Thread by @MankamalSingh

Saddaned about the departure of Sant Baba Sant Partap Singh Ji, Mukh Sevadar and founder of the Institution Gurdwara @KaramsarUK in Ilford.

To me Baba Ji was a stalwart, a pioneer, a visionary, a figurehead and the mentor so many needed.

(Thread)

Building and sustaining an institution is a blessing and leading that seva is given to those who come with the virtuous temperament to unite Sangat and connect them to the One. And Baba Ji was blessed with that Seva which won him so much love and respect.

Cast our minds back to the early 1990s in Ilford. There was still no Gurdwara in the heart of Redbridge, a borough that was home to one of the biggest Sikh populations in the UK. There was no spiritual hub attracting Sangat in their masses yet.

As many young UK born Sikhs trying to find our way, we were being absorbed into the growing 90s nightlife and club scene culture simply by default as there was no alternative. No one was really recognising the growing spiritual void.

And then in the mid 1990s, a Gurdwara sprung up in Ilford from an old converted Labour Community Hall on the High Road which not only completely reshaped the local landscape but transformed the lives of so many.

That was when Baba Ji came to Ilford as Mukh Sevadar to lead the institute that became Gurdwara Karamsar UK. A hub of activity formed in what was then a relatively modest sized Diwan hall. Very quickly the weekend diwans started packing out with Sangat.

All the Mahapurkhs, Ragi Jathas, Kathavachaks started visiting Gurdwara Karamsar. The buzz of Sangat during the day started growing and all of a sudden young people like me felt a warm welcoming pull to the Gurdwara...and it was Baba Ji who encouraged that.

People are not aware that BabaJi's name was SantPartap given to him as a child
ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇ ਮੋਹ ਭੈ ਭਰਮਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ॥੨॥੫॥੪੪॥
Binas Jaae Moh Bhai Bharamaa Naanak Santh Prathaap ||2||5||44||
Emotional attachment, fear and doubt are dispelled, O Nanak, by the Grace of the Saints

There will be many personal family stories about Baba Ji. They worked hard at keeping the Sangat together, visiting homes and people all the time. Baba ji ensured no one  ever felt let down, he found time for everyone.

The Sangat of Ilford will always owe a gratitude for the great seva of Sant Baba Sant Partap Singh Ji. 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Guru Ang Sang 🙏