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| A group of eight dedicated Sikhs were traveling to Edmonton for Gatka demonstration. Gatka is a form of Sikh martial arts which mostly consists of sword fighting. The group's name was the Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Gatka Akhara. It was named after a Sikh who played a large role in Sikh history. This group was planning on attending a demonstration which was to take place at an Edmonton Nagar Kirtan, a parade that has religious significance. They were to make this trip in a minivan which was designed to comfortably seat seven passengers including the driver. This meant that the group was a feeling a little cramped. As they were driving the driver missed a crucial exit which caused them to have been going along the wrong highway for approximately an hour. On discovering this mistake the driver turned around and continued back to the exit which they had missed which would have taken an additional hour to reach. It was on their way back to the exit that the accident occurred. As the van crashed it is estimated to have rolled eight to ten times. Seven of the eight passengers of the minivan were thrown out of it; three were killed, three sustained extensive, non-threatening injuries and two walked away with minor injuries. It is speculated that fatigue and speed were possible factors in the accident. The members of the group which were killed by the crash are Parminder Singh, Charanjit Singh and Rena Kaur. I had the privilege to have known each of them before this tragic accident. Parminder Singh played a very large role with the Sikh community of North America . In September of 2003, he started an academy devoted to the memorization and interpretation of the holy scriptures of the Sikh's. This academy was named Guru Nanak Academy . He also taught Sikh's of all ages the Sikh martial arts, Gatka. He did so because he thoroughly believed in the Saint-Soldier way of life the Sikhs had adapted. Parminder Singh was 27 years of age at the time of his death. He passed away after having to be taken off of life support. He was married to Rupinder Kaur and had a young one and a half year old daughter, Japnaam Kaur. Parminder Singh grew up in Canada and felt it was very important to educate the Sikh youth of today about the value and teachings of Sikhi. Charanjit Singh was a Gatka instructor and a well accomplished Sikh also. He if from India and had been visiting her on Sewa (voluntary service) for Guru Nanak Academy . He was requested by Parminder Singh to teach Gatka because of the impression he made on him when visiting India . Along with teaching the Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Gatka Akhara, Charanjit Singh also taught at Khalsa School in Surrey , BC , cities in Toronto and on special occasions in Calgary and Edmonton . His method of teaching with discipline and love put him in the highest regard by each and every one of his students. He was 23 years of age at the time of the accident. He was killed on impact by the van as it rolled over a portion of his head after being thrown out of the minivan. Rena Kaur was truly one of the most kind and caring people I have ever been given the privilege to have met. She could never be heard speaking negatively of others and she truly inspired people to follow in her footsteps. Rena Kaur was known for her beautiful voice and talented harmonium playing when singing the holy hymns of Sikhi. She attended grade 11 at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey , BC . She was 17 years of age at the time of her death. She also passed away after having to be taken off of life support. She was loved by all that knew her and is an inspiration even to those that didn't know her. Also, two of the three extensively injured passengers, Gagandeep Singh and Sukhjinder Singh were released from their hospitals and are presently on the road to recovery. Combined injuries of the two include a broken wrist, a broken collar bone, a collapsed lung, bruised and broken ribs, a slip vertebra and many others. The third victim who sustained extensive injuries, Mundeep Singh, 12 has not yet been released. He was injured by the minivan as it rolled over his legs shattering many bones in them. He was given emergency surgeries and had multiple metal plates inserted into his legs. Further information is yet to be determined. The two victims of the horrendous crash that sustained very minor injuries, Sundeep Singh, 15 and Teghbir Singh, 17 were released shortly after the crash with a few stitches, cuts and bruises. Recently the Sikh community has been mourning the deaths of the three Sikhs who were considered to be very important parts of the future. On May 16, 2004 a funeral was held for Parminder Singh and Rena Kaur and the body of Charanjit Singh was sent to his village in India . The funeral took place at the Five Rivers Funeral Home and was filled to capacity with an approximate 3,000 people setting a provincial record for largest funeral. "Loss can hurt. But it can help heal. It weakens, then strengthens. Losing something can help us gain something" - Rena Kaur |
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