Blueprint for peace corridor between India and Pakistan

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Amritsar, Nov 20 - ANI: Under the aegis of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy (IMTD), the US based NGO is preparing a blueprint for the peace corridor between India and Pakistan in order to support the safe and easy passage of pilgrims to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is situated in Pakistans Narowal District, where Guru Nanak spent more than 18 years of his life. Sikh pilgrims have been demanding a safe passage to the Gurdwara KartarpurSahib from Dera Baba Nanak for years. The Gurdwara is about four km from the Indian side where corridor is to be constructed.

The NGO has currently enrolled engineers, architects and businessmen from India, Pakistan and the United States for this purpose.

The IMTD is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 by Ambassador John W. McDonald and Dr. Louise Diamond to promote a systems-based approach to peace building.

The IMTD believes that involving professionals would be practical steps in the construction of the corridor that would be a major step in the on going Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan.

Surinder Singh, an engineer from USA, who visited the Indian side of Dera Baba Nanak on Friday along with Anudeep Singh and his wife Surjit Kaur informed ANI that with the help of other professional members of the committee they would prepare a master plan of thecorridor.

He said that he has already visited Pakistani side and examined the viability of the proposed construction of the corridor.

It is pertinent to mention that more than 40 acres of land had already been purchased near the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib with the help of foreign-based Sikhs, prominent contributors being the American Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee, J. B. Singh of USA and Ranjit Singh of Switzerland.

Singh said that the idea is to promote a religious corridor linking the Sikh holy sites across the Indo-Pak border, and added that this peace corridor would help bridge the gulf between the peoples of India and Pakistan

Optimist Anudeep Singh, another member of the committee, said that construction of the Kartarpur Corridor is a task that is of utmost importance to the Sikh community and the dream of millions of people will turn into reality soon.

He said that to fulfil this dream the onus lies on leadership on India and Pakistan who should come together for this issue.

The Sikh diaspora has initiated efforts on various levels to include the Gurdwara Kartarpur corridor in bilateral talks between India and Pakistan.

Anudeep Singh told ANI that a number of representatives have already met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in this regards and PM assured to take steps in this regards.

Last year, then External Affaira Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited the site to assess the feasibility of reopening the corridor to facilitate easy movement of pilgrims.

In order to assist in the smooth transitioning of the project, the IMTD has formed a committee consisting of five members from India, six from the USA and five from Pakistan.

From India Dr. Jairoop Singh, Vice Chancellor, Anudeep Singh, a businessman, B.S. Goraya a social activist, Kuldeep Singh Wadala an activist for Kartarpur Langah committee.

Renowned Pakistani architect and former Chairman of the Institute of Architects in Pakistan, Syed Azmat Ali Zaidi, will be the project director who will be responsible for implementing the feasibility study from Pakistani side.

Other members are engineer Surinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh of the World Bank, Amar Singh Malhi, board member of the Guru Nanak Foundation of America, and Avtar Singh Pannu, President of the NGO, Sikhs for Justice are among the members of the committee. - ANI

with thanks from : http://www.littleabout.com/news/45768,blueprint-peace-corridor-india-pakistan.html

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

View the controversial Video of Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi on Dasam Granth.

with thanks to : Gaganji
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia

Sikh Gurdwara judicial panel slaps contempt notice on SGPC

November 19th, 2009 A Kaur

Amritsar, Punjab: In what has come has come as a blow to the SGPC management, the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission (SGJC) has slapped a contempt notice on SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and secretary Dalmegh Singh for allegedly violating the commission directions in respect of commissioning of a private firm for the audit of the SGPC.

The full bench of the commission has fixed December 1 as the next date of hearing in the case. The SGJC has issued the directions on a petition filed by Baldev Singh Sarsa, a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) who had sought the revocation of a contract between the SGPC and a Chandigarh-based chartered accountants’ firm, Ms S.S. Kohli and Associates. The SGJC had directed the SGPC authorities on October 20 not to hire the firm at exorbitant monthly charges of Rs 3.5 lakh. Sarsa had pleaded that the contract had violated the norms and SGPC chief Avtar Singh had allegedly indulged in favouritism and nepotism.

The three-member commission bench, headed by Manmohan Singh Brar and comprising Amrik Singh Randhawa and Ajwant Singh Mann, today observed that in spite of the restrictions, the SGPC advertised in the papers to hire a firm and it was nothing but a violation of the directions, sources said.

The SGPC, it is learnt, had passed a resolution in the executive in January giving the contract to the firm and the same was challenged by Sarsa through a petition filed with the commission. The SGPC had publicised the application for tenders on November 11. “This is a clear-cut violation of the commission’s orders,”alleged Sarsa.

With thanks : Source: TNS. Taken from : http://sikhsangat.org/2009/11/sikh-gurdwara-judicial-panel-slaps-contempt-notice-on-sgpc/

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia
subscribe the Sikh blog SikhsIndia

Akal Takht pronounces punishment for Jhinda

Amritsar, November 17 (PTI) Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat here today during a marathon meeting declared quantum of religious punishment for Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda and his associates for religious misconduct besides hurting the sentiments of Sikh devotees.

Religious edict issued from Akal Takht directed Jhinda and his four associates to clean shoes, wash utensils of devotees, listen 'Shabad Kirtan' one hour for five days each at four places in Punjab and Haryana including Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur, Akal Takht Amritsar and Chhewin Patshahi Gurdwara at Kurukshetra in Haryana.

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/381765_Akal-Takht-pronounces-punishment-for-Jhinda

SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.sohnijodi.com

Prime Minister wraps up Indian visit with chaotic tour of Golden Temple

AMRITSAR, India — Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up a three-day tour of India on Wednesday with a chaotic tour of the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The prime minister's visit to the crowded, sprawling temple attracted dozens of Indian cameramen and photographers, who turned the tight perimeter around Harper into an angry roiling mosh pit. It was a far different scene earlier in the day in New Delhi when Harper toured the world's largest Hindu temple, strolling through magnificent empty boulevards.

The last Canadian prime minister to visit the Golden Temple - site of a violent clash in 1984 that ultimately led to the bombing of an Air India flight out of Vancouver a year later - was Liberal Jean Chretien in 2003.

A total of 329 people died when the jumbo jet went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland.

Harper arrives back in Canada on Thursday morning.

with thanks : source : http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jeX7ws6HV91DE3HWnpCyW3PIFlmg

SikhsIndia

Trimming problem in Sikh community

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

I'm Dr. Harleen Kaur, based in New Delhi, India. I am a homoeopathic doctor by profession and a proud Amritdhari Sikh by obsession. I wish to see the Sikhs holding fast to the teachings of our Gurus in today's challenging times, so that we can prove that 'Khalsa kade dolda nahi'.

The problem of trimming (both in girls and boys) is a trouble eating us up for last so many years. It is prudent to nip this serious problem sooner than later, as it is totally against Gurmat and one who indulges in trimming is disobeying the very primary rule of being a Sikh, that of 'not tampering with your body, in any which way'. The same even applies to the girls who wax/thread/shave/pluck their body hair.

With ardas for a high-spirited Qaum,

Dr. Harleen Kaur

Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi

Sat Sri Akal,

We are expecting this CD by 25th of November & if we really get it, we will put it on public screening.

Best Regards

SikhsIndia
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
http://www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com/
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia

Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi : summoned to Akal Takht Sahib

Controversial Sikh preacher Darshan singh is summoned to Akal Takht Sahib

Amritsar, Punjab: Taking serious note of Prof Darshan Singh concocting a story linking Guru Gobind Singh with a prostitute while doing keertan at gurdwara in New York (USA), Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh summoned Ragi Darshan to Akal Takhat on December 5th, 2009. They decided to summon him after a meeting of Five Singh Sahibans on Nov 17, 2009. Jathedar said that this is a serious issue. Documents regarding this have been obtained from USA.

Prof. Darshan Singh’s narration of a concocted story linking Guru Gobind Singh with a prostitute while doing keertan in American Gurdwara is being condemned here and abroad. Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak, Sant Samaj has already appealed to the Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to summon Darshan Singh to Akal Takhat. Darshan Singh claims that this story is in Dasam Granth.

Dr. Jodh Singh, who has translated Dasam Granth in English and Hindi, was contacted for clarification. He says that there is no mention of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in this particular story. He further said that this is just a story and not history. It is wrong to consider a story to be history and then attach it with Guru Sahib. He explained that the Dasam Granth has many stories and every story is not a true tale.
Sikh Historian Dr. Jasbir Singh Sabar says that this incident finds no mention in proven Sikh sources. He said that Bhai Sahib Sirdar Kapoor Singh had mentioned “Kissa Anoop Kaur” in detail in his book “Sachi Sakhi”. He said that Guru Gobind Singh was called by once by a prostitute to her house and she served him well. When Guru Sahib asked her for a blessing, she desired that she should have a son like Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib addressed her and said, “Mother, consider me as your son.” Sabar said that Guru Sahib never went anywhere alone. There were always five Singhs with him. He said that Darshan Singh was misleading the Sikhs.

Famous academic Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon said that this incident is listed in the tales. But the subject incident is not linked to Guru and neither is he mentioned anywhere. He also said that Prof Darshan Singh was misleading Sikhs. He said that Prof has earlier tried to mislead Sikhs on the Nitnem banis also.

http://sikhsangat.org/2009/11/controversial-sikh-preacher-darshan-singh-is-summoned-to-akal-takht-sahib/#comment-1638

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi - Sikh clergy to listen to CD today - Nov. 16

Controversial Discourse : Sikh clergy to listen to CD today
Varinder Singh : Tribune News Service : Amritsar, November 16

Five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, will listen to a CD containing the alleged blasphemous remarks uttered by the former Akal Takht Jathedar, Prof Darshan Singh, during one of his recent discourses in New York, at a meeting at Akal Takht tomorrow.

The CD was given to the Akal Takht Jathedar by “sangats” of New York in support of their complaints against Darshan Singh during the former’s visit there.
Sources said after listening to the CD, the Sikh high priests would decide whether to summon Darshan Singh at Akal Takht to clarify his position or not.
Damdami Taksal has also lodged a complaint with the high priests against Darshan Singh.

“We will decide upon any action after listening to the recording of a programme of Darshan Singh at our meeting tomorrow. We have received a number of complaints in this regard from New York and other places,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.
However, Darshan Singh said he was ready to appear before Akal Takht whenever asked to do so and “not before any person in particular”.

“It seems that some sort of action is being contemplated against me under pressure from certain quarters. I am ready to present myself before Akal Takht. I will invite the entire panth to come there and answer all questions asked to me in their presence,” said Darshan Singh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091117/punjab.htm#10

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Sikh Youth Slate wins in Surrey, Canada

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sikh Temple to go traditional

SURREY: The determined struggle of the youth to restore the tradition of Gurdwara Sahibs to their pristine glory and ensure that Gurdwaras accomplish the purpose for which they are built, in a remarkable show, the Sikh Youth Slate comprising eighteen dedicated, selfless and committed individuals won the Gurdwara elections early today with a decisive margin of 13,400-7,200.

Their mission is clear and focused, “We are a group of progressive-minded Sikhs, consisting of men and women, students, businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals from fields such as law, finance and software development. We genuinely desire to work towards the betterment of the community, and share a common focus and direction, centered on unity: We are all Sikhs!”

Not to be outdone with rhetoric and whimper, they seem to have done not only their homework well from the electoral point of view but also emphasized the inclusive character of Sikhism. “It is time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as Sikhs – whether we are amritdhari or non-amritdhari, whether we are kesdhari, or sehajdhari, whether we have been walking the Sikh path for decades or we are just taking our first baby steps” said their campaign.

And for the cynics, who may still be imputing motives to the youth, the Sikh Youth Slate had this to say, “We are prepared and dedicated to create a progressive gurdwara environment, inclusive to all Sikhs. We consider ourselves to be sevadars tasked with the responsibility of changing the gurdwara from being a place of divisive politics, to being a positive place for congregation, open to everyone!

Not stopping at the Sikhs, they have also clarified that they would be working for humanity at large and ensure that the Gurdwara becomes the fulcrum of community outreach services encompassing all Canadians and those in and around Surrey in particular.

With veteran Sikh-baiter Balwant Singh Gill and company accepting defeat, the stage is set for a new president in Bikramjit Singh Sandhar in early January next year. He was at his humblest best when he truly said, “This service is done by the grace of God, for the well-being of humanity. Thank you to all those who supported this campaign, and all those who volunteered countless hours to make this change happen. Now, the real work begins.”

with thanks : source : WSN

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Can we promote Sikhi, in the Sikhs atleast ?

We just want to promote Sikhi in the sikh community. Hope, even you are thinking likewise, due to the rising percentage of trimmers, vanishing turbans & maa boli Punjabi.

Please suggest, what we can do, what we should do and what we must do, together, to preserve Sikhi in the Sikh community atleast. Please add your comments, suggestions, ideas, views in the comments box, just at the end of this post.

Best regards

SikhsIndia
Guru Granth Sahib Sewak Jatha