Punjabi English Magazine from Seatle titled " Aasra "

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Since January of 2006, we have published Punjabi English Magazine from Seattle titled “Aasra”. We wanted to have a media for the Sikhs. Our goal was to educate about Sikh religion and to encourage literature and poetry and other events. We print it every two months. We have received encouragement and response from the community and the public. You will see contributions from American and other non-Sikh community coming to contribute to this magazine. We have plans now to expand it and reach other cities and audience also.

I am happy to inform you that it is now available through the Saltfleet Branch Library, Ontario, Canada, King County Library System, Whatcom County Library System and WA State Library.

Please check it out and help spread the word. At this time we do not have any media to represent Sikhs. The content that targets the wider audience is very little. National magazines, television, radio or other media hardly cover people of other faiths, but rather give message of violence and attack. Top it with discrimination in the work place. Hardly a day passes when there isn’t an incident when Sikhs face hardships to practice their religion freely. Aasra Magazine is an effort to overcome this. It is this lacuna that we are trying to fill. I had dreamed of seeing a Sikh magazine in every library. It is this sewa that Waheguru has given us. We can’t do it alone. A lot needs to be done. We need your help. I look forward to your feedback, advertisement and subscription to help us reach more community.

A Sikhnet review of the magazine is also available.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sarab Singh Editor, Aasra Punjabi English Magazine PO Box 5716, Kent, WA 98064

Phone: (206) 550-3154Email: aasra@q.com Web: www.sikhism.com/aasra

SikhsIndia

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Kanwar Singh Dhillon - art of Punjab

Born in Amritsar India, Kanwar Singh Dhillon has been engaged in the process of art making for as long as he can remember. He is influenced by a host of past masters such as Sobha Singh, Caravaggio and J.W Waterhouse.

Growing up in Toronto Canada, Kanwar explored several paths that would allow him to work as a professional artist including animation and book illustration. However, it wasn’t until he started to take an interest in the history of the Sikhs that his art took a definitive turn for the better.

With his painting style Kanwar Singh Dhillon aspires to combine the grace and beauty of Sobha Singh’s portraits with the documentary style of Sikh history painters such as Devender Singh. Punjab’s history is rich with the exploits of heroes and sages from the time of Alexander to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The spread of the Sikh faith and the rise of the Khalsa have featured heavily in his recent works.

With thanks : source : www.artofpunjab.com

SikhsIndia
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SHABAD VICHAR SMS Posts by Sd. Jagjot singh ji, Delhi

· Je asi Parmatma naal preet jodna chahnde ha, ta pehle usdi banayi kudrat, usde bande te usde kite karam naal preet lani payegi. Jad tak asi Krit naal prem nahi karange,tad tak Karta vi door hi nazar aayega ji.

· Guru Da Shabad Atma layi hajme di goli da kam karda hai. Jis tarah sada sharir bhojan nu pacha ke takat paeda karda hai,us hi tarah, Shabad jape hoye Naam nu pacha ke hirde vich nirmal gun paeda karda hai. Je ko khave, Je ko bhunche, Tis ka hove udharo.

· Je Mata, bina sharirak peeda to guzhre, ek jeev nu janam nahi de sakdi. Te socho ek Bhagat, Parmatma nu apne hi hirde to janam den layi (prakat karan layi), kini mushkilan da samna karda hovega. Bhave marag kina vi okha hove, Bhagat Guru de sidhant to kadi dolda nahi.

· Jad vi man vich apni vadiyayi aaye, ta usnu samjhao 'Mein te kuch vi nahi'.Ahankaar ik rog hai, te ek suchet Man, usda Anti-Biotic.

· Maaf karna te sab de naal prem karna, Parmatma de gun ne. Je asi sehje-sehje Parmatma de guna nu apne jivan vich kamavange,tad hi sada Parmatma nal antar mit sakega. Guru Kirpa kare ta asi vi ek din keh sakiye "Ram Kabira Ek Bhaye hai, koi na sake pachani"

· Manukh di har Icha puri nahi hondi,te honi vi nahi chahidi.Nahi te oh apne nu Karta samajh ke Hankari ho jaanda hai.Vekho, Raavan te Harnakash da ki haal hoya.Waheguru har kisi nu usdi jharoorat anusaar denda hai,es layi koi icha puri na hon te shikwa na karo.

· Sikhi is more than just a physical saroop. It is a set of values like: Nimarta,Santokh,Prem,Bandagi,D aya,Dridhta,Bharosa and more. We must try to induce these values in our character,so that we can be closer to the definition of Sikh according to Guru Sahib.

· Jivan da asli anand sehaj vich hai. Ais layi, jo vastu ya insaan twanu vikaran val le jaye, usto parhej karo ji. Sehaj awastha vich kita ik ghadi da Simran bahut phal denda hai ji.

· Guru Nanak ne sanu sharir di puja to vanjiya si, te asi aaj unha di hi photo nu matha tek rahe ha! Guru Nanak da satkar unha di photo di puja nahi, unha di bani/updesh nu kamana hai ji.

· Sada Guru shuru to hi Shabad si. Guru Nanak de bol: “Shabad Guru Surat Dhun Chela”. Agar asi Guru nu Shabad/Updesh kar ke samajhiye (sharir nahi) ta sanu dasah Guruan vich koi antar nahi disega ji.

· Majority is no justification of Moral Correctness. Log ki kehnde ne, usde piche na chalo. Apne Guru da hukam unconditionally manoge, ta Guru sab karaj aap hi raas kar denge ji.

· "Parmatma Sab Jagah Hai Par Do Than te nahi : Sade Man Vich te Sadi Yaad Vich" - Giani Maskeen Ji.

· Jithe Icha/Expectation hove,uthe icha puri na hon da dar ya icha puri hon di excitement hondi hai. Better hai ki sab icha chad ke, ik awastha vich tik ke, Karte nu apne jivan di lagaam phada daiye.

· Simran karde hoye jad ras aan lag jaye, ta Gursikh kehnda hai "Jis Waheguru di yaad ehni mithi hai, usde darshan kine sohne hovenge" Tad Naam di bhuk aur vad jandi hai.

• We would like to know your feedback on our SMSs. Pls. send MSG SHABADVICHARSMS followed by your opinion as an SMS to 567678.

• If you feel our SMSs are any help to you, pls. ask your friends/relatives to join in by sending JOIN SHABADVICHARSMS as an sms to 567678.

Sent by Sd. Jagjot Singh ji, Lajpat nagar, Delhi

SikhsIndia
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HPSGROUP SMS service

Agar tuhanu HPSGROUP de SMS nahi aa rahe, ate agar tusi koi sajan SMS pana chande ho te sirf ik wari apne mobile ton 9219592195 te JOIN HPSGROUP SMS kar devo. Horna nu v daso ji.

In the service of mankind - Sd. Bhupinder singh Kohli

Working for the poor, the downtrodden the needy and the helpless is more than just a hobby for BHUPINDER SINGH KOHLI from Nerul. It is a daily ritual. Apart from his busy schedule as an employee of the State Bank of India at CBD Belapur , Kohli is immersed in social work and constantly attempts to find solutions to the problems of the helpless in his own unique ways.

Kohli’s latest idea has been to convert his own Santro Car to a vehicle for people in distress. Explains Kohli, “Four months back, I happened to see an accident nearUran Phata at around 7 pm. The victim was fatally wounded but he could reach the hospital only after precious time had lapsed, for want of timely ambulance services. This incident made me think of alternative sources to help people in distress. And that very night, I realised that I had one of these sources with me. I could help with my new car which I’d been using sparingly. I decided to use the car in emergencies for shifting patients from or to hospitals, free of cost. “ The very next day, Kohli sprung into action and inscribed ‘FREE HOSPITAL SERVICE WITHIN NAVI MUMBAI DURING THE NIGHT’ on his car. During the next three months, he helped seven patients to reach the hospital during medical emergencies.

As appreciation for his dedication, the local Gurudwara presented Kohli with a second hand ambulance.. Though my car would serve the purpose of dropping patient to the hospital, proper medical equipment is not available inside the car. Now, with the ambulance service available, I’m sure more lives will be saved. This ambulance service too comes at no cost,” he reveals.This devout Sikh has done seven first aid courses in various hospitals across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Says Kohli, “When I was studying, I happened to see many rich patients dumping expensive medicines, which were not past their expiry date, after they recovered from their illness. These medicines would have otherwise served poor patients.” From then on, Kohli started collecting unused and un-expired medicines as well as free samples given by doctors. The medicines collected thus were sent to charitable dispensaries.

Kohli also collects used equipments like walking sticks, saline stands and oxygen cylinders,among others, sterilises them, and gives them to poor patients. He also collects old and usable clothes, utensils, reading materials and toys for needy people in villages. The jewel in the crown of Kohli’s social work is his mammoth compilation of a computerised Blood Group Directory that has a list of around 4,800 donors’ names and addresses, collected individually. This social worker, who is responsible for organising many medical camps, is also a member of Civil Defence, Red Cross Society and Traffic Wardens.

If you want to join Mr. Kohli, Bhai Ghanaiya ji sewa, in the service of mankind, plz contact him at :

BHUPINDER SINGH KOHLI
e-mail : ghanaiyaji@khalsa.com
PH : 9821421058
Res : B-21/3, SBI QUARTERS, SECTOR-13, NERUL
NAVI MUMBAI 400706 (INDIA)

with thanks : source : http://bhai-ghanaiyaji-sewa.page.tl/

SikhsIndia

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Sikhs Secure Right To Wear The Kirpan In 61 Schools In Six States

"We appreciate National Heritage Academies level-headed approach in addressing this important issue pertaining to fundamental religious freedoms. While UNITED SIKHS and the Sikh community do not want any restrictions to be placed on the wearing of the Kirpan, we believe this is an educational issue about the Kirpan and it will take time for people in the USA to realize that the Kirpan is not a weapon of offense, as they have in Canada and the UK." - Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney, UNITED SIKHS

"It really affects a child's growth when they cannot practice their faith freely. It is important for my daughter to have her freedom of religion, especially since she made her own commitment to become amrit-dhari last year. We thank UNITED SIKHS for their work on this case." - Gobinder Singh, Sukhmeet's father.
UNITED SIKHS encourages the Sikh community to wear their kakaars, fearlessly exercise their freedom of religion, and to contact us with any problems, concerns, or incidents of discrimination.

Battle Creek, MI, USA: Sikhs moved one step further in their continuous struggle to practice their religion freely. Sukhmeet Kaur, a Sikh student in the 8th grade, had been ordered by school authorities to remove her Kirpan during school hours or not come to school at all. The Kirpan is a short religious sword that is worn as one of five mandatory articles of faith by initiated Sikhs and reminds a Sikh of their duty to uphold truth and justice. After being contacted by Sukhmeet's father, Gobinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS legal team wrote to her school, the Endeavor Charter Academy in Springfield, MI. Endeavor is one of sixty-one schools run by the National Heritage Academies in six states.

Attorneys for National Heritage Academies responded earlier this month to UNITED SIKHS, stating that Sikh students enrolled at their schools would be allowed to carry the Kirpan, subject to certain restrictions. Commenting on the result, Gobinder Singh, Sukhmeet's father, stated, "It really affects a child's growth when they cannot practice their faith freely. It is important for my daughter to have her freedom of religion, especially since she made her own commitment to become amrit-dhari last year. We thank UNITED SIKHS for their work on this case."
The National Heritage Academies was first contacted by UNITED SIKHS in May 2009 with detailed information on the importance of the Kirpan, supporting case law, and an offer to conduct Sikh cultural awareness training for their staff. National Heritage Academies replied that they value their diverse pool of students and respect their rights, and would allow Sikh students to wear the Kirpan subject to certain restrictions.

The restrictions are as follows:
Students are required to inform school officials before wearing the Kirpan to school;
The student and their parents are required to sign an agreement that acknowledges that they will abide by the restrictions;
The Kirpan blade must be dull and under 3 inches long;
The Kirpan must be sewn tightly into its sheath, and worn under the clothing so that it is not visible;
The student may not remove the Kirpan from its sheath or from under clothing while in school or at school activities;
The student must allow periodic inspections of the Kirpan to ensure that these conditions are being met.

Commenting on the restrictions imposed by the Academies, Jaspreet Singh, UNITED SIKHS Staff Attorney stated, "We appreciate National Heritage Academies level-headed approach in addressing this important issue pertaining to fundamental religious freedoms. While UNITED SIKHS and the Sikh community do not want any restrictions to be placed on the wearing of the Kirpan, we believe this is an educational issue about the Kirpan and it will take time for people in the USA to realize that the Kirpan is not a weapon of offense, as they have in Canada and the UK." UNITED SIKHS will continue to advocate for the right to wear the Kirpan, and aims to reach a point where the world at large can understand the rich meaning of the Kirpan and the significance it has for Sikhs.

National Heritage Academies has sixty-one schools in Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, and New York, and acknowledged that they will allow Sikh students to wear the Kirpan in their schools. Sikhs in the six states were pleased with the news. Tehal Singh, President, Sikh Cultural Society of New York, commented, "It is very good that Sikh students are being allowed to wear the Kirpan in these schools. In the future, we hope that public schools will also accommodate our children's right to practice their faith freely."

Lakhwinder Singh, President of the Sikh Society of Dayton, OH stated, "We welcome this accommodation and appreciate that the school has cooperated with UNITED SIKHS for the benefit of our children. We will continue to work with other schools and UNITED SIKHS to ensure that other schools also understand our community better."

Commenting on the decision, Dr. Gurnam Singh of Michigan stated, "The executive and the trust committees of Gurdwara Singh Sabha Kalamazoo laud the enlightened decision taken by the National Heritage Academies allowing their Sikh students to wear the Kirpan, one of the five articles of faith for the Sikhs. We are also very appreciative of the persistent efforts expended by UNITED SIKHS in promoting understanding of the Sikh faith in the community at large."

Parminder Kaur, President of Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina stated, "Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina and its membership are delighted to hear that the National Heritage Academies have made it possible for one of our fellow Sikhs, Sukhmeet Kaur, to continue to practice her faith by allowing her to wear the Kirpan, one of the five articles of faith for Sikhs. It is a significant step in recognizing the importance of tolerance for other religions and their practices, and we look forward to proliferation of such tolerance across other school systems in the United States. Both the National Heritage Academies and UNITED SIKHS are to be congratulated for their efforts."
Dr. Surendrapal Singh, President, Charlotte Gurdwara stated, "We appreciate the decision of the National Heritage Academies authorities to allow the wearing of the Kirpan by Sikh students. I also thank UNITED SIKHS for taking this task of educating School authorities about Sikh articles of faith."

UNITED SIKHS encourages the Sikh community to wear their kakaars, fearlessly exercise their freedom of religion, and to contact us with any problems, concerns, or incidents of discrimination. Kuldip Singh, Director, UNITED SIKHS stated, "I thank the Sikh community for their diligent work in bringing incidents like this one to our notice. These are important steps in our communities' civil rights advocacy."

To read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS advocacy efforts around the Kirpan, please visit: http://unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-14-05-2009-00.htm.
Help us tailor our advocacy initiatives for the greatest global impact by participating in the Global Sikh Civil Rights Survey.
Donate to assist us in initiatives like this one; your donation is tax-deductible.

Issued by:Harpreet Singh Legal DirectorInternational Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA)UNITED SIKHSPhone: 646-315-3909 mailto:646-315-3909contact@unitedsikhs.org

with thanks the SOURCE.

SikhsIndia
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Promote sikhi in the Sikh community atleast

SikhsIndia requests to one & all in the Sikh community, to suggest us, that how can we join together to promote Sikhi, atleast in the Sikh community. Your valued comments & suggestions are being awaited very eagerly.

Regards

SikhsIndia

SikhsIndia - A sikh blog

Sat Sri Akal,

SikhsIndia requests the visitors of the blog :

- to subscribe the RSS feeds to get the daily news & information in your mail box.
- to give your valued comments on various topics being added regularly.
- to contribute Sikh news & pics from your area from any where in the world.
- to submit details of Gurmat samagam in your area from any where in the world.
- to suggest how to control the problem of patit khalsa, the trimmers etc.
- to suggest how to promote Sikhi in the Sikh community atleast.

Looking forward for your comments.

Best regards

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Sikh children can carry 'Kirpan' in 61 US schools

Washington, Sep 25 (PTI) Sikh students enrolled in 61 schools run by the National Heritage Academies in the US have been allowed to carry 'Kirpan', a symbol of their faith, subject to certain restrictions.

The National Heritage Academies (NHA), which runs its schools in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina and New York, has allowed Sikh children to carry 'Kirpan' in the institutions, a statement issued by the United Sikhs, a Sikh advocacy group, said.

It all started when Sukhmeet Kaur, a Sikh student in the 8th grade, was ordered by school authorities to remove her 'Kirpan' during school hours or not to come to school at all.

After being approached by her father, Gobinder Singh, the United Sikhs' legal team wrote to the school, the Endeavour Charter Academy at Springfield in Michigan.

"It really affects a child's growth when they cannot practise their faith freely.

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/300393_Sikh-children-can-carry--Kirpan--in-61-US-schools

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4,000 Sikh pilgrims arrive from India

Thursday, September 24, 2009

LAHORE

AT least 4,000 Indian pilgrims, wearing colourful turbans and with smiling faces, arrived at Wagah Station to take part in the ceremony being held in connection with the 470th death anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Narowal.

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) welcomed them at Wagah Station. Tonnes of petals were showered on them amidst drum beats and dancing horses especially arranged for their warm reception.

The pilgrims were entertained with a hearty lunch and drinks by Syed Asif Hashami, chairman of the ETPB.

Speaking at the Wagah Railway Station after arriving from India, the leader and senior member of Sharmini Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee, Sardar Ameerit Singh Wachaoo, said that after Maharaja Ranjeet Singh it was Syed Asif Hashami who had taken care of the sacred places of Sikhs in Pakistan and the Sikh community had no enough words to thank him.

He said the services Asif Hashami rendered for Sikhs were unparallel and he was respected by the Sikhs all over the world. He thanked Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani for appointing such a devoted person as chairman of ETPB.

Former Indian parliamentarian Sardar Guldeep Singh Wandala said that he was overjoyed at the reception they received at Wagha and wanted peace in the region. He said that he was happy over the security arrangements for the Sikh devotees and was thankful for the free residence, medical and transport facilities provided to them. He said, “We have not seen such good arrangements in the last 60 years.”

Sardar Balvinder Singh said that Asif Hashami had a lot of respect and love for the Sikh community and the Sikhs respect him a lot.

Dr Pertapal Singh, who has come from America, said that Asif Hashami had been able to successfully assembly people of two different religions in a befitting manner which was a big achievement.

Sardar Sham Singh, Sardar Bishen Singh, Sardar Soren Singh and many others also spoke. The pilgrims hoped that the governments of India and Pakistan would work to bring harmony and peace in the region while resolving all the disputes amicably. They said that visa restrictions should not be removed but they should be eased as regulations were also necessary to foil nefarious designs of those hidden elements that had been trying to disrupt peace efforts between two countries.

They said economic and cultural ties should be promoted in the region. They also stressed resolution of all contentious issues including Kashmir issue. They said both the governments should release prisoners languishing in jails of each other’s countries. They thanked the Pakistani government for providing them with first-class facilities at Wagah Station.

Speaking on the occasion, ETPB Chairman Asif Hashami said that Guru Nanak spread peace and love in this region and Mian Mir, Bhullay Shah and others spread the same message to make this region an area of peace.

He said, “More Sikhs should come to Pakistan and give us an opportunity to show hospitality towards them and when they return, their hearts should be filled with appreciation of our country.” Asif Hashami said that the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani had issued special instructions for the wellbeing of the visiting Sikh pilgrims.

The visiting Indian pilgrims would visit various sacred places during their stay in Punjab. All the departments were working in collaboration and they have set up their counters separately to facilitate the pilgrims.

with thanks : source : http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=199775

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Gurmat samagam : Akhand Keertani Jatha Delhi

Please view details of 5 day programme at various Gurudwaras in Delhi by
Akhand Keertani Jatha Delhi ( Regd):