Mahinder Singh Gill was born in the village Nathualla located in District Moga. He came to Canada in the year 1962 and toiled and worked hard in the lumber mill industries. He later purchased some acres of raspberry farms and has become a successful farmer in the USA and Canada. Mahinder Singh has a long history of service to the Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford having first become President in 1984. Mahinder Singh has always been ready to help the Gurudwara society. In 1985 Mahinder Singh also assisted with the opening of the first Punjabi school in British Columbia, the Dasmesh Punjabi school in Abbotsford. Mahinder Singh is serving as the President of the Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford for the sixth time.
Bhajan Singh Toor Vice President Bhajan Singh Toor was born in village Khosa Pando, located in district Moga. He came to Canada on July 1st, 1974 and worked in the lumber mill industry from 1974 to 1993. During that time as well Bhajan Singh started his own business. In 2002, he joined the Khalsa Diwan Society. Today, Bhajan Singh serves as vice-president of the Khalsa Diwan Gurudwara Sahib.
Secretary Satnam Singh Gill came to Canada on October 31st, 1982. He has lived in Abbotsford BC ever since. Satnam attended Abbotsford Senior Secondary School. He has been employed as a truck driver since 1995. He lives on a farm with his wife, and two handsome boys, Satinder Singh and Maninder Singh. He believes the Heritage Gurdwara will be a great legacy for future generations.
Jatinder Singh Gill was born in village Paddi located in district Ludhiana. He came to Canada on March 19, 1999, and worked in the trucking industry as well as volunteering for the Valley United Soccer Club of Abbotsford. In 2010, he joined the Khalsa Diwan Society. Today he serves as the secretary of the society.
Sukhdarshan Singh Gill came to Canada on October 31st, 1968. His association with the Gur Sikh Temple began in 1968 immediately upon his arrival. He was married at the Gur Sikh Temple. Sukhdarshan Singh has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Gurdwara since 2003. Currently, he is the Recording Secretary of the Gurdwara. According to Sukhdarshan Singh, “This building symbolizes the history of struggles and success of our ancestors. I believe that it is our moral duty to preserve this site for many years to come. Our ancestors lifted heavy logs on their shoulders and built this Gurdwara. I will like that next generation remember their ancestors through this Gurdwara. I am very thankful to the Canadian Government for their kind support to the Sikh Sangat of Abbotsford. It will give me a lot of contentment if the Sikhs from all over the world come to this Gurdwara and know about the history of North American Sikhs.”
Gurdarshan Singh Sandhu moved to Canada on the 27, October of the year 1972. His long association with the society began in the year 1978, as a member of the Executive Committee of the society. He was entrusted with the charge of Treasurer in the year 1981-1982. Later in the year 1983, he became the Secretary of the Gurdwara. In the year 1995, he became the Secretary of the Gurdwara again. Since then he has served at various positions in the Executive Committee. Ever since 2006, he has been entrusted with the job of the President of the Gurdwara. “I feel satisfied to see that Gur Sikh Temple, National Historic Site is becoming the focal point for the city of Abbotsford. Through the hard work of sangat of Abbotsford, the efforts done by our pioneers will not be forgotten for many generations to come. This place will be a source of inspiration for younger generation who can learn and cherish the history of their ancestors by visiting Gur Sikh Temple”.
Vice President Baljinder Singh Bains moved to Abbotsford in the year 1986. His association with the Gurdwara has been since the day he arrived in Canada. In the year 2000-2001 he was entrusted with the job of Director of the society. In the year 2003-2005, he was the recording Secretary, and in the year 2006, he was the treasurer. Currently, since March 2006, he is the Vice President of the Society. “My personal life journey began in Canada with my marriage at this Gur Sikh Temple in the year 1986. I am delighted to see the progress being accomplished with the Gur Sikh Temple, National Historic Site. I was involved from the very beginning and feel proud at the progress and am humbled by the dedication of the Sangat towards this mega project in Abbotsford”
Ajit Singh Anand came to Canada in the year 1972. In the year 1977, he became the secretary of the Gurdwara and since then he has been actively serving the Gurdwara. “I feel great about the fact that Gur Sikh Temple has been given the status of National Historic Site of Canada. I will continue to work along with the Sangat and the government and try to inform more and more people world over about the glorious past of the Sikhs in Canada”.
Treasurer Randhir Singh Kailay came to Canada in June of 1989. Since he landed here he was actively involved with the activities of the Gurdwara. He became the treasurer of the gurdwara in the year 2006. “This gurdwara is one of its kinds in the world as it makes us touch base with our community’s long journey in Canada. It is an important site for the Sikhs world over and especially for the North American Sikhs. It reminds us about the sacrifices of our previous generations that made our life comfortable today. This site will remind many future generations about Sikh communities past”.
Recording Secretary Sukhdarshan Singh Gill came to Canada on 31st October 1968. His association with the Gur Sikh Temple is since 1968 itself. He got married at the Gur Sikh Temple. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Gurdwara since 2003-2004. Currently, he is the Recording Secretary of the Gurdwara. “This building symbolizes history of struggles and success of our ancestors. I believe that it is our moral duty to preserve this site for many years to come. Our ancestors lifted heavy logs on their shoulders and built this Gurdwara. I will like that next generation remember their ancestors through this Gurdwara. I am very thankful to the Canadian Government for their kind support to the Sikh sangat of Abbotsford. It will give me a lot of contentment if the Sikhs from all over the world come to this Gurdwara and know about the history of North American Sikhs”.
Nazar Singh Gill came to Canada in the year 1963. He moved to Mission and used to often visit the Gur Sikh Temple. It was in 1968-1970, he became the member of the committee. In the year 1977, he moved to Abbotsford and continued to be actively involved with the Gurdwara. He has been a member of the Gurdwara since 2001.