Sant Baba Harnek Singh is one individual who has been closely associated with the northern Singapore Sikh Community. He influenced the lives of many members of the Sangat, guiding them in the Sikhi way of life and service to community. He was particularly active in guiding the Sembawang youth, getting them involved in and partaking in sewa. Despite his busy schedule in Punjab, he made a several visits to the gurdwara, in the 1970s and then again in 1980 and 1983. Sardar Ranjit Singh remembers Sant Baba Harnek Singh’s Jatha conducting Kirtan on a daily basis, either at Sembawang Gurdwara or at members’ homes.
Many devotees from all over Singapore came to listen to his Kirtan and Katha discourses. He was very attached to the Sangat and used to send his ashirwad (blessings) to the Sangat. A copy of his ashirwad after his visit in 1973 is attached at next page.
When he heard about the potential resettlement issues confronting the gurdwara, he personally made a contribution for the cause and strongly motivated the Sembawang Sikh Community to take on the challenge of building a new temple. His contribution of $3,100 ($1000 being his personal contribution and another $2,100 topped up by the Istri Sat Sang) has been appropriately acknowledged as the “Founding Donation” on the Donor Board displayed at the gurdwara.
