Simran Kaur Testimonial 4 - Sikh Student Camp 2004

I have been camp for two years consecutively (2004-2005). My first time
(like many campers) is an experience I never will forget.

2004: the gift of a lifetime from Maharaj

I had been told a little about Sikh Student camp but wasn’t entirely sure
what to expect. That’s the best way to go into camp. Expect nothing! One
of my university mates had attended and had strongly recommended it as we worked
together with our Sikh Society at university. Camp had this unexplainable ‘buzz’
where people were genuinely happy.
group was perfect as the majority were university students or students who had just
completed A Levels. Mature, open minded, loving people was our 2004 sangat.

I had this constant smile on my face throughout the week and it wasn’t just
me. The pyar was infectious. It was like being taken out of the real
world, away from the panj chor, away from bad sangat, away from everything
that bought people down and put into an environment full of positive light,
people helping one another; be it in the langar hall, in lectures
or on the field during activities. It was truly amazing. The
connection felt in the sangat was out of this world. Nothing in this world
compares. The evenings spent with Guru ji and the sangat are indescribable.
It was a place you wanted to be forever and ever. The night when I came
back home I cried. I cried my eyes out. I missed the sangat. I missed not
seeing Guru Ji. I missed camp so much.

2005: the recharge of the year

I went back to camp as during the year after 2004 camp I didn’t give much
time for simran, sangat or sewa as it was final year studies at university.
I went back to once again experience the connection that I missed so much.
I felt incomplete without it.

There were brilliant keertan moments whilst the sangat sang “Sajanrra mere
Sajanrra” which did really bring everyone together. That was truly amazing.
The togetherness felt whilst doing sewa for the nishaan sahib was amazing.
As I watched everyone stand for ardaas and saw the amazing beam light that
the nishaan sahib gave, I felt proud. Another amazing thing about camp was
how I realised the power of sangat and simran together.
People at camp did not judge me for who I am. People all over the place judge me for talking about Sikhi or having an interest when I don’t look like the model Sikh. But Sikh Student allowed me to realise and understand bani and made me realise that God is within and found with true love “Jin Prem kiyo tin he Prabh payo.” I learnt the importance of keeping kesh and although I am not quite there yet I hope to be in the future.
Why have I become a sewadaar?
I felt from inside I had to do this. The Hukamnama this morning (07 August 2006) from Darbar Sahib explained

"Gur kee tahal guroo kee sayvaa gur kee aagi-aa bhaanee."

"Tahal" means to work for, to serve upon. Doing the work of the Guru "Guroo
kee sayvaa" (the selfless service of the Guru) and living by the Guru’s
command, decree, word "aagi-aa". "Bhaanee" means I have fallen in love with
them, I love them. I love doing this. I don’t do "sayvaa" because I have
to but because I love to and I live to.
This is why I have become a sevadar in Sikh Student Camp. It has allowed me to experience what it means to do seva and no better place then to show this at camp. It gives me a chance to give back what I have taken out.

I thank you Guru Ji. I may not be part of the Khalsa but I am on this
beautiful path of Sikhi. Please bless your daughter by allowing me to
continually walk on this path and serve you by seva, simran and sangat.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Simran Kaur, West London, 22 Years Old, Economics graduate from Royal Holloway (now working in the financial sector)