh confirmed that he would plan to arrange a meeting of Dera Heads to arrive at a common minimum programme (CMP). He was requested to work out the date and other details along with Dr Gurbux Singh. He felt that the location should be the ISC meeting hall. This was agreed to.

    Recent Events at Amritsar

    10. The disgraceful events that took place at Manji Sahib at the 400th year anniversary of the foundation of the Akal Takht Sahib were discussed. All felt that our political parties had misused the occasion for selfish ends and this practice of raising political issues on religious anniversaries should be totally banned by the SGPC and the Jathedar Sahiban. The ISC would work towards achieving this in the future. The members authorized Dr Kharak Singh and Gen Kartar Singh to react to such events as fast as possible and ensure press release in time.

    General Body Meeting

    11. After some discussion the next General Body meeting was scheduled to take place in Nov/ Dec 06. Suitable dates could be chosen by HQ ISC and approved in the next monthly meeting.

    Visit Abroad by Bibi Baljit Kaur

    12. The committee was briefed regarding Bibi’s very successful meeting with H H Justice Mota Singh QC who is heading our AC on International and Legal Affairs. Justice Sahib was highly impressed with the progress made by the ISC in a short time. He was requested to take up issues confronting the Diaspora such as the Turban issue in France and the Kirpan issue in Canada. He agreed to undertake a membership drive in the UK and Europe and help us establish our Regional HQ in these areas as soon as possible. Members highly appreciated Bibi Baljit Kaurs’ efforts on behalf of the ISC.

    Visit Abroad by Dr Kulwant Kaur

    13. Dr Kulwant Kaur undertook a three week visit to the West Coast of USA recently. She visited Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland, and in various meetings and addresses to Sikh Sangats, she emphasized the importance of supporting the ISC. She outlined our aims and objectives and felt that she got an excellent response. She recommended the names of S. Bakshish Singh Ji (Maryland) and S. Daljit Singh Ji (Sacramento) to represent us and felt that they will work for our cause most willingly. She requested that we correspond with them directly. This was agreed to and Dr Kulwant Kaur was requested to forward to HQ the address / e-mail of these GurSikhs. Once again the members highly appreciated Dr Kulwant Kaurs’ efforts on behalf of the ISC.

    Conclusion

    14. As there were no more points on the agenda Dr Kharak Singh thanked all present for a successful meeting. He assured all that work at the HQ was going on with enthusiasm. Audit of accounts had been completed and the Income Tax Department has been supplied with required details of the ISC as required by them.

    15.  The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair.