Every year, most reverently, we commemorate what Banda Singh Bahadur did to re-establish the supremacy, dignity and prestige of the Khalsa. We recount his debuts and feel pride in the sacrifices he made. Historically, it is evident that he did commit a few acts that were contrary to the edicts specified by Guru Gobind Singh, particularly his replacing `Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh' with `Fateh Darshan.' Under the weight of his magnanimous deeds we disregard this negative aspect.

Since the independence of India, in 1947, there have been hundreds of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Diplomats assigned by the Government of India, to almost all the countries of the world. They go abroad, perform their duties for three or four years, they come back and are forgotten both at home and in foreign lands. But a few who took their culture with them to enlighten the other nations of their heritage are remembered forever. In this context, the name of Malik Hardit Singh and his family stands in high esteem. Probably he was the first one to elucidate the people of other cultures with the Sikh Religion, rather the Punjabi Culture at large; wherever he went, Guru Granth Sahib was always with him. Not only that, his children were there to enlighten the minds of people of other faiths, as well, with their melodious Gurbani Keertan. Was Mr. Malik efficient in his official duties? This temporal fact is immaterial.

Gaini Zail Singh's character, in the later days of his official tenure, was full of unethical, irreligious, and degrading behaviour. But we cannot forget some of his acts of promoting Sikh heritage. During the time when Hindu rhetoric was over powering the operations of the so called secular Government of India (typical was the holding of Havana Ceremonies at the launch of the Government owned ships) Giani Zail Singh installed Guru Granth Sahib with full decorum and honour in the Government houses. He was the first to have Akhand Path at the primal seat of Hindu power in Delhi. In years to come he will be remembered for this accomplishment along with his endeavour to create Guru Gobind Singh Marg.

Mr. Malhi's entrance into Canadian Parliament, in his full Sikh decorum, was itself a matter of great pride for every Sikh, irrespective of one's political disparity.

Not very long ago, if a Sikh walked in the Canadian Parliament, he would definitely invite the scornful looks. Someone might remark, `Who is that fellow with a huge bandage around his head.'

But now, on Tuesday the April 23, I stopped my car outside Canadian Parliament and stepped out to ask the way to the place where Mr. Malhi had arranged Akhand Path. Seeing me standing there, the Policeman abandoned the visitors he was already assisting, came to me and spontaneously offered his help. `I can come with you and take you there,' he said. But looking inside the car he regretted that there was no possibility of that. He spent quite a few minutes to direct me to the place, and, not only that, he fully made me to understand where to park the car without the fear of a parking ticket.

Mr. Malhi did not just arrange the Akhand Paath and let the Bhais and the Volunteers to come in turn and complete the uninterrupted and continuous recitation and go on their ways. No doubt, he was there all the time. But the admirable factor was his bringing the Ministers and the MPs (who had scant or no Sikh population in their constituencies) in batches of four or five to illustrate to them the significance of the Paath and the occasion.

Recently there have been a few articles and radio comments on what Mr.Malhi had promised, what he should have done, and what he did not do? To counter these there has been articles detailing the good deeds performed by him since his coming into the Parliament. These are just political gambits; neither I promote to confide in the capability of Mr. Malhi to continue as an M.P. (he does need an intelligent and shrewd advisor and speechwriter) nor I have much faith on the sincerity of the opposing factions. We are proud to display our factional tendencies inherited and imported by us from the Punjab, irrespective of the fact that they demur the Sikh imagery as a whole. It is indicated that under the new demarcations of the ridings, being considered now, there was possibility of five Sikh MPs getting into the Parliament. The way divisive altercations are proceeding, let alone a Sikh, there won't be any Punjabi as M.P. in the next Parliament.

Mr. Malhi went a step further and brought Punjabi culture in the full view of the Ministers and the Legislatures. His cultural programme comprising of Bhangra, in the afternoon, in the Commonwealth Room of the Parliament, was very much appreciable. Dozens of turbans and dupattas going round the Corridors of the Canadian Power presented a panoramic view. In spite of some political dissension, the presence of the representatives from the Gurdwaras of Ottawa, Scarborough and Montreal, and few individuals from all parts of Canada enhanced the Sikh prestige in the hearts of the Prime Minster and the other Ministers who had come there to address the congregation.

Brief but most impressive were a few words spoken by Mr. Randhawa, who was heading the group of eminent people from Guru Sikh Sabha, Scarborough. I wish all the Sikhs, at least those in Ontario, could think in such terms.

Whatever may be the out come of Mr. Malhi's alleged challenge to his erstwhile fellow compatriots, and the alleged campaign of vilification against him, he will always be remembered in the Canadian Sikh History as the First One in many demeanours.