Plan aims to increase Sikhs' green quotient
5 Jul 2009, 0407 hrs IST, Narayani Ganesh, TNN
NEW DELHI: EcoSikh is a five-year plan formulated by the US-based Sikh Council of Religion and Education (SCORE) to spread green knowledge
throughout the Sikh community and encourage environmental activism among Sikhs worldwide. "A grid and pledge, named Eco-Sikh, persuades all Sikhs to create a global network of cooperation to help execute an action plan that will help meet today's environmental challenges. It combines spirituality and practical action", says Rajwant Singh, SCORE chairman, who has launched a website, www.ecosikh.org.
Sikh leaders from around the world are committing themselves to reduce global warming, in collaboration with the UN Development Program and UK-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation. Addressing the EcoSikh meeting in Delhi, UNDP's director of development policy Olav Kjorven said "Thro-ughout history religions have helped people and civilizations interpret and understand events around them and to respond to new challenges in light of their spiritual heritage and moral compass... the leadership of religions is now required to meet challenge of climate change." He quoted from Guru Nanak's verse that likened the sky to a platter and the sun and moon to lamps.
Justice Kuldeep Singh said he was delighted that Sikh community was taking upon itself the noble service of forging environment-friendly practices. "As Sikhs we have a responsibility to revere the environment. A Sikh's life is incomplete if he does not revere Nature," he said. "Environmental ethics has always been an inherent part of India's precepts and philosophy and the environment has always been given an honourable place," he said. "But now we are only polluting it."
There are four factors we need to remember, said Justice Singh: that the earth is warming; that this is due to release of increasing volumes of greenhouse gases; that the climate is changing because of human activity and that we can only expect Hell on Earth if we don't take any action now.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Plan-aims-to-increase-Sikhs-green-quotient-/articleshow/4739378.cms
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Akal Takht says no to gay relationships
Akal Takht says no to gay relationships
UNI
Amritsar: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism is of the firm view that Delhi High Court judgement on gay relationships could ruin the society as this was against the tenets of all religions.
Reacting to the judgement on Saturday, Takht Jathedar Gian Gurbachan Singh said the Sikh religion or for that matter any religion did not permit sexual relations between individuals of the same sex.
"This is a very serious matter and against religious codes and ethics, "he said while appealing to the Sikhs against maintaining relations with the same sex.
"Any Sikh, baptised, non-baptised or one who believes in the Guru Granth Sahib, need not be influenced by the court judgement and should always refrain from establishing gay relationships," he said.
An edict issued from Akal Takht nearly four years ago had not only prohibited Sikhs from being involved in gay relationships but had described such a relationship as 'anti religious'. This edict was issued when there was a hot debate on legalising gay relationships in Canada, where a large number of Sikhs are settled.
Giani Gurcharan Singh said Sikhs should stick to the edict and set an example by keeping themselves away from such all "unnatural relationships".
"The marriage verses enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib are meant to solemnise weddings only between persons of opposite sexes," he said.
The Jathedar informed this issue would also be taken up in the Sikh High Priests meeting scheduled for July 8, and if a consensus was reached, they might issue a fresh appeal to Sikhs to follow the Akal Takht edict issued on this subject earlier.
Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti, a former Takht Jathedar who had passed the edict said that it was still valid for Sikhs, no matter what the courts say or interpret.
"Sikhism is against all forms of unnatural relationships," he added while opining there was an urgent need for building a public opinion against gay relationships.
"Religion has got a very important part to play in halting gay relationships and a public opinion must be built against gay relationships," he added.
with thanks : source : http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akal-takht-says-no-to-gay-relationships/96356-3.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
UNI
Amritsar: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism is of the firm view that Delhi High Court judgement on gay relationships could ruin the society as this was against the tenets of all religions.
Reacting to the judgement on Saturday, Takht Jathedar Gian Gurbachan Singh said the Sikh religion or for that matter any religion did not permit sexual relations between individuals of the same sex.
"This is a very serious matter and against religious codes and ethics, "he said while appealing to the Sikhs against maintaining relations with the same sex.
"Any Sikh, baptised, non-baptised or one who believes in the Guru Granth Sahib, need not be influenced by the court judgement and should always refrain from establishing gay relationships," he said.
An edict issued from Akal Takht nearly four years ago had not only prohibited Sikhs from being involved in gay relationships but had described such a relationship as 'anti religious'. This edict was issued when there was a hot debate on legalising gay relationships in Canada, where a large number of Sikhs are settled.
Giani Gurcharan Singh said Sikhs should stick to the edict and set an example by keeping themselves away from such all "unnatural relationships".
"The marriage verses enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib are meant to solemnise weddings only between persons of opposite sexes," he said.
The Jathedar informed this issue would also be taken up in the Sikh High Priests meeting scheduled for July 8, and if a consensus was reached, they might issue a fresh appeal to Sikhs to follow the Akal Takht edict issued on this subject earlier.
Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti, a former Takht Jathedar who had passed the edict said that it was still valid for Sikhs, no matter what the courts say or interpret.
"Sikhism is against all forms of unnatural relationships," he added while opining there was an urgent need for building a public opinion against gay relationships.
"Religion has got a very important part to play in halting gay relationships and a public opinion must be built against gay relationships," he added.
with thanks : source : http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akal-takht-says-no-to-gay-relationships/96356-3.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Gurpurab
Aap sab noo Miri Piri de malik, Chenve Patshaah, Sri Guru Hargobind sahib ji de Parkash purab diyaan wadhaiyaan. Please view pics of Gurdwara Data Bandichor on our Sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal
Friday, July 3, 2009
Sikh students – Avail scholarships
Sikh students – Avail scholarships under the Minority schemes of Govt of India, under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
These include :
Multi-sectoral Development Programme
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
Free Coaching & Allied Scheme
Merit-cum-Means Scholarships Scheme
Scheme of Research/Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Schemes including Publicity
Schemes of Central Ministries/Departments included in the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities which are amenable to earmarking for minorities.
Please log on to http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/schemes/schemes.asp
With Best Wishes
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
These include :
Multi-sectoral Development Programme
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
Free Coaching & Allied Scheme
Merit-cum-Means Scholarships Scheme
Scheme of Research/Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Schemes including Publicity
Schemes of Central Ministries/Departments included in the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities which are amenable to earmarking for minorities.
Please log on to http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/schemes/schemes.asp
With Best Wishes
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
International Sikh Turban Day April 13th, 2009
Objectives of Sikh Turban Day
Identity : To promote adoption of Turban as a symbol of Sikh Identity and pride amongst Sikh Youth and Non-Turban Sikh adults.
Values : "No Sikh Left Behind", provide easy enough ways to Sikh Youth and Non-Turban Sikh adults to stay connected with Sikh religion and cultural roots.
Worldwide Awareness : To support Turban-Dhari Sikh brothers and sisters, and educate other communities about Turban and its relation to our religion.
Please view few pics from International Sikh Turban Day - April 13, 2009 from Calgury, Fremont, Sanjose, Dallas.
with thanks : source : sikhchildren.com
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal
Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion
Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion
CITHARA PAUL
‘Cool’ turbaned look
New Delhi, June 30: For once, religion has turned to beauty pageants to make a point.
Sikh community leaders, alarmed by young males increasingly rejecting the turban and facial hair, are planning turban-tying contests and fashion shows to convey the message the turbaned look is “cool’’.
The Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) of Amritsar and humanitarian organisation Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj organised a pageant, Mr Singh International, this April. It was a low-key affair but later versions, planned in Punjab and Delhi, could see the participation of Bollywood stars.
The SGPC has declared April 13, the day of harvest festival Baisakhi, as International Sikh Turban Day.
“We are dismayed that more and more youths are refusing to grow their beard or wear the turban, which are sacred symbols of the Sikh religion,” said H.S. Hanspal, Sikh representative in the National Commission for Minorities.
According to Hanspal, many young Sikhs say that tying a turban every day, which may take up to 10 minutes, is too cumbersome for today’s world (although readymade turbans are available).
Other boys apparently fear becoming the “odd man out’’ and getting taunted by their peers. Many Sikh parents say they have stopped insisting their sons wear the traditional headgear.
Various Gurdwara Prabandhak committees, therefore, are planning to send volunteers to schools to teach boys how to tie the turban and carry it well, and to counsel them on the importance of wearing one and on how to stand up to hecklers. The minority commission will facilitate the effort.
The volunteers will have to convince the likes of Delhi student Rocky Singh, 17, who discarded the turban last year.
The headgear is no longer cool and “faith is deeper than a turban’’, the schoolboy said, adding his brother too shaved off his beard last year and his cousins had decided to do the same.
For the likes of Rocky, the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj has developed a software program, Smart Turban, that helps men pick a style that suits them. It has also opened two turban-tying schools in Amritsar with help from the SGPC.
Dalbeer Singh of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has called for a new fashion magazine.
“We need a Sikh fashion magazine to promote uncut hair, the beard and the turban as cool and clean. We should use persons like Manmohan Singh as role models,’’ he told The Telegraph.
One of the first people such a magazine may think of featuring is Paramdeep Singh, 23, first runner-up at Mr Singh International 2009. “I want to send a message that a complete Sikh is more handsome than those who trim or cut their hair,” Paramdeep said.
For Sikhs, the turban became a “robe of honour” around 1699, during the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, a scholar said.
Sikh turbans are different from other kinds but have their own variations. The commonest is the “peaked turban” Manmohan Singh wears. The length of the cloth varies from 6 to 8 metres, and the most popular colours are white, deep blue and saffron.
Sikh boys start wearing a keski (mini-turban) or patka at a very young age, often switching to the turban around the age of 12.
Religious leaders frown on the many Sikhs in showbiz who eschew the turban, such as singer Mika Singh and actors Kabir Bedi and Jimmy Shergill. There’s leniency, however, for boxers and wrestlers whose sport may be seen as incompatible with a turban or may stipulate the wearing of a helmet.
Still, the leaders say, Sikh sportsmen should wear at least a patka if possible, as former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi used to do.
The kanga (comb), kara (bracelet), kirpan (sword) and kachehra (a special sort of shorts) are other requirements for a male Sikh, but the turban and Kesh (hair) are often seen as more integral to the tradition.
“Once a Sikh disobeys the tradition, he will become a patit (outcaste) Sikh,’’ Hanspal said.
He would be glad to hear about Anmol Saini, 24, who began “feeling bad” after shaving his beard last year. He is growing it back and has started sporting a turban again.
“Last year, I felt it was no longer fashionable, but now I don’t care. I’m happy the way I am now. Wearing a turban takes courage,’’ Saini said.
with thanks : source : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090701/jsp/frontpage/story_11180902.jsp
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Kalgidhar - a nice presentation - must view
Kalgidhar - a very nice presentation - must see - BUT may i request Mr Vikram Sahney with folded hands to please use the word "SINGH" in his name as Kalgidhar presentation without the word "Singh" has no meaning.
with best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools
Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools
by WNYC News
NEW YORK, NY June 30, 2009 —Some civic and community groups say the city's regulation to stop harassment in public schools, isn't working. A report released today by the Sikh Coalition and other groups says most students see no decrease in discrimination and bullying since Mayor Bloomberg signed the measure last year. The coalition's Sonny Singh says the city has yet to live up to its promises.
SINGH: What can I say? We're impatient. But why are impatient? Because we're hearing stories from our youth every day. Because Sikh youth are coming up to me in the gurdwaras and telling me "Someone called me a terrorist today, someone pulled off my turban today."
Marge Feinberg of the Department of Education says the agency followed the regulation's requirements, which include diversity training for staff and an e-mail address for students to report harassment. She says the DOE is currently analyzing this year's data on "bias-related incidents."
with thanks : source : http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/135575
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
by WNYC News
NEW YORK, NY June 30, 2009 —Some civic and community groups say the city's regulation to stop harassment in public schools, isn't working. A report released today by the Sikh Coalition and other groups says most students see no decrease in discrimination and bullying since Mayor Bloomberg signed the measure last year. The coalition's Sonny Singh says the city has yet to live up to its promises.
SINGH: What can I say? We're impatient. But why are impatient? Because we're hearing stories from our youth every day. Because Sikh youth are coming up to me in the gurdwaras and telling me "Someone called me a terrorist today, someone pulled off my turban today."
Marge Feinberg of the Department of Education says the agency followed the regulation's requirements, which include diversity training for staff and an e-mail address for students to report harassment. She says the DOE is currently analyzing this year's data on "bias-related incidents."
with thanks : source : http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/135575
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Manmohan and Obama best bet to run world: Indians
Pramit Pal Chaudhuri , Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 01, 2009
Indians would like to have the world run by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama, going by an academic study of what the world thinks of 20 global leaders. Over 80 per cent of Indians are confident that either of them would “do the right thing in world affairs”.
Singh’s standing has jumped 30 percentage points with his own people since last year. He saw his standing unchanged in the five other Asian countries polled —except China. Chinese distrust for Singh jumped 16 percentage points. Less than a third expressed confidence in him. Stephen Weber of WorldPublicOpinion.org says last year’s Tibetan riots may have had an impact.
His poll victory probably drove the surge in India, he says. “Singh was riding a crest.”
One person who is in a trough is Pakistan’s Asif Ali Zardari who had the worst domestic ratings of any leader with 64 per cent of Pakistanis giving him a thumbs down.
Curiously, says Weber, Indians were among the most generous in rating foreign leaders, with positive ratings well above the global average. “Africans also have this tendency. Some countries are more forgiving...”
Unsurpisingly Obama was the frontrunner among world leaders. On average, 61 per cent of the non-Americans polled expressed confidence in him, roughly a half more than any other world leader.
The two least trusted world leaders are Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Globally, less than a third of people have confidence in their international behaviour. China’s Hu Jintao comes in third with a 32 per cent approval rating.
WorldPublicOpinion.org is collaborative effort of several research centres around the world and managed by the University of Maryland’s program on international policy attitudes. Says Premchand Palety of polling agency Cfore, “A poll like this, with a 1000-person sample in India, should be seen as an indicator rather than a definite measure.”
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=2898301f-40e6-406f-84e3-a32f74ac750c&Headline=Manmohan+and+Obama+best+bet+to+run+world%3a+Indians
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
New Delhi, July 01, 2009
Indians would like to have the world run by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama, going by an academic study of what the world thinks of 20 global leaders. Over 80 per cent of Indians are confident that either of them would “do the right thing in world affairs”.
Singh’s standing has jumped 30 percentage points with his own people since last year. He saw his standing unchanged in the five other Asian countries polled —except China. Chinese distrust for Singh jumped 16 percentage points. Less than a third expressed confidence in him. Stephen Weber of WorldPublicOpinion.org says last year’s Tibetan riots may have had an impact.
His poll victory probably drove the surge in India, he says. “Singh was riding a crest.”
One person who is in a trough is Pakistan’s Asif Ali Zardari who had the worst domestic ratings of any leader with 64 per cent of Pakistanis giving him a thumbs down.
Curiously, says Weber, Indians were among the most generous in rating foreign leaders, with positive ratings well above the global average. “Africans also have this tendency. Some countries are more forgiving...”
Unsurpisingly Obama was the frontrunner among world leaders. On average, 61 per cent of the non-Americans polled expressed confidence in him, roughly a half more than any other world leader.
The two least trusted world leaders are Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Globally, less than a third of people have confidence in their international behaviour. China’s Hu Jintao comes in third with a 32 per cent approval rating.
WorldPublicOpinion.org is collaborative effort of several research centres around the world and managed by the University of Maryland’s program on international policy attitudes. Says Premchand Palety of polling agency Cfore, “A poll like this, with a 1000-person sample in India, should be seen as an indicator rather than a definite measure.”
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=2898301f-40e6-406f-84e3-a32f74ac750c&Headline=Manmohan+and+Obama+best+bet+to+run+world%3a+Indians
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal
Want to start a business? Try Ludhiana
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, July 01, 2009
If you want to start a business in India, which city would you choose?
The just-released World Bank report, Doing Business in India 2009, has an answer: Ludhiana. Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar were ranked second and third respectively by the report.
Delhi has been ranked sixth among the 17 cities that have been included in the report, while Kolkata is at the bottom of the table.
Dealing with construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, trading across borders and the ease of closing a business were the parametres on the basis of which the report was prepared.
The report added that the cities most conducive to business, where a unit can be started in the shortest possible time (in 30 days), are Mumbai and Noida. In terms of cost, it is least expensive to begin in Patna.
Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Indore, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi are some other places where setting up shop is easy.
Speaking at the release of the report, Industry Secretary Ajay Shankar said: “The timing of the report is just right because India is ready to take on any super power.”
The report also states that compared to economies worldwide, cities in India lag when it comes to closing a business and paying taxes.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-Business&id=ed359f51-c370-4012-8511-f486e7bb5c70&Headline=Want+to+start+a+business%3f+Try+Ludhiana
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
a sikh web portal
New Delhi, July 01, 2009
If you want to start a business in India, which city would you choose?
The just-released World Bank report, Doing Business in India 2009, has an answer: Ludhiana. Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar were ranked second and third respectively by the report.
Delhi has been ranked sixth among the 17 cities that have been included in the report, while Kolkata is at the bottom of the table.
Dealing with construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, trading across borders and the ease of closing a business were the parametres on the basis of which the report was prepared.
The report added that the cities most conducive to business, where a unit can be started in the shortest possible time (in 30 days), are Mumbai and Noida. In terms of cost, it is least expensive to begin in Patna.
Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Indore, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi are some other places where setting up shop is easy.
Speaking at the release of the report, Industry Secretary Ajay Shankar said: “The timing of the report is just right because India is ready to take on any super power.”
The report also states that compared to economies worldwide, cities in India lag when it comes to closing a business and paying taxes.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-Business&id=ed359f51-c370-4012-8511-f486e7bb5c70&Headline=Want+to+start+a+business%3f+Try+Ludhiana
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
a sikh web portal
Sikh guru’s plume back home from Canada
Kuldeep Mann , Hindustan Times
Amritsar, July 01, 2009
A holy plume, believed to be have been worn by the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was brought back from an undisclosed place in Canada and placed for public viewing at the Akal Takht here on Tuesday.
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and his predecessor Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti arrived at the Rajasansi International Airport here to receive the guru’s relic from the team of researchers comprising Harpreet Singh Sidhu, an IPS officer, and a Ludhiana-based Sikh, Kamaljit Singh Boparai, who brought it back from Canada.
Describing it as a holy cause being carried out without any vested interest, Sidhu and Boparai started researching to locate the holy plume and
According to Dharam Parchar Committee (DPC) records of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and information pieced together by the two researchers, the plume has been brought back to the country after 160 years.
The plume belonging to Guru Gobind Singh was reported to have been taken to Sirhind by the Mughal Army after the battle of Chamkaur Sahib. From there, the plume was taken to Lahore.
The researchers who brought the plume back from Canada provided no information on how and why it was taken to Canada and who was finally in possession of the relic.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, however, approved the authenticity of the relic, maintaining that its pictures were verified and accorded authentication by a sub-committee constituted by the SGPC in 2007.
The jathedar said the decision for the final display of the relic and its proper preservation would be taken shortly.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=3272b667-cdf4-48c8-bee6-8b56ecf50f22&Headline=Sikh+guru%e2%80%99s+plume+back+home+from+Canada
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal
Amritsar, July 01, 2009
A holy plume, believed to be have been worn by the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was brought back from an undisclosed place in Canada and placed for public viewing at the Akal Takht here on Tuesday.
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and his predecessor Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti arrived at the Rajasansi International Airport here to receive the guru’s relic from the team of researchers comprising Harpreet Singh Sidhu, an IPS officer, and a Ludhiana-based Sikh, Kamaljit Singh Boparai, who brought it back from Canada.
Describing it as a holy cause being carried out without any vested interest, Sidhu and Boparai started researching to locate the holy plume and
According to Dharam Parchar Committee (DPC) records of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and information pieced together by the two researchers, the plume has been brought back to the country after 160 years.
The plume belonging to Guru Gobind Singh was reported to have been taken to Sirhind by the Mughal Army after the battle of Chamkaur Sahib. From there, the plume was taken to Lahore.
The researchers who brought the plume back from Canada provided no information on how and why it was taken to Canada and who was finally in possession of the relic.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, however, approved the authenticity of the relic, maintaining that its pictures were verified and accorded authentication by a sub-committee constituted by the SGPC in 2007.
The jathedar said the decision for the final display of the relic and its proper preservation would be taken shortly.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=3272b667-cdf4-48c8-bee6-8b56ecf50f22&Headline=Sikh+guru%e2%80%99s+plume+back+home+from+Canada
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal
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