ਹੋਕਾ ਸੱਚ ਦਾ voice of truth

Dear Sangat Ji,

On Sunday, 14th September, Gurdwara Sahib Brisbane was privileged to honour Gurpreet Singh, Verrity Wandel, and Gurbaj Singh for their inspiring acts of kindness that have uplifted the Brisbane Sikh community.

Everyday gestures can shine a light on the spirit and character of our community. Gurpreet Singh, delivering parcels for Australia Post, noticed it had begun to rain at Verrity Wandel’s home in August. Instead of turning away, he gently folded the laundry from the clothesline and placed it under cover, a simple act that protected it from the rain. Verrity shared this story online, and across 10+ millions of people embraced this example of compassion and selflessness.

Similarly, Gurbaj Singh, a dedicated Brisbane taxi driver, demonstrated honesty of the highest order in December 2016. When a passenger left behind $14,000 in his cab, Gurbaj tracked them down and returned it without hesitation. The media celebrated him as “Brisbane’s most honest cabbie,” but it was his integrity that most deeply resonated.

Such heartwarming stories exemplify the Sikh principle of "Sarbat da Bhalla" meaning "welfare of all." Rooted in Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings, this ideal encourages us to uplift every soul, transcending boundaries of faith, race, or background. Guru Nanak’s message taught that the world is one family, and the blessings of the Creator embrace all. This spirit, embedded in Sikh scripture and prayer, inspires Sikhs worldwide to serve humanity with humility and love.

Through each compassionate deed, Sikhs continue the tradition set forth by Guru Nanak Sahib, making positive contributions and extending goodwill wherever we are. The actions of Gurpreet, Verrity, and Gurbaj remind us that greatness is found in simple acts of care and everyday honesty. These stories make us proud and reinforce our commitment to selfless service.

On behalf of the Brisbane Sikh Sangat, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our guests for joining us and accepting our appreciation on behalf of the entire Brisbane Sikh community.

Let these examples inspire us to embrace kindness, act with integrity, and work together for the welfare of all.

Dhanwaadh Ji