Simran Singh of Sikh Dharma International carrying Sanchiyan, Gutkas and other Sikh artifacts.
(Note: The above pic is not at the Odessa Gurdwara Saheb. This picture is in Moldova after crossing across the Ukranian border)
25th March 2022, Odessa, Ukraine: The tragedy of the war in Ukraine has made it necessary to evacuate the ਸੈੰਚੀਆੰ (‘Sainchian/religious scriptures’) and ਗੁਟਕੇ (‘Gutke/sacred prayer tablets’) from the port city of Odessa in Ukraine. This virtuous seva was critical as the residents of Odessa had been preparing to defend the city from an imminent attack after the siege of Mariupol nearby. This sewa was made successful by the joint efforts of SIKH DEFENSE NETWORK-UK, SIKH DHARMA INTERNATIONAL and the UNITED SIKHS. The holy scriptures are being respectfully brought into the United Kingdom, where they will be received by the Sangat and then taken to the NATIONAL SIKH MUSEUM in Derby, UK.
Simran Singh Stuelpnagel traveled from London to Iasi in Romania, from where he took a car to drive into the Moldovan capital Chisinau. The outskirts of the city were met by the members of the Ukrainian People’s Self Defense Organization. The general advice given was to not travel due to the city being prepared for assault. The entire sequence of the journey was an experience of grace and filled with Chardhi Kala, and joyful anticipation of the darshan of the scriptures.
The ਸੈੰਚੀਆੰ and ਗੁਟਕੇ were then collected from Odessa Gurdwara Sahib, following all the protocols and with utmost care. The ਸੈੰਚੀਆੰ will be taken for safekeeping by the National Sikh Museum in Derby. The sangat has been invited to the airport in Luton where the flight arrives today 26th March on Wizz Air UK at 13:40 hours.
“We are overjoyed that Guru Ji provided the blessing of retrieving the Sanchia at such a difficult time,” said Simran Singh, Global Affairs Advisor of Sikh Dharma International. “Coordinating on the ground with United Sikhs and the UK Sikh Defense Network in this mission was a game changer and it is together that the panth is the strongest. Now, our focus must remain on the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine, where millions of people are in extreme duress, where food is in short supply, and where countless refugees are hiding or worse. United Sikhs is currently running convoys into Ukraine to evacuate Sikh and Hindu students, is feeding thousands of refugees on the entire sangat’s behalf at their langar hall, and is available to any person needing help. We are extremely grateful for their tireless work.”
Pritpal Singh Bhullar, Vice Chairman, UK Sikh Defense Network said, “When we started planning this mission with Simran Singh, it was important that he had real time knowledge of movements and travel routes to ensure his and scriptures safe return. The area is under military siege, with civilians evacuated, and we had to efficiently navigate military blockades, armored vehicle columns, and pending bombardments. We are particularly grateful to the Ukrainian People’s Self Defense Organization from Lviv for coordinating Ukrainian vehicles and non-military drivers at personal risk and during their own tremendous need. We are overjoyed that with Guru Ji’s blessing, this mission was a success.”
UNITED SIKHS has been involved in serving the emergency needs of refugees escaping the destruction of their country. This includes distributing warm meals to eat, tea/coffee, goodwill supplies, a warm and secure shelter in bitterly cold climate and conducting rescue operations along the Ukraine/Poland border for close to a month.
Gurpal Singh, UNITED SIKHS head of Security Operations said, “Thanks to Vaaheguroo that Guru Saheb’s most sacred Senchian and Gutkes have made their way out. The collective approach of sikh brothers and sisters in this operation with the Polish NGO’s, Ukrainian Civil Authorities and their NGO’s is a sign of a collective human spirit to save humanity-in war or peace. We recognize Simran Singh and the Sikh Dharma International Sangat in their collective effort to join forces and work as a truly global Team. Their humanitarian supply, evacuation, and food delivery seva for the Ukrainian people are deeply inspirational as well. This Mission is a tribute to universal protection of places of worship globally and we are thankful to the Sikh National Heritage Museum in Derby, UK where they will be placed.”
Since the start of the war, the UNITED SIKHS disaster relief and their advocacy teams are making efforts to support the needs of Ukrainian residents whose lives have been uprooted by war. At present we are trying to evacuate young Sikh girls who are still stuck in the war zone.
As the war in Ukraine enters the second month, volunteers of UNITED SIKHS remain committed to serve those in need at Medyka, Poland border base camp and elsewhere. This Sewa is not possible without your continued support and we thank you for making this vast effort possible.
Simran Singh at the Odessa Gurdwara with one of the local Sangat members
Gurvinder Singh
International Humanitarian Aid Director
Recognize the Human Race as One
