Sacred spaces and sharing

At Asia Society Hong Kong & Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong

 The Hong Kong Gurdwara dates back to 1901 and is among the oldest Gurdwaras outside India.

When Gentry Press' Rajiv Daswani, my publisher, told me about the Asia Society Hong Kong Center event he wanted me to attend for a book talk on my book, Gurdwaras: Abodes of the Guru, I was very happy with the choice of city and the organisation hosting it.

My wife, Jaspreet, and I flew to Hong Kong and met the Gentry Press team: Rajiv, Danny, and Jeno. Danny and I had worked closely over the years as she designed the book, and Jeno mailed me a copy of Simbahán: An Illustrated Guide to 50 of the Philippines’ Must-Visit Catholic Churches, which showed me what Rajiv had in mind.

Over the next few days of our interaction, I realised how well the team melded. Asia Society Hong Kong Center had drawn in an audience comprising arts and culture lovers and the local Sikh community.

• 

• 

Alice Mong, President of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, was gracious in her remarks and interaction, and Dorothy Chan, Head of Programs at Asia Society Hong Kong Center, introduced us to the audience. I was both surprised and pleased when she told me earlier, “You have many fans.” That too, after I had declared that I knew no one in Hong Kong!

Discussing architecture and spirituality with Enid Tsui, Arts Editor, South China Morning Post

Enid Tsui is a prominent financial and cultural journalist and Arts Editor of the South China Morning Post. She has worked with many prestigious organisations, including the Financial Times, and is the author of Art in Hong Kong: Portrait of a City in Flux. I have the book, and I look forward to reading it. She asked thoughtful questions, and we struck an easy rapport that made the conversation flow.

“Sacred spaces, shared humanity” was the focus of our discussion, which became quite freewheeling as it expanded to include the interest of the diverse audience.

In fact, later Blockwind News Editor Joe Pan, a multilingual journalist and media educator, and senior advisor to the Asian American Journalists Association, wrote: “At a recent Asia Society Hong Kong Center talk, “Sacred Spaces, Shared Humanity,” veteran journalist Roopinder Singh presented a profound vision of the gurdwara not merely as a Sikh place of worship, but as a symbol of radical hospitality, equality, and interfaith connection.” Please click here to read the post.

Answering questions from people of different faiths was fulfilling and pushed me to explore both my knowledge and my feelings. What a learning process life is; even as I answered some questions, I learned.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I was glad to interact with Hong Kongers about sacred spaces and the importance of Sikh architectural tradition as reflected in our Gurdwaras. A little daunting when you have prominent architects like Ching Tong, a Council Member of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects! Of course, at the Center of the discussion were the core Sikh principles that guide and shape the activities in our Gurdwaras.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The book signing after the event was another chance to interact with people individually. The turnout of Sikhs from Hong Kong was impressive, and many bought multiple copies, each duly signed. Harry and Indra Banga bought copies for themselves and their children, and we found a common Chandigarh connection! Later, I learned that Harindarpal Singh Banga is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Caravel Group, and we met again, and again!

Gurdev Singh Ghalib, a retired Chief Officer of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department and president of the Punjab Youth Club, also played a significant role in the construction of the Hong Kong Gurdwara. I was delighted to meet Gulbir Singh Batra, his wife and his daughters, who posed interesting questions. He had helped me when I wrote about the Hong Kong Gurdwara. I also met Gurmanpreet Singh, who I had spoken to before visiting Hong Kong.

Rupa Dattani, Managing Director for China Business Ltd, was there, as were fellow Stephanians Gokul and Lakshmi Laroia. A significant delegation from the Khalsa Diwan in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, came, whom we met later.

Gentry Press took me to Hong Kong, and Asia Society Hong Kong Center hosted our book talk. I am indebted to them, to Enid Tsui, who spoke with me, and to Jaspreet, Dany, and Jeno, who were visible in their invisible support.

The Asia Society video of the event is embedded below. Please click on it. In the first nine minutes, you seethe brilliant video presentation about the book, made by Gentry Press, which I have written about earlier. Enid and I talk after that.

Above all, I am grateful to the people who took the time to come over that evening and support our book.

Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong

Being at the very sacred space that is featured in the book:

• 

• 

Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong has an old history and a new building. I am grateful for the Guru’s blessings. We paid obeisance there the next day, February 26.

The Gentry Press team, Jaspreet and I also met with the President and members of the executive committee on February 26. I presented copies of my books for the library.

We earlier met some of the dignitaries at the Asia Society event. We met more at the Gurdwara Sahib, which is featured in the book. It was a sublime feeling to be in this sacred historical place and meet the people entrusted with its care.

Thank you, Hong Kongers.