Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Flag hoisting ceremony on the eve of Republic Day at Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
Dr.Man Mohan Kaur(Principal,Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar),hoisted National Flag on the eve of Republic Day celebrations in the College premises.Professor Harmohinder Singh Sarna(Executive Member of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee),Dr.Amardeep Singh Bindra (In- Charge of NCC Wing of the College) and other staff members with their presence boosted young National Cadet Corps (NCC) students of the college who marked the day with Grand March Past .
Monday, January 24, 2011
Plans to include Sikh trainers in NS camps
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24, 2011): The National Service Training Department is planning to include Sikh trainers in National Service (NS) camps in the future, said department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil today.
The NS service department has also urged volunteers or NGOs identified by the Malaysian Sikh Union to visit all nine NS camps nationwide to get feedback on problems or complaints by Sikh trainees.
Abdul Hadi said the measures in line with the government’s aim to instill unity and patriotism among trainees of various races and culture.
He also said the initiatives will help prevent a similar incident last week where 17-year-old Sikh trainee Basant Singh woke up at the Sungai Bakap camp in Penang to find his hair snipped off.
The cutting or shaving of hair is one of the four taboos in Sikhism.
Abdul Hadi was speaking in a press conference today after meeting the family of Basant and members of the Union of Perak Sikh Organisation (UPSO) in Wangsa Maju.
The family of Basant and UPSO made no comments on the hair-cutting incident as they are waiting for police to complete investigations.
Abdul Hadi said the parents have been informed that Basant is free to switch camps or defer his national service training although he cannot be exempted from NS.
with thanks : thesundaily : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
'No determination on diplomatic immunity for Nath'
The United States has made "no determination" on the question of diplomatic immunity for Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath against the backdrop of the summons issued against him by a US court on a lawsuit alleging his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The State Department here said that US is looking forward to working with Kamal Nath in his new capacity as the Urban Development Minister.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Anti-Sikh riot nails Kamal Nath; NY court summons
New Delhi, Jan 23: Just after a few days that the Urban Development Ministry has been allotted to him, a major set back for Kamal Nath came on his way.
A New York court summoned Kamal Nath in regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and Washington also declined to provide diplomatic immunity to the minister.
A media report stated that a civil lawsuit was filed in a New York court in Apr 2010 alleging his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in New Delhi.
However, there is no legal case against Kamal Nath in India in connection with the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
with thanks : oneindia : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Kamal Nath summoned by US court in 1984 Sikh riots case
Washington, Jan 23
Indian Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath has been summoned by a New York court for a pre-trial conference Feb 9 for his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The trial will proceed as the US State Department has declined to intervene in the case due to the seriousness of allegations of human rights violation against Kamal Nath, according to Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor for Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a US based human rights advocacy group.
After being summoned by the Southern district court of New York Dec 10, 2010, Kamal Nath had sought diplomatic immunity. His request for immunity has now been turned down by the State Department, Pannun said.
In April 2010, SFJ along with two individuals filed a law suit against Kamal Nath under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) & Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) asking the court to order compensatory and punitive damages against the minister.
According to Pannun: "Alien Tort Claims Act of United State, the law under which trial against Kamal Nath will be held is specifically created to provide remedy and forum to victims of genocide to vindicate their complaints."
with thanks : prokerala : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
INVITATION from AASRA Magazine
INVITATION
Celebrating 5 Years of Aasra Magazine
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011
TIME: 2:30 PM
COVINGTON LIBRARY
27100 164th Avenue SE
Covington, WA 98042
Covington, WA 98042
The Sikh community is one of the fastest growing communities in King County. Sikhism's faith-based traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture inspired by their holy book the Guru Granth Sahib. You must have seen Sikh men with turbans and beards; find out the meaning behind this tradition. Learn about the Sikh religion and culture. Their music. Participate in the Poetry Reading. Enjoy refreshments and ask any question you may have in a relaxed atmosphere. Brought to you by Aasra Magazine- Connecting Communities and KCLS. For information please Email aasra@q.com or call 206-550-3154
Saturday, January 22, 2011
SLUMDOG SIKHS : Join our Facebook Group
Please join our SikhsIndia Facebook account group : SLUMDOG SIKHS. Come, let's do something for the downtrodden sikhs.
Best Regards
B S Vohra
SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.sohnijodi.com
Four follower of Sacha Sauda appear at Akal Takht, returns to Sikh religion
AMRITSAR: Jatehdar Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) Gyani Gurbachan Singh here Wednesday stated that four followers of Dera Saucha Sauda sect snapped their ties with the dera and returned into Sikh fold as they appeared at Akal Takht with request to pardon them.
The four who entered in Sikh fold were Jaswinder Singh, Harnek Singh, Baljit Singh and Jaswinder Singh. They told the Jathedar that they were misled by the sect of Dera Sacha Sauda and now realized their blunder, said Jatehdar.
Jatehdar said that all the four have made commitment that they would follow the Sikh rituals with letter and spirit and would never look back to Sacha Sauda sect.
Jatehdar said that it would give good message to the society, with this development more and more people would snap ties from Sacha Sauda sect.
with thanks : punjabnewsline
Sikhs' bravery in world wars
AMRITSAR: To remember the forgotten Sikh soldiers and make the world aware of their heroic deeds in 'Sikhi Saroop' (complete Sikh appearance), Birmingham-based film-maker Jay Singh Sohal officially released his documentary movie 'Sikhs at War' on the net on Thursday.
The film recalls the forgotten Indian Sikhs who had fought the world wars for the British Empire in the name of king and country they had never seen.
Earlier, the movie was screened in the British Parliament in December.
More than 1,00,000 Sikhs had participated in these wars. Sikhs comprised 20% of the British Indian army in action, despite being only 2% of the Indian population.
The film recalls the forgotten Indian Sikhs who had fought the world wars for the British Empire in the name of king and country they had never seen.
Earlier, the movie was screened in the British Parliament in December.
More than 1,00,000 Sikhs had participated in these wars. Sikhs comprised 20% of the British Indian army in action, despite being only 2% of the Indian population.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A SIKH VILLAGE IN DISTRESS IN DELHI :
Hope you have viewed the Video uploaded by us a few days ago. We will visit this Sikh Village very soon. We will accompany a few members of DSGMC as well SGPC. Please confirm if you wanna join us, so that the date & timings could be intimated.
With best regards
B S Vohra
SikhsIndia
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Punjabi University to publish literature on Sikh gurus, martyrs
Punjabi University will publish literature on the lives and contribution of Sikh gurus and martyrs of the 18th century. Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh said this while presiding over a two-day national seminar on “Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: Achievements and Place in History”, organised by the university’s Department of Punjab Historical Studies on Tuesday.
with thanks : Indian Express : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Sikh group barred from legislature over kirpans
QUEBEC CITY — Hearings into the accommodation of minority groups were disrupted Tuesday when security agents refused to accommodate four Sikh officials who refused to turn in their ceremonial daggers.
The representatives of the World Sikh Organization of Canada were denied access to the Quebec legislature for a scheduled presentation before a committee examining Bill 94.
The draft legislation sets out rules for accommodating minority groups in government. Much of the attention has centred around a proposed government ban on serving or hiring women who insist on wearing Islamic face coverings. But there has also been tension in the past over the Sikh dagger, known as the kirpan.
A Montreal school board’s decision to ban the kirpan on school grounds made it all the way to the Supreme Court in 2006. The high court ruled unanimously that schools have the right to impose conditions on students wearing the Sikh religious symbol but that a blanket ban on the daggers infringes fundamental religious freedom.
with thanks : torontosun : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Calendar row: Jathedar slams Vedanti for airing views, spreading doubt
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh today said his predecessor Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti should show restraint on the subject of Nanakshahi Calendar. Gurbachan Singh took exception to Vedanti’s remarks about the calendar made on Monday.
The Jathedar said Vedanti himself had been on the supreme ‘temporal seat of Sikhs’ for long and must be well-versed in the Sikh Maryada (code of conduct) and should abide by the same.
In a written statement issued here, Jathedar Gurbachan Singh said Jathedar Vedanti had violated the Maryada by releasing the Calendar in defiance of the Takht, which does not behove him. “You had been on the post for eight long years and know about the Sikh Maryada,” wrote Jathedar Gurbachan Singh, adding that no arbitrary ‘amendments’ were made in the calendar, only some ‘improvements’ were made as per the wishes of the Sikh Sangat.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"No proof hair was cut by fellow trainees"
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 18, 2011): Preliminary investigation has shown there was no proof that the unshorn hair of a Sikh trainee has been cut by his fellow trainees in the Sungai Bakap camp in Kedah on Sunday.
However, National Service Training Department (JLKN) director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the case was now under the second phase of investigation by the department.
"The camp commandant in his investigation has tried to locate the hair that was said to have been cut but the trainee could not provide it.
"He has also investigated the dorm where the trainee has been staying but could not find any traces of hair, or scissors, or knives there," he told a press conference here today.
with thanks : thesundaily : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
DO YOU THINK SGPC, DSGMC, OTHER GURDWARA COMMITTEES ARE WORKING FOR THE UPLIFTMENT OF POOR SIKHS ?
Please view the attached video. We hope you will join us to serve the community. Reply as well your valued comments are being awaited !
B S Vohra
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Available on : Facebook Twitter Youtube
Dera clash: Sikh leaders meet injured
Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, along with preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal, visited Faridkot on Monday to meet the activists — who were injured in a clash with the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda — near Sadhanwala village on Sunday.
The two leaders held a meeting at the local gurdwara. Jathedar Nandgarh slammed the state government for showering patronage on the deras. “Because of the current regime, the deras are prospering in Punjab. This is evident from the fact that the police, instead of taking action against the dera followers, prefer to sit quietly,” he said.
with thanks : Indian Express : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tension in Punjab district after clash
Faridkot (Punjab) , Jan 16 (IANS) Tension prevailed in this Punjab district Sunday after followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect clashed with some members of Sikh community, police said.
According to police, some followers of the Haryana-based Sacha Sauda indulged in heated arguments with members of the Sikh community over a religious issue here Sunday afternoon. This was followed by minor clash between the members of two groups.
with thanks : sify : link above for detailed news.
sikhsindia
According to police, some followers of the Haryana-based Sacha Sauda indulged in heated arguments with members of the Sikh community over a religious issue here Sunday afternoon. This was followed by minor clash between the members of two groups.
with thanks : sify : link above for detailed news.
sikhsindia
Mass cheek swabbing takes over Sikh temple
Hundreds of people in Edmonton's south Asian community answered the call to help a 13-year-old boy battle a rare form of leukemia Sunday, doing a simple test to see if they are a match for a bone marrow transplant.
A mass cheek swabbing event took over the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha in Mill Woods, with the hope someone will prove a viable donor for Brampton Ontario's Noor Deol. An operation is the best bet for the teenager because a chromosome abnormality makes for high chances of the cancer returning, even if he enters remission.
The challenge is his community make up only 2.6 per cent of Canada's stem cell registry. Since those with shared ethnicity have the highest chance of proving a match, his family is rallying to the cause, asking healthy individuals between the ages of 17 to 50 to come out and get tested.
"What we need to do is get more people involved," argued Noor's uncle Raminder Gill, who organized the Edmonton event.
"You can't expect them to come to your fight - you have to bring it to them sometimes…One thing with our community, there's a lack of knowledge of the situation, but once you bring it out there they're more than willing to come out."
The clinic was organized after 2,300 Canadians of South Asians descent turned out to a December cheek swabbing event in Toronto, with none proving a match.
At least 500 people turned out on Sunday, hoping there is strength in numbers.
"If it saves someone's life, why not do it?" argued Ravi Sangh. "I'm a Sikh, I should be helping the community and the people, right? It's my responsibility… I'm going to tell my friends and they're going to tell their friends."
with thanks : edmonton : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sikh devotees take holy dip on 'Maghi Mela'
Muktsar :
Braving winter chill, a large number of devotees today took a holy dip in the 'sarovars' of the various Gurdwaras in and around the town on the occasion of Maghi Mela.
Maghi is observed in the memory of the 40 'Muktas' (the redeemed ones) who sacrificed their lives while fighting the Mughals in the last battle of the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in 1705. According to the legend, the Guru personally cremated the martyrs on the day following the festival of Lohri.
Despite the biting cold, devotees came in droves from Punjab and neighbouring areas, including Haryana and Rajasthan, to pay obeisance at Gurdwaras here.
with thanks : Indian Express : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Sarna's new muse: 111 verses of Zafarnama in English
New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Diplomat-author Navtej Sarna has always felt a creative kinship with exiles. This time round, he has penned an English translation of Zafarnama - 111 spiritually resonant Persian verses of impassioned plea for justice composed by Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh guru, while on the run from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's soldiers in the early 18th century.
'It's a blistering indictment of Aurangzeb's policies and statecraft, the lack of morality in governance and war during his tenure,' Sarna, who is at present India's ambassador to Israel, told IANS in an interview here before he heads to the Jaipur Literary Festival later this week.
'At the same time, it is a stirring praise to true god. Guru Gobind Singh was a prophetic poet, writer, a warrior poet and a polyglot who was well versed in Persian, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha,' said Sarna, who also served as spokesperson of India's Foreign Office for six long years.
with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
'It's a blistering indictment of Aurangzeb's policies and statecraft, the lack of morality in governance and war during his tenure,' Sarna, who is at present India's ambassador to Israel, told IANS in an interview here before he heads to the Jaipur Literary Festival later this week.
'At the same time, it is a stirring praise to true god. Guru Gobind Singh was a prophetic poet, writer, a warrior poet and a polyglot who was well versed in Persian, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha,' said Sarna, who also served as spokesperson of India's Foreign Office for six long years.
with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
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