Our baby news in the newspaper

Councillor, wife celebrate birth

Belinda Scott | 30th September 2011

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Tags  coffs harbour city council, john arkan

Cr John Arkan and his wife, Surinder Kaur, with their newborn. Photo: ELLEN KOESTER.

THE first "council baby" born to a serving Coffs Harbour City councillor for at least two decades arrived this week. Born at 5am on Tuesday, the boy - the fourth child of Cr John Arkan and his wife Surinder Kaur - weighed 3.629kg and measured 50.5cm

A new playmate for his two brothers, 13-year-old Saihaj (the patient one) and nine-year-old Anand (the blissful one), and his sister Prakaash (morning light), who turns six today, the new baby will not be named until his family can go to the temple to pray and ask for permission for his name to be given out.

The holy book is then opened randomly and the first letter of the hymn revealed provides the catalyst for a name to be chosen beginning with that letter.

"That way it is still fresh for us," said Surinder, who said she wanted to thank the Coffs Harbour Health Campus staff for their help. "I am really, really grateful to the ladies who work in the birthing unit," she said.

"It is such a difficult moment and they make it so easy.

"They are really lovely ladies."

She said the new addition was unplanned but very welcome.

"We are not trying to populate Coffs Harbour."

The couple are now looking for a flight to bring Saihaj home from his boarding school in India to meet his new brother.

Do you remember when the last child was born to a serving councillor?

Call Michelle Day on 66502951 or email editorial@coffs coastadvocate.com.au.
Source:
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2011/09/30/councillor-and-wife-celebrate-birth/

Chachi Swaran Kaur Arkan died in August 2009

Photos of Chachi's funeral
https://picasaweb.google.com/skcurriedaway/SawranKaurArkanSFuneral?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Sawran Kaur Arkan - Funeral

Uncle Malkeet (Kieth ) passes away

5th of July marks the day Malkeet Singh Arkan passes from this world. The first son of Oudham Singh, my grand father came to Australia at the tender age of twelve. An interesting man with many sayings, "Look after number one" another "It's not me quoting this , it's says it in the book".

Malkeet married Mohinder Kaur, had six children. Three of them passed away in India.
They arrived from India in early 70s Boota (Hardial) was born in India. Than was born Jannette and then came Hemant.

Malkeet was 82 when he passed away. The family lived in Woolgoolga in Carringhton Street, in the same house we lived in as kids. Mum gave them the house when we moved to Arkan Avenue. Then they moved to Grafton in Villiers Street.

The boys opened a lawn mower shop and later a TV maintenance shop. Malkeet is survived by his wife, three children and seven grand children. A spirited warrior at rest. God bless, thankyou for being who you were.

Love JA

John Arkan's family and in(out)-laws

A bit about Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Mid-north coast, NSW Australia

Guru nanak Sikh Temple of Woolgoolga can be seen from the Pacific highway. This photo is of the old building built in 1970.

A bit about John Jorahvar Singh Arkan

Jorahvar's grandfather came in a ship to Melbourne, Austrlia in 1902. A lot of Panjabis came during late 1880's to early 1900's as sugarcane cutters. He worked in Carins and later Harwood, near Grafton, NSW. Jorahvar's father Harjeet Singh Arkan was living in Korora, Coffs Harbour, Mid-North Coast, NSW when he died after a road accident, in which three year old John was badly injured.The local newspaper in Sep 1969 mentioned the news of this accident. Nearly 40 years later, same month, local newspapers are highlighting John Arkan's success in elections.

Jovial Jorahvar is known for educating the wider community about Sikh religion. He has worked hard in the past three years to create and promote Curryfest at Woolgoolga which usually coinsides with Sikh games. Young sikhs of Sydney know Jorahvar as 'Aussie Uncle' because of his participation in the Sikh youth camps. Jorahvar says that one of the reason's he stood up for the elections is to show our children that no goal is too high. Its a free country, you can do whatever you like. Sikhi is not a barrier, its our strength.
Surinder Kaur
Wife of Jorahvar Singh/ John Arkan

Congratulations to Arkan's for Jorahvar's election as Councillor

John Jorahvar Singh Arkan is now a Councillor for Coffs Harbour City Council. He is the first sikh to be elected in Coffs Harbour and first amritdhari gursikh to be elected in Australia. Also the first sikh to stand as a Mayor in Australia and did quite well. John's election as a Mayor would have been a miracle which we were not expecting.

We are very pleased to realise the support and his acceptance by the wider community. One of the many encouraging comments that I heard before the election day at Woolgoolga was

"It's good to see someone with a bit of a spark standing up."

It wasn't surprising to hear isolated comments like

"I want to vote for an Aussie" assuming that John wasn't a true blue Aussie just because he kept his sikh identity, disregarding the fact that his grandfather came to Austrlia sometime between 1901-1903. John has done his bit to make Arkan family proud.

Please use this blog to share your accomplishments with the rest of the family in Australia, New Zealand, England, America, Canada and India. I am not aware where else might be these Arkan's residing. I only ever worry about the Arkan in Russia, hope he never turn's out to be our lost relative.

Surinder Kaur
John Arkan's wife
note: I better congratulate my own children Saihaj, Anand and Prakaash on dady's election.