Islamabad , Apr 15 Armed militants have occupied four homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan&aposs restive Aurakzai tribal region near the northwestern city of Peshawar, a media report said today.
About 200 armed militants arrived at Qasimkhel village in Aurakzai Agency yesterday and demanded Rs 40 million from the Sikhs, said Galyan Singh, an elder of the minority community.
"We failed to pay the amount and they forced the 38-member Sikh community to vacate houses," Singh told The News daily.
The families that were evicted from their homes have taken refuge in Manikhel area, Singh said.
Local residents of Qasimkhel condemned the incident and said injustice had been done to the Sikhs.
with thanks : Source: PTI
with thanks : http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/549205/International/2/20/2
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sikh Community's Contribution Is Significant, Says Najib
Sikh Community's Contribution Is Significant, Says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Sikh community's contribution to the history and development of the country is very important and significant, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Najib said that although the Sikh community was relatively small, in the region of 100,000 people, they had served the country well.
He said they had served as members of the security forces such as in the police and armed forces, in professional fields as doctors and lawyers, and also entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens.
"So I wish to thank the Sikh community for all that they have done (for the country). You have indeed contributed much to the development of Malaysia and I hope you will be with us in future as we develop Malaysia," he said at the Sikh community's Vaisakhi (New Year) celebrations at the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor at Jalan Raja Alang here today.
Thanking the Sikh community for the warm welcome, he said he was happy to be able to share the joyous occasion with them. "I have decided to visit you today because I want to show and indicate very clearly that this government stands for all communities...all races and all religions. I want to underscore that I am the leader and I am the Prime Minister for all communities. My presence here is also to recognise the contribution of the Sikh community in the development of Malaysia," he said to applause from the 2,000-odd crowd.
Najib said he introduced the "One Malaysia" concept as he believed that if all Malaysians stood and worked together and be one family and one team, "we can indeed make Malaysia a stronger and more prosperous nation, based on the principles of trust and mutual respect among all communities in Malaysia".
"That is the essence of what One Malaysia is all about," he said.
Najib said Malaysians must break down the barriers between them and must not look at each other on the prism of skin or colour.
"We must help one another. Whether a person comes from whatever community...if the person deserves help, then that person should and must be helped by all of us.
"If we have this attitude, Malaysia will be a much stronger and united nation as we move forward, facing the challenges of the 21st century," he said.
Najib said he only informed the hosts yesterday evening about his visit because he did not want all the pomp.
"Because I don't want all the pomp...I don't want bunga manggar. I just want to be one of you in a natural way to see you taking part in your daily activities, so that I can better understand your aspirations and the hopes of the Sikh community and of course all the other communities in Malaysia.
"That is the approach I have intended for this government and for this Cabinet and I hope you will be together with us in the journey of making Malaysia a more prosperous and successful nation," he said.
Najib said he enjoyed the breakfast of Sikh traditional food such as prata, pakoda and barfi (sweets) which he had with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and the local community.
Meanwhile, the acting president of the Tatt Khalsa, Rejinder Singh, said the Sikh community was honoured to have the prime minister at their Vaisakhi celebrations.
He said Najib told them to see him or Dr Koh directly if the community have any problems or matters which needed the attention of the government.
"We appreciate this because although we are only a small minority the prime minister has shown concern for us," he said.
Najib is the third prime minister to visit the Tatt Khalsa, after Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj and Tun Hussein Onn.
with thanks : Source : Bernama.com
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Sikh community's contribution to the history and development of the country is very important and significant, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Najib said that although the Sikh community was relatively small, in the region of 100,000 people, they had served the country well.
He said they had served as members of the security forces such as in the police and armed forces, in professional fields as doctors and lawyers, and also entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens.
"So I wish to thank the Sikh community for all that they have done (for the country). You have indeed contributed much to the development of Malaysia and I hope you will be with us in future as we develop Malaysia," he said at the Sikh community's Vaisakhi (New Year) celebrations at the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor at Jalan Raja Alang here today.
Thanking the Sikh community for the warm welcome, he said he was happy to be able to share the joyous occasion with them. "I have decided to visit you today because I want to show and indicate very clearly that this government stands for all communities...all races and all religions. I want to underscore that I am the leader and I am the Prime Minister for all communities. My presence here is also to recognise the contribution of the Sikh community in the development of Malaysia," he said to applause from the 2,000-odd crowd.
Najib said he introduced the "One Malaysia" concept as he believed that if all Malaysians stood and worked together and be one family and one team, "we can indeed make Malaysia a stronger and more prosperous nation, based on the principles of trust and mutual respect among all communities in Malaysia".
"That is the essence of what One Malaysia is all about," he said.
Najib said Malaysians must break down the barriers between them and must not look at each other on the prism of skin or colour.
"We must help one another. Whether a person comes from whatever community...if the person deserves help, then that person should and must be helped by all of us.
"If we have this attitude, Malaysia will be a much stronger and united nation as we move forward, facing the challenges of the 21st century," he said.
Najib said he only informed the hosts yesterday evening about his visit because he did not want all the pomp.
"Because I don't want all the pomp...I don't want bunga manggar. I just want to be one of you in a natural way to see you taking part in your daily activities, so that I can better understand your aspirations and the hopes of the Sikh community and of course all the other communities in Malaysia.
"That is the approach I have intended for this government and for this Cabinet and I hope you will be together with us in the journey of making Malaysia a more prosperous and successful nation," he said.
Najib said he enjoyed the breakfast of Sikh traditional food such as prata, pakoda and barfi (sweets) which he had with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and the local community.
Meanwhile, the acting president of the Tatt Khalsa, Rejinder Singh, said the Sikh community was honoured to have the prime minister at their Vaisakhi celebrations.
He said Najib told them to see him or Dr Koh directly if the community have any problems or matters which needed the attention of the government.
"We appreciate this because although we are only a small minority the prime minister has shown concern for us," he said.
Najib is the third prime minister to visit the Tatt Khalsa, after Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj and Tun Hussein Onn.
with thanks : Source : Bernama.com
Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu - celebrating the harvest : PM Malaysia
by PM Malaysia.
Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu - Celebrating the harvest
Monday, 13 April 2009
Today reminds me once again of the tremendous value of our diversity. The Sikh community worldwide celebrates the holy festival of Vaisakhi (or Bhaisakhi) today with prayers, singing and dancing, and it is no different in Malaysia. In the day commemorating the founding of this religion, I would like to wish the Sikh community in Malaysia a wonderful and prosperous Vaisakhi and hope that the well-being of Malaysia and its people are in your prayers.
UPDATE: I would be remiss not to acknowledge the various forms of this harvest and new year celebration observed by diverse ethnic groups within the Indian community. As I understand, this auspicious time of year is feted by different names, but the goal remains the same: to pray for a bountiful year and continued prosperity. At the same time, spiritual practices must be coupled with concerted efforts and actions to ensure valuable returns.
Therefore, whether you observe it as Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu, Rongali Bihu, or Naba Barsha, I wish everyone a wonderful celebration and a rewarding year ahead.
Have a joyous festival!
with Thanks : http://www.1malaysia.com.my
Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu - Celebrating the harvest
Monday, 13 April 2009
Today reminds me once again of the tremendous value of our diversity. The Sikh community worldwide celebrates the holy festival of Vaisakhi (or Bhaisakhi) today with prayers, singing and dancing, and it is no different in Malaysia. In the day commemorating the founding of this religion, I would like to wish the Sikh community in Malaysia a wonderful and prosperous Vaisakhi and hope that the well-being of Malaysia and its people are in your prayers.
UPDATE: I would be remiss not to acknowledge the various forms of this harvest and new year celebration observed by diverse ethnic groups within the Indian community. As I understand, this auspicious time of year is feted by different names, but the goal remains the same: to pray for a bountiful year and continued prosperity. At the same time, spiritual practices must be coupled with concerted efforts and actions to ensure valuable returns.
Therefore, whether you observe it as Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu, Rongali Bihu, or Naba Barsha, I wish everyone a wonderful celebration and a rewarding year ahead.
Have a joyous festival!
with Thanks : http://www.1malaysia.com.my
Happy Baisakhi
Sikhs India wishes to all of you a very happy BAISAKHI.
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Friday, April 10, 2009
Congress drops Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar
NEW DELHI: In the face of mounting controversy over their alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a worried Congress on Thursday
withdrew its controversial leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from the electoral fray. ( Watch Video)
"Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar have expressed their sentiments that they do not wish to embarrass the party by contesting Lok Sabha elections when some political parties and individuals have tried to vitiate the atmosphere. They have opted out of Lok Sabha elections.
"The party has accepted their feelings and decided that they will not be Lok Sabha candidates of the Indian National Congress," party General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters shortly after Tytler announced his decision to opt out of the race, PTI reported.
Their replacements will be decided soon, said sources.
The Congress decision comes amid a raging controversy over fielding the two leaders, whose names figured as accused in the 1984 riots, accentuated by the incident of throwing of shoe by a Sikh journalist at home minister P Chidambaram at AICC press conference on Tuesday.
The journalist said he was protesting against the clean chit given by CBI to Tytler in the riots case, an issue on which the agency today told a local court here that it had no jurisdiction to go into. The case has been deferred till April 28.
65-year-old Tytler, who had won thrice from the capital, was announced as party's candidate from the newly-created North-East Delhi seat.
with thanks : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Matrimonial profiles
Add your matrimonial profile on a sikh web portal with appx. 80,000 hits per month. You can add the profile absolutely free, though a paid option is also there.Please log on to www.sohnijodi.com
Akal Air - experience the difference
The website of Akal Air says :
Akal Air customers will always be treated with respect, due care and consideration and be offered a pleasant flight experience by all Akal Air staff from Check-in, boarding, in-flight through to baggage claim.
We plan to fly to multiple destinations at convenient times to the main airports. Whether customers are airborne or on the ground, Akal Air is focused on ensuring a full service experience.
Akal Air fully intends to provide our customers with safe, value driven, point-to-point air services. We aim to offer a consistent and reliable product and fares appealing to leisure and business markets on a range of International routes.
with thanks : www.akalair.com
Akal Air customers will always be treated with respect, due care and consideration and be offered a pleasant flight experience by all Akal Air staff from Check-in, boarding, in-flight through to baggage claim.
We plan to fly to multiple destinations at convenient times to the main airports. Whether customers are airborne or on the ground, Akal Air is focused on ensuring a full service experience.
Akal Air fully intends to provide our customers with safe, value driven, point-to-point air services. We aim to offer a consistent and reliable product and fares appealing to leisure and business markets on a range of International routes.
with thanks : www.akalair.com
Akal Air News : Signs that 2009 will be a much better year than 2008.
Signs that 2009 will be a much better year than 2008.
Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the credit crunch, airline failures and growing unemployment, some analysts are predicting that 2009 will be a much better year than 2008.
The reasons for these unexpected predictions are based on simple trends:
Oil prices are declining and this trend looks set to continue, reducing the single greatest burden on an airline’s balance sheets. The dollar is also declining, meaning that aviation costs (lease rates, fuel etc.) that are usually expressed in dollars are also declining.
Aircraft are becoming available in the lease market and these are on more reasonable terms, allowing airlines to acquire new aircraft at acceptable prices to service new and growing routes. Charter airlines are being steadily chased out of the short haul market by the low cost carriers, into medium haul routes not explored before. This segmentation of the market will help to stabilise charter operators in the face of fierce competition.
Although distressing, recent airline failures have meant that seat capacity has been significantly reduced, whilst demand has been maintained, meaning that more passengers will be chasing fewer seats.
The message is simple: if an airline can survive the winter of 2008, then it can expect a bumper year in 2009.
with thanks : www.akalair.com
Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the credit crunch, airline failures and growing unemployment, some analysts are predicting that 2009 will be a much better year than 2008.
The reasons for these unexpected predictions are based on simple trends:
Oil prices are declining and this trend looks set to continue, reducing the single greatest burden on an airline’s balance sheets. The dollar is also declining, meaning that aviation costs (lease rates, fuel etc.) that are usually expressed in dollars are also declining.
Aircraft are becoming available in the lease market and these are on more reasonable terms, allowing airlines to acquire new aircraft at acceptable prices to service new and growing routes. Charter airlines are being steadily chased out of the short haul market by the low cost carriers, into medium haul routes not explored before. This segmentation of the market will help to stabilise charter operators in the face of fierce competition.
Although distressing, recent airline failures have meant that seat capacity has been significantly reduced, whilst demand has been maintained, meaning that more passengers will be chasing fewer seats.
The message is simple: if an airline can survive the winter of 2008, then it can expect a bumper year in 2009.
with thanks : www.akalair.com
Hearing on Mr Jagdish Tytler postponed
Hearing on Mr Jagdish Tytler has been postponed and now it will be held on 28th April, 2009. He has been given a clean chit by CBI in the 1984 anti sikh riot case and a final hearing was due to be held today i.e. 9th April at Karkardooma court in East Delhi.
Congress may dump Tytler to secure Sikh votes
Congress may dump Tytler to secure Sikh votes
9 Apr 2009, 1024 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: The fate of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's nomination from Delhi North-East is hanging by a slender thread. With the "shoe throwing" protest by journalist Jarnail Singh triggering sharp reaction among Sikhs, Congress leadership is seriously considering to dump Tytler to secure its prospects in Punjab.
The resentment triggered by Jarnail's action swept Punjab as dozens of Sikh groups held up trains at several places in the state on Wednesday, fuelling the Tytler issue anew.
The protests, which came as a surprise to the Akali government in Punjab, sensitised the Congress leadership to the risk of persevering with Tytler, a former Union minister who is one of the prominent accused in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
Congress is hopeful of improving its tally from Punjab, but fears that spotlight on Tytler may neutralise the advantage. Akalis have swiftly latched on to the controversy to remind Sikhs of the charge of official sponsorship of anti-Sikh violence in the aftermath of the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi.
Tytler's case comes up on Thursday before Rakesh Pandit, additional chief metropolitan magistrate of New Delhi who is to take a view on the CBI report which has disputed the veracity of the testimony of one Jasbir Singh who claimed to be a witness to Tytler's involvement in the rioting against Sikhs.
Congress sources, however, said Tytler may not be in the clear even if the court accepts the report of the investigating agency. "It is a matter of perception," said a party functionary familiar with leadership's thinking.
While Tytler was defiant and sought to rubbish reports about a re-think on his ticket, the leadership sounded out the party unit in Punjab on potential repercussions for party's chances in the state. "PPCC has already discussed and apprised party president Sonia Gandhi about the implications of Tytler issue on poll prospects in the state," Punjab Congress chief Mahinder Singh Kaypee told reporters.
Kaypee was not forthcoming on detials. But he did point to reports about party leadership's decision to review the decision to field Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, another prominent Congressman accused in the riots and party's candidate for South Delhi, when pressed by journalists in Chandigarh.
The protests in Punjab involved various Sikh outfits.Rail traffic remained disrupted for over four hours with activists of Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organizations led by Sant Samaj stopping trains and squatting on the tracks between 11am to 3pm. Several trains were stopped at various stations before the start of the dharna.
At the Dakoha railway crossing in Jalandhar, the protest was led by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma and SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar.
Long-distance trains, including the Flying Express from Amritsar to Darbhanga, were cancelled and others like Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi and Dadar-Amritsar Express delayed. However, many trains that left the Amritsar area before the demonstrators blocked the tracks chugged along on schedule. Reports from most places said cops made no attempt to disperse the protesters.
In Haryana too, Sikh community leaders held a symbolic dharna at the railway station in Kurukshetra.
with thanks : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cong-may-dump-Tytler-to-secure-Sikh-votes/articleshow/4374095.cms
9 Apr 2009, 1024 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: The fate of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's nomination from Delhi North-East is hanging by a slender thread. With the "shoe throwing" protest by journalist Jarnail Singh triggering sharp reaction among Sikhs, Congress leadership is seriously considering to dump Tytler to secure its prospects in Punjab.
The resentment triggered by Jarnail's action swept Punjab as dozens of Sikh groups held up trains at several places in the state on Wednesday, fuelling the Tytler issue anew.
The protests, which came as a surprise to the Akali government in Punjab, sensitised the Congress leadership to the risk of persevering with Tytler, a former Union minister who is one of the prominent accused in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
Congress is hopeful of improving its tally from Punjab, but fears that spotlight on Tytler may neutralise the advantage. Akalis have swiftly latched on to the controversy to remind Sikhs of the charge of official sponsorship of anti-Sikh violence in the aftermath of the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi.
Tytler's case comes up on Thursday before Rakesh Pandit, additional chief metropolitan magistrate of New Delhi who is to take a view on the CBI report which has disputed the veracity of the testimony of one Jasbir Singh who claimed to be a witness to Tytler's involvement in the rioting against Sikhs.
Congress sources, however, said Tytler may not be in the clear even if the court accepts the report of the investigating agency. "It is a matter of perception," said a party functionary familiar with leadership's thinking.
While Tytler was defiant and sought to rubbish reports about a re-think on his ticket, the leadership sounded out the party unit in Punjab on potential repercussions for party's chances in the state. "PPCC has already discussed and apprised party president Sonia Gandhi about the implications of Tytler issue on poll prospects in the state," Punjab Congress chief Mahinder Singh Kaypee told reporters.
Kaypee was not forthcoming on detials. But he did point to reports about party leadership's decision to review the decision to field Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, another prominent Congressman accused in the riots and party's candidate for South Delhi, when pressed by journalists in Chandigarh.
The protests in Punjab involved various Sikh outfits.Rail traffic remained disrupted for over four hours with activists of Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organizations led by Sant Samaj stopping trains and squatting on the tracks between 11am to 3pm. Several trains were stopped at various stations before the start of the dharna.
At the Dakoha railway crossing in Jalandhar, the protest was led by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma and SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar.
Long-distance trains, including the Flying Express from Amritsar to Darbhanga, were cancelled and others like Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi and Dadar-Amritsar Express delayed. However, many trains that left the Amritsar area before the demonstrators blocked the tracks chugged along on schedule. Reports from most places said cops made no attempt to disperse the protesters.
In Haryana too, Sikh community leaders held a symbolic dharna at the railway station in Kurukshetra.
with thanks : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cong-may-dump-Tytler-to-secure-Sikh-votes/articleshow/4374095.cms
Sikh grievance legitimate, says Chidambaram
with thanks : CNN-IBN
New Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday admitted that the Sikh community had "legitimate grievances" on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which just a few people have been convicted.
In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN's Rajdeep Sardesai and Meetu Jain just a day after a Sikh journalist, Jarnail Singh, threw a shoe at him during a press conference in New Delhi, Chidambaram repeated what he told Jarnail on Tuesday that pronouncing guilt is for the courts to decide.
Chidambaram also said he has forgiven the Sikh journalist who works with Dainik Jagran.
"I don't think Jarnail intended to hurt me, only to provoke me," said Chidambaram.
"The Sikhs have a legitimate grievance that not enough people have been punished. But some people have been punished," he said.
He also tried to assure the Sikhs saying that the government was not trying to whitewash anything and the law would take its own course.
"Law has to take its course. Those who have been charge-sheeted… some will be punished, some may be acquitted because of technical reasons but to the best of my knowledge, no one in the government is trying to whitewash anything," said the Home Minister.
"I am not a judge. I am not a court. It is improper for me to pronounce anyone guilty or innocent," Chidambaram said.
The Home Minister said he was "100 per cent sure" there was no question of revamping his security in view of the shoe-throwing incident. "One PSO (police station officer) is one too many," he said.
He also declined to comment if the Congress would continue with Jagdish Tytler as its candidate for the Delhi North-East Lok Sabha seat.
"I cannot answer this question," he said.
He also added that he had forgotten the shoe-throwing incident.
"It was an emotional outburst by one journalist and he has quite rightly regretted it. As far as I am concerned, it is over," Chidambaram said about Singh.
Jarnail threw a shoe at Chidambaram at the Congress headquarters expressing his anger over the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) giving a clean chit to Tytler for the riots.
with thanks to :
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sikhs-have-a-legitimate-grievance-chidambaram/89791-37.html
New Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday admitted that the Sikh community had "legitimate grievances" on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which just a few people have been convicted.
In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN's Rajdeep Sardesai and Meetu Jain just a day after a Sikh journalist, Jarnail Singh, threw a shoe at him during a press conference in New Delhi, Chidambaram repeated what he told Jarnail on Tuesday that pronouncing guilt is for the courts to decide.
Chidambaram also said he has forgiven the Sikh journalist who works with Dainik Jagran.
"I don't think Jarnail intended to hurt me, only to provoke me," said Chidambaram.
"The Sikhs have a legitimate grievance that not enough people have been punished. But some people have been punished," he said.
He also tried to assure the Sikhs saying that the government was not trying to whitewash anything and the law would take its own course.
"Law has to take its course. Those who have been charge-sheeted… some will be punished, some may be acquitted because of technical reasons but to the best of my knowledge, no one in the government is trying to whitewash anything," said the Home Minister.
"I am not a judge. I am not a court. It is improper for me to pronounce anyone guilty or innocent," Chidambaram said.
The Home Minister said he was "100 per cent sure" there was no question of revamping his security in view of the shoe-throwing incident. "One PSO (police station officer) is one too many," he said.
He also declined to comment if the Congress would continue with Jagdish Tytler as its candidate for the Delhi North-East Lok Sabha seat.
"I cannot answer this question," he said.
He also added that he had forgotten the shoe-throwing incident.
"It was an emotional outburst by one journalist and he has quite rightly regretted it. As far as I am concerned, it is over," Chidambaram said about Singh.
Jarnail threw a shoe at Chidambaram at the Congress headquarters expressing his anger over the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) giving a clean chit to Tytler for the riots.
with thanks to :
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sikhs-have-a-legitimate-grievance-chidambaram/89791-37.html
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