Punjab Govt & SGPC to organise tour of Guru Gobind Singh’s relics

In an event to be jointly organised by the Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), relics of Guru Gobind Singh would be taken around the state in a special religious procession from May 6 to May 20.

The procession will start from Patiala on May 6 and culminate at Takht Keshgarh Sahib Anandpur Sahib on May 20. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar held a meeting with Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday to finalise the programme.

The CM has formed a two-member apex committee comprising education minister Daljit Singh Cheema and   special principal secretary to the CM KJS Cheema for oversee the arrangements for the procession.

The holy relics of Guru Gobind Singh include three swords, a set of hair and comb, a turban, a chola (robe), a whip, a bunch of five arrows, a siri sahib, a wooden spear, a steel spear, a sword and another sword with “Sat Sri Akal Guru Teg Bahadur the 1713 Samvat (1656)” inscribed on its blade. The relics would be placed in a specially designed 33 feet long transport vehicle by the SGPC.

Link :http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/govt-sgpc-to-organise-tour-of-guru-gobind-singh-s-relics/article1-1341952.aspx

Langar Camp/Relief Fund by DSGMC at Nepal

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Teenager jumps off Punjab bus to escape molestation, dies

New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal on Thursday expressed grief over the death of a teenager who was allegedly eve teased and then jumped off a bus that is owned by him and his family.

"I am aggrieved over this incident. It is unfortunate that bus belongs to us. Whatever happened is not good and it is like Himalayan blunder. It is the biggest sin," Singh told reporters.

A 13-year-old girl reportedly died and her mother was seriously injured when they had to jump out of a moving private bus to avoid molestation by some youth along with the bus conductor near Punjab's Moga town.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening.

The bus belonged to Orbit company, owned by the ruling Badal family, which came under fire from rivals parties with Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann demanding that they come clean on the issue.

with thanks : Yahoo news : LINK : for detailed news.

Why Sikhs don't want the Golden Temple to be declared a World Heritage Site

In June, the 39th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will meet in Bonn, Germany, to determine new additions to the list of World Heritage Sites. India already has 32 such sites, and 47 more from the country that were added to the “Tentative List” over the past two decades will be considered by the committee this year.

Of those 47, arguably the most iconic, and certainly the most visited, is Amritsar’s Sri Harmandir Sahib, the holiest site in Sikhism that is known to most non-Sikhs as the Golden Temple. The nomination and selection of World Heritage Sites is generally the subject of little controversy. But the prospect of the Golden Temple’s selection has caused great alarm among sections of the Sikh community. A change.org petition, submitted by a Sikh student in Belgium and calling on UNESCO to delete Harmandir Sahib from the tentative list, has got more than 12,000 signatures.

with thanks : scroll.in : LINK : for detailed news report

When Vaisakhi Is More Than a Holiday

Have you ever wished someone a happy Vaisakhi ?

Most people have no idea that the Pentagon is holding a major celebration to celebrate Vaisakhi. Or that Vaisakhi is the birthday of the world's fifth largest religion. Why? Because the Sikh community as a whole, is often ignored in this country. The time has come to know more about our Sikh neighbors.

Let's start with the FBI's most recent Hate Crimes Statistics (released 12/2014) because the findings are telling. Race is still the leading cause of hate crimes in the U.S., followed by sexual-orientation and religion. Among major religious groups, Jewish people are most likely to be attacked (60.3 percent) followed by Muslims (13.7 percent) and people from "other religions" (11.2 percent). Unfortunately, those statistics do not separately track anti-Sikh hate crimes, only including them within "other religions." Fortunately, this practice has now come to an end. Following years of advocacy, the FBI is finally implementing a system to track anti-Sikh bias, along with bias against many other self-identified religious groups. It's about time. Because the Sikh community is being attacked.

Last summer in New York City, Joseph Caleca yelled "Osama!" at Sandeep Singh before running him over and dragging Singh for 30 feet. Only days later, a group of teens, male and female, attacked another Sikh man walking to dinner with his mother. These are not isolated incidents. The Sikh community is repeatedly targeted by verbal and physical violence. Sometimes the perpetrators escape apprehension. But in the case of Sandeep Singh, community activism led to Caleca's arrest and an indictment for attempted murder and hate crime charges.

with thanks : huffingtonpost : LINK : for detailed news report

Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession brings colour and noise to the streets of Slough

THE holiest day in the Sikh calendar was celebrated on Sunday when the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession procession brought colour and beauty to Slough.

The procession set off from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Sheehy Way at 11am accompanied by an explosion of fireworks.

The thousands of dedicated Sikhs who took part were celebrating Vaisakhi, the initiation of the first five members of the Khalsa in 1699 by the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Khalsa is seen as the eternal living embodiment of the Sikh Guru. Every initiated Sikh is a member of the Khalsa – wearing the Five K’s; the Kesh (turban), Kirpan (small sword), Kanga (wooden comb), Kashera (undergarment) and Kara (iron bracelet).

with thanks : sloughobserver : LINK : for detailed report.

Sikh charity call for donations to Nepal earthquake appeal

A Sikh based charity is asking people to donate essential goods for those who have been affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

More than five thousand people have been killed and many more injured in the earthquake on Saturday. Many families are awaiting news of loved ones who are still missing.

with thanks : ITV : LINK : for detailed news.

DSGMC to offer langar and all possible help to quake victims in Nepal

In an emergency meeting of the members and officers of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) led by its president Manjit Singh GK it was decided to organise langars (community kitchen) in earth quake struck Nepal. The decision is considered historic as for the first time the Gurdwara committee is offering help to the people struck by a natural tragedy outside the country.

Manjit Singh GK told the media that a team led by senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Onkar Singh Thapar is leaving for Kathmandu, Nepal tomorrow morning to set up the base camp of DSGMC. Chaman Singh and Samardeep Singh Sunny are also part of the team, who would take stock of situation and on the basis of their report material for langar and other relief material would be sent.

DSGMC president said that on the plea of the government of India, DSGMC has started sending food packets for 25,000 people and is setting special camp shortly in Kathmandu for preparing round the clock langar for 10,000 people. “The Gurdwara committee is also setting up a control room for sending help to Bihar on the lines of help given to the people of Uttrakhand and Kashmir when in the past calamity struck the two states,” informed Manjit Singh GK who also informed that DSGMC is also offering langar to the protesters every day at Jantar Mantar, irrespective of their party, allegiance and issues raised by them.

Langar for the earth quake affected people in Bihar and Nepal is prepared at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Manjit Singh GK has appealed the people to come forward and support the most genuine cause for the mankind.

DSGMC General secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that instructions for beginning langar came from SAD patron and Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and SAD president and Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. “We are also ready to send dry ration, medicines, clothes, chappals, and blankets,” informed Sirsa.  Speaking on the availability of means for helping the people of Nepal and Bihar Sirsa informed that DSGMC has self sufficient resources to perform any kind of sewa and run without any kind of aid from government or any other agency.

DSGMC Joint secretary Amarjeet Singh Pappu, member Kulwant Singh Bath, Kulmohan Singh, Jatinder Singh Goldy, Darshan Singh, Chaman Singh and Paramjeet Singh Rana and former MLA Jatinder Singh Shanty were also present. After the meeting a delegation led by Onkar Singh Thapar met Nepal high commissioner in India and offered all possible help to Nepal in the hour of tragedy. 

With Thanks : MEDIA DSGMC

Captain Hercharn Singh, the first Sikh as Commissioned Officer in Pakistan Army.

 Captain Hercharn Singh (born 1986) is the first Sikh officer to be commissioned in the Pakistan Army. He was born in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, which is also the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

Hercharn passed his matriculation from Government Guru Nanak High School and passed his FSc (pre-engineering) in 2004 from Forman Christian College, Lahore. He then passed Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) examination in 2006 after failing once and joined the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) at Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Hercharn passed out from PMA and was































commissioned into the Pakistan Army on 27 October 2007.He had told reporters, “It is a matter of great privilege and an honor for me that today I am standing in front of you in the khaki uniform. I have been given a great responsibility”

He was commissioned in Baloch Regiment. Currently, he’s serving as an ADC to a Corps Commander

~ Source: Uos university of sargodha

http://barusahib.org/general/captain-hercharn-singh-sikh-commissioned-officer-pakistan-army/

Attorney General ( US) Eric Holder Thanks the Sikhs for the Sewa Award

U.S Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, warmly accepted the Sewa Award from the Sikhs in Washington at the headquarters of the Department of Justice.

As head of the Justice Department which is one of the largest agencies of the United States government, Eric Holder, while accepting this honour from the Sikhs, said, “I am honoured to receive this award and this is something that I receive on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Justice."

He appreciated the relationship between the Sikhs and the US government and said,  "We have tried to foster a spirit of cooperation and understanding between those of us in government and the people that we serve. The Sikh community has been critical part of our efforts to reach to many communities here in the United States."

He promised Sikhs for future cooperation and support and said, "I want to thank you again for this recognition. This is just an indication of where we are but also a pledge on part of the Justice Department that this relationship continues and it is enhanced in future."

Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, based in Rockville, MD, along with the National Sikh Center, honoured the Top lawyer of the United States as part of the Vaisakhi celebrations. According to the Chairman of GGSF, Inder Paul Singh Gadh, every year, the Foundation chooses to honour an individual or an organization which contributes towards the betterment of the Sikh community worldwide. 

Gadh said, "This year, we felt that there is no one more deserving than Mr. Eric Holder, the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, who has contributed tremendously towards the betterment of the Sikhs in the United States."

Eric Holder was honored with a Siropa (a robe of honor) and a Sewa Service Award. Seven members of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation were present during this ceremony at the headquarters of the Department of Justice in the nation’s capital.

A special prayer was performed in a room, which previously was home to Robert Kennedy's office, while the Sikhs clasped their hands in prayer in the presence of the nation's chief lawyer.  A traditional prayer called ardas was performed with a special blessings being sought for the Attorney General and for the nation.  A robe of honor was presented and placed around Eric Holder's neck in a traditional Sikh manner. In addition, an honorary plaque and a book on Sikhs were presented to Mr. Holder.  He was also presented a Phulkari, a traditional Punjabi embroidered shawl with bright floral craft by Romi Kaur Sawhney, the Executive Director of GGSF. The Attorney General thanked the Sikhs while wearing this honorary robe and the shawl.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Secretary of the GGSF, who also performed the prayer for Mr. Holder, said "We are very grateful to the Attorney General for his exemplary service to the nation and for his positive role in assuring that all communities, including the Sikh community, are safe during these challenging times especially in the aftermath of the terrible shooting at the Oak Creek Gurdwara. Honoring him in the spirit of the Sikh holiday Vaisakhi, which teaches us to stand up for the rights of others, is an honorable thing to do in my opinion."

Dr. Singh added, "We feel that the Attorney General's role on race issues is also bold and decisive, and has added a constructive dialogue in confronting challenging issues. Him being  a minority person in this high position certainly has given inspiration to kids from all minorities especially Sikhs to aspire for this high office."

Harminder Singh Jassal, a board member of GGSF said, "On behalf of the entire Sikh community, we wanted to express our deep appreciation and support for his courageous leadership for supporting Sikhs and other minorities for protecting their civil rights and freedom and religious expressions. We all prayed for him and the DOJ staff and for the entire nation."

Romi Kaur said “It was a very exciting moment for all Sikhs, especially for GGSF to be invited to the Attorney General's office for a one-on-one meeting. It was an historic event. Attorney General Holder was very gracious in receiving the plaque. I believe he was genuinely humbled and pleasantly surprised by our gesture.”

Chattar Singh Saini, Board Member of GGSF and the Chairman of the National Sikh Center, said, "The Department of Justice under the leadership of Eric Holder has served the nation well and we as a community have been helped by sensitivity training programs, know your rights seminars, and various programs by the DOJ. The recent inclusion of the monitoring of the hate crimes against the Sikhs is especially notable. These solid steps are beneficial to hundreds of thousands of Sikhs in the USA and members of other communities as well. We are thrilled to give him this award on behalf of the Sikhs."

The DOJ has recently started tracking hate crimes against Sikhs. This will produce Sikh-specific data on how many hate crimes Sikhs endure, and the overall kinds of biases people of South Asian descent face.

This moment was also an unforgettable for members of the Sikh community. Arvinder Singh, Treasurer of GGSF, said "I feel very excited to be at the DOJ headquarters while we are honoring a cabinet member of President Obama. Eric Holder as an attorney of the United States has shown that he cares for the Sikhs. He deserves to be honored.”

Ravi Singh, Board member of GGSF and Coordinator of GGSF's Outreach Committee, said, "Today the Sikh community honored AG Eric Holder with the Sewa (Service) Award for his dedication and hard work to bring justice to all Americans and especially keeping minorities and their rights in perspective. We are all safe and living peacefully due to all the efforts to keep us and our nation safe by AG Eric Holder, the DOJ and the Obama administration. It was an honor to meet the AG and visit the historical DOJ building. The AG was so gracious and received us with such warmth. We have extended him the invitation to visit the GGSF Gurudwara and hope to see him with his family in the near future."

Last year GGSF had honored Brian Murphy of Oak Creek Gurdwara who was hit with 15 bullets while he fought with a gun man who killed Sikhs in the Wisconsin Gurdwara in 2012.

  
























With Thanks :Sikhs Helping Sikhs

Attorney General Eric Holder Honored by Sikhs in Washington, DC