Excerpts :
Sunday, September 12, 2010
'Punjab's farmers could grow crops on the moon, if needed’
Plz log on to the link in headline above for the Interview of Mr Badal with TOI :
Excerpts :
Excerpts :
Friday, September 10, 2010
REMEMBERING THE BRAVE 21 WHO STOOD AGAINST 10,000
PRESS RELEASE
Come the 12th of September, it will be 113 years since 21 brave soldiers died doing their duty on the Afghan border. For the first time in the country, this battle is being recognised nationally as Saragarhi Day. There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick on Saturday 11th September at 4pm. It will be preceded by a short presentation of those historic events which have been recorded by UNESCO as one of 8 examples of collective bravery.
On the 12th of September 1897, 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs of the British Indian Army faced some 10,000 Afghan tribesmen at a small signalling station called Saragarhi in the North West Frontier province of what is now Pakistan. The Saragarhi post, situated on a rocky ridge, consisted of a small block house with loop-holed ramparts and a signalling tower. It was vital to the safety of 2 other forts as it was the only way of maintaining a communication link between them.
A general uprising by the Afghans, which began in August 1897 led to many attempts to capture the 2 forts. When these were unsuccessful, 10,000 Pashtuns attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi, so that communication would be lost between the two forts. The contingent of the twenty-one Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs, lead by Havildar Ishar Singh was hopelessly outnumbered. Undeterred, they all chose to fight to the death. The signalling officer continued to supply vital information to the 2 forts during the fighting, thus saving countless lives.
Saraghari is recognised as one of the greatest last stands in world military history, against overwhelming odds. Each one of the 21 we’re awarded the highest gallantry medal available to them, which is unparalleled in military history for one action. Plaudits for the bravery of the 21 Sikhs could be heard from both Houses of Parliament and Queen Victoria.
This nationwide commemoration will form part of the National Heritage Shared events planned at various locations up and down the country in September, which SHAWL (Sikh Heritage Association Warwick & Leamington) are happy to be involved with. On the 11th September, the program of events at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick will be as follows:
“Saragarhi Day” – 2.45pm : A short talk followed by a commemorative ceremony to the 21. In attendance will be direct descendants of the 36th Sikh Regiment.
“Frames of Bravery” Exhibition Launch – 4.00pm (11th – 26th September 2010) : Launched in Malaysia this photographic exhibition captures images of Sikh military history from the 18th century onwards including major contributions during WW1 & WW2.
“The Flying Sikhs” film – 5.00pm : A short documentary looking at the little known contribution of Sikh pilots during the Battle of Britain.
For further information please contact:
SHAWL representative, Dharminder Singh Sanghera on 07734883833.
All the above events are at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, Tachbrook Park Drive, CV34 6RH.
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Thursday, September 9, 2010
UNITED SIKHS launches the Global Protect Our Identity Campaign
Press Release
| UNITED SIKHS launches the Global Protect Our Identity Campaign | ||||||
Fremont, California: In wake of security policies and societal situations that threaten the Sikh identity across the world, UNITED SIKHS launched the global “Protect Our Identity” campaign to actively advocate for Sikh Civil Rights issues at a global level at the Gurdwara Sahib in Fremont, California on August 8, 2010. Under the aegis of the campaign, the Sikh community across the world will unite to form a collective voice strongly advocating for rights that protect the Sikh identity and way of life. Sikhs face an unprecedented attack on their identity and dignity. Sikhs are being racially profiled daily in domestic and international airports and they are arbitrarily being stripped of their dignity by having to remove their turbans at security checkpoints in many European countries. In Kashmir, Sikhs live in a constant state of intimidation and have received death threats to leave the valley. French schools continue to ban the Sikh turban and make it difficult for our children to receive an education. In some parts of Europe (i.e. Belgium) Sikhs are fighting just to be recognized as a religion. Finally, justice continues to be elusive for victims of 1984 as courts stall not only the process of vindication but also reconciliation. A multi-national, multi-dimensional campaign, Protect Our Identity will focus on issues of importance to the global Sikh community such as Right to Turban, airport security in European Union and United States, Anti-Bullying Initiatives, Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan, Equality in employment, Right to Kakaars, seeking recognition of Sikhs as a religion and ethnicity in UK and US Census, and raising awareness of Sikhs and Sikhism to reduce acts of violence and xenophobia against Sikhs. | ||||||
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The Protect Our Identity campaign is engaging in new initiatives seeking to confront emerging policies and practices globally that threaten the Sikh identity, and integrating existing projects that protect global Sikh civil and human rights. Hansdeep Singh, Senior Staff Attorney at UNITED SIKHS says, “The campaign is a collective community voice against the onslaught of a movement toward religious suppression, the impact of which is most visible in Europe. This tide must be stemmed before the suppression of an external religious identity becomes an established norm in other parts of the world,” Hansdeep says. He adds, “Followers of Sikh values have been degraded, humiliated, and disparaged, and the external manifestation of the visible identity is treated with such contempt that it will only make it more difficult for the wearer to consistently endure this indignity.” | ||||||
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Volunteers and UNITED SIKHS members across the Bay area are building teams to take the campaign to the Sikh community in several cities across the Bay area. So for our members and supporters in the Bay area, lookout for the “Protect Our Identity” campaign materials and presentations over the next few weeks and support the cause generously, both with your time and financially. During the presentation at Fremont Gurdwara detailing the initiatives under Protect Our Identity, Loveleen Kaur, UNITED SIKHS volunteer implored the sangat to step up and support the campaign saying, "How do we as a community bring the compassion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who made the ultimate sacrifices necessary to protect our identity? If we don't save our identity, all the Sikh religious institutions will be nothing but monuments to a brave and selfless people that once existed. Just like blood is the life force for human beings, UNITED SIKHS needs a continuous stream of support through seva and funding in order to fulfill its mandate of serving mankind." | ||||||
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| SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN, IT BELONGS TO YOU! The campaign is of the people, by the people, and will be spearheaded by dedicated volunteers from the community who will spread the rallying call of “Protect Our Identity” to members of their Sangat. The campaign is traveling to the United States East Coast and from there to different parts of the world. No matter where you are in the world, if you are passionate about the issues the campaign represents, and would like to contribute to the cause, volunteer with us, and be the leader in your community to talk about these issues and how they affects members in your Sangat. Join us by clicking here, and email us at law-global@unitedsikhs.org for any questions or concerns. DONATE GENEROUSLY; WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! The Sikh community’s commitment to recovery efforts in Haiti personifies the Sikh principle of selfless service to humanity and earned us a mention in President Barack Obama’s address at the National Prayer Breakfast meeting. The Protect Our Identity campaign encompasses different initiatives that advocate for the community's right to practice their religion freely. We need support from community members like you to help us to carry forward those initiatives and our mission. We see that we now need to do even more but only if we have a dedicated support system, and know that we can count on monthly recurring donations. No amount is too small. Monthly donations of $10, $20, $40, $50 or $100 will help by supporting this cause to protect the Sikh identity with respect and dignity. Donate to UNITED SIKHS by clicking here. Volunteer for Protect Our Identity Campaign! To see a previous press release detailing UNITED SIKHS' advocacy work around the world, please visit: http://unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-25-12-2009-00.html Issued by: | ||||||
Sikh sues Poland’s border guards after ordered to take off turban
A British Sikh is bringing a law suit against Poland’s border guards after he claims they tried to make him remove his turban at the International Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw.
Shaminder Puri (pictured) a British citizen of Indian descent, says he was outraged when he asked to take his traditional Sikh turban off at the airport. “Something like that had never happened to me in 40 years at any other airport,” Puri is quoted by the PAP news agency as saying.
Shaminder Puri works as an expert for international NGOs and the EU. He travels to many countries, including Poland, where he studied in 1960s.
Mr. Puri says that he left his laptop, briefcase, jacket, belt, watch, shoes and metal objects at the airport gate and passed through it wearing just his clothes and a turban. The alarm did not sound. Nevertheless, Puri was asked to take off his turban, an outrage to Sikhs.
Puri tried to explain, in Polish, that his religion does not allow him to remove the turban and suggested that a border guard inspects it manually. But the guard insisted on Puri taking off his head cover.
According to safety procedures at airports around the world, if a border guard suspects that a Sikh is smuggling something under his turban, he is asked to touch the turban himself and then a guard inspect him with a special detector.
with thanks : thenews.pl : link in headline for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wearing their faith
Faith now comes in wearable forms, and celebs seem to be all gung-ho about it. Over the weekend, designer Rohit Bal was spotted wearing a Khanda - the Sikh religious symbol, around his neck. Entrepreneur Priya Sachdev Chatwal, too, was seen wearing the religious icon as an armlet at the same do. Priya’s sister Charu, also a follower of the trend, says, “It’s nice to wear your faith in an aesthetic manner. I like wearing T-shirts with gods and goddesses on it.”
Others say wearing their faith has a calming effect. “I wear a wooden Buddha ring; it has a very soothing effect on me,” says VJ Kim, who swears by the charm.
However, not everyone thinks of the statement as ‘sacred’. “I don’t advocate wearing religious symbols. If you are wearing a tee with God on it, you need to be very careful - you’re going to visit the washroom wearing it!” says model Jesse Randhawa.
with thanks : Hindustan times : link in headline for detailed story.
SikhsIndia
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Sikh temple to open controversial free school for children of all religions
A SIKH temple is planning to create two controversial “free schools ” in Birmingham – but they will be open to people from all religions.
An education trust created by worshippers at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha, in Soho Road, is to open a new secondary school on the site of a former factory in Hockley.
It is also to create a new primary school in Soho Road, Handsworth, under Government plans to open schools led by private organisations such as parents’ groups, faith bodies or teachers themselves.
The state-funded schools were among 16 proposals for new “free schools” to receive early approval from Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Nishkam Secondary School will open on the former Lucas factory site in Great King Street, Hockley, if the scheme goes ahead.
It will serve up to 1,000 pupils and children from the Sikh community will be given preference for half the places, while the other half will be open to all youngsters regardless of their religion.
Although free schools receive government funding, residents have already raised more than £2 million to buy the site. Co-ordinator Ranjit Singh said: “We want good exam results, but also to emphasise the value of morals and ethics.
with thanks : Birmingham mail : link in headline above for detailed story.
SikhsIndia
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An education trust created by worshippers at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha, in Soho Road, is to open a new secondary school on the site of a former factory in Hockley.
It is also to create a new primary school in Soho Road, Handsworth, under Government plans to open schools led by private organisations such as parents’ groups, faith bodies or teachers themselves.
The state-funded schools were among 16 proposals for new “free schools” to receive early approval from Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Nishkam Secondary School will open on the former Lucas factory site in Great King Street, Hockley, if the scheme goes ahead.
It will serve up to 1,000 pupils and children from the Sikh community will be given preference for half the places, while the other half will be open to all youngsters regardless of their religion.
Although free schools receive government funding, residents have already raised more than £2 million to buy the site. Co-ordinator Ranjit Singh said: “We want good exam results, but also to emphasise the value of morals and ethics.
with thanks : Birmingham mail : link in headline above for detailed story.
SikhsIndia
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www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Gurmat Camp in Tokyo
Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh to all Sikh Sangat.
Good News for all. Tokyo Sikh Sangat is going to held There First GURMAT CAMP at Tokyo Gurdwara Sahib on 19th SEPTEMBER 2010 for 2 hour. Request to all that Please come and join with your beloved kids,Friends and learn about Sikh religion , Sikh History ,Keertan and many more. Japanese also welcome who want to know more about Sikh Religion.Our beloved uncle ji from India will Teach the kids .
So waitting for you all.....
Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh ji
with thanks : SikhJapanese blog
SikhsIndia
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November to be Sikh Awareness Month in California
California), Sep 5 (IANS) In a historic gesture for the 250,000-strong Sikh community in California, the state assembly has passed a resolution declaring November as 'California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month.'
During the month, Sikh cultural and social events will be held to highlight their contribution to California since there arrival in the state more than a hundred years ago.
The resolution (ACR 181), which was moved by Assemblyman Dan Logue (Republican), was passed unanimously by the state assembly Sept 1, the Sikh community of Yuba City announced Saturday.
Yuba City, considered the first Punjabi village in North America, and its surrounding Sutter County areas are home to one of the largest concentration of the descendants of the first Indian immigrants into North America in the 1870-80s.
In fact, Yuba City's current mayor is a Sikh - Kash Gill - who assumed office in November last year.
This is the first such resolution passed by the California assembly to recognize the contribution of any immigrant group in the state.
with thanks : SIFY : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
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