PERIOD FROM 1972 TO PRESENT

On 3rd June 1972, during the Akhand Path in the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca in memory of the late Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji, the sangat overwhelmingly desired that a memorial be made, in appreciation of Sant Ji’s vast contributions to the well-being of the Sikh Panth. This memorial should serve as a pillar of gurmat perchaar for the future generations. An ad-hoc committee of five members was appointed to convene a convention of the representatives of all Sikh religious Societies and Gurdwara Management Committees in Malaysia and Singapore. The main agenda for discussion was to determine the kind of memorial to be built, and the location of memorial. The members of this ad-hoc committee were Sardar Vasawa Singh Gill of Malacca, Sardar Amreek Singh Gill of Kuala Lumpur, Sardar Gurdial Singh Sagoo of Ipoh, Master Gurnam Singh Ji and Surjit Singh Bassian of Kuala Lumpur.

On the 19th August 1972, a convention of the representatives of Sikh religious Societies and Gurdwara Management Committees from Malaysia and Singapore was held at the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca. After lengthy discussions, it was unanimously decided to build the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidyala. This vidyala was to serve as a centre for religious learning for all, where aspiring Sikhs could be trained in the following:

1. Granthi’s duties in Gurdwaras
2. Sikh Missionaries to do perchaar
3. Ragis (musicians) to be trained to sing hymns in Gurbani with Waja (harmonium) as well as the Dholki (drum) or Jorrhi/Tabla (small drums)
4. Teachers to be trained to teach Gurmukhi and Gurbani to Sikh students
5. Arrange for knowledgeable Sikhs Percharaks, religious scholars and ragi – jethas to visit various towns or cities in Malaysia, Singapore and do gurmat perchaar

It was also decided at this convention in Malacca to set up the Sant Sohan Singh Ji Malacca Memorial Society which would be responsible for the administration of the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidyala. It was agreed that the Dharmak Vidyala be located at the back of the Gurdwara Singh Malacca building.

The Sant Sohan Singh Ji Malacca Memorial Society was duly registered on 1st December 1972 (Registration No. 346 Melaka). Its first task was to raise donations for the construction of the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Dharmak Vidyala as well as to fund the implementation of its very noble objectives.

In April 1973, the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Malacca Memorial Society sponsored three students for further Sikh studies. They were sent to Shahid Sikh Missionary College in Amritsar, Punjab. After completing their studies in 1975, these students returned to Malaysia to serve the Sikh community. These three students are:

1. Giani Mahinder Singh Ji (Khalsa Ji) – Kirtan/Perchaar
2. Bibi Ranbir Kaur – Gurmukhi Teacher
3. Sardar Harmander Singh s/o Giani Darbara Singh Daler – Gurmukhi Teacher

In early 1974, the Management Committee of the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Memorial Society Malacca, leased a portion of land behind the Gurdwara Sahib Malacca from the Management Committee of Gurdwara Sahib Malacca for a token sum of $1.00. On 19th May 1974, on the occasion of the second Selana Yaadgiri Jormela (annual commemorative prayers) of Sant Baba Sohan Singh JI, the foundation stone of the Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidyala, Malacca building was laid by Sant Baba Jewala Singh Ji Bidor Wale, State of Perak. He was assisted by the following Panj Piyarae, Giani Gandoor Singh Ji, Giani Babu Singh Ji Sikh Missionary, Bhai Gurdial Singh Ji, Bhai Tara Singh Ji and Giani Bachittar Singh Ji. This Dharmak Vidyala was completed by October 1975.

On 23rd May 1976, during the forth Selana Yaadgiri Jormela of Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji, the completed double-storey Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Dharmak Vidyala building was officially declared open by Panj Piyarae, Giani Mahinder Singh Ji Chakarwarthy, Giani Babu Singh Ji, Sikh Missionary, Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji Bhaur, Bhai Gurdial Singh Ji and Bhai Gurbaksh Singh JI in the presence of the sangat who had come from all over Malaysia and Singapore.