श्रद्धा के आगे नतमस्तक है सीमा

Oct 25, 11:33 am

अमृतसर [जागरण संवाददाता]। पाकिस्तान में स्थित ऐतिहासिक गुरुद्वारा करतारपुर साहिब के दर्शन करने की भारतीय श्रद्धालुओं की मंशा पूरी होती नजर नहीं आ रही है। अभी ये लोग गुरुद्वारे से तीन किमी की दूरी पर भारतीय सीमा में धुस्सी बाध पर बने एक प्लेटफार्म से दर्शन करते हैं। यहा से गुरुद्वारे का सिर्फ गुंबद दिखाई देता है। डेरा बाबा नानक और गुरुद्वारा करतारपुर साहिब के बीच कई दशकों से एक कारीडोर की माग की जा रही है। पाकिस्तान सरकार ने अपनी ओर इस कारीडोर को बनाने की घोषणा भी कर दी है लेकिन भारत सरकार की ओर से अभी कोई मंजूरी नहीं दी है।

इस संदर्भ में शिरोमणि गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी [एसजीपीसी] प्रधानमंत्री को कई पत्र लिख चुकी है। एसजीपीसी की साधारण सभा ने भी कई बार इस संदर्भ में प्रस्ताव पारित किए हैं। पिछले साल केंद्रीय मंत्री प्रणब मुखर्जी ने डेरा बाबा नानक का दौरा किया था। उस समय उन्हें करतारपुर साहिब के इतिहास के बारे में जानकारी दी गई थी। सिख नेताओं ने कारीडोर के निर्माण की माग की थी। तब मुखर्जी ने कारीडोर के निर्माण का आश्वासन दिया था। लेकिन अब तक यह माग पूरी नहीं हुई है।

पाकिस्तान की ओर बहती रावी नदी किनारे स्थित गुरुद्वारा करतारपुर साहिब के दर्शन अभी भारतीय सीमा में बने धुस्सी बाध के ऊपर बने एक बड़े प्लेटफार्म से किए जाते हैं। हालाकि श्रद्धा से सराबोर श्रद्धालु दर्शन के लिए रोज डेरा बाबा नानक की अंतरराष्ट्रीय सीमा के निकट पहुंच जाते हैं। भारत-पाक निगरानी चौकी से आधा किमी दूर स्थित इस प्लेटफार्म में पहुंचने के लिए श्रद्धालुओं को सीमा सुरक्षा बल के जवानों की जाच से गुजरना पड़ता है। 6 मई 2008 से पहले श्रद्धालु धुस्सी बाध पर खड़े होकर करतारपुर साहिब के दर्शन करते थे। बाबा गुरचरण सिंह बेदी, बाबा जगदीप सिंह बेदी मेमोरियल चैरिटेबल अस्पताल व बाबा सुखदीप सिंह बेदी [श्री गुरु नानक देव जी की 17वीं पीढ़ी के वंशज] ने इस प्लेटफार्म का निर्माण किया। इसको दर्शन स्थल का नाम दिया। तब से श्रद्धालु इस स्थल पर खड़े होकर दर्शन करते हैं।

with thanks : source : http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_5887309/

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Badal directs GMADA to demarcate land for memorial

Published by: Noor Khan
Published: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 at 16:19 IST

Chandigarh, Oct 25 Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to identify 25-35 acres of land in the historic village Chhapar Chiri in S A S Nagar (Mohali) to raise a memorial to commemorate the victory of Great Martyr Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and his brave soldiers, where they fought a battle against Mugals forces on the personal directions of the 10th Sikh Master Guru Gobind Singh.

An assurance to this effect was given by the Chief Minister to a delegation of Coordination Committee for the Memorial of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur led by its Chairperson Baljit Kaur in a meeting here, an official spokesman said.

The Chief Minister asked the delegation to constitute an expert committee involving the Sarpanch ( village head) and the Ex-Sarpanch besides prominent residents of the village to finalize the site plan and design of the proposed memorial to be constructed on the demarcated land.

He assured the delegation that the state government would extend full support and cooperation to complete the entire project with in a time frame in view of its greater significance since the Tercentenary Anniversary of the Battle falls on May 2010.

with thanks : source : http://www.samaylive.com/news/badal-directs-gmada-to-demarcate-land-for-memorial/664259.html

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Why it's being shown on net that Prof. Darshan Singh ji Ragi is doing Guru Ninda.

Why it's being shown on net that Prof. Darshan Singh ji Ragi is doing Guru Ninda. Who are the persons behind this controversy.Please post your most valued comments on this issue. We firmly believe, that Prof. Darshan Singh ji, can never do any Guru Ninda. May we request you, to let us know the source, where from we can get a copy of this complete vid. With due respect & regards to Prof. Darshan singh ji Ragi.

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Leamington's £11m Sikh Temple ready to open its doors

22 October 2009
By Sundari Sankar

It has taken nine years, cost £11 million and now covers 4,280 sq m, but Leamington and Warwick's new Sikh temple is finally complete.
Members of the area's Sikh community are preparing for an nine-day celebration to mark the official opening of the Gurdwara Sahib on the Queensway trading estate, starting on Sunday.

Thanking everyone who has contributed to the project, the general secretary Jagtar Singh Gill said: "After many years of waiting, the congregation have what they wanted."

Communications officer Rajvinder Singh Mann said: "Sunday will be a true milestone both for the Sikh community and the region as a whole.

"A project of this size can only have been possible with the unstinting support of the entire congregation both in terms of finances and the many hours that people have devoted to make this dream a reality."

Plans to build the four-storey building began in 2000 with a pledge from 240 families to raise £1 million.

The overall scheme has cost £11 million - completely funded by the area's Sikh community.

Lead architect Phillida Turrell from MPC, the building's designers, said: "Every part of this project has been a real challenge - on the plans I had to draw in every single block.

"But when you stand in front of the Gurdwara Sahib and see it in all its glory, then it all becomes worth it.

"It's been a great project to work on."

But not everyone has reacted positively to the new building.

An ongoing debate on the Courier's blog recently received the following post from an anonymous reader: "It's totally unnecessary for it to be so big and its completely out of place in its surroundings. Walking in the car park of Sainsbury's makes me feel like I'm in a scene from Aladdin."

Another reader wrote: "I think is a blooming eyesore. Why do we have to have such a building in Royal Leamington Spa?

"Have one by all means, but this size is ridiculous, whoever paid for it.

"It should never have been passed and I feel like I am in the middle of India, not England. It is a disgrace!"

But others have defended the temple. One blog contributor pointed out that the structure was entirely funded by the Sikh community, adding: "If it was a Christian church people would not be kicking up such a fuss."

Another wrote: "Most people from Leamington and Warwick would have grown up with Sikh friends or colleagues and know they have the same ideals as the rest of us.

"Perhaps its detractors should look in the mirror and do some soul-searching on how they stain the beauty of this planet, let alone Royal Leamington Spa."

What do you think about the new Sikh temple? Post a comment on the Courier blog at www.theleamingtoncourier.blogspot.com Alternatively, email editorial@leamingtoncourier.co.uk
or call 457737.

The temple's official opening ceremony will begin with prayers on Sunday at 9am, followed by events all day until 6.30pm.

People can join in a procession through south Leamington and Whitnash between 11am and 3pm and there will be tours of the temple and food and drink.

Celebrations will continue every day until Monday November 2, including Khalsa kids' club, film screenings, talks and a fireworks display.

A crew from the Sikh Channel will be paying a visit to broadcast live on television.

For a full programme of events, visit www.gurdwara-leamingtonandwarwick.co.uk or call 424297.

Anyone who cannot make it on Sunday can still take part in a free tour on Saturdays between 10am and 3pm between November 7 and December 5.
Email tours@gurdwara-leamingtonandwarwick.co.uk

with thanks : source : http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/newsl/Leamingtons-11m-Sikh-Temple-ready.5758953.jp

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Dal Khalsa gives Punjab shutdown call on Nov 3

Amritsar, Oct 23 (PTI) Radical Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa today gave a call for a complete shutdown in Punjab on November three to mark the 25th anniversary of 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and elsewhere.

"The objective of the shutdown call is to express anguish against" the riots and "expose" the "denial of justice" to the victims besides paying homage to those killed, its spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh told reporters here.

The Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), a conglomerate of various Sikh outfits, endorsed the call and said "only essential and emergency services including medical services will be allowed during the total shutdown".

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/345170_Dal-Khalsa-gives-Punjab-shutdown-call-on-Nov-3#

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Army welcomes Sikh recruit

By Julia Duin on Oct. 23, 2009 into Belief Blog

Sikhs, which are one of the world's least-understood religious groups because of their signature turbans, have long been barred from U.S. military service because they insist on wearing these turbans over a long unshorn braid of hair plus a beard. This does not square easily with the Army's insistence on crewcuts for clean-shaven men.

Several Sikh media organizations sent out a press release Friday about a Sikh officer, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, whom the Army just agreed can keep his religious regalia. He is a New Jersey doctor who was recruited to join the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program several years ago. He maintained his turban throughout his 8 years of medical education, which included specialized Army training, attendance at Army ceremonies and work in military medical facilities.

In June, he was told that he must remove his turban and cut his hair to begin active duty. He appealed that decision and Friday, the Army agreed he was right. Read the press release here from the Sikh Coalition, which adds some interesting details on how 49 members of Congress petitioned the Army to relent. There is also a Sikh dentist involved who is also asking the Army to change its policy.

Sikhs have been ultra-rare in America's armed forces since the 1980s when the Army revised its dress code concerning the wearing of religious articles. It's a mystery why it's taken the Army so long to change on this, as the Canadians - including the Mounties - and the British allow turbaned Sikhs to serve as active duty military.

- Julia Duin, religion editor

with thanks : source : http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/belief-blog/2009/oct/23/army-welcomes-sikh-recruit/#

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Sikh Matrimonial : Sikh Boys & Girls

Please view the Matrimonial profiles of Sikh boys & Sikh Girls on our

Sikh web portal http://www.sohnijodi.com/

Some of the recent postings are being mentioned below :

S S Malhotra, Chartered accountant, born 1983;

Balkar singh, Software engineer in MNC, persuing MBA IT;

Dr. J S Kapur, MBBS, born 1982;

S S Ahluwalia, Businessman, born 1983;

P S Ahuja, BCA, DNIIT, born 1982;

Karandeep Malik, Software engineer, born 1983;

M S Pannu, M Phil topper, Lecturer;

Gurmeet singh, BE, MBA;

Lakhvinder singh, B. Tech;

Please log on to http://www.sohnijodi.com/ to view these and many more

sikh matrimonial profiles. Please feel free to add your profile with / without a pic.

Punjabi village in USA all set for annual Sikh parade

Yuba City (California): Yuba City, known as the first Punjabi village in the US, is all set for the annual Sikh Parade next week.

Home to the descendants of the earliest Indian immigrants to the US, Yuba City, near the California capital of Sacramento, is famous for its annual Sikh Parade. Over 75,000 Sikhs from around the world are expected to attend the 30th anniversary of the parade next week.

The parade is organized to mark the day of the installation of the Sikh scripture of the Guru Granth. The festivities will begin Friday (Oct 30) with the start of the non-stop recitation of the Granth at the city's main Sikh Temple in the morning. The evening will end with a spectacular display of fireworks to be attended by main leaders of the city.

"It is the Sikh way of saying thank-you to the local community,'' said Balraj Singh Dhillon, president of the Sikh Temple.

The next day, the Sikh community will hold an 'Open House' with elected officials, dignitaries and ordinary citizens.

"We will present Cultural Safari, is a 17-minute video, to educate leaders, school children, teachers and administrators about what it means to be a Sikh American,'' said city surgeon Jasbir Singh Kang.

Sikh scholar I.J. Singh, who has written many books on Sikhism from a western perspective, will also enlighten the audience about the Sikh religion.

Upon the completion of its non-stop reading (or akhand path), the holy Granth will be installed on a lavishly decorated float and take through the streets of Yuba City.

Thousands are expected to follow the Guru Granth Sahib in a procession.

The organizers said 50 floats depicting Sikh history and culture will be part of the parade, expected to extend up to four and a half miles.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the parade, the Sikh community has decided to launch a "massive'' food drive to collect food items for the poor and needy.

"As part of our food drive, 250,000 meals will be prepared and distributed to the needy to show our tradition of caring and sharing,'' said Kang.

with thanks : source : http://www.samaylive.com/

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Little India in Kent, Washington

There was a time when I participated in the office potlucks, and while my coworkers enjoyed their favorite Indian dish they would always ask me for recipe. Most of the stores where we bought our ingredients were in Canada at that time. And aside from the drive there was the hassle we would face at the customs.



Times have changed since then. We now have a lot of Indian grocery stores here in 'Little India,' and new ones are opening up every few months. It really reminds me of India. Then, whenever a special guest would visit us; we had to run out to the store and pick up some sweets or Indian samosas from the sweet shop. Things are similar here nowadays. Some evenings I walk to the Indian market. While we stroll along the shops we often sit at 'Pabla Indian Cuisine' to enjoy a snack. My son loves Samosa burger more than the regular burger!



So much has changed, really. The recent report in the Seattle Times: "Kent School District joins trend of minority students outnumbering whites" reflects this trend. The Kent School District this year became the seventh Seattle-area district in which minority students outnumber white students. It's part of a demographic shift that's happening in districts across Washington and the nation.

While the Indian community evolves into a major community, so are the Indian businesses growing in great numbers.



A fairly decent shop is within the walls of Sikh Gurudwara Sahib in Renton. It is run by Kundan Singh. He sells all the needs of the Sikh community including the Kanga (the wooden comb used to massage the scalp as it combs the hair), Kara (the Sikh iron bangle), Kirpan (the Sikh sword), Kachera (the military undergarment). These are part of the 5 K's mandated by Guru Gobind Singh for every Sikh. He also sells, various books, music tapes and disks, turbans, etc. Kundan Singh said that although it is within the Gurudwara Sahib it is not supported by the Gurudwara Management.

"Although we have accepted the fast American way of life, we can't adapt to the American food" said one gentleman. "And above all Indian food is healthy and nutritious. It is the American way to eat a fast breakfast which may include bread or cereal. Indians prefer good Indian food for dinner which has to be soothing and healthy. We want our kitchen to smell spicy in the evening."



Turmeric Powder has been known to be a miracle golden powder. It has been used in Indian food for centuries. Yet recently, science has accepted its benefits as an anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory agent. Although it sells expensively in health stores it is one of the ubiquitous spices found in Indian stores. And the price is fairly cheap!

Contributed by:
Aasra Magazine:
“Connecting Communities”
Email: Aasra@q.com
Phone: 206-550-3154

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Spreading awareness
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Real Life Super Hero: Harbhajan Singh Aulakh

Sports lovers around the world may associate the name ‘Harbhajan Singh' with cricket, but a grand old athlete from Melbourne, Australia, may soon become the more recognizable sports personality with that name!

77-year old Harbhajan Singh Aulakh is competing at the World Masters Games being held in Sydney and is tipped to be one of the more successful veteran athletes in the world.

He has competed in seven events so far and has already won three gold, three silver and one bronze medal. With another six events still to come, who know what the final tally might be!!

Earlier this year in February-March, Harbhajan Singh won six gold medals at the 12th Australian Masters Games held in Geelong (Victoria) and since then, he had his sights set at the upcoming World Masters in Sydney.

At the Australian Masters, he was to compete in 11 events, but unfortunately a muscle pull forced him to withdraw after six events. He says ruefully,"I had to forfeit my pet events because of the muscle pull, otherwise I would have won many more gold medals at the Australian Masters. But as a result of that, I've practiced and trained really hard during the last few months. I know exactly what my competition is and I know how to beat them. So I'm taking part in 13 events at the World Masters in Sydney".

Amazingly, he had won a gold medal in every event that he participated in at the Australian Masters, and even in Sydney, he has kept up the winning streak by winning a medal at every event so far.

He is participating in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 5000m Walk, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Steeple Chase, Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump.

Migrating to Australia just over two years ago and proudly displaying the Australian flag at the World Masters tournament, Harbhajan Singh says, "I've made Punjabis and Indians happy all my life; this time round, I want to make the Australians happy by winning medals for them."

Sardar Harbhajan Singh is a simple soul who describes himself as an "illiterate village bumpkin"; but the great spirit and determination that he embodies could as easily be described as essentially Punjabi or quintessentially Australian!

"Nobody has ever paid or sponsored me to compete at any event, whether nationally or internationally. I've done it all at my own expense, because I love competing and I don't want to rely on any one's generosity," he says.

Prior to the Sydney tournament, he had won 68 medals (of which a whopping 43 are gold) in national and international events, including the Asian Games and previous World Masters Games.



An accomplished hockey player in his heyday and a school teacher in the prime of his life, he began participating at veterans events since 1981 and has never looked back since. He has won medals in Malaysia, UK, Australia and many other countries apart from India, always paying his own way to the tournaments.

Born on June 16, 1932 in district Gurdaspur of Punjab, he was involved in sports right from his early childhood years. He recalls that back in the old days when he was a youngster competing at various sporting events around Punjab, the winners weren't presented with medals - instead, they won utensils (pots or pans) made of copper or brass!

With a laugh he told me that his mother was most pleased when he won a competition because he would bring home shiny new pots and pans! As an incentive, she would make special "sweet water" for him - just jaggery mixed in water - and goad him on to win more competitions, so her kitchen would be the envy of every other woman in Punjab!

"I collected many utensils in my younger days, thanks to that ‘sweet water'", laughed Harbhajan Singh.

That's the simplicity of this man, who credits his remarkable success in the track field to two women - his mother and his wife. Deeply grateful to the Almighty for his spectacular success, he is also proud of his Melbourne-based son, who provides him with complete financial support, giving him the ability to compete world wide.

"Its not easy to continue doing this, both personally and financially. But I know that if I want to continue, my son wouldn't hesitate in supporting me", he says.

Young at heart, and youthful in his outlook, Harbhajan Singh prefers the company of youngsters. "I may be 77 years old, but my mind tells me, I'm still very young. When I go to tournaments, I prefer to stay with young athletes rather than with the older coaches. I find that I learn a lot from youngsters, from their technique, as well as from their outlook".

Whether or not he becomes the better known Harbhajan Singh in the world of sport, he may soon be rightfully called Australia's own Fauja Singh. And as his medal tally continues to grow in Sydney, Harbhajan is an inspiration to all - that any one can achieve anything, at any age, at any world stage, as long as they put in the required hard work and have the right attitude in life.


Editor's Note: S. Harbhajan Singh's final tally is 10 medals: 4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze. He picked up a gold yesterday and a silver and bronze today, even though he had pulled a muscle during his second-last event. He will not be competing in the final two events that were slated for today. But its a rich harvest of 10 medals, and we congatulate him for it. (Oct 18, 2009)

with thanks : source : By : Manpreet kaur singh www.sikhchic.com

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SIKHS Complain to BBC Trust for Misuse of Sikh Insignia

Press Release: 22nd October 2009 8th Katik (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi)

Press Release
SIKHS Complain to BBC Trust for Misuse of Sikh Insignia





The Khanda, a Sikh Religious Insignia
Questions Put to the BBC in the UNITED SIKHS letter

What, if any, checks did the BBC news reporter and producer make to ascertain the nature and significance of the Khanda to the Sikh community, before it was used?
What was the reason for using the Khanda in the report? Have you have used the Cross or the Crescent and Star whenever you report on Christians and Muslims committing offences?
Why was it necessary to mention the Sikh religion in a crime report and why did the producer allow the link?
What training does the BBC provide its staff to familiarise them with religious insignia so that there is no abuse that could lead to community tensions?
Does the BBC accept that the irresponsible use of the Khanda in the said news report could increase community tensions and that it can lead to incitement of religious hatred?
What measures will be taken to appease the Sikh community so that the said report, is not misconstrued by the Sikh community as a deliberate attempt to insult them?
Will the BBC produce specific positive documentaries on the Sikh faith to mitigate the effect of the insulting use of the Khanda and the insulting link of the crimes to the Sikh religion?
How will the BBC ensure that this and such incidents do not recur?
Is the BBC prepared to publically apologise to the Sikh community, without parading the offending news item to ensure that the rape victim would not have to relive the memory of the report nor that the Sikh community would be insulted again?

London, UK - UNITED SIKHS complained today to the Chairman of the BBC Trust for the misuse of the Khanda, a Sikh religious insignia, in BBC’s news reports last week on the sentencing of three men for heinous rape crimes.

The Sikh community had been very shocked and saddened by a BBC news report, on Friday 16th Oct 2009, about a Sikh rape victim from Wales, who had suffered prolonged abuse at the hands of those she would expect to be protected by, especially from such a young age.

It was, therefore, a double blow for the Sikh community when they saw the irresponsible use, by the BBC in the same news report, of a Sikh religious insignia, the Khanda, and the suggestion that the Sikh religion was connected to the crimes.

The news report had ‘victimised’ the entire Sikh community when the BBC used the Khanda, which is no less significant than the Cross, when they showed the convicted men, whose faces were darkened to protect the identity of the rape victim.

Further, the report, by innuendo, maligned the Sikh community as it made references to the Sikh religion, which had no relevance to the rape incidents. The community felt as though the reporter was trying to link the Sikh religion to the incidents.

The Khanda is a sacred symbol that symbolizes eternity and righteousness and is commonly seen at Sikh Gurdwaras and on the Sikh flag- the Nishaan Sahib.

“What was the reason for using the Khanda in the report? Have you have used the Cross or the Crescent and Star whenever you report on Christians and Muslims committing offences?” Mejindarpal Kaur, UNITED SIKHS legal director, asked in the letter to the BBC Trust.

“Does the BBC accept that the irresponsible use of the Khanda in the said news report could increase community tension and that it can lead to incitement of religious hatred?” she said in the letter, which was also copied to the National Community Tension Team (NCTT), set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers, ACPO. We have requested an urgent meeting with the BBC to address the Sikh community’s concerns.

On seeing the Khanda used in the above-mentioned way, the Sikh community had immediately started a national ‘text’ campaign to contact the BBC for the removal of the Khanda from the news item.

“We were contacted by hurt and irate Sikh youths who said something should be done about this outrageous misuse of the Khanda by the BBC in a flagrant disregard to the religious sensitivities of Sikhs,” said Mejindarpal Kaur.

UNITED SIKHS has asked the BBC to investigate how this irresponsible act was allowed to happen when Sikhs have lived in the UK for many years and the Khanda is a well known Sikh insignia. You may read the letter here.

You may read a previous press release on our efforts to create awareness and understanding of Sikh religious rights at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PR-15-10-2009.html

UNITED SIKHS encourages the Sikh community to exercise their freedom of religion fearlessly, and to contact us with any problems, concerns, or incidents of discrimination.



Issued by:
Rishipal Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS
Phone: 07709830442