Sikh body demands memorial for Hondh-Chillar massacre victims

Amritsar, Oct 28 (PTI) The Shiromani Gurdwara Pharbadnhak Committee has come under criticism from a Sikh students' body for delay in construction of a memorial for the community members killed during anti-Sikh riots in November 1984 in Haryana. All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF) Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed has asked SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar to begin construction of memorial by October 31. Peer said if SCPC fails to adhere to the same, AISSF would start construction of the memorial at Hondh-Chillar village, where the riots took place. Reacting to Peer's warning, Makkar said he has no problem if AISSF cames forward to construct the memorial. He said SGPC realised that there was no use to construct memorial there since none of the affected family was living at Hondh-Chillar and if needed, the memorial would be constructed after thorough discussion with the affected families. As per a SGPC report, 32 Sikhs were massacred at Hondh- Chillar village in Haryana's Rewari district during November 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

with thanks : IBNLive : link above.

The only living master of a dying martial art

A former factory worker from the British Midlands may be the last living master of the centuries-old Sikh battlefield art of shastar vidya. The father of four is now engaged in a full-time search for a successor.

with thanks : BBC News : link above for detailed news story.

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Sikhs to hold international martial arts competition in San Jose

Sikhs are not unfamiliar with battle, neither physical nor political, here in Silicon Valley.

And on Saturday, the community is holding its first international Sikh martial arts competition at the San Jose Gurdwara Sahib, or Sikh temple, in the Evergreen hills.

The battle is over who will be the best "gatka" expert, the one who best masters a sword, a stick and a shield in an ancient rite of Sikh combat.

"This is the first international gatka contest held in California," said Sukhdev Bainiwal, a member of the San Jose Sikh temple who is in charge of the battle. The first such contest was held nine years ago in Toronto.

He said about 200 competitors from California, New York, Houston, Maryland, New Jersey, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and India will participate. There are four age categories, from the under-7 group to those who are in their 60s.

The winners share a total of $9,000 in cash prizes.

Gatka may be best compared to the eskrima, the martial arts of the Philippines. Bainiwal said this form of martial arts is deeply infused in the Sikh religion; the sixth guru first used this technique on the battlefield.

"It's more spiritual and more meditative," Bainiwal said.

with thanks : mercurynews : link above for detailed news story.

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Oldest marathon runner: Fauja Singh sets world record

with thanks : YouTube & the WorldRecordsAcademy

Sukhmani Sahib: Psalm of peace

Here is a line from the Sukhmani Sahib: "Sukhmani Sukh amrit prab nam,/ Bhagat jana kai man bisram. Rahau." Sukhmani is peace of mind, the nectar of the Name of God. The minds of the devotees abide in a joyful peace. Pause.

The word 'rahau' which means 'pause' manifests the true meaning of the bani or sacred sayings, the Sukhmani Sahib. Also known as the 'consoler of the mind' and the 'Jewel of Peace', its recitation leaves a soothing effect on the mind of the reader. A basic text of the Sikh faith, Sukhmani Sahib - Gauri Sukhmani in the Guru Granth Sahib - presents the teachings of the Sikh faith in a simple yet soul-stirring manner.

The sacred bani comprising 24 ashtpadis or cantos opens with an invocation to the Supreme who is remembered as adi-gure, jugadi-gure, sat-gure and sri-gurdeve - the primal guru, guru of all ages, the true guru and the great Divine Guru. It urges that in order to gain peace one should make a constant effort to remember the Name - Shabad or Word of the Almighty. Guru Arjan Dev says that the only way to realise God is through Namsimran or chanting God's Name. 

As weak beings, we are full of attachments and desires. In a world of maya or illusion, we forget the Creator while being engrossed in his creation. Only with His Grace and complete surrender to His Will one can overcome evils like anger, greed, attachment and desires. Namsimran helps in self-purification. 


with thanks : TIMES OF INDIA : link above for detailed version.

Sikhs in "Associazione SEVA" in Milan ,Italy !

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
University of Milan
ITALY

Sikh Face in Milan,Italy !

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
University of Milan
Italy