Dya Singh walks to raise funds for Khalsa Land

Dya Singh, 72, is eager to begin his cross-country “walk” for a good cause. The walk, which begins today, will cover a distance of 60 kilometres across Malaysia and will take 5 days to complete.

The walk will start from Sikh Naujawan Sabha House at Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur and will complete at the International Sikh Centre popularly known as Khalsa Land, located at Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Dya Singh, who was born in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia, is an accomplished Sikh preacher and musician. The Dya Singh World Music Group which performs North Indian classical music as well as hymns from the Sikh, Hindu, and Sufi faiths, has performed in numerous countries around the world.

Since its inception in 1984, the group has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Melbourne.

Dya Singh moved to Australia with his wife, after finishing his accounting studies in the United Kingdom in 1981. The couple has three daughters and two grandchildren. Even though he now lives in Melbourne, Dya Singh never fails to return to Malaysia to visit his family and friends.

Dya likes walking in Malaysia as it allows him to enjoy the country’s natural beauty and meet its friendly people. According to Dya Singh, walking is the best activity for physical fitness and relaxation of the mind, especially as one gets older. It’s also a great way to reconnect with nature without any distractions.

Dya Singh first started his walking journey from Ipoh, Perak, to Kuala Lumpur in 2007. He has since completed numerous long distance walks throughout Malaysia and Singapore. His most recent walk was from Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road in Singapore to Gurdwara Sahib, Melaka 8 years ago, in honour of Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji.

“In anticipation of a very happy and fulfilling year-end, without Covid restrictions for the first time after two years, I am celebrating in my own way.” Dya Singh said about his “healthy, spiritually uplifting and invigorating” walk.

Dya Singh is walking this time to raise funds for the development of the 20-acre Khalsa Land, which could be Asia’s largest Sikh retreat centre outside of India.

“The walk is to promote Khalsa Land as a ‘retreat’ and a respite from the predominantly technology-driven and stressful life we lead these days. It is to promote the freedom of the outdoors, healthy living and the opportunity to slow down and spend time in retrospection” Dya Singh added.

Khalsa Land

Khalsa Land is owned by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM), a Malaysian Sikh youth organisation. SNSM has been organising camps for Sikh youths from all over the world, for the past 40 years.

The organisation has decided to develop Khalsa Land to accommodate the increasing number of camp participants. They envisioned a place where young people could learn and connect with nature through creative outdoor experiences.

“I have stayed overnight at KhalsaLand and was overwhelmed by the peace and tranquility. It felt like stepping into timelessness.” said Dya Singh.

In 2001, through the generous support of Sikhs in Malaysia and abroad, SNSM acquired the land in Kuala Kubu Bharu, which is only an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Since then, a number of amenities have been built, including the Darbar Sahib, classrooms, cabins, washrooms, and kitchen facilities.Other recreational facilities including a playground for kids and a football pitch are also available.

The Annual Gurmat Parchar Samelan, SNSM’s signature event, was hosted at Khalsa Land from 2016 to 2019, with over 1,000 young people in attendance. In addition, about 80 activities including youth and family camps, Gurmat getaways, and mini-Samelans, were held at Khalsa Land between 2018 and 2019.

However, the activities have been held in a makeshift manner, as additional funds of approximately RM15 million are urgently required to continue with the development that is currently underway.

The Phase 1 development project, which includes the construction of a multi-purpose hall, accommodation units, and other supporting facilities, was launched in April of this year.

Dya Singh, who began his 5 day journey today from Sabha House Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to arrive in Khalsa Land on Sunday, November 20th. He will rest on November 19 which coincide with Malaysia’s 15th General Election.

Those who wish to contribute to the fund may do so using the information provided below:

BANK DETAILS

Bank:  Maybank (Malayan Banking Berhad)
Acc. Number:  514012 428084 
Acc. Name:  Pertubuhan Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia
Address: Malayan Banking Berhad
Kuala Lumpur Main Branch
100 Jalan Tun Perak
50050 Kuala Lumpur . 
Malaysia

SWIFT code:  MBBEMYKL
Email address: [email protected]

PAYPAL
PayPal.Me/khalsaland

For more info, please contact: 

Hardev Singh (+6017-486 2648) or 
Harnarinder Singh (Harry) (+6017-215 0305)