Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sunday, October 9, 2011

After fresh intel inputs, Sajjan’s security increased


The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to strengthen the security cover for Sajjan Kumar, accused in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, after the President rejected the mercy plea of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, a former militant of Khalistan Liberation Force.
Kumar is undergoing trial in two anti-Sikh riot cases, being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI). He already enjoys Z-plus security.
The decision was taken after the MHA asked for a report from the Special Cell of Delhi Police. “We have to submit a report on a routine basis to the MHA. While analysing his security, we realised that he was under threat from Punjab militants. So we gave a favourable report. The MHA took the decision accordingly,” said a senior police officer.
Kumar is facing trial for the killing of six persons by a mob in Delhi during the riots. CBI had filed two chargesheets against Kumar and others in the riots cases, registered in 2005 on the recommendation of Justice G T Nanavati Commission, which inquired into the sequence of events leading to the riots.

with thanks : Indian Express : link above.

Thousands of Sikh pilgrims due next month

LAHORE: Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Asif Hashmi has said that thousands of Sikh pilgrims from different parts of the world will visit their religious places in Pakistan amid tight security and state-of-the-art facilities as part of the birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak in November. 


He was addressing a high-level meeting of the board officers, including Secretary Junaid Ahmad, Zahid Hussain Bukhari, Faraz Abbas, Umar Sharif and Guru Dawara Parbandhak Committee chief Sardar Sham Singh while the military, Rangers, police and other officials were also present in the meeting. 


Hashmi said that the board had already made arrangements to provide housing and food to thousands of pilgrims.




with thanks : link above

Pair hurt in cooking explosion at Dundee Sikh temple


Two women have been taken to hospital with leg injuries after an explosion at a Sikh temple in Dundee.
The incident, which happened at Sri Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Nelson Street at about 09:00, is thought to have involved a pressure cooker.
Two women, aged 50 and 32, who were in the kitchen at the time were treated at the scene before being taken to Ninewells Hospital.
with thanks : BBC News : link above for detailed news

Sikh soldiers to be honoured in UK

LONDON: Sikh soldiers who fought with British troops in conflicts around the world will be honoured in the UK by showcasing the 'Khanda', which is one of the important symbols of Sikhism, and reflects the sacrifices and contribution of the Indian-origin community. 

The charity organisation that raises funds for soldiers who served or are serving in Britain's armed forces will honour Sikh soldiers this year by including the Khanda in its annual Poppy Appeal. 

The appeal is organised annually by the Royal British Legion, and is held on 'Remembrance Sunday', which this year falls on November 13. 

In this year's appeal in Leicestershire - which has a significant Sikh population - the Khanda will join the Christian cross, the Jewish Star of David and the Muslim Crescent which have been introduced in recent years. 

The Khanda, made up of a solid circle, two interlocked swords and a double-edged sword, will be on sale alongside poppies and the other wooden emblems. 



with thanks : PTI : Economic Times : link above for detailed news



Happy Gurupurab

Friday, October 7, 2011

INVITATION: Sikh International Film Festival and Leadership Event in New York City



Highlights:
  • International Film Festival highlights Sikh culture and traditions through features, documentaries and short films
  • Panel of Sikh leaders to discuss their journey into leadership positions
  • For more information on tickets and how to participate visit www.sikharts.com
New York, NY: UNITED SIKHS would like to extend an invitation to community members to attend two events in coming weeks: the Sikh International Film Festival on October 8, 14 and 15, 2011 and a Sikh Leadership Event on October 13, 2011. The events are hosted by Sikh Arts and Film Foundation and are held in New York City. 
Film Fest

Sikh International Film Festival 2011:

This year, films and documentaries featured at the festival address a variety of issues such as the farmer suicides in India, bullying of school children, drug addiction to name a few. Details of films with short write-ups are included on this weblink. Winners of the short films and documentaries will be judged by a distinguished panel of judges.

On the 8th of October children’s films will be shown at the Hofstra University, Student Center, in New York.

The schedule for the Film Festival is as follows:
Saturday, 8th October: Hofstra University, Student Center (11:30 am – 2:30pm)
Friday, October 14th : Featuring Session (7:00pm 10:00pm)
Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Saturday, October 15th: Short Films (11:30am – 1:30pm), Documentaries (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

To purchase tickets to the Film Festival, please visit: www.sikharts.com

Leadership Summit

Sikh Leadership Summit

Youth members of the community are highly encouraged to attend the leadership session which will focus on the nexus between diversity, mentorship, community service, and leadership development in one's career. The details of the event are as follows: 

Thursday, October 13th
Location: Asia Society & Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 
Panel Session (7:00pm–8:30pm):  

Panelists
Gurinder Chadha, Internationally Acclaimed Director / Writer
Mohanbir S. Sawhney, Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation Clinical Professor of Technology & Director of the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Gurvendra S. Suri, Founder and CEO, Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc.

Moderator: Matthew Breitfelder, Managing Director & Chief Talent Officer, BlackRock

Networking Reception : 8:30pm – 9:30pm : Network with peers and a diverse array of industry professionals

To reserve your complimentary tickets for the leadership event, please write to us at: contact@unitedsikhs.org or call 1-646-688-3525 | 888-243-1690

Issued by:
Mankanwal Singh
1-516-698-8546
unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org

Sikh group seeks action against Nath in Belgium


New York: A US-based Sikh advocacy group has approached the Belgium government seeking criminal prosecution and arrest of Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, who is scheduled to visit Belgium next week, for his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
In a letter sent to Belgium Prime Minister Yves Leterme, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has said Nath should be denied entry into the country and criminal prosecution must be initiated against him.
Nath is scheduled to attend and address the 5th EuroIndia Summit on October 13, 2011 in Leuven, Belgium.

with thanks : IBNLive : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Monday, October 3, 2011

Khalsa college to digitise rare books and manuscripts


AMRITSAR: Khalsa college will digitize the rich Sikh treasure including rare books, manuscripts and hand written documents during the times of Sikh Gurus, presently preserved in the 81 years old Sikh museum.

While talking to TOI on Monday, principal of the college Dr Daljit Singh informed that the museum, which was established in 1930, houses more than 6274 books which include rare books in English and Punjabi dating back to 16th and 17th century.


He said there were hundreds of manuscripts and documents in Urdu, Sanskrit and Persian also, apart from newspaper and magazine as old as 1904. The Museum also has weapons belonging to the times of Khalsa Army and other Sikh Wars besides old coins of Sikh era. It is a treasure house for the Sikh history and culture. Hundreds of students use the documents for their research activities.


with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Festive gathering takes ugly turn


An Indian wrestling tournament at a Sikh temple outside Lodi turned into a real brawl Sunday, forcing deputies to halt the major event and disperse thousands of people.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 fans of the Indian wrestling game kabaddi gathered at Deshmesh Darbar Sikh Temple outside Lodi for the tournament, billed as "The 1st World Cup."

But a controversial referee's call during the finals led to a melee among fans, said San Joaquin County Sheriff's Deputy Les Garcia.

"It got to a point where it got so physical that they were throwing chairs at one another," Garcia said.

The presence of 144 players in the open and under-21 divisions made the tournament one of the major kabaddi events in Northern California, organizers said.

Many Sikhs from the Indian state of Punjab grow up playing kabaddi. They bring their love of it to America.

The event also is a religious observance, food festival and basketball shootout.

The fight erupted as the Bay Area Sports Club was playing Sacramento in the under-21 division. The same Bay Area Sports Club was up against Lodi in the open division. At stake in each division was 398,296 rupees, or about $8,100.

Around 5:30 p.m., a referee made the disputed call. Some fans later said they believed the ref had been paid off.
"We were just watching the game, then just suddenly there's an argument and fights broke out and we see the police," said Suki Kandola, mother of one of the best-known players, Sunni Kandola.

Deputies on the scene and private security could not stop the fight from spreading into a melee that ranged across the temple's 10-acre site.

"Once the deputies responded to that area, then they would move, then another fight would break out," Garcia said. "So there was a continuous wave of physical fights throughout the property."

Multiple sheriff's units rushed to the scene. Lodi police dispatched five cruisers, including a K-9 unit. The California Highway Patrol also sent units to the scene.

"It was a mess," said Lodi police Lt. Tod Patterson. "People were throwing tables. It didn't end well."


with thanks : link above for detailed news.