‘Deg Tegh Fateh’ or Victory to Charity and Arms, is an old Sikh saying that forms part of the Sikh Ardas. It means victory to "degh and tegh". The word "degh" means "large cooking pot" and "tegh" means "sword" or "kirpan". The term "degh tegh" refers to the concept of "degh" alluding to the serving of Langar; and "tegh" is the protecting of the liberty and rights of every member of the community.
The spirit behind the saying is about making sure that everyone in the community is fed and no one goes hungry; and also, that no one's life in the community is in any danger and that everyone in the society feels safe and protected.
Guru Ka Langar, a community kitchen also referred to as Langar, is one among the most revered institutions of Sikh religion, philosophy and culture. This combined concept has been held sacred and followed since the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
True to this concept, the Deg Tegh Fateh Sikh Society, Christchurch (DTFSS), strives to feed anyone who comes to the door irrespective of an individual's religion, caste or ethnicity and improve the wellbeing of its community. The society was set up in August 2015 with the setting up of Gurdwara Jagat Guru Nanak Sahib, one of the two Gurudwara Sahibs in South Island.
The Deg Tegh Fateh Sikh Society is actively involved in various initiatives to benefit the community and is helmed by Sukhjinder Singh as its president and Jasveer Singh, who is the current secretary.
DTFSS has been behind organising various religious, community, sport and cultural initiatives to benefit the broader communities.
The society has been sending food parcels to the needy people who were isolating due to Covid-19 and also during the lockdown periods. It also served food to international visitors stuck at hotels because of the border closure.
DTFSS has been in constant touch with the health Ministry and creating awareness about the Covid-19 guidelines in the local community.
The society is also big on organising and supporting sporting events. Last year, it conducted a Kabaddi tournament in which different teams from all over New Zealand participated with around 500-600 people joining.
Besides hosting daily and weekend religious prayer and langar where 400-500 people join weekly, DTFSS also hosts big religious celebrations like Khalsa Sajna Diwas and many other Sikh festivals.
The society also plays a vital role in facilitating cultural connections with other communities. Recently, a group of bike riders from different communities visited the Gurudwara to understand the Sikh culture and its rich heritage.
Society runs and operates Mata Gujar Kaur Gurmat School to teach the Gurmukhi language so the youth members can learn and appreciate the rich cultural and spiritual heritage that Sikhism offers and remain connected to the roots. DTFSS has plans to organise more social and religious events; to expand and unite the community in Christchurch.
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