Kids Corner

Images: details from photo by Les Bazso. Below: Kuldeep, daughter Preetpal, 16, son Bharabhoor, 14, Gursharan, 8, and Mukhtiar (at centre on couch) with his wife Surjinder, daughter Hardeesh, 17, son Pardeep, 15, and Pavitar, 5.

People

A Day In The Life of A Sikh Family

THE PROVINCE

 

 

Babar Singh Tumber begins each morning at 5 a.m. with an hour of prayers alone. He observes his daily worship before the rest of his family rises, and then they all sit down to breakfast together at their home in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

"Each day I pray the same prayer to God asking him to help the world and bring peace everywhere," says Babar. "I also thank him for making every day a good day."

Sikhism teaches him to appreciate a new dawn for the opportunity it brings, the 45 year-old says.

Life in Babar Singh 's household is fairly routine most days. His wife Kuldeep Kaur prepares the morning meal for the self-employed home renovator and their three children.

"Dad likes to watch cartoons and talk with us before we go to school," says his eight year-old son.

Most days they talk about a family member or something new at school, but now that the Canucks are in the playoffs there is a heightened sense of urgency.

"My 15 year-old daughter bought her first hockey jersey this week, and she's very excited about wearing it when Vancouver has a game," says Babar. "It's all she can talk about each morning with her brothers."

After breakfast, Kuldeep takes the kids to school and Babar makes his way to whichever house he's renovating at the time. Today he is going to a residence in Burnaby.

"I listen to both Punjabi and English radio in my truck," he says. "Sikh prayers, news radio and some music always keep me company on the road."

Being his own boss gives him a lot of freedom and Babar does not take it for granted or spend too much time worrying about.

"Once I'm at work, all I can think about is the job I'm there to do," he says. "If I don't concentrate then I'll do something wrong."

Babar works alone, unless he is on a big site with other tradespeople. He breaks for tea mid-morning, and carries on working until his next stoppage at noon.

"My wife packs my food," he says happily. "Tea and cookies for snacks, and sabzi and roti for lunch."

While he is having lunch, the phone rings and Babar pauses to answer.

"I should be home early, I just have to go to AirCare and the mechanic shop on my back," Babar says.

After he ends the call, he explains Kuldeep is wondering when to expect him because he was home early the day before.

Canada has given his family many opportunities, says Babar.

"I came from India in 1990 with my parents and brother Mukhtiar," he explains. "My older brother Major Singh sponsored us to come here. As immigrants we worked hard to get to where we are today, and we continue to do so for the next generation."

Babar started his first company, an auto body repair shop, in 1995.

"My business partner and I were doing well, but I also had the skills to work in construction," he says. "So after eight years of running the shop, I moved into renovation work and became an independent contractor."

He turns his focus back to his chosen craft, and works in silence for another hour.

"Some days it's putting up drywall or framing, and right now it setting up glass panels," he says.

"I think about what I'm going to have to do tomorrow, but I never worry about  it. My religion teaches me that an honest day's work will always allow me to provide for my family."

At 3:30 p.m. he finishes his task and gets back in his truck to go home.

By the time he arrives after his errands, it is time for dinner.

"Tonight we're having dahl turrka and mutter paneer," Babar says.

After the supper, the family discussion turns to India where Babar's niece is getting married next month.

"I'm taking my wife and youngest son, because the other two have to stay in school."

He reminds them they have Vaisakhi to celebrate first.

"It's Khalsa day," he explains to his children. "And I want you to keep learning about our Guru."

Babar's phone rings again, and this time he greets his brother, Mukhtiar, on the line.

"I was just explaining to the kids what I like most about Vaisakhi," he says before pausing.

He turns to his children and tells them, "Your chacha [uncle] Mukhtiar says you should also remember Vaisakhi teaches people to be peaceful and respect everyone in the community."


April 14, 2011

Conversation about this article

1: Herminder Singh (Kanpur, India), April 14, 2011, 8:56 AM.

Khalsa Akaal Purakh ki Fauj.

2: Ravinder Singh Taneja (Westerville, Ohio, U.S.A.), April 14, 2011, 9:54 AM.

Love it.

3: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, U.S.A.), April 14, 2011, 11:14 AM.

What a great story. Truly Khalsa is Akaal Purak ki Fauj. Happy Vaisakhi to everyone! May I suggest something to sikhchic.com? We need more of these "A Day In The Life of a Sikh Family" from around the world. Perhaps you can ask readers to submit similar stories. This will inspire Sikhs to live like Babar Singh and many others.

4: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), April 14, 2011, 1:04 PM.

Thank you, Chintan. "A Day in the Life of a Sikh Family" would be a wonderful series. Great idea.

5: Pritam Singh Grewal (Canada), April 15, 2011, 3:36 AM.

A very good idea, Chintan ji. It will certainly prove "a wonderful series", as hoped by I.J.Singh.

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