Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle (AP UNIT, HYDERABAD offered a novel opportunity to the Sikh youths ( 10-25 years old ) or married couples/persons of any age , to gain, in depth knowledge of the Unique Sikh Religion, its Heritage and Culture through a 9 days (from 29th May to 6th June 2010) Residential Camp which was organized at the Campus of Guru Nanak Engineering College, Sagar Road, Ibrahim Pattnam, RR Dist.near Hyderabad.

The CAMP was sponsored and chaired by S.TANVINDER SINGH KOHLI ,the Chairman and Managing Director of the GURU NANAK ENGINEERING COLLEGE, organized under the dynamic leadership of S. HAZUR SINGH who was the chief organizer.

The camp was ably supported by the services of senior members like those of Col.(Retd) R .S Uppal, S. Mohinder Singh, Bawa Baljit Singh ,Dr. M.S. Bhalla, S.Harcharan Singh, S.Harvinder Singh &S.Roohpreet Singh (Vijaywada) , S.Deedar Singh (Chennai), Dr.(Mrs ), J.K. BHALLA, Mrs. Komal Singh, Mrs. Iqbal Kaur, Mrs.Harcharan Singh , Mrs. Surinder Kaur Kohli, Mrs. Simran Kaur , and many other volunteers. Brig Bedi and Mr. Bhakshupati of the GURU NANAK ENGINEERING COLLEGE left no stone unturned to cater to the needs of the organizers.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMP were

1. To familiarize the Sikh Youth with basic principles of Sikhism
2. To have glimpses of GURU ITHAS and its relevance and message to humanity
3. To link the Sikh youth to our glorious past by providing knowledge of the Sikh History
4. To provide essential knowledge about the Sikh Rehat Marayada
5. To provide a platform to learn SIKH WAY OF LIFE
6. To foster and develop SIKH-Brotherhood among youth
7. To organise special question and answer sessions related to MODERN life and SIKHISM

The camp attracted a large number of about 235 participants , not only from the twin city of Hyderabad and Secundrabad , but also from Vijayawada, Rajamundry , Chennai etc.

Teaching Faculty included renowned Jathedar Prof. Manjit Singh, Prof. Sarabjit Singh (SUKRIT),Dr. Charan Kamal Singh (GURU GOBIND SINGH STUDY CIRCLE , LUDHIANA) ,Principal Narinder Pal Singh (SIKH MISSIONARY COLLEGE ,DELHI) and S. Brijinder Pal Singh from Lucknow . Young teachers from Gurmat Missionary college ,Ropar and Mrs. Maninder Kaur ( Retd Head-mistress) also assisted in teaching . Bhai Amar singh , a Parchark of SGPC contributed significantly in various activities..

The campers right from the first day were grouped in different levels (1to3) according to their knowledge of Gurmukhi and Gurmat. In order to facilitate the management of camp, the campers were divided in 35 groups each led by a senior called Group leader , overseen by counselors. Special attention was paid for camping the girls seperately who were looked after by the senior ladies. Regular meetings with the group leaders were held to review the daily progress of the camp and to over- come the difficulties and problems of the campers.

The daily camp programme started with NITNEM followed by KIRTAN ,breakfast and one hour of THEME LECTURE by the invited speakers which was attended by all the campers. Then campers moved to different classes. The class rooms were fully equipped with all the modern facilities like computers and power point projections. Utmost care was taken to provide good food and refreshments. Elaborate arrangements were made for indoor and outdoor sports and games including GATKA. .The evening session included the Path of Rehras Sahib ,Kirtan and Sohiala .The campers were provided with the opportunity of doing Seva ,learn doing Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib and many other things, for which they never get an opportunity.

The high lights of the CAMP were that about 65participants took Khande the Pahul (Amrit Chahakaya) and about 35participants were intiated to Path (CHARNI LAGGE)of Sri Guru granth Sahib. There were two sessions exclusively for the participants of the camp to ask any question from the learned faculty. The campers made best use of the opportunity and the faculty too enjoyed answering the questions and remove the doubts from the minds of the campers. On the penultimate day special movies on the SIKH PRINICPLES were shown by the SOCH GROUP . In the evening a CAMP FIRE was arranged where campers showcased their newly acquired skills and Gurmat knowledge. The last day of the Camp was open to all the Sangat of the twin Cities and the Sangat was enthralled by the KIRTAN OF BHAI MANPREET SINGH KANPURI and lecture of JATHEDAR PROF. MANJIT SINGH JI.

Last but not the least, a Questionnaire was given to the campers to get feedback from them about the organization of every aspect of the camp, right from transportation, accommodation, food , teaching, learning ,general environment , doing seva ,games and sports etc. About 80-90 percent of the campers rated the camp to be VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT. Organizers were pleased to know that , but they also noted the shortcomings and for which they will make efforts to take care of them in future. Through this report we thank one and all who helped us to make this Residential Camp a great success.

Dr. BALBIR SINGH SUKHIJA

GURU GOBIND SINGH STUDY CIRCLE (AP UNIT)