Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
405th martyrdom day of Sikh Guru Shri Arjun Dev ji being observed today
The 405th martyrdom day of the fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Arjun Dev ji is being observed today with great devotion. It was on this day in 1606 AD that the Guru ji was tortured to death at Lahore in Pakistan during the reign of Mugal Emperor Jahangir.
The contributions of Shri Guru Arjun Dev ji included the reediting and compilation of the present Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and the construction of the holiest of the holy places, Shri Harminder Sahib ji in Amritsar.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Flung my shoe to protest PC’s remarks: Jarnail
CHENNAI: Jarnail Singh, the scribe who flung his shoe at Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for his remarks on anti-Sikh riots was welcomed like a hero by the Sikh community here on Sunday.
Jarnail released his book I Accuse on anti-Sikh riots.
Admirers of Jarnail from the Sikh community, who gathered in large numbers for a signed copy of the book reflected similar anguish and dissatisfaction over justice being delayed in anti-Sikh riots.
“This is what my shoe throwing act has done to me”, says Jarnail, pointing to the crowd waiting to talk to him. “The younger generations of Sikh community are getting aware of the injustice that had been meted out to their ancestors. I have been able to keep the demand for justice alive with my act. I am proud of its output. Only regret is that I lost my position as a journalist”, he said in a chat with Express after the book release.
“My act was only a symbol of anguish and protest as an individual against delayed justice by the State. It was not a personal attack on Chidambaram,” says the journalist-turned-author. “Though Chidambaram is a sensible leader who minces no words, he failed to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community at the press meet. Even while an entire community was denied justice for more than two decades, Chidambaram was expressing joy over the clean chit given to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler,” he recalled his act.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
With thanks : source : expressbuzz
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Jarnail released his book I Accuse on anti-Sikh riots.
Admirers of Jarnail from the Sikh community, who gathered in large numbers for a signed copy of the book reflected similar anguish and dissatisfaction over justice being delayed in anti-Sikh riots.
“This is what my shoe throwing act has done to me”, says Jarnail, pointing to the crowd waiting to talk to him. “The younger generations of Sikh community are getting aware of the injustice that had been meted out to their ancestors. I have been able to keep the demand for justice alive with my act. I am proud of its output. Only regret is that I lost my position as a journalist”, he said in a chat with Express after the book release.
“My act was only a symbol of anguish and protest as an individual against delayed justice by the State. It was not a personal attack on Chidambaram,” says the journalist-turned-author. “Though Chidambaram is a sensible leader who minces no words, he failed to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community at the press meet. Even while an entire community was denied justice for more than two decades, Chidambaram was expressing joy over the clean chit given to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler,” he recalled his act.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
With thanks : source : expressbuzz
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Pak Rangers to protect 300 Indian Sikhs
Paramilitary Pakistan Rangers have been deployed to protect about 300 Indian Sikhs who will participate in the Jore Mela at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.
The Indian Sikhs, who arrived in Pakistan over the past few days, have travelled to Gurdawa Punja Sahib at Hasanabdal near Rawalpindi.
They will reach Lahore on Monday to take part in the three-day festival.
"Keeping in view the law and order situation, we have deployed Pakistan Rangers and police for the security of the visiting yatris," Syed Asif Hashmi, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board that organises such pilgrimages, told PTI.
After the recent attack on the minority Ahmedi community in Lahore that left 95 people dead, the government has beefed up security at all places of worship of minority communities.
"We have not only taken measures for the security of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from abroad but also enhanced security for locals," Hashmi said.
No leniency could be afforded in this matter, he said.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
with thanks : source : Hindustan Times
SikhsIndia
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SGPC voter forms have caste column
JALANDHAR: A few days after SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar exhorted Sikhs not to mention their caste during the census as the same was against Sikh ideology, it has come to light that voter forms published for SGPC elections have a column for specifying whether a person belongs to any scheduled caste.
Meanwhile, conditions prescribed in the forms for voters are being termed incomplete by Sikh leaders, who are holding that some crucial lacunae have been left out, which could be exploited by vested interests who do not completely follow the definition of a “Sikh” as mentioned in Sikh Rehat Maryada.
The voter form published by the Gurdwara Election Commission says at the end that a voter from scheduled castes should specifically mention whether he is an SC as prescribed by Article 341 of the Constitution.
“This is against Sikh principles and is not required at all,” said Manjit Singh Calcutta, former secretary general of SGPC, who has written to chief commissioner, gurdwara elections, seeking clarifications on these issues. “Any enumeration on the basis of caste is taboo in the Sikh panth. The rights of the weaker and backward sections of society are completely protected in the Sikh Gurdwara Act by provision of reserved seats. Any enumeration of votes on the basis of Manu’s caste system is anathema in the Sikh religion,” he said, demanding withdrawal of voter forms that were violative of Sikh ideology.
Meanwhile, conditions prescribed in the forms for voters are being termed incomplete by Sikh leaders, who are holding that some crucial lacunae have been left out, which could be exploited by vested interests who do not completely follow the definition of a “Sikh” as mentioned in Sikh Rehat Maryada.
The voter form published by the Gurdwara Election Commission says at the end that a voter from scheduled castes should specifically mention whether he is an SC as prescribed by Article 341 of the Constitution.
“This is against Sikh principles and is not required at all,” said Manjit Singh Calcutta, former secretary general of SGPC, who has written to chief commissioner, gurdwara elections, seeking clarifications on these issues. “Any enumeration on the basis of caste is taboo in the Sikh panth. The rights of the weaker and backward sections of society are completely protected in the Sikh Gurdwara Act by provision of reserved seats. Any enumeration of votes on the basis of Manu’s caste system is anathema in the Sikh religion,” he said, demanding withdrawal of voter forms that were violative of Sikh ideology.
DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.
With thanks : source : Times of India
SikhsIndia
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www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Cossie club votes to keep ban on turbans
A Cosmopolitan Club embroiled in controversy after barring a turban-wearing community leader from its premises has voted not to change its entry rules about headwear.
The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club's annual general meeting yesterday voted to keep the club's headwear policy - which bans entry to all people with headgear, including those wearing it for religious reasons.
The Herald understands from club members at the meeting that the rules were relaxed to allow headgear that is worn for "health reasons", such as a bandage or a bandanna used by a cancer patient.
Club manager Patricia Rangi did not want to comment yesterday, but said through a spokesman that the club would issue a statement today.
The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club, in Manukau City, faced strong criticism from the Sikh community last year after it banned leader Karnail Singh from entering to attend a function held in his honour.
The matter was taken to the Human Rights Commission in January, and the parties agreed at mediation that, depending on the outcome of yesterday's meeting, the issue could go back to the commission.
DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.
With thanks : source : NZHERALD
SikhsIndia
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Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Pak Sikhs demand visa-free travel to India
Patiala (Punjab), Jun 11 (PTI) Sikh families from Pakistan today appealed to the Indian government to facilitate a visa-free travel to India for pilgrimage and higher studies for their wards.
A 136-member contingent of Sikhs from Peshawar is on a pilgrimage to India which today visited Gurdwara Dukhniwarn Sahib here.
"We want a visa-free zone between India and Pakistan that will facilitate normal visits to India. It will also help build more confidence between the two countries," Leader of the group, Wazir Singh told PTI.
"We got visas after five months for the current visit.
A 136-member contingent of Sikhs from Peshawar is on a pilgrimage to India which today visited Gurdwara Dukhniwarn Sahib here.
"We want a visa-free zone between India and Pakistan that will facilitate normal visits to India. It will also help build more confidence between the two countries," Leader of the group, Wazir Singh told PTI.
"We got visas after five months for the current visit.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
with thanks : source : PTI
SikhsIndia
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Murdered Indian woman and daughter in New Zealand farewelled in same coffin
Murdered 32-year-old Indian woman Ravneet Sangha and her 18-month-old daughter Anna were farewelled cradling each other in the same coffin at Pyes Pa Crematorium chapel in Tauranga, New Zealand, on Friday.
More than 500 people attended the funeral, and were overwhelmed with grief at their premature deaths.
Ravneet was found dead in a house in Otumoetai, a Tauranga suburb, on Sunday evening, while Anna's body was found on Tuesday afternoon- almost 20 hours later - as it had been concealed in the house.
The family of Dev Sangha, Ravneet's husband and Anna's father, said that he was inconsolable at the service.
Dev had been holidaying in India when he was informed about her death and, initially, the disappearance of their daughter Anna.
Politicians, taxi drivers and workers from the local orchards joined members of the Sikh community to support Dev.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
with thanks : source : Sify
SikhsIndia
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Friday, June 11, 2010
SGPC displays rare historic treasure in Golden Temple
Amritsar, June 11 (ANI): The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) displayed rare items dating back to the fifteenth to eighteenth century inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple to mark the Guru Gaddi Nashini of Guru Hargobind, the sixth spiritual master of the Sikhs.Thousands of devotees thronged the Golden Temple to have a glimpse of these rare invaluable historical items.All the valuable articles belonging to the Golden Temple were kept for display in the “Toshakhana” (treasury) on the first floor of ‘Darshani Deori’ (entrance gate to golden temple).
The display of rare items, called as Jlau, has its own pristine grandeur. ‘JLAU’ literally means a rare glitter that fazes the eyes on its first sight. The Toshakhana is attached by four golden doors. One door has artistic work of flowers, while the remaining three depict different aspects from the lives of the Great Sikh Gurus.
The doors were presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.It was said each gold door was made at a cost Rs.3000.
There is one Canopy of gold weighing twenty pounds. On top of the canopy, a peacock having its neck made of pure Sapphire in a single piece is sitting. According to the estimates of a jeweller, only this piece of Sapphire costs sround four million rupees.The stone is without any blemish. In the eyes of peacock there are diamonds. Overall, this canopy is studded with 3600 diamond stones and 101 big pearls. Just under it, there is a diamonds headband with strings of pearls. Jewelers of Lahore prepared this headband on the occasion of marriage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s first son Naunihal Singh.
Impressed by its art and the beauty, Maharaja presented this band as offerings to Golden Temple. Its cost came around Rs nine lakhs at that time.
Apart from this, there is one sword of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Its hilt is of pure gold studded with pearls and emeralds. The showcase lying in the Toshakhana is displaying five spades having silver handles and gold blades.
In 1973, the Punjab and Sind Bank presented the temple with one golden spade and five silver bowls. At that time Sant Kundan Singh from Jagron presented the temple with one silver spade, one sword with silver hilt and Sikh emblem of gold with silver stand.
According to SGPC, there are five necklaces, one small Canopy and one ring with a Sapphire in middle and eight diamonds around, which were presented by Princess Bamba granddaughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, daughter of PrinceDaleep Singh.
Besides, there are also jewels in the Toshakhana from the house of General Dhana Singh Malwai, a General in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.In the early nineties, an American Sikh, who came here to pay obeisance presented a pearl necklace of three strings and three diamonds.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
with thanks : source : ANI & ThaIndian
SikhsIndia
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After Hindus, divorce could get hassle-free for Sikhs too
NEW DELHI: With amendments on the anvil to make divorce easier for Hindus, a similar move may be underway for Sikhs.
The Cabinet on Thursday cleared amendments to the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act, allowing the provision of ‘‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’’ to be included as ground for divorce.
Sources said a similar provision could be added to the draft Sikh Marriage Act that is currently under consideration with the law ministry.
At present, Sikhs are governed by the Anand Marriage Act of 1909 which the draft bill seeks to replace. The demand for a separate marriage Act stems from the need to register marriages solemnised under their religious ceremony Anand Karaj.
It is learnt that sports minister M S Gill intervened in the discussion on Hindu Marriage Act to say that similar provision for “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” should be made for Sikhs, adding that Anand Marriage Act was 50 years older. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said it would require a separate proposal.
Gill said the community had pursued former law minister H R Bharadwaj with the demand but to no result. Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee Paramjit Singh Sarna said the committee was in favour of a separate law to govern Sikh marriages.
‘‘We have separate set of Sikh rituals and we would like to be registered under the Sikh Marriage Act rather than the Hindu Marriage Act as we have to do now. It is a matter of our identity and a legal recognition to Anand Karaj,” Sarna said.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
With thanks : source : Economic Times
SikhsIndia
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www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
The Cabinet on Thursday cleared amendments to the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act, allowing the provision of ‘‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’’ to be included as ground for divorce.
Sources said a similar provision could be added to the draft Sikh Marriage Act that is currently under consideration with the law ministry.
At present, Sikhs are governed by the Anand Marriage Act of 1909 which the draft bill seeks to replace. The demand for a separate marriage Act stems from the need to register marriages solemnised under their religious ceremony Anand Karaj.
It is learnt that sports minister M S Gill intervened in the discussion on Hindu Marriage Act to say that similar provision for “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” should be made for Sikhs, adding that Anand Marriage Act was 50 years older. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said it would require a separate proposal.
Gill said the community had pursued former law minister H R Bharadwaj with the demand but to no result. Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee Paramjit Singh Sarna said the committee was in favour of a separate law to govern Sikh marriages.
‘‘We have separate set of Sikh rituals and we would like to be registered under the Sikh Marriage Act rather than the Hindu Marriage Act as we have to do now. It is a matter of our identity and a legal recognition to Anand Karaj,” Sarna said.
Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.
With thanks : source : Economic Times
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
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