The Positive Voices

A special part of India came to visit West Michigan in April. Imagine the Pope in your living room or the Dali Lama coming to dinner. Well the equivalent of that happened to the Singh Family when Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, head of the Sikhs across the globe came to visit successful entrepreneur and community leader Sunny Singh and his family and friends. “ He is comparable to the Pope in status and a very holy man. This is a great honor,” Singh explained happily. The Jathedar’s first visit ever to Michigan was to keep a promise he made to his follower Sunny Singh. “When he told me last year he would visit me, I just didn’t expect it to happen. He is such a great man and such a busy person,” Singh said Stately Singh manor in Grand Rapids Township was transformed into a spiritual haven filled with the wonderful atmosphere of Sikh piety and culture. The fragrance of delightful native cuisine, along with friendship and fellowship filled the home. Guests were from the Indian and Sikh communities with an array of elected officials and members of the Kent Count Democratic Party of which Sunny Singh is a high official. Mr. Singh, his wife Neeraj Saini and their children Karan and Rahul are well known and beloved residents of the area. A prosperous businessman, he owns eight convenience stores around West Michigan along with the exquisite restaurant, Palace of India located on East Fulton in the Midtown neighborhood. Additionally, Sunny Singh is greatly respected in the Indian community serving as Vice President of the India National Overseas Congress, USA; President, INOC, State of Michigan; and President, Punjabi Cultural Society of the State of Michigan. Many remarks were made and greeted warmly both for and by the Jathedar and his companions. Gifts were exchanged amidst joyous chants. State Representative Roy Schmidt and Kent County Commissioner Pete Hickey made official presentations. Former House Speaker Protem Michael Sak, Lottery Commissioner Scott Bowen, Lupe Ramos –Montigny, Second Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, and yours truly, who was humbled and honored to be invited, made brief remarks. Our gracious host acted as a Master of Ceremonies. Grand Rapids City Commissioner Elias Lumpkins, candidates for State Representative Brandon Dillon and John Schwartz along with State Senate Candidate David LaGrand were also in attendance. It was quite moving being in the presence of the Jathedar and listening to him speak through a translator. The love of his followers was obvious. His demeanor was gentle and the message uplifting. Sikh means disciple and the religion was founded over 500 years ago by Guru Nanak. A Sikh is defined as a person who faithfully believes in One God; and the utterances and teachings of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book; the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion. This faith consists of practical living, service to humanity, tolerance and brotherly love towards all. Afterwards, I was granted the privilege of spending time and speaking through a translator to the Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh personally. I asked him if there was a message he wanted to deliver to the people of West Michigan. The Jathedar replied, “I am very happy to come here, because the Sikh community and the personalities of the Sikh community have good relations with the American people. I want to give a message to all the Sikh community. They should work hard with honesty and share with the needy people and help the helpless people and they should be loyal to this country the United States especially. Any Sikh should not do anything bad especially to the innocent. All people living in the world, they are created by God, so the message of our community should be to love all. Don’t hate anyone. If any kind of disaster happens anywhere then the people of our community should help those people. All Sikhs believe in their religion and respect other religions.” This holy man certainly expressed simply and eloquently the tenets of his faith. At the end of our conversation I said, “It seems like your message is a universal one of love and social justice. Am I right?” To which the leader of over 20 million Sikhs worldwide smiled and responded through the translator, “Yes.” The diverse immigrants settling in West Michigan are putting us in touch with the world and the world in touch with us. For that we can celebrate and thank residents like Sunny Singh and his wonderful family.