By Zile Singh

Gurbani teaches us that life is a gift from the Divine, and we should use it to achieve our purpose, which is to help the needy and ultimately merge with his creation.

As per a new practice, the Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society, Vancouver celebrated jointly the birthdays of their three members on Thursday September 26. 

Daljit, born on September 5,  1923, now 101 years,  is a living legend of Mark Twain’s saying, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” He was born in village Pandori Ladha Singh, Hoshiarpur (Punjab). His grandfather, Niranjan Singh, and father Gurdev Singh took active part in Gadar Movement. They penned many patriotic poems which Daljit recites by heart at every meeting of the Sunset Society. Daljit’s father came to Canada in 1931, and he followed him in 1951. He was married to Pritam Kaur in 1955. They have a son and a daughter living in Toronto and Vancouver, respectively. 

Harchand Singh Dhaliwal turned Ninety-one  on September 27th. Born in village Deegrian, Jalandhar (Punjab) he joined his father Dharam Singh in Vancouver  in 1954. His wife Tej Kaur and son Herb Dhaliwal joined him in 1958. Herb was the first Indo-Canadian Federal Minister for two terms in Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s Cabinet. Unfortunately, Harchand lost his vision in 1975. He exemplifies the following quote that “Light cannot be understood without the wisdom of darkness.” At 91, he recognizes hundreds of people by their voice. He recites Punjabi folklores by heart at Society’s weekly meetings. 

Dinesh Kumar Malhotra was born on September 10, 1954, now 70,  in Jagraon (Punjab). He passed his M. A (Economics)  from Punjab University, Chandigarh and  joined the State Bank of India, Jagraon in 1977.He also passed a prestigious examination of Certified Associates of Indian Institute of Bankers. As a rare case, he served  for 37 years in the same Branch and retired as Liaison Officer in 2014. He was awarded three times by the Chairman, SBI for his outstanding services. He migrated here in 2016. He held prominent posts in the local Rotary Club. He donates approximately Rs.70,000/-, his one month’s pension to Guru Nanak Sahara Society, Jagraon. The Society helps almost thirty poor families by way of financial and food help. His grandfather Vaid Diwan Chand was a freedom fighter  and father Kulbhushan Dev took active part in social service. His wife Kitty Malhotra, a gold medalist in M.A. (Physical Education) from Punjabi University retired as Principal from government school. They have two daughters and a son in Vancouver. Presently he is the Treasurer of the Sunset Society. He is an example of “Those are happy who do the most for others”. 

The Society, in unison prayed, “As we celebrate your birthday today, we pray that God’s grace and love overflow in your life, bringing you eternal joy and serenity.”

Zile Singh is a well respected Columnist, Writer and a Vipassana Meditater. He has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights.  He can be reached at zsnirwal@yahoo.ca