Kalam Da Safar - a short newsletter

Kalam da Safar! VOl 1, Issue 1, April 2026. Editor’s Note, As a writer I have been writing for the last 27 years and for the first time I am working on this magazine. I have called it Kalam da Safar, as my pen has traveled far and wide, and across many years. The knowledge, wisdom, ideas I have picked up are far too many. This magazine is a tribute to my father, Randhir Singh Kapoor and my mom Jagjeet Kaur who both loved to read and write. In this magazine I will share lots of things and if you would like to write and contribute towards it, you are welcome to do so by emailing it at ………. Harpreet Kaur Kapoor, Editor

Baisakhi 2026 – Khalsa Sajna Diwas April is the month when we celebrate Vaisakhi (festival of Harvest) – mostly celebrated on 13 or 14 April. It marks the day – the Birth of the Khalsa in the year 1699. Guru Gobind Singhji initiated the Panj Pyare – the five who began the Khalsa Panth – the army of saint soldiers. It is also the day when the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre took place. This day marks a big celebration for the Sikh Community across the world. It is earmarked with Nagar Kirtan, Langars, bhangra, kirtan samagams, hoisting of the new yellow coloured Flag with the Khanda displayed prominently on it.

During the 17th century the Sikh community was facing a lot of turmoil after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh BahadurJi, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, at the hands of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1675. The Sikhs were facing increasing persecution. Guru Gobind Singhji recognized the need to instil courage among his followers. On March 30, 1699, Guru Gobind Singhji summoned his followers to Anandpur Sahib for a special Vaisakhi gathering. Thousands of Sikhs responded and there the atmosphere was charged waiting to hear their Guru's message. For the first time Guruu Gobind Singhji appeared before the congregation with a drawn sword and commanded attention, he asked for a volunteer willing to sacrifice their head for their faith. The request shocked the assembly, and silence fell over the crowd. After some hesitation, Bhai Daya Singhji, a Khatri from Lahore, stepped out Guru Gobind Singhji took him into the erected tent nearby. Shortly after, he emerged his sword dripping with blood, and asked for another volunteer. This sequence was repeated four more times, with Bhai Dharam Singhji (a Jat from Hastinapur), Bhai Himmat Singhji (a water-carrier from Jagannath), Bhai Mukham Singhji (a tailor from Dwarka), and Bhai Sahib Singhji (a barber from Bidar).

The congregation was stunned and fearful. After the fifth man had disappeared inside the tent Guru Gobind Singhji emerged with all five volunteers, alive and dressed identically. These five brave men came to be known as the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones), who had passed the Guru's test of faith and courage. The significance of the men - they came from different castes and regions of India and the Guru had given the Sikhs/Khalsa Panth - equality and brotherhood. He on that day also granted the Sikhs five important things which are now a part of their daily lives – Daya (Kindness), Dharam (religious), Himmat (courage), Mukham (steadiness) and Sahib (status). The Panj Pyare were initiated into the Khalsa with amrit stirred in an iron bowl by Guru Gobind Singhji with the Khanda with a few sugar crystals added to it by his wife Sahib Kaurji symbolizing the importance of sweetness and humility in a Khalsa's life. Guru Gobind Singhji is regarded as the father and Mata Sahib Kaurji is the mother of the Khalsa Panth. After giving Amrit to the Panj Pyare, Guru Gobind Singhji requested the Khalsa to baptize him to in the same manner. And thus this revolutionary act established that the Guru and his disciples were one. When the Khalsa was created, the first to step forward was Bhai Daya Singh Ji. This moment carries a quiet but powerful message. Daya teaches us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the same light in everyone. Not just in those we love, but in strangers, in animals, in nature, and in all of creation. Before strength, before sacrifice, comes compassion, this is the very foundation of Sikhi. Waheguruji Ka Khalsa! Waheguruji Ki Fateh! Japji Sahib - The mul mantar

For Sikhs the mul mantar is the complete embodiment of Guru Nanak's teachings, which flow in the Sikh creed and the Sikh way of life. Guru In Sikhi there is immense importance given to the Guru. The Guru has been sent by Akal Purakh. He is a guide and not an incarnation. The Guru is the voice of Akal Purakh and spreads the Divine word, the shabad. Guru Angad emphasises the importance of the idea of Guru in this stanza:- mahalaa doojaa || je sau cha(n)dhaa ugaveh sooraj chaReh hajaar || If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared, ete chaanan hodhiaa(n) gur bin ghor a(n)dhaar ||2|| even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru. ||2|| (GGS: 463) The Sikh seeks to dissipate the darkness of spiritual ignorance with the enlightenment of the Guru. Sikh Gurus insist that there is no heaven or hell and human beings must awaken to the full realization of Akal Purakh during their life on this earth. Akal Purakh is not an external entity but exists within every heart and within all of creation. So everyone should be treated with dignity, serving Akal Purakh's creation and social justice to create a better world for others - sarbatt da bhalla. Short Bio I have worked as a journalist for 16 years and then went on to online content writing for twelve years as a freelancer in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. I moved to Gujarat in 2023 and a year later started working at CHARUSAT University as a content writer. I have written over 18 books although they are eBooks and available online barring a couple of them which are in hard copy. The list is below with the place where you can buy them. Books Authored by me Print Version - The Rajput Warrior published by Lifi Publication, April, 2015. . - Monumental Kumbhalgarh, Shubhi Publishers, printed in March 2013 - The Saint From Ajmer, PublishAmerica in December 2009. (out of publication) Archaeology: Techniques and Methods, through Rupa publications in June 2006. EBooks Kalam Da Safar – Series As ebook/magazine in 2026. Rani Ki Vav – A study As ebook on Draft2Digital in 2026 The Writer’s Landscape As ebook on Draft2igital in 2025 Badshah Dervesh-Guru Gobind Singhji As ebook on Draft2Digital.com 2024 Many Mumbai’s, on smashwords.com, 2023 Fort of the Mist, on smashwords.com, 2022 -The Saint from Ajmer: Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, on smashwords.com as ebook, May 2017 -Song of the Desert, through Smashword.com as an ebook, April, 2017 Desert Chronicles Series Book 5 Mehrangarh Undersiege On smashwords.com in 2012 Book 4 Rajputs and Rajputana on Smashwords.com as ebook, July 2012. Book 3 Forts of Rajasthan, on Smashwords.com as ebook, Nov 2011. Book 2 Desert Cuisine – From the Soul, on smashwords.com as ebook, May 2011 Book 1 Love and Courage, on smashwords.com as an ebook Dec 2010. -Adventures of Young Arsalan, On smashwords.com as an ebook November 2010. -Shakti, The Mother Goddess On smashwords.com as an ebook July 2010. Hampi, The Forgotten Empire on smashwords.com as an ebook June 2010 Come, walk with me! Book 2 On Draft2Digital as an ebook in June 2013 - Come, walk with me! Book 1 On smashwords.com as an ebook March 2010. Quotes On www.smashwords.com as an ebook February 2010