Giani Mahinder Singh Ji Khalsa, more commonly and affectionately addressed as “Khalsa Ji”, was instrumental in keeping the light of the Gurus' teachings brightly alight in Malaysia, Singapore, UK and other parts of the world. His love for Sikhi, missionary work, emphasis on simran & the rehat (Sikh Code of Discipline and stubborn adherence to truth are legendary - earning him widespread respect and admiration.
Born on Sep 5 1941 in Ipoh, Malaysia to Sardar Bhagwan Singh and Mata Dharam Kaur, Khalsa ji grew up like any regular child. There was, however, a strong spiritual influence from Sant Baba Sohan Singh ji of Malacca - with whom his family had a very close relationship. Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji (1902 - 1972) was a highly respected Sikh missionary in India, Malaysia and Singapore. His selfless service to the community, leadership, exemplary life & teachings inspired and created a spiritual awakening amongst the Sikhs.
At the age of 12 years, Khalsa ji started learning kirtan from the resident Granthi at Gurdwara Sahib Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia. After finishing school, he found regular employment in Kuala Lumpur (capital of Malaysia) and subsequently at the Batu Gajah Land Office in Perak. Throughout, he maintained his connection with Baba Sohan Singh ji, who resided in Malacca. As the two got closer, Khalsa ji increasingly started to lean toward Sikhi parchaar and eventually left his work to do sewa.
In 1972, Sant Baba Sohan Singh ji fell seriously ill and was hospitalised to the General Hospital in Ipoh. As Khalsa ji recalled in later years, Baba ji held Khalsa ji's hands and said that he was handing over the sewa to him and made him promise that he would commit to the panth and continue the work. Baba Sohan Singh ji left for his heavenly abode on 24 May 1972 and Khalsa ji kept to his promise.
In August 1972, Sant Baba Sohan Singh ji Kirtani Sewak Jetha was started. Besides Khalsa ji, the jetha included Sardar Hari Singh Khalsa, Sardar Ranjit Singh 'Taggar', Giani Malkeet Singh, Sardar Avtar Singh, Sardar Amarjit Singh and Sardar Darshan Singh. Under the banner of this jetha, Khalsa ji did kirtan and parchaar in a number of countries. Khalsa ji was also an icon in semelans (Sikh youth camps) in both Malaysia and Singapore.
After Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidiyala was setup in 1974-1975 to teach Gurmat and to promote Sikhi, Khalsa ji got involved as a parcharak. He was later sent to Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Putlighar, Amritsar, where he learnt kirtan, katha and parchar till 1976. Back at the Vidiyala, he eventually became the principal teacher for parcharaks. In the first batch of students enrolled for the course, several graduated in 1979 to dedicate their lives to sewa. Among them was the highly charismatic Giani Jagjit Singh Khalsa (head Granthi of Gurdwara Sahib Pusing; passed away in July 1986), Giani Sukhdaiv Singh (founder of the Sikh orphanage called Gurpuri) and Giani Daljit Singh, who is presently with Gurdwara Sahib Dharamsala, Kuala Lumpur.
In 1979, Khalsa ji left Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidiyala and continued the sewa at Gurdwara Sahib Mantin - then an old wooden Gurdwara that was built in the 1890's. It was during this period that Khalsa ji, Giani Jagjit Singh and others helped to restore the well at the Gurdwara - the waters of which is famed for its spiritual properties ("jal"). The Gurdwara itself is said to have "Shaheeda da pehraa" and a blue Nishan Sahib was put up to indicate this.
In 1985, Khalsa ji, along with a number of supporters, founded Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Garh, for the teaching of Gurmat. The organisation today owns a plot of land and plans were underway up till 2012 for the physical building to be constructed.
In the 1990's, Khalsa ji was invited several times to the UK for semelans and, as in Singapore and Malaysia, many families and youth grew close and fond of him.
In his life time, Khalsa ji met a number of great saints. One he spoke about often and was close to was Sant Baba Tara Singh ji of Sarhali (near Amritsar). Baba ji was well respected by many, including Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, for his spiritually elevated state. Baba Tara Singh ji once asked Khalsa ji to do the sewa in India but he explained that Baba Sohan Singh ji had left the sewa for him in Malaysia and that's where he would have to carry it out. In the same way, Baba Sohan Singh ji had also instructed Baba Norang Singh ji to carry out the sewa in the UK, where he met Baba Puran Singh ji and subsequently did the sewa at the Soho Road Gurdwara.
In the last few years, even as he grew increasingly frail, Khalsa ji did not let ill-health interfere with his kirtan or parchaar work. His ardas had been to be able to do this till the end and Guru Maharaj gave him his wish.
Khalsa ji had a wealth of spiritual knowledge. He was, to his very core, a practising Sikh who had gained the fruits of Naam Simran and the love for Gurbani, Sikhi and Waheguru. While he felt humbled at the thought of his mentor, Sant Baba Sohan Singh ji, the sanggat knew he was no simple "Giani" but truly a Baba himself. Now that he has left for his heavenly abode, let's keep his legacy, and the legacy of special souls like him, alive through the fuel that kept his spirit burning bright - ie Sikhi.