Sikh Jatha returns from Pakistan after observing 403rd Martyrs Day

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Attari (Punjab), June 17 - ANI: After observing 403rd Martyrs Day of Guru Arjan Dev, the 5th master of the Sikhs, the Sikh Jatha (group) of nearly 200 devotees returned at Attari railway station from Pakistan on Wednesday through a special train.

The group, during its 10 days stay in Pakistan, visited Nankana sahib, Sacha Sauda, Rohri sahib, Punja Sahib and Gurdara Dera sahib in Lahore.

A few members of the group had an opportunity to visit Gurdara Kartarpur sahib situated in Narowal district of Pakistan Punjab.

The main function was held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib where nearly 5000 devotees from all over the world assembled to observe the Martyrdom Day of their 5th master.

Devotees returning from Pakistan opined that the Government of Pakistan should give country-wide visa so that they could have visited other Gurdwaras in Pakistan.

There are more nearly 172 historical Sikh shrines in Pakistan but Pakistan grants specific visa to visit only 5 of them.

The devotees demanded that the Heads of the Governments of India and Pakistan should take these issues on their top agendas and facilitate the pilgrimages.

Every year thousands of devotees from India visit Pakistan to pay obeisance to their holy shrines.

Sikhs considered Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev the first Sikh master, as their Mecca.

The devotees have been demanding a corridor to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which is situate in Pakistan nearly 2.5 kilometres from Dera Baba Nanak, which is on the Indian side. - ANI

with thanks : source : http://www.littleabout.com/news/18814,sikh-jatha-returns-pakistan-observing-403rd-martyrs-day.html

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Legendry Sikh artist Dya Singh is an icon of the Australian music scene

Dya Singh is an icon of the Australian music scene and has quietly gained a phenomenal 'standing' worldwide as a 'world music' artist in the last 15 or so years. Dya Singh is one of the many Indian artists that MAV supports and promotes through our mission to foster cultural diversity and respect through the promotion, enhancement and celebration of multicultural arts in Australia. His 'world music' and 'Sikh spiritual' music group has travelled to USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Kenya, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and throughout Australia since its formation in 1994. He is now based in Melbourne

Dya Singh has extraordinary musical talent and knowledge and he has enormous skills that he has contributed to the musical sector in Australia both musically and culturally. He is a highly valued artistic individual benefiting not only the Sikh community, but the wider Australian community with his knowledge and capabilities in music. He believes music is a way to bring communities together and create understanding.

These are the excerpts from Article " Legendry Sikh artist Dya Singh is an icon of the Australian music scene".

You can read the complete News / Article at : http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=5709

With thanks : Source : As above

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SIKHSINDIA
16th June, 2009
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Jewish community honours Sikh philanthropist

Jewish community honours Sikh philanthropist
By ANDY LEVY-AJZENKOPF, Staff Reporter
Thursday, 18 June 2009

TORONTO — The Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto last week honoured Sarabjit S. “Sabi” Marwah with the 2009 Words & Deeds Leadership Award.

The award is presented to community “leaders whose contribution to humanitarian causes, tolerance and inclusion in Canadian society has been outstanding,” according to CIJA and UJA Federation.

Marwah – vice-chair and chief operating officer of Scotiabank – was fêted at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto by more than 700 guests, including numerous dignitaries, politicians and Jewish and Sikh community leaders. He was recognized for his ongoing philanthropic efforts with United Way Toronto, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and his previous service on the Board of Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.

In his acceptance speech, Marwah thanked the Jewish community for the award and said Jews and Sikhs share many commonalities.

“The fact that I, a Sikh, am being honoured tonight by the Jewish community is a striking illustration of our common humanity,” he said.

“I recently learned of a Jewish proverb that says ‘do not be wise in words, be wise in deeds,’ which is what this award is all about,” he added. “It is also reminiscent of a Sikh tenet which [states], ‘Being good is a virtue; but doing good is a greater virtue.’”

with thanks : source : http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17119&Itemid=86

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Outrage over Golden Temple replica in Punjab

Outrage over Golden Temple replica in Punjab
15 Jun 2009, 1126 hrs IST, IANS

SANGRUR, PUNJAB: The Sikh leadership in Punjab is furious over attempts by a sect to replicate the design and structure of their holiest shrine -
the Golden Temple or Harmandar Sahib at Amritsar.

Reminiscent of the huge row after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had sought to imitate the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, by wearing look-alike robes in April 2007, the private shrine in Punjab's Sangrur district, 170 km from Chandigarh, seems to have upset everyone -- from common devotees to the apex Sikh clergy and the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC).

While an indignant SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar has ordered the management of the Gurudwara Sachkhand Angeetha Sahib at Mastuana to halt further construction on the structure, the head priest of the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhism), Giani Gurbachan Singh has declared it "sacrilegious".

"No one will be allowed to make a replica of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple)," the Akal Takht head said.

A probe panel sent by the SGPC to Sangrur recorded video evidence and said in its report that the sect was trying to replicate Sikhism's holiest shrine. The panel reported "a blatant attempt to copy the design of Harmandar Sahib".

The roots of the controversy go back 40 years ago.

The shrine, owned by the cash-rich Mastuana Dera headed by Sant Sadhu Singh, has been under construction since 1967. It had provoked similar controversy when its outer shape became apparent in the early 1990s and the then Akal Takht Jathedar had issued a Hukumnama (religious edict) barring its completion till key structural changes were made.

The Mastuana sect comprises of Sikh followers, mostly from the lower-strata of society. Its main influence is limited to a part of south-west Punjab's agricultural belt of Malwa.

Recent attempts to restart work on the incomplete shrine have provoked angry objections.

SGPC chief Makkar has summoned a meeting (Sarbat Khalsa) of important Sikh leaders and religious organisations at Amritsar on June 20 to decide on the fate of the Mastuana Gurudwara. He said any attempt to replicate the sacred Harmandar Sahib built by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan dev himself, "would not be tolerated".

The Mastuana shrine management has submitted a written apology to the Akal Takht but its fate will be known Saturday.

"The issue, including specific directions on necessary structural alterations will only be issued after the June 20 meeting," a SGPC spokesman said.

The issue is expected to raise further acrimony amidst demands that the controversial Golden Temple replica be pulled down completely. SGPC chief Makkar has said he wants to "settle the matter once and for all".

With thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Outrage-over-Golden-Temple-replica/articleshow/4657572.cms

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Video of Golden Temple replica by IBNlive

Plz view the Video at :
http://www.sohnijodi.com/sikhsindia%20sikhsnews1.htm


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World Blood Donor Day on June14th

Please Donate your blood on the World Blood Donor Day on June14th.

Thanks & Regards

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Controversial ‘Deras’ Add Fuel to Punjab Fire

CHANDIGARH - Punjab’s social and religious fabric is undergoing a gradual change, and divisions too, with the increasing influence of controversial deras or sects headed by ‘godmen’ who have capitalized on the tensions between orthodox Sikhs and others.

The spotlight has swivelled to the deras once again with large parts of Punjab being held to ransom by followers of the Dera Sachkhand protesting the attack on two of their leaders in Vienna recently.

The attack itself was the result of a simmering tension between the dominant Jat Sikh community of Punjab and the largely Dalit Sikh followers of the sect.

Much of the following that the sects are attracting is because people from lower casts and lower stratas of Punjab society are trying to seek a distinct identity for themselves.

There are other sects as well like the Nirankaris, whose ideological differences with the Sikhs led to 13 people being killed in a clash in Amritsar in April 1978.

Dera Sachkhand, set up over 70 years ago in Ballan village near Jalandhar by Sant Pipal Singh, follows the ideals of 14th century preacher Bhagat Ravidass.

The sect leaders have been placing the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in their Gurdwaras and religious ceremonies, much to the annoyance of the Sikh clergy and community. The Sikhs object to their holy book being placed equally with leaders of this sect.

Dera Sacha Sauda, headquartered in a sprawling campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in adjoining Haryana, 200 miles from Chandigarh, has been the most controversial among all the sects in recent years. It has a following of 20 million people in various states and over three million in Punjab.

Most of the followers are people from lower castes.

Its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh faces cases of murder and the rape of a ‘sadhvi’ (female disciple) and has been involved in a major controversy with the Sikh community for attiring himself on the lines of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

His action led to large-scale violence in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and other places.

The Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan led by Ashutosh Maharaj, has also been involved in several controversies, especially with the Sikh community, on matters of ideology.

Baba Bhaniarewala sect is headed by a self-proclaimed ‘baba’, Piara Singh Bhaniarewala, and based in Ropar district.

His followers are also mostly from Dalit Sikh community. He has also been involved in various controversies with the Sikh community as he compares himself to the Sikh Gurus.

He and his followers have been accused of burning the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in recent years. (PTI)

with thanks : source : http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=7249

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Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate

Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate is a progressive English medium co-educational senior secondary school affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, imparting value based education by drawing inspiration from the life and teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The school has provision for all academic streams – Science, Computer Science, Commerce And Humanities.

The school was established by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in 1965 as first in the chain of Guru Harkrishan Public Schools which were subsequently set up in different parts of the metropolis. The GHPS chain today has 12 branches in different parts of Delhi providing quality education on public school lines to more than 20,000 students.

Guru Harkrishan Public School is a school with a difference. It has an exalted aim and a profound message-the one given by our beloved Gurus which has been engraved in the school motto: “Vidya Vichari Tan Parupkari.” Rendered into English, it means that he is learned indeed, who does good to others. The exalted aim is to produce ideal members of society, ideal students with competent and balanced personalities.

Sd. Tarjeet Singh Nagi, Chairman says It has been my proud privilege to be associated with Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate as the Chairman of the school for the past few years. It is very satisfying to observe that the school has grown tremendously in all spheres. The school boasts of excellent academic results in C.B.S.E. Class X and XII examination. I take pride in the fact that this year too, two of our students were awarded the C.B.S.E. Merit Certificates for outstanding academic result and were placed among the top 0.1 percent of successful candidates. The school strives to blend traditional values with modern education through diverse activitites. The ideals of our Patron Saint, Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji, are instilled in the students, thereby, fostering spiritual awareness. This enables them to follow the tenets of Sikhism and pursue the path of righteousness. The rigorous sports programme has enabled the students to win laurels at the State and National levels.

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Another Golden Temple in Punjab

New Delhi, June 6: Want to visit Golden Temple? No, Amritsar is not the only destination if the designs of Baba Balwant Singh Sirhore gets successful.

It's indeed surprising that at Mast Vane in Punjab's Malwa district, construction of an exact replica of Golden Temple is going on in full swing and almost 80 pc of the work is done.

In a clear cut agenda of igniting passion and hurting religious sentiments, the construction has been going on for the last two years. Six months earlier, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) has ordered to stop the construction.

In order to cash in on Golden Temple fame, SGPC's orders were ignored and the construction is very much on.

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) Chief Avtar Singh Makkar was obviously upset with the proposed plan of constructing a replica of the Golden Temple.

Talking exclusively to zopag.com, Avtar Singh Makkar said, Copying is bad. It should not be done. Constructing anything equivalent to Darbar Saheb is nothing but bad?.

We oppose the plan of Golden Temple replica. We will investigate the matter, he added.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Delhi unit chief Manjit Singh totally disapproved of the construction.

Manjit Singh said, "Religious sentiments are associated with it. It should not be done. And by the way, if you are investing so much money, then why go for a replica. Construct something original."

Manji Singh expressed fears that the construction of a replica of Golden Temple will only start an agitation in Punjab. He cited the controversy created by Ram-Rahim sometime back when they dressed up like Guru Govind Singh Ji.

The construction will pose a serious threat to Punjab's law and order and peace and prosperity. Some unwanted elements are always up to such plans to ignite passions and to gain cheap popularity. If things like these go unchecked, then we will have many Patna Sahebs and Huzoor Sahebs. The Golden Temple is culturally the most significant place of worship of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurdwaras. It was established by Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth guru of the Sikhs, and is, also due to the shrine, known as Guru Di Nagri meaning city of the Guru.

The Darbar Sahib is considered holy and beautiful by Sikhs because the eternal Guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present inside in it. The temple is surrounded by a large Sarovar (manmade lake), known as the AmritSar (Lake of Holy Water or Immortal Nectar).

with thanks : source : http://www.zopag.com/news/another-golden-temple-in-punjab-pics/3156/0

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Christians condemn attack on Sikhs in Kashmir

June 09 2009

JAMMU, Jammu & Kashmir : The attack on minority Sikhs in Rangret of Budgam district June 4 by the members of the majority community was strongly condemned by the Displaced Catholic Christian Forum, the All Jammu and Kashmir Catholic Sabha, the leaders of political parties and social organisations.

Reports reaching Jammu said a group of majority community members attacked the Sikh Guruduwaras and the houses of the Sikh community at Rangret in the Budgam, 8 kilometres from the summer capital of the State, Srinagar.

The report said the trouble erupted over a cricket match.

In a statement, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) condemned the attack and said such shameful acts have hurt the religious sentiments of the entire Sikh community across the world.

It further urged the government to take effective measures and protect the minorities of the Kashmir Valley. The statement also warned of possible reaction from other parts of the country if such attacks in Kashmir on the minority Sikh community continue.

Meanwhile, National Sikh Front district president Udhampur, S. Kulwant Singh, has also condemned the attack on Sikh religious places. He has also taken strong exception to the action of the miscreants wherein it is reported that the miscreants disrupted the cremation of an elderly Sikh woman at Didar Pura village.

It is reported that the miscreants had forced the Sikhs to bury the body of the woman instead of cremating it.

The Displaced Catholic Christian Forum condemned the murderous attack on the members of the Sikh community and asked the government not to play mute spectator as it had when the entire Kashmiri-speaking Catholic community had to abandon Kashmir under similar circumstances in 1990.

Those who also condemned the attacks include All Jammu and Kashmir Catholic Sabha, Mr. Raman Bhalla, MLA, All State Kashmir Pandit Conference, Punun Kashmir.

The Kashmiri Pandits Organisations have called it a conspiracy aimed at terrorising the remaining minority groups so that they also migrate like 400,000 Kashmiri Pandits and some families of Kashmiri Pandit Catholic Christians.

Courtesy : Sarnews; http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/12322-1-1-Christians-condemn-attack-on-Sikhs-in-Kashmir

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