This diary entry covers almost two months - July and August (2005) as it turned out to be one long 'adventure' stretching from a lovely Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage) in northern California, through Los Angeles, then to Vancouver (Canada) and the Harrison Hot Springs Festival in British Columbia to Seattle (USA) via road. Then back into Canada, Toronto and the (Guelph) Hillside festival. Onto UK for one program at the Ramgharia gurdwara within a 24 hour stop (!!) onto Kenya and Tanzania. Then thru Johannseburg and a long long flight to Sydney (Australia) and straight to Darwin for the Darwin Arts Festival and other programs in Arnhem Land and Katherine. So, if you do not want to read any further - well, you have the gist! Otherwise, head captions in 'dark' font might attract your attention.

July 1st: We are safely with our hosts Dr. and Mrs. Pangali in Pleasanton, San Francisco after a nightmarish 30 hours flying, in transit, or waiting in queues yesterday, getting from Melbourne, Australia to San Francisco. Thankfully it is a free day to recover. I am still trying to fight off a cold I picked up in Oz.

July 2nd: Private kirtan program at the Sachdevs. Longtime ardent fans of our gursangeet. Son Daljit is a keen proponent of Kundalini yoga and very keen in matters spiritual. A very warm and hospitable evening with a lovely sangat which had come to listen and 'singalong' including youngsters.

ANAND KARAJ WITH 'CLASS'.

July 3rd. Sunday: Anand Karaj of Vijay and Archana. A long drive of over three hours north of San Francisco for a lovely well planned Anand Karaj by the Chatthas. Often, a Sikh marriage ceremony leaves a great deal to be desired as the sacred part of the ceremony slowly degenerates into shambles amidst all the festivities. Vijay and Archana ensured that the sanctity of the 'lavan' was maintained and due regard and respect was given to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. There is no gurdwara within 200 miles of where Vijay and Archana live. The Anand Karaj was attended by over 400 guests and legendary bhangra/dhol master Sardar Lall Singh Patti was present to enhance the festivities with his team. Our group and Shakti Singh Khalsa from Fremont handled the actual Anand Karaj. Sentiments of the Anand Karaj from Vijay and Archana follow ...

From the Chatthas, Bharathurs, and the hundreds of guests that attended our wedding...a very warm THANK YOU is in order. What will be known as the most blissful moments of our two week long wedding occurred during our Anand Karaj.I cannot tell you how many Sikhs and Non-Sikhs came up to us with a new appreciation for the religion, the faith, and its beliefs.

Dya Singh-Ji and Shakti-Ji....both of you including Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti-Ji are the best representatives of our faith that I have encountered.This was apparent in your excellent performances! So many people actually understood the ceremony and respected its words....including myself and Archie.Your collective support and presence made Sunday the best day in our lives.PERIOD.

Thank you for blessing all of us with your love, support, and presence.

Love,

Vijay and Archie

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July 4th. Monday - American Independence Day and a great evening spiritual program with good friends Narinder and Gul. A gathering of about 100 of various Indian nationalities including some non-Indians enjoyed a barbeque followed by about two hours of bhajans, ghazals and choice Punjabi folk songs. A very easy going, alcohol-free evening was enjoyed by all.

July 5th - rest day. To get ready for Part 2 of the tour ... south California.

TWO AND A HALF JATHEDAR's FOR THE PRICE OF A FRACTION OF ONE!

July 6th. Wednesday: Fly SF to LA - program in western dharma gurdwara in Hollywood.

We arrived LA Airport to be picked up by our very good western dharma friends - Nirinjan Singh and his good wife Devi. We rested at Simran and GuruPrem Khalsa's abode close to Beverley Hills. We were told that two, maybe three jathedars (leaders) - of Akal Takhat, Keshgar Sahib and Patna Sahib 'might' be speaking for about fifteen minutes before our kirtan at the Ashram.

We duly arrived at the western Dharma gurdwara at 6pm. We were told that we would do kirtan after the Jathedars spoke. I thought I was dreaming. Were three of our Jathedars (from 5) here? Where was the security, the pomp, the ceremony, the Panj Pyaray, the huge sangat, the police diverting traffic, the red carpet?

I remember when Sant Baba Fateh Singh as Jathedar of Akal Takhat arrived in UK in the Sixties. There were literally thousands of Sikhs. There was police, there was security, there were limousines! The Sikhs were allowed onto the tarmac at Heathrow Airport and a red carpet from the flight stairs down, Panj Pyaray with drawn swords, and as the Sant descended the airport rang with jakarays! The front pages of UK newspapers screamed "Sikh Pope arrives in UK!" I also remember the festivities when Sant Ji also came to Malaysia on a 'state' visit also in the late Sixties. There were thousands of Sikhs and traffic being diverted when he arrived! AND THREE WERE COMING HERE AND THERE WAS NOT EVEN A MURMUR?

Yes folks. At about 6.45pm a black people-mover van arrived and three 'granthi-looking' type (traditionally dressed) gentlemen alighted with their long Sri Sahibs (swords) and looked around in half embarrassement. The driver who was dressed more resplendently than the other three, (son-in-law of Yogi Bhajan, I was told), was the only attendent. They were 'herded' past us (we were still outside) and no one greeted them, nor they anyone, straight into the gurdwara. They were immediately ushered to the microphones. All three spoke on the same four topics and no more, in their different ways of course - one trying to be more eloquent than the one before : 1. Yogi Ji was a great man. 2. It was with the grace of Guru Ram Das that Yogi Ji did all his sewa in the west. (Yogi Ji and western dharma members have a special affinity with Guru Ram Das Ji) 3. Their well-wishes to Bibi Ji (Dr. Inderjit Kaur Khalsa - wife of the late Yogi Ji) in continuing the missionary work amongst the western people. 4. If any assistence or help was required from them, they were, after all, the Panthic sewadars ready to serve. They said exactly the same thing - each with a deeper tone than the earlier and a little more flowery language.

After their speeches which were translated into English by the attendant, they received their three 'envelopes' and seropas, took a few photographs ... and left hurriedly, as they had one more speaking engagement for the evening - at the Buena Park gurdwara, and obviously more 'envelopes' and 'seropas'. I wondered what their purpose was in coming to LA? What 'stately' functions they were carrying out?

On a number of trips now, I have seen our Jathedar, Vedanti Sahib, either in UK or in USA - for no apparent official state visit etc. and no apparent good reason. Is this how the Head of our faith 'floats' about, looking rather lost? No protoccol, no official receptions, no respect, no authority, no nothing! The last time I saw him, he was doing 'ketha' at the 'Kericho Nishkam Sewak' gurdwara on Soho Road in Birmingham, UK to a handfull of sangat !!

The three, I was later told were: Sri Singh Sahib, Joginder Singh Ji Vedanti, Jathedar Akal Takhat; Bhai Sahib Ranbir Singh, Jathedar Keshgarh Sahib and Bhai Tirlochan Singh, Head Granthi Bangla Sahib.

I also heard that they were more than happy to extend their stay by a day or two if Buena Park gurdwara (just out of LA) wanted them for the Opening ceremony of their new gurdwara on Saturday. All that needed to be done, was extend their stay, change their tickets and make a phone call to Bibi Jagir Kaur for extra leave I guess - Vedanti Ji still retains his duties as Head Granthi at the Darbar Sahib. Buena Park gurdwara officials politely declined - more nuisance than value, I was told, off the record..

From the pomp and ceremony of our 'Pope-equivalent' in the Sixties to three furtive looking granthi-types - what have we degenerated to ? Are they just hired hands of the SGPC and DGPC looking for some extra handouts for themselves overseas?

Anyway, we had a good hour of kirtan amongst our western dharma brothers and sisters and it was a pleasure to meet Bibi Ji again (wife of late Yogi Harbhajan Singh Ji). She has always been very encouraging whenever she has met me. A lovely divine lady.

July 7th. - free day

July 8th. Friday. A lovely kirtan evening at the Sikh Center, Orange County.

OPENING OF GURDWARA BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA AND CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY AWARD

July 9th - Saturday: Opening of new Buena Park Gurdwara premises. About 2000 sangat joined festivites for the opening of this gurdwara. We came on stage at 1pm. just before the arrival of the Lt. Governor (No.2 to Governor Arnold Schwatznegger) of California, Mr. Cruz Bustamante. We sang a bilingual medley from the Guru Granth Sahib on his arrival. We were honoured to receive a state resolution from the Lt. Governor and have a chat with him about our music and its value, as part of Sikhism for world racial healing. I think we will be doing a big concert for him next year ... I have my usual complaint. Buena Park is a great, well designed gurdwara BUT it has a 'brand new' sound system which I would not use at Ludhiana Railway Station as a loud speaker system. It always confounds me that for a faith which prides itself on being a 'music' based faith, our gurdwaras have some of the worst sound systems I have encountered in my life! Buena Park gurdwaras present 'new' system is no better!

July 10th - Sunday. Final program for southern California at Sikh Center, Orange County. (Now, THEY have a great sound system!)

July 11th - Monday. Flights from LA via Dallas to Vancouver. Just one mishap. Dheeraj and Andrew 'somehow' missed getting into the plane for Vancouver at Dallas. I think they felt that they were important enough to be given final calls etc. They did not receive them. The plane left without them.

Strange, their bags were allowed to travel in the flight but they were left out. So much for tight airline security. I thought if you missed a flight your bags were also taken off! Well, their bags and instruments were merrily enjoying the ride on the airport carousel in Vancouver but neither of them were on board the flight! They arrived in the next flight three hours later. For a security so tight that they do not allow you to even carry a nail clipper in your hand luggage, they then allow your bags to travel without you! On board, in most business class, passengers have to use plastic knives but are allowed steel forks! In my experience since 9/11 most security arrangements are so haphazard that they border on the ridiculous.

July 12th - recovery from flight/travel yesterday. We slept most of the day at host Dolly and Larky Panesars' place in Surrey, BC.

Wednesday - Akali Singh Sabha gurdwara, Vancouver. We were pleasantly surprised at the cordial welcome we were accorded and we had a great one and a half hour of kirtan to about a 300 strong sangat. We also accepted an invitation to do a second program the next day as more sangat and especially youth are expected. Good sound system. I think we opened a few more Sikh eyes!

We have never really been able to reach youth in Vancouver. Six years ago I remember having a meeting with upcoming Sikh youth such as Sikh Canadian mountie Baltej Singh and lawyer Randeep Sarai and a few others and there was hope of starting a scouting movement here and other Sikh youth activities but it will appear that it was not to be and we have since come to Vancouver, performed in festivals and on the periphery of Sikhs and gone away. O well, if that is what Guru Ji wants of us in Vancouver so be it ...

Thursday - repeat program at Akali Singh Sabha gurdwara. A larger sangat than yesterday and good cd sales. The usual yellow seropa and a small token sum of money was given with grateful 'thank you' from the President. O yes, all group members got a plastic drinking bottle with the name of the gurdwara on them. I received a glass pen holder with a ball point pen. A grateful, sincere 'Thank you' to Larky and Dolly Panesar for accommodating us so lovingly at their abode in Surrey this week.

Friday - Western Dharma Ashram concert. Venue - Yoga West, Kitsilano, Vancouver. Now this is what I call a divine concert, tastefully put together by western dharma Sikhs. A great atmosphere and tremendous hospitality and upliftment by these sincere sewadhars. Waheguru bless them.

The Drug problem amongst Sikh youth in Vancouver and BC.

The problem is getting worse (than our last visit here three years ago). Nevertheless gurdwaras are still sprouting especially 'extensions' or second diwan halls especially to cater for extra Akhand Paths and 'lavan' - good money in that, especially since the edict came out that you cannot get a Guru Granth Sahib and have a private affair at home or in a hall.

Meahwhile, drug related shootings and killings go on amongst the Sikh youth. Latest was the arrest of the 33 year old daughter (Ravinderjit Kaur Shergill) of a BC gurdwara President. She was caught by USA authorities in Seattle, running drugs and threatening the lives of some. She actually ran for some candidacy with a view to becoming a politician and on not attaining that she felt that there was good money in drug running and 'mafia-style' activities. The Canadian authorities are rather lenient on such charges but not the US authorities. They are refusing to hand her back to Canada and bail has been denied.

Canadian authorities are apparently now trying to work with gurdwaras to address this problem of drugs amongst Sikh youth.

A sort of poem inspired by a 'dhadhi jatha' :

Kisay ne dahdi ban leyi - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne sari la leyi - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne tika la leya - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne dahdi rang leyi - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne mej-kursi teh langgar shak leya - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne kirpaan nehi paayi - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne keshera nehi paya - Panth nu khetera! Kisay ne maas khaya - Panth nu khetera!

Saday bechay bechiyan emeli banede ja rehay hun!

Eh Panth dha mamla thodo hai??

(English translation:

That is not a problem for the Panth !! )

Harrison Hot Springs Arts festival - weekend 16/17 July 2005

A heavenly weekend in one of the most serene places we have been in. Harrison Hot Springs is a small town located on one tip of a very long lake - over 60km. to be exact and also boasting a hot spring which has been harnessed and piped into town for visitors and residents. About two thousand visitors came for the festivals which was about local handicrafts, stage shows, a dragon boat race on the Saturday and music, music music. We revelled in two great concerts at which we had (festival) record sales of cd's. Sikh artiste Jarnail Singh was featured too.

On Saturday night we also did 'hajri' kirtan at the Khalsa Diwan gurdwara in Abbotsford. I think that sangat prefers a 'dhad-sarangi' jatha though the committee was grateful for our attending.

Monday - sewadhars Jaspal Singh and friend from Seattle came to collect us for a weekdays stay and kirtan at the main gurdwara in Seattle. Host, president Avtar Singh, turned out to be our former host when we came abut six years ago to perform at the Tractor jazz club here. Gurdwaras were in the hands of fundamentalists then and did not want us. This time it was different, especially with Bhai Avtar Singh as president and the efforts of one young lady - Sonika Saini.

Tues/Wed/Thursdays : An amazing three days in Seattle. Main gurdwara Seattle and president Avtar Singh Ji looked after us very well. Three services saw sangat build from the first to the last, and to my satisfaction - youngsters turned up in great numbers. A very rewarding three days where we also experienced the hospitality of Sikhs. Jas Sangha took us out in his boat on Washington Lake and beti Sujoth showed us the Needle Space Tower - a towering landmark of Seattle including the famous Seattle Fish market. Altogether a memorable three days.

A highlight for me was a two hour discourse/discussion with Sonika and her friends many of whom have an affinity with Sikhi but do not go to gurdwara nor saw any point in what they perceived as an outdated mode of living with long hair, dastaars and rituals. They only carried them out because it made their parents and elders happy!. Topics ranged from vegetarianism, kesh, 5 k's, dastaar and amrit.All my tiredness drains away as I see their faces light up with understanding and wanting to know further and the realisation that Sikhi could play a very important part in their lives and make them better humans..

Friday - fly Seattle, Chicago to Toronto and then taken to the (Guelph) Hillside festival which had been sold out two weeks before it started! This festival proved a landmark festival for us and we earned a reputation from the very first day when we did a so-called 'workshop' (more like a 'jam') with a pop-type group from Quebec. We held our ground in how much music (loud noise?) we could generate besides them and people took to us. The musical acrobatics of our group proved popular with the audience. So next day when we had a full concert on the main stage we had a full audience. It was a pleasure to meet up with Sardar (Lawyer) T.Sher Singh and also Mr. and Mrs. Kohli, our regular hosts in Toronto. I believe this festival is going to prove a launch pad to more festivals in Canada in the future.

Monday evening - fly to London Heathrow. Arriving early Tuesday morning.

Tuesday 26th. July. A great program at one of my favourite gurdwaras - Ramgharia, Southall. We had fans and friends from as far afield as Los Angeles, Seattle and even Edmonton (Kewal Sahans) and outstation from Swansea, Wolverhampton, Torquay, Milton Keynes and Birmingham. A great evening of kirtan dedicated to the victims of the London (7/7) bombings. Great to be back in Southall.

SPITTING ON THE WRONG SIDES (Joke)

Heard a good joke in Southall! Indian government decided to produce stamps with faces of Akal Takhat and SGPC leaders. There were reports that the stamps were not sticking even though there seemed to be adequate glue on the sticky side until it was found that Sikhs were spitting on the wrong side ...

Wed. 27th July: - morning flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

KENYA/TANZANIA - The Garden of Eden!

Satt Matharu, our contact person for Kenya based in UK, family of Sardar Swaran Singh Garial and his family and his close friends Charanjit and Gurpreet, the Sikh Supreme Concil and Mr. Jandu of Arusha, Tanzania made this a memorable tour - one which will live long in our memories.

Thurs/Fri/Sat: It began with three nights of continuous programs at the Ramgharia South C gurdwara with good sangats. Two programs on Sunday with an Asa Dhi Var at the Landis Gurdwara - the oldest gurdwara in Nairobi (est. 1903) to a surprisingly large sangat and one more program at night at South C - four in a row there!

We have been to Nairobi two years ago but it does take time for sangat to realise that their offsprings do like to listen to us. Traditional sangats of course are more comfortable with the two vajas and one tabla, three similar looking gentlemen with similar coloured clothers and turbans - preferably all white. We on the other hand are a motley crew of a Sikh, who does not dress (Sikh) traditionally, two 'whites', one Hindu and the Sikh's daughter. BUT, soon the momentum picks up and cd sales pick up. I guess our group shall spend all its performing life in persuading Sikh sangats that we do produce good kirtan!

A visit to the Nairobi National Park and Museum were special as Kenya is the home of the first evidence of the existence of man - the original 'Garden of Eden' so to speak, except that Adam and Eve were black! The origins of man with archeological findings are well displayed including many species of their animals and especially birds. By the way, a point of interest - a huge bird which looks very much like the northern Australian 'brolga', called the 'maribou', a cross between a vulture and a huge stork actually nests in trees of one of the main streets of Nairobi. Quite an amazing sight.

Monday was memorable as we drove, in two vehicles to a Game Reserve and La Toki Resort, (owned by an architect, Harbans Singh who is also the President of the Sikh Supreme Council) within it. I have been to some great places in my life but there are probably none to match this overnight stay, at the Presidential Lodge - all of timber, a lovely dinner, a Masai dance and an early morning safari drive to see the wildlife next morning. First we came across a lion kill of a zebra with lions feeding on the carcass circled by hyenas and a fox waiting for their turn while the other animals appeared to graze nonchalently at a safe distance! Zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, oryxes, impalas, giraffes, elephants, even monkies and baboons, a vast array of birds and hippopotami grazed, enjoyed the wetlands and moved in harmony with Masais and their herds of cattle, goats and sheep. Never have I experienced nature in such harmony - including the lions feeding on a dead zebra. An amazing scene occured as the main lion, after feeding, majestically walked off, with the grazing animals making a wide berth for it, but yet following it until it disappeared into the high savannah grass. It was like as if they knew that the 'king of the jungle' had had his feed and would not attack and hence the animals even escorted it until it disappeared!

Dheeraj and Josh played some music on the lawns of the presidential abode - it seemd fitting, as a tribute of its splendour and because it seemed like the perfect setting for music while lines of elephants and zebras and wildebeest passed by close by. We were forced in when a large contingent of baboons became too curious and came to listen. They did not look too safe!

The trip that followed across the border was eventful. We had three tyre punctures within a stretch of about 80 km. Crossing the border was a one and a half hour affair and we reached Arusha with about one hour to spare for rest before a gurdwara program. This was well attended by Sikhs and non-Sikhs. So we can add Tanzania to our cv! We hope to do a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro the next time I am here and while the body is still able to!

We had a rather tiring journey with the drama of another breakdown of one vehicle but made it to the Pangani Ramgharia gurdwara for a program - in Nairobi the next day - Wednesday, 3 August.

We performed at the Bazaar and Singh Sabha gurdwaras with the final two programs at the South C gurdwara on the Sunday but on friday (5 Aug) we had another eventful multifaith program at the Sri Snatam Dharma Hindu Mandhir. A program scheduled for their main hall was moved to the mandhir itself. A 500 strong audience/congregation enjoyed a two hour concert which was enjoyed by all, so much so the Hindus and especially Gujeratis came for the remaining gurdwara programs in Nairobi.

The tour culminated with a final program at South C gurdwara with a large sangat and the usual round of 'seropas'. The shawls gifted by the Ramgharia Board will always be special. They had the Ramgharia Board emblem stitched into them, making them very special gifts - a far cry from the usual two and a half feet of saffron turban cloth which really is, no doubt very symbolic but of no real use. I have, as I have mentioned before, a boatload of these, without much use to me.

SEWA, SIMRAN AND SACRIFICE

Sikh Students Federation, Kenya and the Ramgharia Youth Board are jointly holding a youth camp in Mombasa this week. Pity we could not attend but our sincerest best wishes are with them. I also applaud their theme - Sewa, Simran and Sacrifice. 400 are expected.

On Monday 8th August, Sardar Swaran Singh Ji took us to Naivasha where he has a lodge (in the Rift Valley). First it was lunch halfway at Shani and Raju's place. They are brothers to Mrs. Pangali, our hosts in San Francisco. They live close to a saw mill that had been established by their father almost sixty years ago but now dormant because of the cut back on timbering. They have magnificent house made of timber, but sadly the mill lies in ruins - a business which once boasted a workforce of over 400. There are hopes of the mill re-opening. Maybe with Waheguru Ji's grace ...

We had a great evening at S. Swaran Singh's lodge in Naivasha. I must make mention of his two close buddies - Gurdeep Singh and Charanjit Singh. Two great gentlemen, full of life and very dynamic. We referred jokingly to the three as The Three Musketeers. Gurdeep and Charanjit are great cooks and the talk between them is always productive - about new business ventures, about new initiatives within the Sikh community and so on. May Waheguru bless all three. They have all become our great friends.

What can I say of East Africa and East African Sikhs? I love them. They are very much like Malaysian Sikhs except that they are probably more conscious of their background and especially their mother tongue than Malaysian Sikhs. They have maintained our traditions and tie their dastaars with pride. Sadly, Kenya appears to have lost its glory days due to corruption and loss of faith by overseas investors and the world bank. AND, the divide between the indigenous population and the Indians is big, and neither side appears to be doing much about that. Greater efforts in this area might be the answer to their future survival, hopefully, unless corruption ruins the country first.

9/10/11 August. Flight - Nairobi/Johannesburgh/Sydney to Darwin for the Darwin Arts Festival. A long tiring journey with a 24 hour break in Johannesburgh but we made it!

Darwin, well Northern Territories, this time of year is absolutely wonderful weatherwise. Temperatures in the mid-twenties, with cool sea breezes and low humidity. Keith Preston and Parvyn joined us. We performed two concerts on the main stage in the Botanic Gardens on Friday and Sunday nights with a 300km. drive and performance at the Anglican Church in Katherine on Saturday. We were also able to go for a boat ride in the famous Katherine Gorge on the Sunday morning before returning to Darwin. Just a bit of information - there is no speed limit on the open roads in the Northern Territories! We covered over 300 km. in two and a half hours, with stops and slowing down for small towns!

Roper River Mission/Ngukurr community and Ngukkurr Airlines.

We flew in two Lancer Piper, single engine, five seater planes, on Monday morning to the Ngukurr community on the Roper River in Arnhem Land for one concert that night. What an exhilerating experience - not knowing what to expect! We were warmly welcomed by CEO Andre and his right hand man Eddie Chisholm. Venue was changed to their open chapel by the village elders when they found out that ours was spiritual music! We were accommodated in the community's Rectory near their church. Eddie took us for a drive through their sacred lands and we saw wild buffaloes, foot marks of saltwater crocs. and the telltale snouts of the fresh water crocs. There is a sense of timelessness here. It is not an easy life. BUT, we had a great concert much enjoyed by the young and especially the elders with whom we then set around a campfire discussing problems of the old and especially the young.

We flew back early next morning after another drive by Eddie and a low circle in Kakadu National Park by our two wonderful pilots. Another great experience - an Australian one this time. Yes, we too have a great country - no doubt about it.

We have completed another memorable tour and headed back via Sydney overnight on Tuesday 16/17th. August.

I am chilling out for the rest of the month (August 2005) - so, more next month, God-willing!

Melbourne this time of the year (winter!) is not really my cup of tea but new surroundings and closeness to my three daughters and grandchildren is worth enjoying. New accommodation in Noble Park is great and maybe a quick trip to Adelaide will be good. Coffee in Adelaide is absolutely superb! Good to be home.

Saturday night (20 Aug) - a vintage Jagjit Singh concert. The family went and we were able to have a few valuable words with the maestro himself. His wife Chitra Singh was also there but not singing.

So, in troubled times when we are not sure what our 'dharam-dhe-thekedars and jathedars' are up to and we appear to be losing direction, it becomes the responsibility of the individual to maintain ones balance and ask, 'what can I do?' There is always something the individual can do. Don't just wring your hands in anguish and despair. Look upon it as an opportunity for 'YOU' to do something!

BLESSINGS AND CHERDHI KALA TO ALL.