WASHINGTON: Dec.20, 1992 was a memorable day for the youth and their parents of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Dilprect Kaur, the Sikh Foundation of Virginia Youth coordinator, S.Sudarshanjit Singh, coordinator from Guru Nanak Foundation of America, as well as other organizers, helped organize the 1st Rehras Sahib Competition at the Virginia Gurdwara. All of the contestants were enthusiastic, happy and eager taking last minute instructions from their parents and grandparents.
After Ardas, which was performed by a youth, Gobind Singh, and the defining of the rules, the contest started around 3 pm.
Participants were divided into four groups: FirstGroup Age up to 7 years Anand Sahib; Second Group Age between 813 years 1st Salok to Bhai Prapat Manukh Dehuria; Third Group Age between 813 years1st Salok to Bhai Prapat Manukh Dehuria; Fourth Group Age between 1421 years The whole Rehras Sahib.
A Panel of 13 qualified judges was selected. The panel performed the job very well. The judges were: Ajit Singh, Jagmohan Singh, Giani Kuldeep Singh, Dr.Manmohan Singh, Amarjit Kaur Rathore, Simran Kaur Randhawa, Joginder Singh Matta, Bakhshish Singh, Satwant Kaur Tulsi, Gareeb Singh Gill, Karnail Kaur Deu, Sumira Kaur (a youth judge), Amarjeet Kaur Manku (a youth judge), Anurect Kaur Deu (a youth judge).
The contest was over by 6 pm and all the children who participated were honored in the Sadh sangat. All participants were given awards by the Chairman of Sikh Foundation of Virginia, Amrit Jit Singh, and a judge by each category. But those who did a superb job were awarded 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prize. In each group, there was one contestant who did an extremely well done job. These three contestants were awarded with a special award prize. These following youth were awarded with these prizes in their category:
1st Group up to 7 years: Special prize Sonia Kaur Saini; 1st place Sunrise Kaur Gujral; 2nd place Amole Singh Kumar, 3rd place Nidi Kaur Kumar. 2nd Group813 years: Special Prize Joganjit Kaur; 1st place Sahiba Kaur Rathore; 2nd place Jagjit Kaur 1st place Jasleen Kaur Bedi; 2nd place Bhavandeep Singh; 3rd place Sunny Singh Raheja. 4th Group1421 years: Special Prize no one received it; 1st place Jivanjot Kaur Tulsi; 2nd place Harmeet Singh Matta; 3rd place Amardeep Singh Matta & Aman Kaur tied. The awards were consisted of religious books, trophies and certificates.
The contest climaxed with serving of Langar.
With this Rehras Sahib completion and the previous Jap Ji Sahib competition, more and more youth have now started reciting Jap Ji Sahib and Rehras Sahib with their families.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 15, 1993
