Friday, August 29, 2014

Helmets mandatory for women riders in Delhi, Sikh women exempted !

Wearing helmets for women riding pillion on a two-wheeler is now mandatory in the national Capital, though Sikh women have been exempted, with the Government amending the rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993.

"Wearing helmets is now mandatory for women pillion riders in Delhi. However, Sikh women have been keept out of its ambit on religious grounds," said a top transport department official.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had also given the go ahead to this proposal making helmets mandatory for all women pillion riders, except Sikh women.

According to transport department, In Delhi alone, a total number of 576 two wheeler riders lost their lives during 2012.


with thanks : IndiaToday : LINK : for detailed news.

FIBA REQUIRE ANOTHER SIKH BASKETBALL PLAYER TO REMOVE TURBAN AHEAD OF RULE REVIEW

Basketball Dribbling


On July 12, 2014, two Sikh Indian basketball players were required by officials to remove their turbans prior to India’s game against Japan at the 5th FIBA Asia Cup in China.1
On August 21, 2014, another Indian Sikh basketball player, Anmol Singh, faced a similar situation at the FIBA Asia U18 Championship in Doha, Qatar, when he was asked to remove his turban (patka) twice. The first incident occurred during warm up before the opening match,2 and the second occurred a day later, when he was permitted by officials to play the first quarter with his patka, but then asked to remove it in the second quarter.3

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI)4 argued that asking Singh to remove his patka was "unwarranted action” by theTechnical Commission of FIBA Asia5.6 

The Director of the Technical Commission of FIBA Asia informed India’s team manager, Shafique Ahmed Shaikh, that Anmol Singh’s matter will be reviewed at the FIBA Central Board meeting in Seville, Spain on August 28 and 29, alongside the review of the FIBA Asia Cup headgear incident from July, which is due to be considered on August 27.7 

with thanks : lawinsport : LINK : for detailed news.

Basketball Federation Refuses to Rule on Turban Ban

"It is a shame that FIBA has decided to let bureaucracy stand in the way of religious freedom,” said Sona Simran Kaur, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) Communications Director, after the International Basketball Federation declined to make a decision at its Central Board meeting about players wearing religious headgear, deciding instead to defer to further study.
Despite the fact that other major sports organizations -- including the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) -- do allow religious headgear to be worn by players during competition, FIBA does not.
Their rule encompasses all headgear, including turbans, hijab, and yarmulkes, per Article 4.4.2 of their rules: "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players."
There have been several cases in the past year in which Sikh and Muslim players were not allowed to compete unless they uncovered their heads.
with thanks : nbcnews : LINK : for detailed news.

Ontario Sikhs ‘deeply disappointed’ with new helmet law

Motorcyclist doing a wheelie on the freeway in Ontario, Canada.


The province’s premier has informed Sikhs they are not exempted from motorcycle helmet laws.
In a letter this month to the Canadian Sikh Association, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne wrote that not wearing a helmet poses “a road safety risk.”
“Ultimately, the safety of Ontarians is my utmost priority, and I cannot justify setting that concern aside.”
The Sikh association said it had worked for years to get an exemption on religious grounds, stressing that devout Sikh men are required to wear turbans to cover unshorn hair, over which motorcycle helmets do not fit.
It noted that two Canadian provinces — Manitoba and British Columbia — as well as Great Britain do not require turbaned Sikhs to wear a helmet.
with thanks : religionnews : LINK : for detailed news.

Labour losing Sikh support, Miliband told



Ed Miliband has been criticised over the lack of prominent Sikhs in his party. Although Labour has traditionally had strong support among British Sikhs, a former councillor warned that it was losing ground to the Conservatives.

with thanks : thetimes : LINK : for detailed news.

Meet the devout Sikh with the world's largest Turban !

The Turbanator: Devout Sikh wears the world's largest turban that takes him six hours to put on and weighs 100lb

Avtar Singh Mauni has a turban that measures an incredible 645m

Avtar Singh Mauni has a turban that measures an incredible 645m

with thanks : Daily Mail : LINK : for detailed news, pics, vids. 

Home is where the heart is !

Beautifying heart & home are two prime factors for making a house, a real home, because, home is, where the heart is. Therefore, we must take the time to make our surroundings reflect our unique personality and soothe our senses. By infusing our home with some of the natural, nourishing elements, we’ll have the energy to shine when it matters most. Therefore, I intend to beautify my home so that it is a reflection of my heart.

Swayam Boutique Collection 11 pcs Bedroom Set - BTQ11-Tradition

I have my own style of beautifying my home & i take my own time to make it beautiful. I buy a thing only & only if it looks beautiful to me, be it casual, ethnic, contemporary or anything else. Therefore, first of all I would like to add the Swayam Boutique Collection of 11 pcs bed room set. It’s bright in colour & it will definitely reflect the brightness of my heart into my bedroom.  


Aapno Rajasthan Lantern-048


The next thing I would prefer to have in my home will be the Aapno Rajasthan Lantern. It’s looking so pretty, so cute, so beautiful. It’s full of brightness & there will be no chance of any shadows of any darkness in my home as it will sparkle the life in all the four corners.  

Aapno Rajasthan Time Piece and National Emblem Stand
Though I wanna add much more out of the makemyhome.com collection, but I have only three options. So the last thing but not the least, that i will definitely have in my home is the Aapno Rajasthan Time Piece and National Emblem stand. It will not only keep me on time always, but will generate a non ending sense of pride & responsibility for my mother land, my India.

We must remember that the essence of a home lies in the personalities of the people who live in it. Therefore, if you are living in a house, which is just a physical structure, plz use your heart, your feelings, your emotions and make it a home. We must remember that, "Home is where the heart is".

This post is a part of Makemyhome activity at BlogAdda.com

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Golden Temple rare pic of 1858. Must view & save !


This is a Shame !

Mr Yvan Mainini, President FIBA-International Basketball Federation: STOP Racial Discrimination against Sikh Turban in FIBA! #LetSikhsPlay

Dear B S,
So many medals won for India while playing across the world, and never have I been asked to remove my turban! 
That is exactly what happened last month to two young basketball players from India - Amarpal and Amjyot Singh. They were representing India at the Asia Cup Championship in China.
Just before the game, both of them were asked to remove their turbans if they wanted to play. They were told that wearing turbans violated the rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
This is a shame! How can our country’s top sportsmen be humiliated like this? Sign this petition and ask FIBA to change its policies. Sikhs should be able to play with their turban on if they want to.  
B S, my faith and religion have played a big part in my successful career.FIBA’s  policies should be more sensitive to people’s faith. Sign this petition and tell them so
If atleast 25,000 people sign this petition, FIBA will know that this is an issue of great importance and change its policies to be more sensitive.  
After you sign this petitionforward my mail to your friends and family. 
Let us support our country’s sportsmen in every way that we can. 
Jai Hind. 
Milkha Singh

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Gurudwara in Mangalore - Serving religious needs of Sikh community

Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 25: Mangalore being a true cosmopolitan city has assimilated people of diverse religions and nationality in its fold. It is therefore not surprising to know that there about 25 to 30 Sikh families residing within Mangalore and they have also constructed a Gurudwara in the city. Interestingly the original root of these families is the same though these families have arrived in Mangalore from different parts of Northern states like Punjab, Haryana Delhi and Uttar Pradesh over a period of nearly four decades.

Sikhs are known to be kind, open hearted, generous, tolerant, hard working and progressive in their nature who easily integrate into the society. This has been proved right as these Sikh families who have made Mangalore their home for many years now have retained their identity but at the same time have easily merged with local culture and traditions. It is therefore not astounding if you come across young school and college going brats conversing in pure Tulu or Kannada just like the locals do. Or don’t be surprised when they swear by their liking for some of the local Mangalorean cuisine, about which they must have come to know from their class or collegemates or tasted them in some of our celebrated hotels in the city.







with thanks : daijiworld : LINK : for detailed news with pics.

Photo highlights of the day : The Guardian

Nick Clegg mixes vegetables at a community kitchen during his visit to a Sikh temple in New Delhi, India


with thanks : the guardian : LINK : for more pics.

Parade for the Great War Sikhs

Members of Preston’s Sikh community paraded through the city centre in remembrance of those who fought in the First World War. 

Hundreds marched through the streets, making their way from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Bow Lane to the Flag Market.

The sun blazed down as the crowds marched up Fishergate Hill, on to Cheapside and to the war memorial, to remember those lost in conflict.

The free family event included live martial arts, children’s activities including a bouncy castle, as well as food, ice cream and arts and crafts.

It was organised by members of the Bow Lane temple, to mark the role Sikh soldiers played in the war.

Organiser Gurumukh Singh, who planned the event alongside colleague Buphinder Singh, said: “The weather was fantastic, it was on our side and it certainly brought the crowds out.

with thanks : lep : LINK : for detailed news.

Escapee on run in Bayswater




with thanks : au.news.yahoo : LINK

I an outraged !














Manjit Singh GK
President DSGMC

Victory: Veteran's father now permitted to wear turban when visiting son.

Last year, the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania USA refused to allow an elderly Sikh gentleman to visit his son, a United States Military Veteran, without removing his turban. He had already successfully passed the security check, but was then asked by the guards to remove his turban for checking and to leave it outside. As a devout Sikh, he refused. In a desperate attempt to see his son, the father tried to compromise with the guard by lifting his turban so the guards could see there was no hidden contraband. Despite this, the guards insisted that it be completely removed and unraveled. Remaining true to his faith, he chose not to submit to further degradation and waited patiently outside as his wife visited their son.

Legal Action Taken

UNITED SIKHS legal team took immediate action to address this discriminatory act against their client. Ademand letter was sent to the correctional facilitydemanding the immediate remedy of religiously intolerant security protocolsbecause the requirements of the security protocol in place are in direct violation of the Religious Freedom Protection Act of Pennsylvania. Specifically, Section 4 of the Act states that an agency must enforce the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest in assuring security is not breached.


We informed the facility of the need to come up with respectful means of screening the turban, since requesting a Sikh to remove is turban is not the least restrictive means of ensuring security. Alternative security procedures include: metal detectors, wands, and self-pat downs.Furthermore, the facility already makes religious accommodations for Muslim women.

UNITED SIKHS Staff Attorney, Manmeet Singh emphasized in the demand letter, "asking a Sikh man to not only remove his turban, but to leave it outside, is extremely offensive and completely against the Sikh religion. The turban is an important article of his faith that should never be removed outside of the home. Our client should not be forced to choose between remaining true to his faith and visiting with his son at the facility."

In response to the letter, UNITED SIKHS received a call from the correctional facility's counseland despite our requests for an accommodation, no resolution was reached for a respectful screening of the turban. On December 3, 2013, letters on this matterwere sent to other departments in Pennsylvania addressingourconcerns. A complaint was also filed with the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.

Victory

Since the past three months, the security guards areno longer askingthe father to remove his turban when he's visiting the facility.The facility has clearly, yet discretely, amended its security protocol to allow turbans for Sikh visitors.


Back in Nov.2005, UNITED SIKHS and the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LPP filed a lawsuit in Federal Court to enforce a Sikh prisoner's right to practice his religion and to ensure that Sikh prisoners have the same rights as other prisoners. The plaintiff, 24-year-old Navdeep Singh, a devout Amritdhari Sikh, who started serving a 5-year prison sentence in January of that year, had been on a liquid diet since June 6, 2005 to protest the violations of his religious rights.The complaint, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, challenged the practices of New York Department of Correctional Services' (DOCS) personnel as gross violations of Navdeep Singh's religious rights in prison.

As a Civil Rights Organization, UNITED SIKHS is dedicated to its advocacy efforts and is happy to report to the community that our commitment to this matter has led to a successful religious accommodation and favorable outcome for our client. We will continue in our advocacy efforts to obtain a clear written policy change, and stronger implementation of existing policy
If you are a target of a hate or bias based crime, please report it at 
law-usa@unitedsikhs.org.

Turbans are Dangerous ?

 
Turbans are Dangerous ?

2 Indian basketball players were asked to remove their turbans before an international game. Ask FIBA to change its rule on headgear.

This is a ridiculous international basketball rule. Join me in demanding a change.

We have 1 day before FIBA meets to decide this.  More people means more pressure on FIBA.

Sign this petition and forward it to your friends as well.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

The forgotten Sikh jewel !

The forgotten Sikh jewel
Taking advantage of the long Eid break last month, I along with a couple of friends decided to explore the ancient Dipalpur Fort about a couple of hours drive from Lahore.
On reaching Dipalpur, we started inquiring about the whereabouts of the Dipalpur
Fort and to our amazement no one had a clue as to what we were talking about — until a shopkeeper taking us for some ‘documentary-types’ directed us to a small village on Wasawaywala Road, by the name of Bhuman Shah.
After travelling on this scenic road, surrounded by potato and maize fields, for 15 minutes, we reached Bhuman Shah. To our surprise, it looked like a mini fort with a huge compound divided into residential quarters or haveli, a gurdwara or prayer area and a dharamshala or hostel for devotees. Presently, except for the gurdwara, local inhabitants are using all other buildings of the compound as residences with limited awareness for heritage conservation.
The haveli and some meditation rooms in the gurdwara appear to be built in late 18th century, however Samadhi and prayer hall appears to be newer constructions in comparison to the haveli.
The gurdwara and the two buildings are protected under the Anitquities Act 1974.
However, the only sign of the government possession of the gurdwara is a huge lock at the main gate — though both visitors as well as schoolboys can enter through one of the broken walls either to explore the amazing gurdwara or play cricket in the main prayer hall, depending on their interests.
The haveli or residential compound is an imposing structure with its own ancient wooden gate. The outer walls are now in dilapidated condition but have intricate carvings and frescos and beautiful arches all around. The walls covered with frescos show various scenes from the Sikh history as well as carved embellishments showing human faces, beasts as well as shapes depicting jinns.
The Queen before the King.
with thanks : tns.thenews : LINK : for detailed news.

Friday, August 22, 2014

LONDON HOUSE OF LORDS’ SIKH CONTROVERSY

Lord Ranbir Singh Suri

THE  IN  HAS APPOINTED A NEW SIKH REPRESENTATIVE, BUT THE BRITISH SIKH COMMUNITY IS SKEPTICAL OF HOW “REPRESENTATIVE” HE TRULY IS.

The House of Lords verification committee has added . Emphasizing the need for more diverse voices within the House, the Sikh Federation UK and Sikh Council UK have campaigned for the inclusion of a member from the Sikh community. While they were expected to celebrate the nomination of Lord Suri, who was hailed as a leading member of the Sikh community, instead they were met with widespread skepticism.
with thanks : worldreligionnews : LINK : for detailed news.

US Gurdwaras to launch campaign to improve Sikhs image

WASHINGTON: Amidst increasing incidents of hate crimes against Sikhs, Gurdwaras in the US have decided to launch an intensive national campaign running into USD 5 million to improve the image of the community in America.
Representatives from over 100 Gurdwaras in the US held a meeting here over the weekend to discuss the strategy, wherein a detailed presentation on this was made by Geoff Garin of Hart Research, who served as Hillary Clinton's former top political strategist, and Isaac Baker of AKPD Message and Media, President Barack Obama's media firm.
with thanks : Economic Times : LINK

Government Blocks Release of Film

Thursday, August 21, 2014

सीमा पर 45 साल से देश की रक्षा कर रही है हरभजन सिंह की आत्मा !


Soul of a soldier doing duty on border since 45 years


सिक्किम। देश के लिए जान न्यौछावर करने वाले सैनिकों के बारे में तो आपने सुना ही होगा, लेकिन क्या आपने कभी ऎसा भी सुना है कि एक सैनिक मरने के बाद भी पिछले 45 सालों से देश की सीमा पर तैनात है और बकायदा अपने सैनिकों की रक्षा कर रहा है। जी हां, ये बात सच्च है। पंजाब रेजिमेंट के जवान हरभजन सिंह की आत्मा पिछले 45 सालों से देश की सीमा की रक्षा कर रही है। सैनिकों का कहना है की हरभजन सिंह की आत्मा, चीन की तरफ से होने वाले खतरे के बारे में पहले से ही उन्हें बता देती है और यदि भारतीय सैनिकों को चीन के सैनिकों का कोई भी मूवमेंट पसंद नहीं आता है तो उसके बारे में वो चीन के सैनिकों को भी पहले ही बता देते है, ताकि बात ज्यादा नहीं बिगड़े और मिल जुल कर बातचीत से उसका हल निकाल लिया जाए। आप चाहे इस पर यकीं करे या ना करे पर खुद चीनी सैनिक भी इस पर विश्वास करते है इसलिए भारत और चीन के बीच होने वाली हर फ्लैग मीटिंग में हरभजन सिंह के नाम की एक खाली कुर्सी लगाईं जाती है ताकि वो मीटिंग अटेंड कर सके।

हरभजन सिंह का जन्म 30 अगस्त 1946 को, जिला गुजरावाला जो कि वर्तमान में पाकिस्तान में है, हुआ था। हरभजन सिंह 24वीं पंजाब रेजिमेंट के जवान थे, जो की 1966 में आर्मी में भारत हुए थे। पर मात्र 2 साल की नौकरी करके 1968 में, सिçक्कम में, एक दुर्घटना में मारे गए। दो दिन की तलाशी के बाद भी जब उनका शव नहीं मिला तो उन्होंने खुद अपने एक साथी सैनिक के सपने में आकर अपनी शव की जगह बताई। सवेरे सैनिकों ने बताई गई जगह से हरभजन का शव बरामद अंतिम संस्कार किया। हरभजन सिंह के इस चमत्कार के बाद साथी सैनिकों की उनमें आस्था बढ़ गई और उन्होंने उनके बंकर को एक मंदिर का रूप दे दिया। 

हालांकि जब बाद में उनके चमत्कार बढ़ने लगे और वो विशाल जन समूह की आस्था का केंद्र हो गए तो उनके लिए एक नए मंदिर का निर्माण किया गया जो की बाबा हरभजन सिंह मंदिर के नाम से जाना जाता है। यह मंदिर गंगटोक में जेलेप्ला दर्रे और नाथुला दर्रे के बीच, 13000 फीट की ऊंचाई पर स्तिथ है। पुराना बंकर वाला मंदिर इससे 1000 फीट ज्यादा ऊंचाई पर स्तिथ है। मंदिर के अंदर बाबा हरभजन सिंह की एक फोटो और उनका सामान रखा है।

बाबा हरभजन सिंह अपनी मृत्यु के बाद से लगातार ही अपनी ड्यूटी देते आ रहे है। इनके लिए उन्हें बाकायदा तनख्वाह भी दी जाती है, उनकी सेना में एक रेंक है, नियमानुसार उनका प्रमोशन भी किया जाता है। यहां तक की उन्हें कुछ साल पहले तक 2 महीने की छुट्टी पर गांव भी भेजा जाता था। इसके लिए ट्रैन में सीट रिजर्व की जाती थी, तीन सैनिकों के साथ उनका सारा सामान उनके गांव भेजा जाता था और दो महीने पूरे होने पर फिर वापस सिक्किम लाया जाता था। जिन दो महीने बाबा छुट्टी पर रहते थे उस दरमियान पूरा बॉर्डर हाई अलर्ट पर रहता था, क्योकि उस वक्त सैनिकों को बाबा की मदद नहीं मिल पाती थी, लेकिन बाबा का सिक्किम से जाना और वापस आना एक धार्मिक आयोजन का रूप लेता जा रहा था, जिसमें की बड़ी संख्या में जनता इकट्ठी होने लगी थी। 

कुछ लोगों इस आयोजन को अंधविश्वास को बढ़ावा देने वाला मानते थे इसलिए उन्होंने अदालत का दरवाजा खटखटाया क्योंकि सेना में किसी भी प्रकार के अंधविश्वास की मनाही होती है। लिहाजा सेना ने बाबा को छुट्टी पर भेजना बंद कर दिया। अब बाबा साल के बारह महीने ड्यूटी पर रहते है। मंदिर में बाबा का एक कमरा भी है, जिसमें प्रतिदिन सफाई करके बिस्तर लगाए जाते है। बाबा की सेना की वर्दी और जूते रखे जाते हैं। कहते है की रोज सफाई करने पर उनके जूतों में कीचड़ और चद्दर पर सलवटें पाई जाती हैं। - 

See more at: http://www.patrika.com/article/soul-of-a-soldier-doing-duty-on-border-since-45-years/48589#sthash.JrVjCc1l.dpuf

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Turban-wearing Sikhs riding motorbikes in Ontario must wear helmets

motorcycle
TORONTO -- Ontario won't allow turban-wearing Sikhs to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, a decision the Canadian Sikh Association called "deeply" disappointing.
Premier Kathleen Wynne wrote to the organization last week, saying she had struggled with striking the right balance between public safety and religious accommodation.
"After careful deliberation, we have determined that we will not grant this type of exemption as it would pose a road safety risk," she wrote in the Aug. 14 letter.
"Ultimately, the safety of Ontarians is my utmost priority, and I cannot justify setting that concern aside on this issue."
The mandatory helmet law is based on extensive research that shows the high risk of injury and death for motorcyclists who ride without a helmet, she added. Mortality rates have gone down 30 per cent and head injury rates down 75 per cent in jurisdictions with such laws.
Courts have also found that Ontario's law doesn't infringe on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the Ontario Human Rights Code, she said.
The association has been a strong advocate for an exemption and presented "compelling arguments," Wynne wrote.

with thanks : ctvnews : link : for detailed news.